Diamonds and Rust – English Lyrics

• By: Judas Priest

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the unexpected fusion of folk and heavy metal with Judas Priest's rendition of "Diamonds and Rust." This cover transforms Joan Baez's introspective ballad into a powerful rock anthem, offering a unique perspective on love and memory. Discover how a metal band embraced vulnerability and turned it into gold, teaching us that great songs transcend genre.

[English]

I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again

but that's not unusual

it's just that the moon is full

and you decided to call

And here I sit, hand on the telephone

hearing the voice I'd known

a couple of light years ago

heading straight for a fall

well we both know what memories can bring

they bring Diamonds And Rust

yes we both know what memories can bring

they bring Diamonds And Rust

Now your standing all around with snow in your hair

Now we're looking out the window of a crummy hotel over washington square

Our breath comes out white clouds, mingles and hangs in the air

Speaking strictly for me

we both could've died then and there

Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic

then give me another word for it

you grew so good with words

and at keeping things vauge

cause I need some of that vagueness now, it's all come back too clearly

Oh, I love you dearly

and if you're offering me Diamonds And Rust

I've already paid

Well we both know what memories can bring

they bring Diamonds And Rust

yes we both know what memories can bring

they bring Diamonds And Rust

Diamonds, Diamonds And Rust

Diamonds, Diamonds And Rust

Diamonds, Diamonds And Rust

I don't want no more

Diamonds, Diamonds And Rust

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ghost /ɡoʊst/ B2	noun - the spirit of a dead person
moon /muːn/ A2	noun - the natural satellite that orbits the Earth
call /kɔːl/ A2	verb - to phone or contact someone
voice /vɔɪs/ B1	noun - sound produced by humans when speaking or singing
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - brightness that comes from the sun, lamps, etc. adjective - not heavy
memory /ˈmɛməri/ B2	noun - the power or process of recalling past experiences
diamond /ˈdaɪmənd/ B1	noun - a precious stone consisting of a clear and highly valued crystal of carbon
rust /rʌst/ B2	noun - a reddish-brown flaky coating formed on iron or steel by oxidation verb - to become covered with rust
snow /snoʊ/ A2	noun - frozen white flakes of water falling from the sky
hair /hɛr/ A1	noun - the strands that grow from the skin on the head
window /ˈwɪndoʊ/ A1	noun - an opening in a wall or door to let in light or air
hotel /hoʊˈtɛl/ A2	noun - a place that provides lodging and usually meals for travelers
breath /brɛθ/ B1	noun - the air taken into or expelled from the lungs
cloud /klaʊd/ A2	noun - a visible mass of condensed water vapor in the sky
hang /hæŋ/ B1	verb - to be suspended or remain in the air
nostalgic /nɒˈstældʒɪk/ C1	adjective - feeling a sentimental longing for the past
vague /veɪɡ/ B2	adjective - not clearly expressed or understood
offer /ˈɒfər/ B1	verb - to present or give something to someone
fall /fɔːl/ A2	verb - to move downward freely by the force of gravity

Key Grammar Structures

• I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again

  ➔ Future Perfect (will + have + past participle)

  ➔ The phrase 'I'll be damned' expresses a strong surprise or disbelief about something unexpected.

• And here I sit, hand on the telephone

  ➔ Present Simple for ongoing states (verb + ing)

  ➔ The phrase 'And here I sit' indicates a physical and emotional state of being in a particular situation.

• we both could've died then and there

  ➔ Modal verbs for hypothesizing (could have + past participle)

  ➔ The phrase 'we both could've died' suggests a possibility in the past that had significant implications.

• Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic

  ➔ Present Continuous for actions happening now (are + verb-ing)

  ➔ The phrase 'Now you're telling me' indicates an ongoing action or statement being made at the moment.

• you grew so good with words

  ➔ Past Simple for completed actions (verb + ed)

  ➔ The phrase 'you grew so good' refers to a change or development that has completed in the past.

• cause I need some of that vagueness now

  ➔ Present Simple for general truth or habits (verb + s/es)

  ➔ The phrase 'I need some of that vagueness' suggests a general truth about the speaker’s current state.

• I've already paid

  ➔ Present Perfect for past actions affecting the present (have + past participle)

  ➔ The phrase 'I've already paid' emphasizes that the action has relevance to the present situation.