Beautiful Despair (For James)

Beautiful despair is hearing Dylan

When you're drunk at 3 a.m.

Knowing that the chances are

No matter what you'll never write like him

Oh, brother

Beautiful despair is why you lean

Into this world without restraint

'Cause somewhere out before you

Lies the masterpiece you'd sell your soul to paint

Oh, brother

What do we laugh or cry

Beautiful despair

Beautiful despair

Beautiful despair is slouching forward

Toward a past you might regret

All to suck the marrow out

Of every magic moment that you get

Beautiful despair is playing safe

When you were once a rebel child

Knowing that tomorrow comes

And all you've done is last another mile

Oh, brother

Oh, dear brother

Oh, my brother

What shall we drink or dry?