"Beautiful Despair (For James)" lyrics - RODNEY CROWELL

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?