Catch the Wind
Donovan Joan Baez Lyrics


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In the chilly hours and minutes
Of uncertainty
I want to be
In the warm hold of your loving mind

To feel you all around me
And to take your hand
Along the sand
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

When sundown pales the sky
I want to hide a while
Behind your smile
And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find

For me to love you now
Would be the sweetest thing
T'would make me sing
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

Diddy di dee dee diddy diddy
Diddy diddy diddy dee dee dee

When rain has hung the leaves with tears
I want you near to kill my fears
To help me to leave all my blues behind

For standin' in your heart
Is where I want to be
And long to be
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind





Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joan Baez's song, Catch the Wind, is a reflection of the uncertainty and longing that one feels in a relationship. The opening lines are an indication of the confusion that the singer feels about their current romantic situation. The use of the word, "chilly", is a metaphor for the uncertainty and the lack of warmth that they feel in their life right now. The singer seeks comfort from their partner's "loving mind" and to feel them around them. They also express a desire to take their partner's hand and walk together along the beach. However, the singer realizes that their desires may be unattainable and they compare it to trying to catch the wind.


The song expresses the desire to hide behind their partner's smile when feeling vulnerable and to be able to look into their eyes and find comfort. They admit that loving their partner would be the best thing for them and would make them feel fulfilled. But the singer knows that this may not be possible, and they draw a comparison to catching the wind, something that is intangible and impossible to grasp.


The final verse speaks to the singer's desire to have their partner near them during tough times. They admit to wanting to be in their partner's heart and to be with them through difficult situations. However, despite their longing, the singer admits that they may never be able to catch the wind, meaning that they may never be able to have the relationship they so deeply desire.


Line by Line Meaning

In the chilly hours and minutes Of uncertainty
During the uncertain times, I want to be in a warm and loving embrace


I want to be In the warm hold of your loving mind
I desire to feel secure and protected in your loving thoughts and intentions


To feel you all around me And to take your hand Along the sand
I long for an intimate connection with you, exploring the world hand in hand


Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind
I realize it may be futile to try and attain the unattainable, but I cannot help but hope


When sundown pales the sky I want to hide a while Behind your smile
During the dark moments, I yearn for your comfort, safety and genuine care


And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find
I know that in your gaze, I can always find solace and direction


For me to love you now Would be the sweetest thing T'would make me sing
My love for you is the purest, most beautiful thing that could ever happen to me


When rain has hung the leaves with tears I want you near to kill my fears To help me to leave all my blues behind
When I am down, your presence and love can dispel all doubts and worries and allow me to move forward


For standin' in your heart Is where I want to be And long to be
Being in your loving embrace is where I belong, and where I hope to remain forever


Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind
Despite the odds, I cannot resist the urge to pursue my desires, even if they seem impossible to achieve




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@alangrosso4514

Age 73 and this song takes me back to my teens and tears come. Getting to the end now and the music of my youth brings on the memories of a day gone by..love this stuff

@jeffreywillis9932

72 and I feel the same

@Doc5thMech

Also true at age 80 years.

@johnmarkham9136

Be Well my friend!

@lindaclairesartori

Me too, girl! Exactly.
Tears of history.
My dad gave me a guitar fir Christmas when I was seventeen,
(now seventy-five!), and said "Just don't turn in to a Joanne Bez"!
She, Baez, was a radical woman folk-singer. Ah, my people!⚠️🎸(Why is their no acoustic guitar icon in my iPhone??)

@jeffreywillis9932

Me too my friend, me too.

@steveclark9631

I'm not a man of many words. Brings back my youth .I'm getting old now but the song makes me feel young again ❤

@davidroga6508

This is so profound. Such depth and emotion in this song. It’s so beautiful to watch Joan step back and let Mary shine. Their harmony is surreal. Very few can match Joan’s rich deep voice. Mary is just perfect for that and the third voice is so exponentially profound that it gives me the chills. Just brilliant.

@roberttyran3813

Amen! Joan is profoundly sharing, and remains the Best. Bob.

@nakedhombre

I appreciate your comments and pretty much could not have said it better however, I don’t know, some thing about this didn’t sit right with me. At first I thought not enough rehearsal the two voices just we’re almost there but didn’t quite make it for me! Too tentative and didn’t really lock in I attribute this to not enough rehearsal. Just because two people are fabulous doesn’t mean that they can lock in together unless they work at it and I think the work went undone. The performance should not be the rehearsal time and that’s what this seems like to me. Please excuse me for expressing this I’m not trying to negate anything you said but it was my take on how this song struck me. As a singer musician the subtleties did not match for me. Peace

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