A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
Joan Baez Lyrics
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Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it's hard, and it's hard, it's hard, and it's hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Oh, what did you see, my blue eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a bleedin'
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it's hard, and it's hard, it's hard, it's hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, is it roared out a warnin'
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
I heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a blazin'
I heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin'
I heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
I heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
I heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it's hard, and it's hard, it's hard, it's hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
And who did you meet, my blue eyed son?
Oh, who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it's hard, it's hard, it's hard, it's hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Oh, what'll you do now, my blue eyed son?
Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one?
Well, I'm a goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a fallin'
Well, I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, and none is the number
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect from the mountain so all souls can see it
And I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
But I'll know my song well before I start singin'
And it's hard, it's hard, it's hard, it's hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
The song "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" by Joan Baez is a powerful and poignant protest song that addresses the chaos and turmoil of the early 1960s. The lyrics express the singer's experiences and encounters on a long journey, reflecting on the devastation and suffering that surrounds them. The first verse describes the singer's journey through difficult terrains, ranging from mountains to highways to forests and oceans. It highlights the struggle and perseverance required to survive in such harsh environments.
In the second verse, the singer describes a series of disturbing and violent events they have witnessed, including a newborn baby surrounded by wolves, blood dripping from a black branch, and young children wielding guns and swords. The singer then hears the warning sounds of thunder and waves, which can destroy the entire world. They listen to whispering voices and a starving person, but nobody listens to them. The final verse features encounters with different people, including a young child beside a dead pony, a white man walking a black dog, and a young girl who gives the singer a rainbow.
The song references the political and social issues of the time while also remaining timeless in its themes of struggle and perseverance. The strong imagery and imaginative lyrics- portray the world in chaos and call for a change through the singer's determination to continue their journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, where have you been, my blue eyed son?
Where have you been my son, my dear young one with bright blue eyes?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked past difficult terrains, across twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
I've journeyed on six twisting and turning roads.
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I've entered seven disheartening forests.
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've faced the remains of a dozen areas that were once teeming with life.
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
I've been through extremely bleak and depressing situations.
And it's hard, and it's hard, it's hard, and it's hard
It's excruciatingly difficult, very tough and truly challenging.
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
There is trouble ahead and it may take the form of a catastrophic rain shower or similar disasters.
Oh, what did you see, my blue eyed son?
What did you witness, my dear son with the bright blue eyes?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I witnessed an innocent child surrounded and threatened by danger and darkness.
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I witnessed a road made of expensive and precious jewels, but no one to enjoy it or appreciate its beauty.
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a tree branch that was covered in the blood of the suffering individuals, and it wouldn't stop oozing.
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a bleedin'
I saw a group of people whose suffering and hardship was more than they could bear, and their hands were cut and bleeding.
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I witnessed countless speakers and leaders who were unable to speak, communicate or bring about any change.
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
I witnessed that weapons like guns and swords are not in the right hands, and are being controlled by innocent children.
And what did you hear, my blue eyed son?
What did you listen to, my dear son with bright blue eyes?
I heard the sound of a thunder, is it roared out a warnin'
I heard a clap of thunder sound like a warning to many.
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
I heard a sound of a huge tidal wave that can destroy the entire world.
I heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a blazin'
I listened to the sound of drummers whose passion and energy were intense and contagious.
I heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin'
I heard whispering and gossiping among people, yet no one willing to truly listen and acknowledge their grievances.
I heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
I listened to the sound of a person starving to death, while others were laughing and enjoying their privileges.
I heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
I listened to the music and song of a poet who was abandoned and died in a filthy, despicable place.
I heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
I heard the crying, sadness, and melancholy in the voice of a clown, hidden in a dark alley.
And who did you meet, my blue eyed son?
Who did you come across on your journey, my dear son with bright blue eyes?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I came across a child, sitting next to a dead pony, with his innocence and spirit in shambles.
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I came across someone who was atypical and different than what is expected.
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a woman who was suffering from intense pain and disease, where even her body was scorched and seared.
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I encountered a young girl who spread joy and hope even in the midst of turbulence and strife.
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met a man who was hurt and damaged emotionally by love.
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
I encountered a man who was bitter and resentful as a result of his hatred for something or someone.
Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
What course of action are you going to pursue now, my dear son with blue eyes?
Well I'm a goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a fallin'
I'm going to venture out again before the catastrophic rain shower comes.
Well I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
I will travel to the terrifying depths of the darkest forest.
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where there are countless people present, yet their hands remain empty as they struggle to get by.
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where water sources are contaminated with deadly toxins that kill and cause mass suffering.
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the places where people live are not only substandard but are either physically resembling a dungeon or a prison.
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden
Where people in positions of authority who take lives are often unknown or unseen.
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where starving to death is a very difficult and unpleasant experience, and where people's souls are ignored and abandoned.
Where black is the color, and none is the number
Where the dark and oppressive mood dominates and where everyone is alone and powerless.
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
I will never forget, and will recount it over and over until the end of my days.
And reflect from the mountain so all souls can see it
And I will tell it from the mountain so that all beings can witness it.
And I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
I will stand on the ocean, no matter how difficult it is or how much it overwhelms me, until there is no ground to stand.
But I'll know my song well before I start singin'
But I will always be aware of my story, my message, and my goal before I sing it.
And it's hard, it's hard, it's hard, it's hard
It is very difficult, very torturous and truly damaging.
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
There is trouble ahead and it may take the form of a terrible, punishing disaster.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sourav Sarker
A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
WRITTEN BY: BOB DYLAN
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin’
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin’
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin’
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin’
Heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, what’ll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what’ll you do now, my darling young one?
I’m a-goin’ back out ’fore the rain starts a-fallin’
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’
But I’ll know my song well before I start singin’
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Copyright © 1963 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1991 by Special Rider Music
TVbox LaPlata
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin’
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin’
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin’
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin’
Heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, what’ll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what’ll you do now, my darling young one?
I’m a-goin’ back out ’fore the rain starts a-fallin’
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’
But I’ll know my song well before I start singin’
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Arthur J Dale
A combination of a great song by Dylan and Joan's great voice. This is a classic.
Ronald Jost
Arthur J Dale beautiful almost beyond measure.
UN7T7 VIN
Her Voice is like an Angel's Voice
Joan
Try listening to the words and the back of the brethren music is also beautiful and so is your voice so I hope I get to see you both being that it's your last tour Ms Joan Baez & and Mr Bob Dylan please play one more time in New York or in Pennsylvania the garden if I had the money I'd buy and pay for an auditorium for you to play but I don't so all I can say is farewell have a happy life. Joan 2 Joan
Joan
Or in Pennsylvania spectrum JFK I don't even know if they're still there cuz I've been living in New York City if you're ever in Brooklyn look me up
Charles Levan
A beautiful voice, a beautiful human being...thank you, Joan.
SuperDino2222
Bob Dylan poetry and Joan voice, a match from paradise.
Ned Ludd
"I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children." That has become so true in recent decades. I am just a few years younger than Dylan and that verse really struck me back in the day.
Nandani Bayu
this song is so pure, i tear a little bit every time i listen to it
Martin Zachary
Her voice is simply amazing I love you Joan Baez