In the late '60s and early '70s, Baez came into her songwriting own, penning many songs (most notably "Diamonds & Rust," a nostalgic piece about her ill-fated romance with Bob Dylan, and "Sweet Sir Galahad," a song about sister Mimi Fariña's ( of Richard & Mimi Fariña fame) second marriage, and continued to meld her songcraft with topical issues. She was outspoken in her disapproval of the Vietnam war and later the CIA-backed coups in many Latin American countries.
She was also instrumental in the Civil Rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King on many occassions and being jailed for her beliefs. In 1963, her performance of "We Shall Overcome" at the Lincoln Memorial just prior to Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream..." speech helped confirm the song as the Civil Rights anthem.
In December 1972, she traveled to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and was caught in that country's "Christmas Campaign," in which the U.S. bombed the city more times than any other during the entire war. While pregnant with her only son, Gabriel, she performed a handful of songs in the middle of the night on day one of the 1969 Woodstock festival. She is considered the "Queen of Folk" for being at the forefront of the 1960s folk revival and inspiring generations of female folksingers that followed. Over fifty years after she first began singing publicly in 1958, Joan Baez continues to tour, demonstrate in favor of human rights and nonviolence, and release albums for a world of devoted fans.
1959
Banks of the Ohio
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To take a walk, just a little walk,
Down beside where the waters flow,
Down by the banks of the Ohio
And only say that you'll be mine
In no others arms entwine,
Down beside where the waters flow,
I held a knife against her breast,
And into my arms she pressed,
She cried, "Oh Willie, don't murder me
I'm not prepared for eternity."
And only say that you'll be mine
In no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of Ohio
I started home 'tween twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?
I've killed the only woman I loved,
Because she would not be my bride,"
And only say that you'll be mine
In no others' arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of Ohio
The song "Banks of the Ohio" tells a heart-wrenching story of a man who invites his love to take a walk with him beside the river. He then proceeds to pull a knife on her, and after she begs for her life, he takes her as his bride. However, his guilt drives him to confess his crime and he admits to murder. The song is a traditional American ballad, with its roots going as far back as the 19th century. It was Joan Baez's version, released in 1961, that gained immense popularity and made the song one of her most well-known hits.
Beyond the literal reading of the song, there are many interpretations and speculations as to what the lyrics mean. Some believe that it is a cautionary tale against committing senseless and violent acts of passion. Others have interpreted the song as a feminist critique of gender-based violence and the lack of agency women had during the times in which this song was written. It could also be interpreted as a commentary on the desperation that comes with unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked my love to take a walk,
I requested my beloved to accompany me for a stroll,
To take a walk, just a little walk,
I requested a short walk only,
Down beside where the waters flow,
To the place by the stream,
Down by the banks of the Ohio
To the riverside of Ohio
And only say that you'll be mine
Promise me that you'll be mine
In no others arms entwine,
Promise me that you will not love anyone else.
I held a knife against her breast,
I placed a knife at her chest,
And into my arms she pressed,
She drew near and held me tightly.
She cried, "Oh Willie, don't murder me
She sobbed, pleading for me not to kill her.
I'm not prepared for eternity."
She was not ready to be dead forever.
I started home 'tween twelve and one
I began to walk home between twelve and one
I cried, "My God, what have I done?
I exclaimed, realizing what I have done,
I've killed the only woman I loved,
I murdered the only woman I loved,
Because she would not be my bride,"
Because she refused to marry me.
Down beside where the waters flow
By the stream,
Down by the banks of Ohio
At the riverside of Ohio.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J BAIRD, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flautalee3090
What an incredible voice! Thank you Ms Baez!❤
@henrylarsson3150
Så sant hälsningar från Sweden
@keithport6913
Joan Baez has a strong voice combined with traditional folk style interpretation of this. Another distinctive and excellent version
@williambellamy6197
I grew up on the banks of the Ohio and 64 years later im still here
@albertyoung8659
Jerry and Joan, legendary performance ❤️👍.
@martienevers
Joan and The Gratefull Dead: 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👌🏻
@robertkiraly2170
This is absolutely country music!
@lewiswereb8994
Wonderful old Carter tune, Mother Maybelle will make you cry when she does it
@bluesmaster9896
I just started to hum this to myself tonight ,my ma used to sing it .I ended up here with the best Baez
@claudiehebrard4918
Très belle personne et Voix extraordinaire