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
Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His face so soft and wondrous fair
The purest eyes
And the strongest hands
I love the ground on where he stands
I love the ground on where he stands
Black is the color of my true love's hair
Of my true love's hair
Oh I love my lover
And where he goes
Yes, I love the ground on where he goes
And still I hope
That the time will come
When he and I will be as one
When he and I will be as one
So black is the color of my true love's hair
Black is the color of my true love's hair
Black is the color of my true love's hair
The underlying theme of Joan Baez's song Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair is love, devotion and longing. The use of the color black in this ballad symbolizes the depth and intensity of the singer's affection for her lover. She admires his physical appearance, praising his silky black hair, gentle facial features, and powerful hands. The pureness of his eyes and the strength of his hands are a testament to his inner spirit and kindness.
The singer expresses her admiration for the qualities of her lover that set him apart from others. She loves the ground that he walks on, indicating that everything that surrounds him is cherished by her. The repetition of the phrase "I love the ground on where he stands" emphasizes the strength of her attachment and affirms her unwavering loyalty to him. The second verse suggests that she wants to be close to him, following him wherever he goes. She desires to be in unity with him and hopes that they will be together as one.
Overall, Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair paints a picture of a woman completely in love with her partner. The song reflects her reverence towards him and highlights her need to be physically and emotionally close to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Black is the color of my true love's hair
My true love's hair is as dark as the night sky
His face so soft and wondrous fair
His face is gentle and wonderful to gaze upon
The purest eyes
My true love's eyes are the most innocent and sincere eyes I've ever seen
And the strongest hands
His hands are powerful and capable, able to protect and hold me
I love the ground on where he stands
I love the place where he stands and all that he represents
Of my true love's hair
Again, his hair is as dark as the night sky
Oh I love my lover
I love my true love with all my heart
And where he goes
I love wherever he travels to and the journey he takes
Yes, I love the ground on where he goes
I love wherever he travels to and the journey he takes, just as I love the place he stands
And still I hope
Despite any obstacles, I still have hope
That the time will come
I believe that eventually, the right time will arrive
When he and I will be as one
When my true love and I will be united as one
Black is the color of my true love's hair
Once again, his hair is as dark as the night sky
Black is the color of my true love's hair
His hair is so dark and unique, reminding me of all the reasons I love him
Black is the color of my true love's hair
His hair is dark, but it is not something that detracts from my love for him
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NINA SIMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lcymds
I fell in love with this song when in my twenties. Now in my sixties, nothing has changed - a timeless beauty sung by one of the best voices in the world.
@nexttvmarketing
JOAN BAEZ IS NOT ONLY A HIGH QUALITY HUMAN BEING BUT ONE ON THE MOST ANGELIC VOICES IVE EVER HEARD
@maevemcmahon4286
and an astonishingly brave woman! been under fire many times … she was and always will be my inspiration
@richardportman8912
Well you don't need to shout about it! I agree already. Eh, what did you say?
@bobfreiburghouse7830
Joan Baez voice is so pure and she sings with such feeling no one can compare to her.
@jayloewe
This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Only Joan Baez could do it justice.
@neeceeblack
Nina Simone’s version does it more than justice, she adds value and depth to a song already heavy with the weight of time. But I think this is beautiful too. Joan Baez’s rendition sounds magical and mysterious while Nina’s is full of yearning, and emotion, and maybe even heartache.
@neeceeblack
Joan Baez’s rendition sounds magical and mysterious while Nina’s is full of yearning, and emotion, and maybe even heartache.
@theolfa
The closest version to my teenage memory of it. the best!
@visionbear
THIS IS AMAZING TO HEAR NOW: BUT I REMEMBER THE CHILLS WHEN I HEARD IT "LIVE" .