Colours
Joan Baez Lyrics
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In the morning when we rise
In the morning when we rise
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best
Green is the colour of the sparkling corn
In the morning when we rise
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best
Blue is the colour of the sky
In the morning when we rise
In the morning when we rise
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best
Mellow is the feeling that I get
When I see her, uh huh
When I see her, uh huh
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best
Freedom is a word I rarely use
Without thinkin', uh huh
Without thinkin', uh huh
Of the time, of the time
When I've been loved
Oh, yellow is the colour of my true love's hair
In the morning when we rise
In the morning when we rise
That's the time, that's the time
I love the best
Joan Baez’s song “Colours” is a beautiful and simple love song, where she uses colours to symbolize different aspects of her love for her partner. The song begins with “Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair.” Here, the colour yellow represents the physical attribute that Baez loves about her partner. Yellow is often associated with happiness and joy, which could also be a subtle allusion to the happy times she shares with her lover in the morning when they wake up.
The second verse uses the colour green to express the beauty of nature and specifically the beauty of the cornfields in the morning, which could also represent the freshness of the day and the love that exists between Baez and her partner. The morning is an important part of the song, and it refers to a time when everything is fresh and new, representing the beginning of a new day and the hope that comes with it.
The final verse of the song uses the colour blue to represent the expansive sky, which often symbolizes freedom and endless possibilities. In this verse Baez mentions the word “Freedom,” which is an important concept in the song. She talks about how she rarely uses the word without thinking of the times when she has been loved, which suggests that love is a source of freedom for her.
Overall "Colours" is a beautiful and evocative love song, it uses the different colours as symbols to represent different aspects of love, from the physical to nature to freedom. Joan Baez manages to express her love in a simple yet powerful way, making this song an enduring classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair
The singer describes their lover's hair as the color yellow.
In the morning when we rise
The singer references the time of day that they are talking about.
In the morning when we rise
The singer references the time of day that they are talking about.
That's the time, that's the time
The artist repeats the time of day they are referring to.
I love the best
The artist expresses a preference for this specific time of day.
Green is the colour of the sparkling corn
The singer describes the color of corn in the morning light.
In the morning when we rise
The singer references the time of day that they are talking about.
In the morning when we rise
The artist references the time of day that they are talking about.
That's the time, that's the time
The artist repeats the time of day they are referring to.
I love the best
The artist expresses a preference for this specific time of day.
Blue is the colour of the sky
The singer describes the sky as blue in the morning.
In the morning when we rise
The artist references the time of day that they are talking about.
In the morning when we rise
The singer references the time of day that they are talking about.
That's the time, that's the time
The singer repeats the time of day they are referring to.
I love the best
The singer expresses a preference for this specific time of day.
Mellow is the feeling that I get
The artist describes how they feel when they see their lover.
When I see her, uh huh
The artist references the action and adds a casual exclamation.
When I see her, uh huh
The singer references the action and adds a casual exclamation.
That's the time, that's the time
The singer repeats the specific point in time they feel this way.
I love the best
The artist declares their favorite time of day and also their favorite feeling.
Freedom is a word I rarely use
The artist reveals that they do not use the word freedom often.
Without thinkin', uh huh
The artist adds a casual exclamation as they continue their thought.
Without thinkin', uh huh
The singer adds a casual exclamation as they continue their thought.
Of the time, of the time
The artist clarifies the time when they use the word freedom.
When I've been loved
The singer explains that they associate freedom with a time when they were loved.
Oh, yellow is the colour of my true love's hair
The singer repeats the opening line to close out the song.
In the morning when we rise
The singer references the time of day that they are talking about.
In the morning when we rise
The artist references the time of day that they are talking about.
That's the time, that's the time
The artist repeats the time of day they are referring to.
I love the best
The singer expresses a preference for this specific time of day.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Donovan Leitch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gigicamera3051
Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair,
In the morning, when we rise,
In the morning, when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time,
I love the best.
Green's the colour of the sparklin' corn,
In the morning, when we rise,
In the morning, when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time,
I love the best.
Blue's the colour of the sky-y,
In the morning, when we rise,
In the morning, when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time,
I love the best.
Mellow is the feeling that I get,
When I see her, m-hmm,
When I see her, oh yeah.
That's the time, that's the time,
I love the best.
Freedom is a word I rarely use,
Without thinking, oh yeah,
Without thinking, m-hmm.
Of the time, of the time,
When I've been loved.
Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair,
In the morning, when we rise,
In the morning, when we rise.
That's the time, that's the time,
I love the best.
@tomgreene1843
Great song and memories of someone singing this in Newman House UCD back a long time ago.
@arthurraygross4983
The voice of an Angel.
@updownstate
Pure voice, streaming out the windows of my college dorm.
@GHISINLIL
The first lp I bought with my own picket money. I was about 14. Still love it, of course!
@user-nx9ds2de3m
Very beautiful vocal!
@curiousaboutanything2454
Ohhhh what a soothing voice ..It touches your heart so deep. love you Joan. love you so much.
@fromdallas1020
Beautiful!
@countrychess
Quelle superbe chanson et si bien servie par Joan Baez !
@whiskey6actual
Joan is the singer that I love the best
@nadiadallazanna3444
Divina