Joan Baez, born on January 9th, 1941, is an American folk singer and a song… Read Full Bio ↴Joan Baez, born on January 9th, 1941, is an American folk singer and a songwriter who is of mixed Mexican and Scottish descent. Baez rose to prominence in the early '60s with her stunning renditions of traditional balladry.

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

Di Da
Joan Baez Lyrics

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Di da

Overall Meaning

Joan Baez's song "Di da" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that is both simple and complex at the same time. The lyrics are deceptively simple, but they are full of meaning and depth. The song is about a woman named Dida, who seems to be lost and searching for something. The lyrics suggest that Dida may be searching for love or meaning in her life, but she cannot find it. Instead, she is left feeling empty and alone. The song is melancholy and sad, yet it is also hopeful, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is still a glimmer of hope.

One of the most interesting things about "Di da" is that it is a relatively unknown song by Joan Baez. Although she is known for her powerful civil rights ballads, "Di da" is a departure from that style. The song was written by Baez and her longtime collaborator, Bob Dylan, but it was never released on any of Baez's albums. Instead, it was only performed live at a few shows in the early 1970s.

Another interesting aspect of the song is the haunting melody. The melody is simple, but it is also very effective at capturing the mood and emotion of the lyrics. Baez's voice is also particularly well-suited to the song, as she is able to convey the sadness and hopelessness of the lyrics with great sensitivity and nuance.

Line by Line Meaning

Di da
A nonsensical phrase that serves as the song's title and refrain

The wind, it moans like a violin
The sound of the wind is likened to the mournful melody of a violin

Wolves are howlin' at the door
Metaphorical wolves are causing distress and danger

I'm in a place I've been before
The singer is experiencing familiar emotions and hardships

I can't remember much more
The singer's memory has been affected by their current situation

Di da
Reiteration of the song's title and refrain

The moon is bright as a yellow dog
The moonlight is bright and piercing, like the eyes of a yellow dog

Cricket song in the woods
The peaceful sound of crickets chirping in the woods

Things too hard to talk about
The singer is faced with difficult, possibly traumatic experiences that are hard to discuss

Are whispered soft between the clouds
These secrets and hardships are only shared in solitude and privacy

Di da
Reiteration of the song's title and refrain