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
Fare Thee Well
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And leave you for a while
Wherever I go, I will return
If I go ten thousand miles
If I go, if I go
If I go ten thousand miles
Oh, ten thousand miles it is so far
Well, I may lie, lament and cry
And you'll, you'll not hear my mourn
And you'll, no you'll
And you'll not hear my mourn
Oh, the crow that is so black, my love
Will change his color white
If ever I should prove false to thee
The day, day will turn to night
Yes the day, oh the day
Yes the day will turn to night
Oh, the rivers never will run dry
For the rocks melt with the sun
I'll never prove false to the boy I love
Till all, all these things be done
Till all, till all
Till all these things be done
Joan Baez's song Fare Thee Well is a poignant ballad that expresses the longing of a lover who is leaving but promises to return after traveling ten thousand miles. The first and third verses reassure the beloved that the separation will be temporary and that the singer will always remain loyal to their love, even if it means traveling far away. However, the second verse is melancholic as it suggests that the separation might be long and that the singer may feel alone and isolated, with nobody to hear their tears and lament.
The final verse of the song is beautifully metaphorical, as it compares the loyalty of the singer's love to the unchanging nature of natural phenomena. The rivers will never run dry, and the rocks will melt with the sun, but the singer's love will remain true until the end of time. The song's message is one of perseverance and commitment, and it speaks to the timeless human experience of love and separation.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh fare thee well, I must be gone
I have to leave you now.
And leave you for a while
I am leaving you temporarily.
Wherever I go, I will return
No matter where I go, I will come back.
If I go ten thousand miles
Even if I have to travel a great distance.
Oh, ten thousand miles it is so far
Ten thousand miles is a very long distance.
To leave me here alone
Leaving me by myself.
Well, I may lie, lament and cry
I might be sad and cry.
And you'll, you'll not hear my mourn
You won't be able to hear my cries.
And you'll, no you'll
I know for sure that you won't.
Oh, the crow that is so black, my love
The bird that is usually black.
Will change his color white
It will become white in color.
If ever I should prove false to thee
If I ever betray you.
The day, day will turn to night
It will be a very dark time.
Yes the day, oh the day
Indeed, it will be a very dark time.
Oh, the rivers never will run dry
The water in the rivers will never go away.
For the rocks melt with the sun
The rocks will melt when exposed to the heat of the sun.
I'll never prove false to the boy I love
I will always be faithful to my lover.
Till all, all these things be done
Until everything that needs to be done is finished.
Till all, till all
Until everything is done.
Till all these things be done
Until all is said and done.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID GUDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
blueconversechucks
I feel that her voice paired with these lyrics and songs like this, gives voice to the most vulnerable part of my soul.
Peter G. Miller
This song was on one of the first albums I bought as a teenager. The words are taken in part from John Burns but the music is all Baez. I love the guitars and I love this song even 50 years later.
Truthismyfriend
Hearing this song, in 1961, left a permanent impression on me. With "John Riley," as sung by her, with her hypnotic vibrato, it became the thought in me of what romantic love was supposed to be.
crusader1954
I first heard Joan sing this song on TV in fall 1960, and I still think it is the very best song she has ever recorded. A true folk classic of incomparable beauty and artistry.
Seb Payne Music
Exquisite voice, perfect performance, a gem!
Karl Mahlmann
One of my treasured albums in the 60's. I would come home after school and just sit and listen. Something very magical about the entire album - and the J.B. albums that followed.
Lulu kallinen
Karl Mahlmann wow..loved to read this..what a magic..i was Listend this Song the First time during i was in the Bus Up to Berlin to Look Up some Appartements There ( as cheap as possible) for studying..and my tears was dropping down my face because my heart was so in Love with that Song and that Moment..i am really greatful that i can feel That way..
Mata Pöze
The First time I heard this beautiful ballad I was about 16 and I didn't know that Joan baez could sing in English as the only album I knew from her at that time was Gracias a la vida, some years before. I was at my uncle's in vacations and listened to an album where she was singing this ballad and House of the rising sun and all my trials. Since then, I never stopped listening to her!
Betsy Stewart
There is no one who can sing these folk ballads the way Joan Baez can!
Chris J
One of the finest sopranos outside the operatic stage.