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
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Joan Baez Lyrics
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Reflecting on my past life and it doesnt have much time
'Cause at 5 oclock they take me to the gallows pole
The sands of time for me are running low
When the priest comes to read me the last rites
I take a look through the bars at the last sights
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me
Can it be theres some sort of error
Hard to stop the surmounting terror
Is it really the end not some crazy dream
Somebody please tell me that I'm dreaming
It's not so easy to stop from screaming
But words escape me when I try to speak
Tears they flow but why am I crying
After all I am not afraid of dying
Don't believe that there is never an end
As the guards march me out to the courtyard
Someone calls from a cell God be with you
If theres a God then why has he let me die?
As I walk all my life drifts before me
And though the end is near I'm not sorry
Catch my soul 'cause it's willing to fly away
Mark my words please believe my soul lives on
Please don't worry now that I have gone
I've gone beyond to see the truth
When you know that your time is close at hand
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Life down there is just a strange illusion
The song "Hallowed Be Thy Name" by Joan Baez tells the story of a prisoner who is about to be executed for a crime he may or may not have committed. The song begins with the sound of the bell, signaling the approach of his execution. The prisoner reflects on his past life and the fact that he doesn't have much time left, as he will be taken to the gallows pole at 5 o'clock. The sands of time, just like the prisoner's life, are running low.
As the priest comes to read the last rites, the prisoner takes a look through the bars at the last sights of a world that has gone very wrong for him. He questions whether there has been some sort of error, and whether it's really the end or just a crazy dream. He pleads with someone to tell him that he's dreaming, but the words escape him when he tries to speak.
As the guards march him out to the courtyard, someone from a cell calls out 'God be with you'. The prisoner questions if there really is a God then why has he let him die? As he walks, his entire life flashes before him and even though the end is near, he is not sorry. He asks someone to catch his soul as it's willing to fly away. Finally, the prisoner speaks a few last words of comfort to those who will be left behind, saying that his soul will live on.
Overall, the song deals with existential questions about life, death, and the nature of reality. It is a poignant reminder that everything we experience in life is fleeting and temporary, and that we should cherish every moment we have on this earth.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm waiting in my cold cell when the bell begins to chime
I am confined in a cold space, and the onset of a bell signals a forthcoming event.
Reflecting on my past life and it doesn't have much time
I am in deep thought about my previous existence and have limited time left.
'Cause at 5 o'clock they take me to the Gallows Pole
At 5 pm, I will be taken to the gallows to face my execution.
The sands of time for me are running low
I have very little time left before my execution occurs.
When the priest comes to read me the last rites
Before my execution, a member of the clergy will read my final sacraments.
I take a look through the bars at the last sights
I take a last glimpse of the world outside through the bars of my cell.
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me
The world outside has been harsh and unforgiving toward me.
Can it be there's some sort of error
Is it possible that there has been some mistake made in my sentencing?
Hard to stop the surmounting terror
The mounting fear within me is difficult to subside.
Is it really the end not some crazy dream
I question whether this execution is real or simply a nightmare.
Somebody please tell me that I'm dreaming
I plead for someone to tell me that this is all simply a dream.
It's not so easy to stop from screaming
Suppressing the urge to scream and panic is not a simple task.
But words escape me when I try to speak
I struggle to articulate myself verbally in the midst of the chaos.
Tears they flow but why am I crying
I am crying, but I am unsure of the reason why.
After all I am not afraid of dying
Despite my tears, I am not fearful of the act of dying.
Don't believe that there is never an end
I urge those around me to understand that there is always an end to things.
As the guards march me out to the courtyard
The guards are escorting me to my execution site in the courtyard.
Someone calls from a cell, 'God be with you'
An unidentified individual calls out to me, wishing me well.
If there's a God then why has he let me die?
I question the existence of God because of my impending execution.
As I walk all my life drifts before me
As I move toward my execution, my entire existence is playing out before me.
And though the end is near I'm not sorry
Despite my impending death, I do not regret the life I have led.
Catch my soul 'cause it's willing to fly away
I am prepared for my soul to exit my body and move on to the next realm.
Mark my words, please believe my soul lives on
Despite my physical death, I am certain that my soul will continue to exist.
Please don't worry now that I have gone
I urge those who knew me not to fret now that I have passed.
I've gone beyond to see the truth
Through death, I am able to see the ultimate reality.
When you know that your time is close at hand
When one understands that their death is imminent,
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Perhaps in that situation, one may comprehend what truly matters in life.
Life down there is just a strange illusion
The life we live is an odd deception.
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ana María Tiselj
Linda joan!
Cooper Simmons
Love
worthypancks
Concerts 1960 - 1963
Aysemgul Gulun
I love this song. I am a muslim, from İstanbul, Turkey. But what difference dost it make?
Thomas Harrigan
I am a convert to Islam (from Catholicism) I see no problem with this prayer from my standpoint as a Muslim and love this rendering of it
Gerald
Aysemgul Gulun well done my mate we should all love eachother what ever then we can live as one bless u what ever creed or colour
martamima
Any idea when, where this was recorded?
Gerald
Joan recorded this song in Hanoi in a bunker on Christmas day, protecting a hole load of kids. but I don't know if this is the version .
Aysemgul Gulun
Possible 1959.