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
I Shall Be Released
Joan Baez Lyrics
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Yet every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say every man needs protection
They say every man must fall
But I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Yonder down here in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he's been framed
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Joan Baez’s “I Shall Be Released” is an emotional song that speaks about hope, freedom, and the enduring human spirit. The lyrics revolve around the theme of imprisonment and the desire to be free. Baez starts by stating that everything can be replaced, but the distance between things cannot be overcome easily. She then proceeds to recall every face of every person who put her in prison, indicating that she is not imprisoned just physically but also mentally, as the scars of the past continue to haunt her. The recurring line “I see my light come shining from the west unto the east” symbolizes the hope of moving forward towards a brighter future.
The song also highlights the struggle of the oppressed, as Baez sings about a man who swears he’s not to blame and how he’s been framed. It’s a reminder that there are people behind bars who are innocent or wrongly accused, but they cling onto the hope of being released. The chorus “Any day now, any day now, I shall be released” suggests that the day of freedom is just around the corner, and this belief keeps them going despite the odds. The song captures the human spirit of resilience in the face of adversity and the desire for freedom that is fundamental to all human beings.
Line by Line Meaning
They say everything can be replaced
It is commonly said that anything can be substituted for something else.
Yet every distance is not nea
Although things can be replaced, there are some things that cannot be replaced because of the distance between them or their value.
So I remember every face
Therefore, I have committed each face to memory.
Of every man who put me here
I remember every person who played a part in putting me where I am now.
I see my light come shining
I sense my spirit rising and shining out from within me.
From the west unto the east
It begins in the west and spreads throughout the east, engulfing everything in its path.
Any day now, any day now
It could happen at any time, possibly now or maybe at some future date - any day.
I shall be released
I will be set free from whatever holds me captive.
They say every man needs protection
It is widely accepted that every person requires safeguarding in some way.
They say every man must fall
It is also said that every person must experience failure or defeat in some capacity.
But I swear I see my reflection
However, I am positive that I can see my own image reflecting back at me.
Some place so high above this wall
It's located in a place so high above the wall that it seems impossible to reach.
Yonder down here in this lonely crowd
Over there, in that direction, is a solitary figure among the mingling masses.
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
He is a man who loudly protests his innocence, claiming not to be responsible for whatever accusation has been made against him.
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Every day, I can hear his voice screaming loudly from this distance.
Crying out that he's been framed
He continually wails that he has been falsely accused or intentionally set-up for blame.
Any day now, any day now
Just like me, he could also find freedom at any time.
I shall be released
He too will be set free from whatever confines him.
Any day now, any day now
Soon, at some unspecified or sudden point in time.
I shall be released
Both of us will be liberated from our respective predicaments.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kathy DeNucci
I LOVE JOAN BAEZ!
Dale Jones
She was a pioneer for the women who needed a voice! She is a heroine of our age!
Mahasattva27
Another great version of this great song.
BLUE BEAR
I play this song after I pray. Any Day now any day now, I shalll be released.
From my earth bound duties. To Perfect Peace.
Trance In Mind / Kuzko
a very beautiful song !
Christina Escajeda
I shall be realeased any day now for you and for me In Jesus name I pray
Amen
ryan Hamilton
Wish we had more time music like this
Le Ménestrel
Beautiful singing of Joan and very nice images on the video; good work; thank you to share.
Angela Radka
I grew up listening to the album, "Any Day Now". Still have the original vinyl 2 LP set.
Angela Radka
Still my vinyl copy and even the 7" single that came with it.