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
Island In the Sun
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where my people have
Toiled since time begun
I may sail on many a sea
Her shores will always be home to me
Oh island in the sun
Built to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Your shining sand
As morning breaks
The heaven on high
I lift my heavy load to the sky
Sun comes down with a burning glow
Mingles my sweat with the earth low
Oh island in the sun
Built to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest waters
Your shining sand
I see woman on bended knee
Cutting cane for her family
I see man at the water-side
Casting nets at the surfing tide
Oh island in the sun
Built to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest waters
Your shining sand
I hope the day will never come
That I can't awake to
The sound of drum
Never let me miss carnaval
With calypso songs
Philosophical.
Oh island in the sun
Built to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest waters
Your shining sand
The song "Island In The Sun" by Joan Baez is an ode to the singer's home, which she says has been inhabited by her people since time immemorial. Baez exults in the beauty of her island, with its shining sands and forest waters, thanking her father for building it for her. She stresses the importance of her island to her, saying that no matter how much she sails on seas, its shores will always be home. The song also touches on the lives of the island's residents, with Baez describing a woman cutting cane for her family and a man casting nets at the surfing tide. She expresses her hope that she never misses carnival, with its calypso songs that are philosophical.
The song has a very positive tone and serves to celebrate the beauty of the singer's home, which is clearly very important to her. By stressing the importance of family and community on the island, Baez is also making a larger point about the value of these things in life. In addition, the song can be seen as an expression of identity, both individual and communal, and a reflection of the pride that people often take in where they come from.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my island in the sun
This is the place where I feel most at home and most myself.
Where my people have
Where my ancestors have lived and worked for generations.
Toiled since time begun
Have worked hard for centuries to make this place what it is today.
I may sail on many a sea
I may travel to other places in the world,
Her shores will always be home to me
But this island will always be the place where I feel most connected and comfortable.
Built to me by my father's hand
My island was created by my ancestors and passed down to me as a legacy.
All my days I will sing in praise
I will always appreciate and celebrate the beauty and importance of this island.
Of your forest waters
I am grateful for the abundance and life-giving power of the natural world.
Your shining sand
I recognize and honor the unique features and attributes of this island that make it special.
As morning breaks
At the beginning of each new day,
The heaven on high
As I look up at the sky and feel its vastness and beauty,
I lift my heavy load to the sky
I offer my hard work and my challenges up to the universe for guidance and strength.
Sun comes down with a burning glow
The heat of the sun beats down on me and reminds me of the intensity of life.
Mingles my sweat with the earth low
My hard work and sweat blend with the natural world around me, connecting me to the land.
I see woman on bended knee
I see the strength and diligence of the women who work tirelessly to support their families.
Cutting cane for her family
Harvesting the crops that will nourish her loved ones and her community.
I see man at the water-side
I see the hard work of the fishermen,
Casting nets at the surfing tide
Braving the elements and the unpredictable nature of the sea to provide for their loved ones.
I hope the day will never come
I pray that I will always be able to enjoy the beauty and richness of this island,
That I can't awake to
That I won't ever lose the opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the life that surrounds me here.
The sound of drum
The vibrant rhythms and music that are the sound of my community's heart and soul.
Never let me miss carnaval
Don't let me miss the joy and beauty of the annual celebration and festival.
With calypso songs
The music that speaks to the traditions, struggles, and victories of my people over time.
Philosophical.
Carrying on the important conversations and reflections that make us who we are, both individually and as a community.
Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
L. Campos
Joan Baez was, is, and will always be a treasure to humankind. A rare gem of heart and soul. God bless you, dearest, forever
Maik Kern
Wunderschön!
Sema Güneş
❤❤❤
Anjan Chakraborty
Anjan Chakraborty