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
Joe Hill
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alive as you and me
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" says he
"I never died" says he
"The copper bosses killed you, Joe"
"They shot you Joe" says I
Says Joe "I didn't die"
Says Joe "I didn't die"
And standing there, as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Says Joe "What they can never kill
Went on to organize
Went on to organize"
From San Diego up to Maine
In every mine and mill
Where working folks defend their rights
It's there you find Joe Hill
It's there you find Joe Hill
I dreamed I saw, I dreamed I saw, Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" says he, "I never died" says he
"I never died" says he"
The song "Joe Hill" by Joan Baez is about the labor activist and songwriter Joe Hill, who was executed in Utah in 1915 after being convicted of murder. In the song, the singer dreams that she sees Joe Hill alive and well, despite being dead for ten years. When she tells him that he was killed by the copper bosses, Hill responds by saying that it takes more than guns to kill a man and that he did not die. He goes on to say that what cannot be killed is the spirit of the working people, which he helped to organize and empower.
The song is a tribute to Joe Hill and his legacy as a champion of workers' rights. The lyrics suggest that he lives on through the efforts of those who continue to fight for social justice and the rights of the working class. Hill's message is one of resilience and perseverance in the face of oppression, and his spirit is said to live on in the hearts of all those who continue to work towards a more just and equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
I dreamed, I saw Joe Hill last night
The singer had a dream where they saw Joe Hill, a union organizer and activist.
Alive as you and me
Joe appeared in the singer's dream as a living person.
Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
The singer questions Joe's presence, as he has been dead for 10 years.
"I never died" says he
Joe responds by claiming that he never truly died.
"The copper bosses killed you, Joe"
The artist reminds Joe that he was killed by the copper bosses.
"They shot you Joe" says I
The singer explains that Joe was shot by the copper bosses.
"Takes more than guns to kill a man"
Joe explains that it takes more than death to truly kill someone's spirit or message.
Says Joe "I didn't die"
Joe affirms that his message and spirit did not die.
"And standing there, as big as life"
Joe appears in the artist's dream as a vivid, real presence.
And smiling with his eyes
Joe looks happy and content in the artist's dream.
"Says Joe 'What they can never kill
Joe asserts that his message or cause cannot be truly silenced or eradicated.
Went on to organize
Joe's organizational efforts continued beyond his death.
From San Diego up to Maine
Joe's legacy and impact spread across the United States.
In every mine and mill
Joe's message and presence could be felt in every workplace.
Where working folks defend their rights
Joe's legacy is particularly present in places where workers are fighting for their rights.
It's there you find Joe Hill
In these workplaces and movements, Joe's impact can still be seen and felt.
I dreamed I saw, I dreamed I saw, Joe Hill last night
The artist concludes their dream by repeating the opening lines.
Alive as you and me
Joe appears in the singer's dream as a living, breathing person.
"I never died" says he, "I never died" says he
Joe reiterates that his spirit and message have not truly died.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PHIL OCHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fredo Polanco
La voz mas sublime y angelical que he escuchado
Liliana Taddeo
Una VOCE Mitica, Strabiliante, UNICA, DIVINA! GRANDE JOAN BAEZ!
Marcelo Garay
La voz preciosa de una cantante en el altavoz de mi nave espacial
Fredo Polanco
Joan baez linda