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
Motherland
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Far from the things that you know
Far from the sprawl of concrete that keeps crawling
It's way about 1,000 miles a day
Take one last look behind
Commit this to memory and mind
And don't miss this wasteland
When you leave
Keep your heart off your sleeve
Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go, don't you go
Oh, my five and dime queen
Tell me what have you seen?
The lust and the avarice, the bottomless
Cavernous greed, is that what you see?
Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go
It's your happiness I want most of all
And for that I'd do anything at all, oh, mercy me
If you want the best of it or the most of all
If there's anything I can do at all
Now come on shot gun bride
What makes me envy your life?
Faceless, nameless, innocent and blameless
And free, what's that like to be?
Oh, motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go
Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go
Don't you go
In Joan Baez's song "Motherland," the lyrics paint a picture of a desire to escape the chaos and commercialism of modern life. The first verse talks about wanting to go far away from the things that are familiar, from the endless sprawl of concrete that is encroaching on nature at a rapid pace. The second verse encourages the listener to commit the image of this wasteland to memory so that they never forget it. The chorus repeatedly asks the motherland to cradle the singer, to protect and provide for them, and to never leave them. The final verse is directed at a "shotgun bride," someone who seems to have an enviable life of freedom and innocence, but the singer still wants to stay in their motherland, even if it is not perfect.
In essence, "Motherland" is a plea for comfort and security in a world that seems to be spiraling out of control. The motherland represents a place of safety and stability that the singer wants to hold onto even as they recognize its imperfections.
Line by Line Meaning
Where in the hell can you go
What place is there to escape to?
Far from the things that you know
Away from familiarity
Far from the sprawl of concrete that keeps crawling
Away from the unending growth and urbanization
It's way about 1,000 miles a day
It seems like an endless journey
Take one last look behind
Take it all in for the last time
Commit this to memory and mind
Remember this moment forever
And don't miss this wasteland
Don't forget how barren it was
This terrible place
A place that isn't worth remembering fondly
When you leave
When you depart from this place
Keep your heart off your sleeve
Don't show your emotions too openly
Motherland cradle me
My country, protect me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Comfort and soothe me
Keep me safe, lie with me
Provide safety and intimacy
Stay beside me don't go, don't go, don't you go
Don't abandon me
Oh, my five and dime queen
A woman who is accustomed to a very simple lifestyle
Tell me what have you seen?
Let me know what you've experienced in your life
The lust and the avarice, the bottomless cavernous greed, is that what you see?
Did you witness extreme materialism and selfishness?
It's your happiness I want most of all
I prioritize your well-being above all else
And for that I'd do anything at all, oh, mercy me
I'd do anything to make you happy
If you want the best of it or the most of all
Whatever you want, I'll do my best to provide it
If there's anything I can do at all
Just tell me, and I'll do it
Now come on shot gun bride
A bride that has to flee from someone or something
What makes me envy your life?
What is it about your life that I should be jealous of?
Faceless, nameless, innocent, and blameless
Being anonymous and guilt-free
And free, what's that like to be?
What's it like to be truly free?
Don't you go
Don't leave me alone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: NATALIE A MERCHANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Theodore in Blue
this song goes so hard, and Joan covers it so beautifully
Oscar Moraga
"Motherland" es el mejor tema de Joan Baez en las últimas década. El mundo aún le debe un tributo a la mejor baladista que ha tenido la música.
danu3247
Heavy...very heavy comes to mind
Absolutely incredible I love it!
Saskia Cornell
Joan is an international treasure - she is amazing Saskia
Theodore in Blue
and this is why Baez is the most incredible person ever
S. Maze
This does not cradle me at all. The original is so comforting. You made it all creepy, Joan!
Robert Martel
I've been listening to Joan Baez since the early '60s and usually love almost everything she does. I have to say, though, that Natalie is well...Natalie. She's just absolutely unique and kind of in a league by herself on several levels, and it's really difficult to do one of her songs as well as she does no matter how good you are...and Joanie IS damn good.
neo-ton
Ok i've listened to the versions of this song you guys recommended and this is the best one for me.
MrJasonroy
really? have u been thru merchant's version live on the bbc?
MrDLOC11
Congratulations Joan on your Kennedy Center honor tonight!
🙏💜🎵❤️