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. On July 28, 2019, following dates across Europe, Baez performed her final concert at Madrid's Teatro Real. In January 2021, Baez received a 2020 Kennedy Center Honor.
Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought you would go then come back home
I thought the cold would leave by summer
But my quiet nights will be spent alone
You said there would be warm love in springtime
That was when you started to be cold
I never dreamed you'd leave in summer
You said then you'd be alive in autumn
Then you said you'd be the one to see the way
No, no no no no I never dreamed you'd leave in summer
But now I find my love has gone away
Why didn't you stay?
The lyrics to Joan Baez's song Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer describe the singer's surprise and sadness at their lover leaving them during what was supposed to be a warm and happy time of year. The singer had believed that their lover would simply be away for a while and then return home, but as summer wears on and their lover does not return, they realize that they have been abandoned. The singer recalls promises made by their lover, such as warm love in the spring and being alive in the autumn, but it becomes clear that these promises were mere words that were not kept. The song ends with a sense of confusion and heartbreak, as the singer wonders why their lover did not stay.
Overall, the lyrics to Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer effectively convey the pain and confusion that can come with being left by someone you love. The use of seasons as symbols adds to the bittersweet quality of the song, as the singer mourns what could have been during a time that was supposed to be full of life and warmth.
Line by Line Meaning
I never dreamed you'd leave in summer
I didn't expect you to leave during the summer months.
I thought you would go then come back home
I expected you to come back home after you left.
I thought the cold would leave by summer
I thought our problems would be solved by summer, but they weren't.
But my quiet nights will be spent alone
I'll be spending my lonely nights without you.
You said there would be warm love in springtime
You promised that we would experience passionate love in spring.
That was when you started to be cold
That's when you began to pull away from me emotionally.
But now I find myself all alone
Unfortunately, I am now alone.
You said then you'd be alive in autumn
You said that you would be happy and alive during the fall season.
Then you said you'd be the one to see the way
You claimed that you had a plan or solution to our problems.
No, no no no no I never dreamed you'd leave in summer
It's shocking to me that you left during the summer.
But now I find my love has gone away
Unfortunately, my love for you is gone because you left me.
Why didn't you stay?
Why did you decide to leave instead of staying with me?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wayne Daves
The thing so phenomenal about this song, the lyrics, this best performance of a career for Joan Baez, is the culmination of the moving and perfect encompassing last line of the song, the note held, the pain and longing that defines human existence. It is the height of so much in one line.. Just stunning and superb. Cements Stevie Wonder as a Great American Songwriter.
raymond newby
My dad loved joan singing this. Such an emotional song. When i bought the album ,my dad unofficially claimed it as his own and now it brings a tear when I hear it.
Boon Doggle
I actually really like this. She really did Stevie Wonder justice.
Deborrah Oliveri
a voice no one can come close to a legend Ms Joan Baez. a huge influence to many of us. timeless.
ojet013
I've been disheartened finding out newer generations done even know her name. I'm 33 now and was introduced to her in middle school, lucky to see her live twice ❤
Patrick Campbell
Poetic lyrics, a great melody and the incomparable JB to interpret it....
ojet013
One of the greatest albums of all time
Alex
I love this version.
Francesc Sanjuan Llaveria
Es la meva canco preferida, interpretada magnificament per la meva cantant preferida.
Joan Baez: Ets la millor.
46foryounger
Poor Joan didn’t know about cuffing season 😆