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.
Oh! What A Beautiful City
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
And it's oh, what a beautiful oh
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
There's three gates in the East
There's three gates in the West
There's three gates in the North
There's three gates in the South
That makes twelve gates to the city
Hallelujah
And it's oh, what a beautiful oh
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city oh
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
If you see my dear old mother
Won't you do this favor for me
Won't you please tell my mother
To meet me in Galilee
Well, it's twelve gates to the city
Hallelujah
Oh Lord, what a beautiful yeah
Oh Lord, what a beautiful
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
God Almighty! What you talking' 'bout?
Oh, Lordy whoo!
Oh Lord, what a beautiful whoa!
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
Oh Lord, what a beauty whoa!
Oh Lord, what a beauty
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
The lyrics of Joan Baez's song "Oh What a Beautiful City!" convey a deep sense of awe and reverence for a heavenly city. The repetition of the phrase "Oh, what a beautiful city" emphasizes the singer's overwhelming admiration and wonderment. The phrase "twelve gates to the city, hallelujah" alludes to the biblical imagery of the New Jerusalem described in the Book of Revelation. The mention of twelve gates symbolizes completeness, as there are three gates in each cardinal direction (east, west, north, south), suggesting that the city is accessible from all sides. The repetition of the phrase "Oh Lord, what a beautiful city" further emphasizes the singer's deep spiritual connection and the grandeur of the city.
The song's mention of seeing the singer's dear old mother and asking for a favor conveys a personal longing and desire for a reunion in the heavenly city. The plea to deliver a message to the mother, to meet them in Galilee, implies a hope for a joyous reunion in a place of peace and tranquility. The repetition of the line "It's twelve gates to the city, hallelujah" further reinforces the theme of the city's complete accessibility and the singer's yearning for their loved one.
The exclamations of "God Almighty!" and "Oh, Lordy whoo!" express the singer's exuberance and overwhelming emotion in contemplating the beauty and significance of the city. These outbursts indicate a profound spiritual experience, where words alone are insufficient to capture the magnitude of the singer's feelings. The repetition of the phrase "Oh Lord, what a beauty" continues to emphasize the singer's astonishment and admiration for the city. The closing lines of the song, "twelve gates to the city, hallelujah," serve as a powerful affirmation of faith and an expression of joy and praise.
Overall, the lyrics of "Oh What a Beautiful City!" capture the singer's profound awe and reverence for a heavenly city, symbolized by the twelve gates. The repetition of key phrases, personal longing for a reunion, and the exclamations of amazement contribute to the song's emotional depth and spiritual significance. It serves as a powerful expression of hope, joy, and longing for an eternal home.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, what a beautiful city
Expressing admiration and awe for the magnificent city
Oh, what a beautiful city
Continued expression of admiration and awe for the magnificent city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
Rejoicing in the fact that the city has twelve gates, celebrating the beauty and grandeur of the city
And it's oh, what a beautiful oh
Reiterating the sentiment of awe and marvel at the beautiful city
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Addressing the Lord and expressing reverence for the beauty of the city
There's three gates in the East
Describing the number and location of the gates in the city
There's three gates in the West
Describing the number and location of the gates in the city
There's three gates in the North
Describing the number and location of the gates in the city
There's three gates in the South
Describing the number and location of the gates in the city
That makes twelve gates to the city
Explaining that when you combine the gates from each direction, it totals twelve
Hallelujah
An exclamation of praise and joy
Oh Lord, what a beautiful yeah
Conveying the continued awe and reverence for the city
Oh Lord, what a beautiful
Expressing admiration for the beauty of the city
If you see my dear old mother
Asking for help in finding and delivering a message to the singer's mother
Won't you do this favor for me
Requesting assistance in completing the favor on behalf of the singer
Won't you please tell my mother
A polite appeal to inform the artist's mother
To meet me in Galilee
Instructing the message recipient to arrange a meeting with the artist in Galilee
Well, it's twelve gates to the city
Reiterating the number of gates in the city
Hallelujah
An exclamation of praise and joy
Oh Lord, what a beautiful yeah
Expressing continued awe and reverence for the city
Oh Lord, what a beautiful
Expressing admiration for the beauty of the city
God Almighty! What you talkin' 'bout?
Exclaiming in surprise and questioning the words or actions of God
Oh, Lordy whoo!
An expression of excitement, surprise, or disbelief
Oh Lord, what a beautiful whoa!
Conveying astonishment and wonder at the beauty of the city
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Continued expression of reverence and awe for the beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
Rejoicing in the fact that the city has twelve gates, celebrating its magnificence
Oh Lord, what a beauty whoa!
Expressing fascination and awe at the beauty of the city
Oh Lord, what a beauty
Continued expression of admiration for the beauty of the city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
Rejoicing in the fact that the city has twelve gates, expressing joy and exaltation
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@jeffloewi5632
I own 2 copies of Folksingers round Harvard Square, they're 60 years old and they're still gold.
@Geoffthebull
Rather a lovely version from the queen of folk...…...