Joan Baez, born on January 9th, 1941, is an American folk singer and a song… Read Full Bio ↴Joan Baez, born on January 9th, 1941, is an American folk singer and a songwriter who is of mixed Mexican and Scottish descent. Baez rose to prominence in the early '60s with her stunning renditions of traditional balladry.

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

Oh Happy Day
Joan Baez Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)

He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray
And live rejoicing every, everyday

Oh happy day

He taught me how

Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Overall Meaning

The song "Oh Happy Day" by Joan Baez contains a powerful message about redemption and salvation. The lyrics express the joy and relief felt by someone who has experienced the cleansing power of Jesus' love. The repeated chorus of "Oh happy day" emphasizes the overwhelming happiness that comes from being freed from the burden of one's sins.

The verses focus on the ways in which Jesus has helped the singer. He has taught her how to "watch, fight, and pray" and how to live each day with joy. This suggests that the process of salvation is not just about having one's sins washed away, but also about learning how to live a life that is pleasing to God. The verse "He taught me how" is repeated three times, emphasizing the importance of learning from Jesus and following his teachings.

The song's message of hope and joy has made it an enduring classic. It has been covered by many artists over the years, including Edwin Hawkins Singers, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Presley. The song has also been used in many films and TV shows, including Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and Glee.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh happy day
This is a joyful exclamation to express happiness over an event or situation

When Jesus washed
This line refers to the act of baptism, when an individual is cleansed of their sins

He washed my sins away
This line suggests that through baptism and faith in Jesus, one's sins can be forgiven and washed away

He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray
This line speaks to the guidance and teachings of Jesus, which involve a commitment to vigilance, perseverance, and communication with God through prayer

And live rejoicing every, everyday
This line suggests that following Jesus can bring joy and contentment to one's daily life

Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Edwin Hawkins

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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