Rider Pass By
Joan Baez Lyrics

Tell me when you see them
Joan Baez is asking someone to notify her when they spot the group of people she is referring to throughout the song.

Gathered at the shore
The group of people are gathered together at the shore, most likely near a body of water.

Dancing on their broken chains
Despite being constrained by the chains that bind them, the people are dancing freely and without reservation.

Ah, the ladies are no more
The women who were dancing freely have disappeared or have been oppressed in some way.

In their blue jeans and their necklaces
The women are wearing casual clothing and accessories, indicating a sense of liberation.

Against an evening sky
The women are dancing against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset or twilight sky.

But some of them are weeping
Despite the freedom they are experiencing, some of the women are still saddened by the oppression they face.

Crying rider, please pass by
The women are appealing to a rider who may be able to help them escape their oppression or suffering.

The ship with all the riders
A ship that was once full of riders has since departed or sunk.

Has drifted out to sea
The ship has sailed far out to sea, beyond reach or recollection.

Compass cracked and stars unnamed
The ship's navigational tools are broken or unreliable, and the stars that once guided them are now unidentifiable.

It's lost to history
The ship and its riders have disappeared without a trace, becoming a forgotten part of history.

And the riders in captivity
Other riders have been taken captive and are unable to assist those in need.

Watch ancient waves roll high
The captured riders are watching the waves roll in, indicating a feeling of despair or hopelessness.

And hear the distant voices
The riders hear the distressed cries of those in need in the distance but are unable to assist them.

All you men who should have been
Joan Baez is addressing men who have been oppressed or mistreated in some way.

Your fathers beat you down
Their fathers have been abusive or oppressive towards them.

Your mothers loved you badly
Their mothers have not shown them love or support.

Your teachers stole your crowns
Their teachers have taken away their sense of self-worth or confidence.

And the wars you fought have taken toll
The men have suffered physical and emotional damage from participating in wars.

The price was far too high
The costs of war were too great to bear for these men.

You've buried all the images
The men have suppressed or forgotten the memories of their past.

Of riders passing by
The men have forgotten about the possibility of freedom or liberation.

The horses of the riders
The horses that once belonged to the missing riders are still waiting for their return.

Have waited at the tide
The horses are waiting patiently by the water's edge, hoping for their riders' return.

But years have passed, they know at last
The horses have come to the realization that their riders will never return.

Their heroes will not ride
The riders who once rode on these horses are gone for good.

So the women oh so gracefully
The women who were oppressed have now found a sense of grace and dignity.

Mount noble horses high
The women are now riding high on powerful and majestic horses, symbolizing a newfound sense of freedom.

Shattering the timelessness
Their actions are disrupting the established norms and expectations of their society.

Of rider, please pass by
The women have become the riders they once appealed to for help.

But who can dare to judge us
Joan Baez is questioning who has the right to judge or impose limits on our freedom.

The women or the men?
She is questioning whether men or women are better suited to understand and fight for freedom.

If freedom's wings shall not be clipped
If we are not restricted from pursuing freedom, we can all find happiness and fulfillment.

We all can love again
Our freedom allows us to find love and emotional connections with others.

So the choice is not of etiquette
The decision to pursue freedom is not a matter of manners or social convention.

Or finding lonesome ways to die
It is not about finding ways to escape our oppression through death.

But liberty to ships at sea
Our freedom is about granting ships and their riders the ability to sail and travel freely.

And riders passing by
The freedom to ride and travel means that we can move past our oppression and find happiness and fulfillment.