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
Satisfied Mind
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"If I had his money, I could do things my way?"
Little they know that it's so hard to find
One rich man in a hundred with a satisfied mind.
Once I was waitin' for fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life's game
Suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When my life is ended, my time has run out
My trials and my loved ones, I'll leave them no doubt
But one thing's for certain, when it comes my time
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
In Joan Baez's song Satisfied Mind, the singer is exploring the concept of true happiness and inner peace. She is pointing out that while many people believe that wealth and success are the keys to happiness, this is often not the case. The first verse illustrates that money cannot buy happiness and that finding contentment in one's life is rare. The second verse describes the singer's personal experience with losing everything and becoming poor; however, this experience has allowed her to appreciate what really matters in life, giving her a sense of fulfillment that surpasses what material possessions could provide.
Furthermore, the third verse emphasizes that the most important things in life cannot be bought with money. Money cannot bring back youth, friends, love, or happiness. The last verse emphasizes the idea of living with no regrets and finding peace in one's final days. The idea of a "satisfied mind" is central to the song, and the singer is encouraging listeners to strive for this sense of contentment in their own lives rather than chasing after material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you heard someone say
It is a common saying among people that if they had the wealth of someone else, they could live their life more satisfyingly.
Little they know that it's so hard to find
However, they don't realize the rarity of finding a rich man who is satisfied with his life.
One rich man in a hundred with a satisfied mind.
Only a few rich men in the world are actually satisfied with their life, probably one in a hundred.
Once I was waitin' for fortune and fame
At one point, I was waiting for fate to turn around and bring me fame and fortune.
Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life's game
I was hoping to achieve everything I ever dreamed of to start my life successfully.
Suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
But suddenly I faced a situation where I lost all my money at once.
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind
However, in spite of the financial loss, I gained more riches by being content with what I have.
Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Wealth cannot help to recover the youthfulness that is lost with aging.
Or a friend when you're lonely, or a love that's grown cold
Money also cannot get you a friend to keep you company when you're lonely or rekindle a love that has faded away.
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Even the wealthiest person in the world may feel like a poor beggar at some point in time.
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When compared to a person who is content with whatever he has, the wealthy man may feel poor.
When my life is ended, my time has run out
When it is time for me to leave this world for eternity.
My trials and my loved ones, I'll leave them no doubt
My family and friends that I have known till then will have no doubts about me.
But one thing's for certain, when it comes my time
But there is one thing that is definitely certain when my time is up.
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
I will be content with the life that I have lived and leave this world with a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
And I will die happy knowing that I had a satisfied mind.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Red Hays, Jack Rhodes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ken Nelson
Life is like a coin , you can spend it anyway you want but you only get to spend it once . I was 17 in 1968 when I first heard this and it still sounds so fresh and true today , real words of wisdom that don't fade with time .
Hector Macrae
Ken Nelson Mpumalanga Section 54 summons issued urgently pay R500.00 or contact 0860 777 772 between 8:00-17:00 with reference 8060342120
jimbilbrey54
I've heard various artists sing this, but Joan Baez and Johnny Cash sing my favorite versions of this. Joan is a treasure, and gets better with every year. And I still miss Johnny Cash. I really love to hear Joan sing "Forever Young." Fantastic.
Gilly Gil
I love to hear Joan tease and make fun of Bob Dylan singing.
Tim Garfield
This is the best version ever of a truly great song. Thank you for posting it!
Steve Roberts
So many have covered this great song but you would be hard pressed to find a better cover than the inimitable Joan Baez. Viva La Joan. She lives forever.
540rollerman
Thank you for the pleasure of listening to such a beautiful song by a great singer. You have made my day much better by posting this song. Thank you.
Harold Fethe
First version I ever heard, and I love it--very sentimental and idealistic. After I heard it, I was visiting the used car lot where my dad worked. I loved the salesmen, they were such characters, all with a wicked sense of humor. Two of them got into a "poormouth contest," dickering about who was more broke. One of them countered with "If I had your money, I'd throw mine away." Since then, with all due reverence, I always hear that instead of "I'd do things my way."
Cliff Glover
Love this song, Dylan did a fine live version of this song in 2000
macadavy
Thank you Scout for this magnificent rendition of a truthful song!