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
Suzanne
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a place by the river
You can see the boats go by
You could spend the night forever
And you know that she's half crazy
And that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
That you have no love to give her
She takes you in her arms
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you think you'll maybe trust her
'Cause she's touched you
And she's moved you
And she's kind
Jesus was a sailor
When he walked up the water
He spent a long time watching
From a lonely wooden tower
And when He knew for certain
Only drowning men could see Him
He said, "All men shall be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them"
He Himself was broken
Long before the sky was open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a star
And you want to travel with Him
And you want to travel blind
And you think you'll maybe trust Him
'Cause He's touched you
And He's moved you
And He's kind
Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She's wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun shines down in full
On our lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look
Beneath the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you think you'll maybe trust her
'Cause she's touched you
And she's moved you
And she's kind
The song “Suzanne” by Joan Baez is based on a poem by Canadian poet and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. The lyrics describe a woman named Suzanne who takes the singer down to a place by the river and feeds him tea and oranges from China. The singer recognizes that Suzanne is “half crazy,” but he is drawn to her nonetheless.
The second verse of the song shifts focus to Jesus, who is described as a sailor who spent a long time watching from a lonely wooden tower. The singer suggests that Jesus Himself was broken before the sky was open, and that He sank beneath human wisdom like a star.
In the final verse of the song, Suzanne takes the singer's hand and leads him to the river. She shows him where to look beneath the garbage and the flowers, where heroes and children can be found. The song ends with the singer's desire to travel with Suzanne, and to trust her because she has touched him and moved him.
Line by Line Meaning
Suzanne takes you down
Suzanne leads you to a peaceful, calming place.
To a place by the river
Near a water source.
You can see the boats go by
You can observe seafaring vessels from your location.
You could spend the night forever
You could stay with Suzanne for an extended period of time.
And you know that she's half crazy
Suzanne has some eccentric or unconventional qualities that you are aware of.
And that's why you want to be there
You are attracted to her unique and exciting energy.
And she feeds you tea and oranges
Suzanne provides hospitable refreshments sourced from distant lands.
That come all the way from China
The tea and oranges are specifically from China.
And just when you mean to tell her
When you were about to mention a particular thought...
That you have no love to give her
...you realize that you cannot reciprocate her romantic interest.
She takes you in her arms
Suzanne embraces you in spite of your inability to love her as she desires.
And she lets the river answer
Suzanne lets the natural environment indicate how the two of you truly feel.
That you've always been her lover
The bond between you and Suzanne has always extended beyond just friendship.
And you want to travel with her
You want to accompany her throughout her journey.
And you want to travel blind
You desire to fully trust Suzanne without knowing every detail about what lies ahead.
And you think you'll maybe trust her
You have a hopeful inclination to rely on Suzanne.
'Cause she's touched you
You feel a personal connection with her.
And she's moved you
Suzanne has inspired you emotionally and spiritually.
And she's kind
Suzanne is generous, compassionate, and caring.
Jesus was a sailor
Jesus was an adventurer who traveled by boat.
When he walked up the water
When He walked on the surface of the sea.
He spent a long time watching
He spent a considerable amount of time observing His surrounding environment.
From a lonely wooden tower
From a solitary structure made of wood (such as a boat or a lighthouse).
And when He knew for certain
When it became clear to Him.
Only drowning men could see Him
Only those in a dire and helpless situation could become aware of His presence.
He said, 'All men shall be sailors then
He pronounced that all people will become explorers and adventurers.
Until the sea shall free them'
Until humans are released from the confines and limitations of their current state.
He Himself was broken
Jesus was vulnerable and damaged.
Long before the sky was open
Long before the heavens were accessible.
Forsaken, almost human
Rejected and almost relatable to common people.
He sank beneath your wisdom like a star
Jesus disappeared into obscurity and insignificance among humanity despite His greatness.
And you want to travel with Him
You are driven to follow Jesus on His journey.
And you want to travel blind
You desire to trust Jesus even without knowing all the details.
And you think you'll maybe trust Him
You have a budding confidence in Jesus.
'Cause He's touched you
You feel a spiritual and emotional connection with Jesus.
And He's moved you
Jesus has affected you in a profound way.
And He's kind
Jesus is merciful, benevolent, and compassionate.
Suzanne takes your hand
Suzanne holds your hand and guides you.
And she leads you to the river
Suzanne takes you to the nearby body of water.
She's wearing rags and feathers
Suzanne is dressed in tattered and unconventional clothing.
From Salvation Army counters
Presumably, Suzanne acquired her clothing from a charitable organization.
And the sun shines down in full
The sun is shining intensely and brightly.
On our lady of the harbor
The sunlight radiates on a feminine figure who guards the harbor (perhaps a statue).
And she shows you where to look
She points out the direction to which to focus and investigate.
Beneath the garbage and the flowers
Among the filth and beauty.
There are heroes in the seaweed
Courageous individuals are present among the seemingly insignificant and despised.
There are children in the morning
Children, the embodiment of innocence and future potential, can be found during the early hours of the day.
And you want to travel with her
Once again, you desire to journey with Suzanne.
And you want to travel blind
You are willing to entrust yourself to Suzanne once more without knowing all the details.
And you think you'll maybe trust her
You still have a hope that you can place confidence in Suzanne.
'Cause she's touched you
Suzanne has emotionally and spiritually reached you.
And she's moved you
Suzanne has made a deep and profound impact on you.
And she's kind
Suzanne consistently exhibits compassion and care towards others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fran Stone
Joan has one of the most pure voices in the world!
nasir yahya
Yes and the most amazing cover was by Neil diamond and the 60's and 70's were the golden age of music I think will never be matched
Gypz1000
So grateful this woman's music has been a part of my life. Timeless and elegant, as always.
susy cawthorn
Her voice is just as Angelic as when she was younger.
Ashikur Rahman
she will remain young forever with his voice.
susy cawthorn
yup! she's the best!
Peter H Bloecker
Sincere and beautiful, what a voice, what a great woman ...
Lupita Mueller
indeed.
John Belanger
I've loved Joan Baez's voice since I was in the Navvy at 18 and later as a prison guard. I still love her voice as a shut in of 69. She generates unending love and respect.
L. Campos
Yours seems to be the history of millions of us , all around the world. And make us a brotherhood of Hearts beating at the same pace . And I´m sure with a pace of love, compassion , goodness, that is what the bodhisattva, for a while named Joan Baez, brings, wthing her message, her voice, her soul. Love and Gratitude , forever.