The Hitchhikers' Song
Joan Baez Lyrics

When the mist rolls in on Highway One
As foggy weather rolls in on a roadway, I observe people hitchhiking on the roadside.

Like a curtain to the day
The mist is akin to a curtain that blocks the sunlight, thus indicating the start of the night.

A thousand silhouettes hold out their thumbs
I see fragments of human figures holding out their thumbs in anticipation of being picked up by a driver.

And I see them and I say
I acknowledge the hitchhikers' presence.

You are my children
I associate these hitchhikers to my 'children', indicating I have a sense of responsibility towards them.

My sweet children
I see these hitchhikers as people whom I love and care for.

I am your poet.
As a poet, I attempt to express my experiences and emotions through my work.

With hair just like the burning tree of Moses
The girl sitting beside you has hair appearing like the fire-wreathed tree of Moses.

The girl beside you is your twin
The other hitchhiker resembles you so much that they could be your identical twin.

Behind your fiery make-up you should know this
Under your makeup and facade, we are no different and related to each other.

I am your sister, I am your kin, your flesh and kin
We share the same blood and are related to one another.

I'll write this tune
I'll compose music that resonates with your journey.

In matching phrases
I will ensure that my lyrics match the rhythm and meaning of my song's music.

Just to show it
To formulate the ideal tune that resonates with our journey.

You are the orphans in an age of no tomorrows
You're like orphans navigating through a world with no optimistic outlook.

And with your walking you wage a war against the sorrows
Despite the struggles, we manage to put up a brave fight against our adversity just by continuing to walk.

Your fathers left you a row to hoe
As the previous generations failed, we're left with a significant task at our hands.

And you'll hoe it.
We'll do what it takes to get the job done.

If I could write you easy directions on a list
If I could offer you simple instructions via words.

You would not read it, you could not see it
You wouldn't come to comprehend the letter or access it in the first place.

For the mist
The metaphorical mist is what obstructs and hinders your vision and not the physical mist.

Besides my pen is very righteous
Referring to the quality of the ink used to write the words, which reflects purity.

And I know it.
I'm positive of the ink's purity, and hence the words' worthiness.

So walk to the edges of a dying kingdom
Move towards the fringes of an empire in decline.

There's one more summer just around the bend
The end isn't here yet, and we have one more summer coming up.

The amber in your smile is brave and winsome
Your smile reflects bravery and excitement despite everything.

For though your highway has no end, it never ends
Despite the journey's unending nature, it's totally fine as this highway is a metaphor for one's life.

There is still the sky
Despite everything, there is still the sky above us.

The windy cliff
The steep and windy cliff overlooking the sea.

And the sea below it
The vast sea beneath the cliff.

I'd take an angel's ram horn trumpet
I'd bring an angel's ram horn trumpet with a deafening noise.

And I'd blow it
I'll blow it until my last breath, to express my love and affection for you and your journey.