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. On July 28, 2019, following dates across Europe, Baez performed her final concert at Madrid's Teatro Real. In January 2021, Baez received a 2020 Kennedy Center Honor.
The Lady Came from Baltimore
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All she wore was lace
She didn't know that I was poor
She never saw my face
I was sent to steal her money
Take her rings and run
But I fell in love with the lady
the lady's name was Suzanne Moore
Her daddy read her law
She didn't know that I was poor
Livin' outside the law
I was sent to steal her money
Take her rings and run
But I fell in love with the lady
Came away with none
her daddy said I was a thief
And didn't have her love(?)
But I (that?) was Suzanne's true belief
I married her for love (?)
I was sent to steal her money
Take her rings and run
But I fell in love with the lady
Came away with none
the way she lived in ?
To keep the robbers out
She never stop to think it all
That's what I'm about
I was sent to steal her money
Take her rings and run
But I fell in love with the lady
Came away with none
"The Lady Came From Baltimore" is a story of a man who was sent to rob a wealthy woman named Suzanne Moore from Baltimore, but ended up falling for her instead. The singer meets Suzanne Moore, who is dressed in lace, but she is unaware of his poor social status or even what he looks like. He plans to steal her money and rings, but during the course of the plan, he falls in love with her.
In the following stanza, Suzanne's father disapproves of the singer because he is a thief, and thinks his daughter should not associate with him. However, Suzanne still believes in the singer's love for her. The singer then married Suzanne, but ultimately did not take any of her money or rings.
The song is a commentary on social status and love, suggesting that true love transcends social standing, and that love can come from unexpected places, even from the very person who was meant to steal from you.
Line by Line Meaning
The lady came from Baltimore
There was a woman who originated from Baltimore
All she wore was lace
She was wearing a dress made of lace
She didn't know that I was poor
The woman was not aware that I was financially struggling
She never saw my face
The woman never caught sight of my facial features
I was sent to steal her money
I had been assigned to take her money unlawfully
Take her rings and run
I was supposed to steal her jewelry and escape
But I fell in love with the lady
As a result, I ended up falling in love with her instead
Came away with none
Despite my intentions to steal from her, I left empty-handed
Her daddy read her law
Suzanne's father was a lawyer and taught her the law
Livin' outside the law
I was residing outside the boundaries of the law
Her daddy said I was a thief
Suzanne's father accused me of being a thief
And didn't have her love(?)
And he believed that I did not truly love Suzanne
But I (that?) was Suzanne's true belief
However, Suzanne believed that my love for her was genuine
I married her for love (?)
Furthermore, I married her out of love
The way she lived in?
It is unclear what this line means, there may be a word missing or a typo in the original lyrics
To keep the robbers out
She took measures to prevent thieves from entering her home
She never stop to think it all
She did not consider the possibility of someone stealing from her
That's what I'm about
However, stealing is something that I may do
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TIM HARDIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
multicaruana
As a teenager in the late 60's, my mother played this album and this song in the house over and over again. Nice memories of my mother, who bridged the generation gap, musically, and a wonderful song composed by the great Tim Hardin.
337 337
Plus this song plays into the lyrics if Hoyt Axton's "California Women". I loved Hoyt Axton( Great actor too,died 1999).
ignacio goiria
Preciosa canción de Tim Hardin, con la inigualable voz de la Baez, gracias
Gaia Viree
I have always love this song and especially covered by Joan Baez... as it shows the power of conditional love. T. Harden writes some good tunes.
Per Theander
The original version by the composer himself (Tim Hardin) is a masterpiece. You'll find it here on You Tube as well.
Jancis Harvey
A wonderful number and great combination of the writing of Tim Hardin and one of the best numbers from Joan Baez - always loved this one.
Linda M. Austin
What a wonderful song...what a truly great voice...Joan Baez...yes...LMA
Kura
My favorite version of the song <3 I love Baez
countryalexander
Next after Joan´s wonderful voice is the incredible nice woodwinds´ arrangement. So wonderful written for them!
lsmjan
Got the CD last month for my sister's birthday gift. I have Dad/s LP...hehe. Every track is perfect. Great album.