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.
Tramp On The Street
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only a tramp was Lazarus that day,
He lay down by the rich man's gate.
He begged for crumbs from the rich man to eat
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street.
And Jesus who died on Calvary's tree,
Shed his life blood for you and for me
They pierced his side, his hands and his feet
And they left Him to die like a tramp on the street.
He was Mary's own darlin', he was Mary's own son;
Once he was fair and once he was young,
And Mary she rocked him, her little darlin' to sleep,
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street.
When the battles are over, and the victory's won,
Everyone mourns with the poor man's son,
Red white and blue, and victory sweet,
And they left him to die like a tramp on the street.
The Tramp On The Street is a powerful song about the neglect and abandonment of the poor and homeless, and the injustice of their treatment in society. The song speaks of a tramp who lies by the rich man's gate, begging for food, but is left to die without a second thought. The lyrics draw a parallel to the story of Lazarus in the Bible, who was also ignored and neglected by the rich man, but was ultimately saved by God's grace. The song uses religious imagery to highlight the hypocrisy and moral failings of those who turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
The song also speaks of Jesus, who sacrificed his life for humanity, but was also left to die by those who opposed him. The pain and suffering of the tramp on the street is compared to the crucifixion of Jesus, emphasizing the enormity of the injustice and cruelty that exists in the world. The song ends on a somber note, with a reminder that even in times of victory and celebration, the poor and marginalized are still being neglected and left to die like tramps on the street.
Line by Line Meaning
Only a tramp was Lazarus that day,
Lazarus was just a homeless, wandering person on that fateful day
He lay down by the rich man's gate.
Lazarus rested by the entrance of a wealthy man's residence
He begged for crumbs from the rich man to eat
Lazarus pleaded for even the smallest portion of food from the wealthy man
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street.
The wealthy man, who could have helped, ignored Lazarus and he died alone and destitute
And Jesus who died on Calvary's tree,
Jesus Christ, who was crucified on a cross at Calvary
Shed his life blood for you and for me
Jesus sacrificed himself and shed his own blood for humanity's salvation
They pierced his side, his hands and his feet
Jesus was impaled with stakes in his extremities and his side was pierced with a spear
And they left Him to die like a tramp on the street.
He was abandoned and left to die in a similar manner to Lazarus, despite making the ultimate sacrifice
He was Mary's own darlin', he was Mary's own son;
Jesus was Mary's beloved child, her own flesh and blood
Once he was fair and once he was young,
Jesus was once youthful and handsome
And Mary she rocked him, her little darlin' to sleep,
Mary would peacefully rock him to sleep when he was a child
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street.
Despite being Mary's son, and once a young and innocent child, he was still abandoned to his death
When the battles are over, and the victory's won,
After a struggle or a war has ended and success has been achieved,
Everyone mourns with the poor man's son,
The people will grieve with the poor and destitute
Red white and blue, and victory sweet,
The victory may be sweet, and celebrated with colors of the flag
And they left him to die like a tramp on the street.
However, amidst the celebration, those who are poor and forgotten may still experience suffering and death
Lyrics © Public Domain Publisher
Written by: Grady Cole, Hazel Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrew Wyeth
What a beautiful song! How beautifully sung. Well done Joan. thankyou. Andrew Wyeth.
Steve Roberts
I first heard this great song on an early Joan Baez record. I assumed she had written it, but to my surprise the song has been covered by such luminaries as Hank Williams, Maddox Brothers and Rose, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and many others. Regardless, it is one of the finest songs ever written. Joan's version is one of my favorite and probably my favorite though I love the Maddox Brothers and Rose version as well.
rhonda clement
This was my Dad's favorite song. I love her version.
Hippie Dippie
💙❤️🌈🎶👏🏿
Nancy Benefiel
I met her once at a demonstration back in 69. She is an icon.
Andrew Wyeth
This must be Joan at her very best. a truly beautiful song. wonderful well done Joan.
William Moore
Pure gold, make the weeping willow shed its last leaf,
littlemaddancer
This is now my favorite version of this song
Richard Skola
Very good. I still like Hank's original better.
Chuck Benwitt
Unbeatable....thanks....a real gem