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.
What Have They Done to the Rain
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a little rain falling all around
The grass lifts its head to the heavenly sound
Just a little rain, just a little rain
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
Just a little breeze out of the sky
The leaves nod their head as the breeze blows by
Just a little breeze with some smoke in its eye
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
What have they done to the rain
The song "What Have They Done To The Rain" by Joan Baez is a powerful protest song that deals with the destruction of nature and the impact of human actions on the environment. The song's lyrics create a vivid picture of a world where even the rain is polluted and environmental devastation has led to the disappearance of life. The song uses simple and minimalist language to convey a message that is both poetic and deeply emotional.
The song opens with the image of rain falling all around, a gentle sound that lifts the grass's head towards the heavens. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the rain is not just a natural phenomenon but has been contaminated by human actions. The repetition of the question "What have they done to the rain" creates a sense of urgency and sadness as the listener is forced to confront the impact of their actions on the natural world.
The song's refrain changes slightly with each verse, adding to the overall sense of dread and despair. The image of a little boy standing in the rain, disappearing along with the grass, highlights the personal toll of environmental destruction. The final lines of the song, "And rain keeps falling like helpless tears/ And what have they done to the rain," create a powerful image of nature weeping for the damage humans have wrought.
Overall, "What Have They Done To The Rain" is a moving and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to consider the impact of their actions on the natural world. It's a call to action to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a little rain falling all around
Pleasant and mild rain is present in the environment.
The grass lifts its head to the heavenly sound
The sound of rain refreshes and fulfills the basic needs of the vegetation.
Just a little rain, just a little rain
The insignificant amount of rain is enough for the vegetation and environment to thrive.
What have they done to the rain
The song poses a rhetorical question about the alteration in the natural pattern of rain that has adversely affected the environment.
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The weather has a significant impact on people and their surroundings.
The gentle rain that falls for years
A natural and consistent pattern of rainfall is beneficial for growth and nourishment of the environment.
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
The lack of rainfall and environmental pollution have caused damage to natural resources at an alarming rate.
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
The consistency of rain is diminishing, causing worry and suggesting an adverse impact on the environment and life.
And what have they done to the rain
Repetition of the question emphasizes the disregard of human actions towards the environment, ultimately harming all living creatures.
Just a little breeze out of the sky
The wind that arrives with rain brings freshness and relief.
The leaves nod their head as the breeze blows by
The environment and its natural processes have a synchronicity that is disrupted when it gets polluted or compromised.
Just a little breeze with some smoke in its eye
The air is not pollution-free, and toxic elements mix with natural elements, which has a detrimental impact on the environment and health.
What have they done to the rain
The question reverberates at the end of the song, emphasizing the ongoing ignorance of human beings towards the natural environment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MALVINA REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trisharoy4
Just a little rain falling all around
The grass lifts its head to the heavenly sound
Just a little rain, just a little rain
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
Just a little breeze out of the sky
The leaves nod their head as the breeze blows by
Just a little breeze with some smoke in its eye
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
What have they done to the rain
@user-lc8vu5qe4u
Japanese translation
あたり一面に 小雨が降りそそぐ
その妙なる響きに 草は頭をもたげる
ほんの少しの雨 ほんの少しの雨
あの人たちは 雨に何をしたのだろうか
雨の中に立っていた 小さな男の子
優しい雨は 何年も降り続いた
いつか草は枯れ 男の子も消えた
とめどない涙の様に 雨は降り続く
あの人たちは 雨に何をしたのだろうか
そよ風が空から舞い降りてくる
風が通り過ぎるとき 木々の葉たちは会釈をする
そよ風の目には なぜか少し憂いがある
あの人たちは 雨に何をしたのだろうか
@GeaVox
Sound of my adolescent awakening to the horror of Vietnam and the aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These songs formed my psyche forever, infusing it with idealism, a thirst for peace and justice.
Thank you Joan, Bob, Dylan and all the other voices of peaceful, righteous protest.
Your time is here again, please stand with our grandchildren!
Please stand with Greta’s generation!
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
@whitejenna
What Have They Done To The Rain
Just a little rain falling all around
The grass lifts its head to the heavenly sound
Just a little rain, just a little rain
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
Just a little breeze out of the sky
The leaves nod their head as the breeze blows by
Just a little breeze with some smoke in its eye
What have they done to the rain
Just a little boy standing in the rain
The gentle rain that falls for years
And the grass is gone, the boy disappears
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears
And what have they done to the rain
What have they done to the rain.......
@alexerhard9705
I was a boy in the stands, watching you, learning that the voice of music is the strongest weapon of protest. Thank you and blessings.
@benzeoller3946
Been at her last Concert in Germany...
She said at the end: We have fought our whole life, but we have lost.
...very sad
@brittneybrisbin744
I got into Joan Baez fairly recently, but I think I'm in love😍. That heavenly voice and her beautiful smile😍.
@1jcouncil
I didn't see anyone answering the question of what the song was originally about. It was written by Malvina Reynolds in the early 60's to protest the radioactive fallout from testing atomic weapons in the atmosphere. I think the fallout was Strontium 90 and it had a half-life of 29 years and was being poured into the atmosphere almost thoughtlessly. It is such a powerful personal plea to think about what we were doing. Devastatingly simple and beautiful. Her version is available on YouTube.
@kaytaylormath
The voice that reaches straight into the depths of the soul. I love it as much now as I did at 16.
@carolreid4821
Yes
Timeless
Beautiful
@roberttyran3813
I did too! I was 15, on my way to my High School (2nd year) when I heard this, and Loved Beautiful Joan ever since, 22 Concerts! Miss seeing her, but we have her albums forever. Bob.
@bobchasse8021
In a period of early nuclear threat and destruction, no one delivers it better than Joan Baez. When she sings this song and others like it with her angelic-like voice, it's almost like hearing a plea from the heavenly angels above. Sadly, nobody today can write lyrics as well as the poets & philosophers of the late 50s and middle 60s.
@chicmccormick6850
I was born in the early 50ties and feel so lucky to have been brought up in a time when we had all these brilliant performers. Joan was always one of my favourites.
@centuriesofblood
This song, originally written about nuclear fallout, has taken on a new meaning with the recent information about PFAS, toxic forever chemicals which now exceed safe levels in rain water all over the planet.