Joan Baez, born on January 9th, 1941, is an American folk singer and a song… Read Full Bio ↴Joan Baez, born on January 9th, 1941, is an American folk singer and a songwriter who is of mixed Mexican and Scottish descent. Baez rose to prominence in the early '60s with her stunning renditions of traditional balladry.

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 You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby
Joan Baez Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Virgin Mary had a little baby
Oh, pretty little baby oh, glory halleluja
Glory be to the new born King

"Mary, what'cha gonna name that
Pretty little baby oh, pretty little baby
Oh, pretty little baby
Glory be to the new born King"

"Well, some call Him one thing
I think I'll call him Manuel
Oh, I think I'll call Him manuel
Oh, glory halleluja
Glory be to the new born King"

"Mary, what'cha gonna name that
Pretty little baby oh, pretty little baby
Oh, glory halleluja
Glory be to the new born King"

"Well, some call Him one thing
I think I'll call him Jesus
Oh, I think I'll call him Jesus
Glory be to the new born King"

Virgin mary had one son

Oh, pretty little baby oh, glory halleluja
Glory be to the new born King

Overall Meaning

The song "Virgin Mary" by Joan Baez is a classic Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus. The song is a celebration of the arrival of the newborn King, the Son of Mary. The lyrics speak of the joy that the birth of Jesus has brought to the world, and how people should be grateful to God for the miracle that he has brought upon them.

The singer praises the Virgin Mary for giving birth to such a beautiful baby, and she wonders how she should call him. The lyrics suggest that some people call him Jesus, but she decides to call him Savior. The song also mentions the arrival of the three wise men from the East, who followed a star to find the baby. They too rejoice in the arrival of the newborn King.

Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the miracle of Jesus' birth. It captures the spirit of Christmas and reminds people of the true reason for the season.

Line by Line Meaning

Virgin Mary had a one son,
The Virgin Mary gave birth to a son

Oh, glory halleluja,
Expressing joy and praise

Oh, pretty little baby,
Referring to the newborn son of Mary

Glory be to the new born King.
Expressions of admiration and worship of the newborn King

"Well, Mary how you call that pretty little baby,
Asking Mary what she named her newborn son

Oh, pretty little baby,
Referring to the newborn son of Mary

Glory be to the new born King".
Expressions of admiration and worship of the newborn King

"Well, some call Him Jesus, think I'll call Him Savior
Mentioning that some call her son Jesus and she prefers to call Him Savior

Oh, I think I'll call Him Savior
Mentioning that she prefers to call Him Savior

Oh, I think I'll call Him Savior,
Mentioning that she prefers to call Him Savior

Glory be to the new born King".
Expressions of admiration and worship of the newborn King

Riding from the East there came three wise man,
Three wise men rode from the East

Oh, came three wise man,
Referring to the arrival of the three wise men

Glory to be the new born King.
Expressions of admiration and worship of the newborn King

Said, "Follow that star, you'll surely find the baby,
The wise men were told to follow a star to find the baby

Oh, surely find the baby,
Expressing confidence that the wise men will find the baby

Glory be to the new born King".
Expressions of admiration and worship of the newborn King

Well, the Virgin Mary had a one son, etc.
Repeating the first stanza

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

Suzanne Lawson

2y↑3

To think Joan was only about 18 when she recorded this song,.
Absolutely the purest cyrstal clear soaring soprano voice.
I have always been in awe of Joan's voice- this gift she was born with.