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.
Where's My Apple Pie?
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brother, hasn't it been fun?
But you remember me from the trenches
I fought in World War One
Yes, you saw us off at the troop train
Smiling a brave goodbye
But where were you when we came home
To claim our apple pie
Oh where's our apple pie, my friends?
Where's our apple pie?
We've walked and wheeled from the battlefield
Now where's our apple pie?
World War Two was a favorite
God was surely on our side
The teenage kids enlisted with
The blessings of their daddys' pride
Well the wars may change but not so the glaze
In the young boys' eyes
When they cry out for their mamas
In the hours before they die
Oh where's our apple pie, my friends?
Where's our apple pie?
We've walked and wheeled from the battlefield
Now where's our apple pie?
I volunteered for the last one
And I don't want to moralize
But somehow I thought we deserved the best
For the way we threw away our lives
For we all believed in something
I know it wasn't very clear
But I know it wasn't rats in a hospital room
And a broken-down wheelchair
Oh where's our apple pie, my friends?
Where's our apple pie?
We've walked and wheeled from the battlefield
Now where's our apple pie?
Yes, Johnny finally got his gun
Before he got his apple pie
Now he hasn't got a hand to eat it with
But still he doesn't want to die
Because he prefers to go on fighting
And let his baby brother know
When the next time around the call goes out
It's "Hell no, we won't go!"
There'll be no World War Three, my friends
There'll be no World War Three
We've walked and wheeled from the battlefield
There'll be no World War Three
The song "Where's My Apple Pie" by Joan Baez is a reflection on the disillusionment and betrayal felt by soldiers returning home from war, particularly World War I and II. The repeated question of "Where's our apple pie?" serves as a metaphor for the promised rewards and recognition that soldiers were supposed to receive upon returning home, but instead were greeted with a lack of support and understanding from their communities. The sentiment is further fueled by the fact that many soldiers returned to find that their physical and emotional scars were not understood or acknowledged, as highlighted by the line "I know it wasn't rats in a hospital room and a broken-down wheelchair." The song also touches on the cyclical nature of war, with the final stanza suggesting that soldiers will continue to stand up against forced conscription and war.
Line by Line Meaning
Been sitting on old park benches
Reflecting on the past, the singer has spent time resting on park benches.
Brother, hasn't it been fun?
The singer is sarcastically acknowledging the irony of asking if war has been 'fun.'
But you remember me from the trenches
The singer fought in the trenches of World War One.
I fought in World War One
The artist fought in World War One and faced the realities of war.
Yes, you saw us off at the troop train
Farewells were given as soldiers departed for the war.
Smiling a brave goodbye
Despite the difficult departure, soldiers put on a brave face for others.
But where were you when we came home
When soldiers returned home from war, they did not receive the support they needed.
To claim our apple pie
The artist is using 'apple pie' as a symbol for the American Dream and what soldiers expected to receive when they returned home.
Oh where's our apple pie, my friends?
The artist is lamenting the fact that returning soldiers did not receive the support they deserved.
World War Two was a favorite
World War Two is referred to as a 'favorite' in comparison to World War One, but this does not mean it was actually enjoyable or any less devastating.
God was surely on our side
Many people believed that God was on the side of the Allied forces during World War Two.
The teenage kids enlisted with
Young people enlisted in the military and had to face the horrors of war.
The blessings of their daddys' pride
Fathers felt immense pride in their sons who were serving in the military.
Well the wars may change but not so the glaze
The singer is noting that while the wars themselves may change, the naivety and enthusiasm of young soldiers remains the same.
In the young boys' eyes
The singer is referring to the lack of experience and understanding in young soldiers, who are often sent to fight in wars.
When they cry out for their mamas
Many soldiers call out for their mothers in moments of pain and distress during war.
In the hours before they die
The artist is acknowledging the tragic reality that many soldiers did not survive the war.
I volunteered for the last one
The singer chose to volunteer for the last war they fought in.
And I don't want to moralize
The singer does not want to lecture or preach, but feels frustrated by the way soldiers were treated upon returning home.
But somehow I thought we deserved the best
The artist believes that returning soldiers deserved more support and better treatment than they received.
For the way we threw away our lives
The artist is acknowledging the fact that soldiers made huge sacrifices and put their lives on the line for their country.
For we all believed in something
Soldiers were fighting for something they believed in, whether they fully understood the reasons behind the war or not.
I know it wasn't very clear
The singer acknowledges that the reasons for going to war may not have been entirely clear or well-defined.
But I know it wasn't rats in a hospital room
The artist believes that the reasons for fighting were not as trivial as the conditions found in a hospital room.
And a broken-down wheelchair
The singer references a broken wheelchair as a symbol for the lack of support and care that returning soldiers received.
Yes, Johnny finally got his gun
The singer refers to a soldier who finally received a gun, implying that it was necessary for them to have to fight for so long without one.
Before he got his apple pie
The singer is again using 'apple pie' as a symbol for the support and care that soldiers deserved but did not receive.
Now he hasn't got a hand to eat it with
The sacrifices that soldiers make often result in them losing something, such as a limb, making it difficult to do even basic things like eat.
But still he doesn't want to die
Despite the extreme difficulties and consequences of war, many soldiers feel a strong desire to continue fighting and persevere.
Because he prefers to go on fighting
Soldiers often feel a sense of duty to continue fighting and defending their country and beliefs, even if it means sacrificing their own lives.
And let his baby brother know
The singer is suggesting that soldiers feel a sense of responsibility to help educate and protect younger generations.
When the next time around the call goes out
The artist is referring to the possibility of future wars and the need for young soldiers to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally.
It's 'Hell no, we won't go!'
The artist is promoting the idea that refusing to go to war may be the best way to prevent unnecessary violence and suffering.
There'll be no World War Three, my friends
The artist believes that war can be avoided in the future if people understand the true cost and consequences of violent conflict.
There'll be no World War Three
The singer is hopeful that society can find better ways to address and resolve conflicts without resorting to war.
We've walked and wheeled from the battlefield
The artist acknowledges the physical and emotional toll that war takes on soldiers and their ability to fully recover when they return.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Katharine Y BAez Katharina Scharlowski Katharine C. Y BAez Scharlowski InAOLoves
on The Rose
Joan Baez , my Fairest Hope my Love who signed into our Way
We are unite
We will not fall without our Foreverlasting
Love
In Failing Light
You See in myselfve your Love your Lesbian Wifve
You share your Lightful and your Darkest
side
In Which our Embraces
Our Words
Our Visions
Will rejoice
I see the Sunlight of a setting
Evening
Rise into Grace each Coming Morning
The amours we live is our Love
The mourns we felt
Do not impact
The do not seperate us My Joan C Baez You and I
The scared moments
We leave behind
We’ll belong twogather twogether
And three times we will cross
The Distance of an ocean between us
And then we ‘ll stay twogather in Your Home your place
Is given here and there
Is given home in our hearts and Soul
Our minds and bodies Longing Love
We are whole
The scars we carry
Did not made us blind
we will feel every emotion
As our Lifvelong foreverlasting Love
We share a secret
In which we Both have
Signed we are in Soul in heart in Bodies Longing and fulfillment in Mind now and
Eternally Unite
DeineKatharine Y BAez Katharina Scharlowski Katharine C. Y BAez Scharlowski InAOLoves
KatharinA KAtharine C. Y Baez Scharlowski
on The Rose
Und selbst wenn
alle Dunkelheit
Der Nächte
In den Tagen läge
Und selbst Erwachen
Schwer
ich fände doch
Zu Dir
Es führen Wege
Selbst wenn
kein Ausweg
durch die Tür
We burnt Each Other
everlastingly
Our Sign
Of truest Love that
Overcomes
The loneliness
And wildest
cry
When we embrace
and kiss our
Wounds
The Smile remaining
When we caress us
Will be
What lets us
deeply , sad
and of most
tenderness
Acknowledging
and
In our Minds
Forever
Found and
Not to destroyed
And we will
Feel that
We are Unite
The Ring i had lost
I‘ve found again
It’s prayer and Your Love
You Sent
A Turquoise of Arizonas Depth
Your heart in myne
And at The Turquoise
Coast beneath your Hill
We‘ll make Love
We‘ll follow our destined
And guiding
Will
Ich bin Dein Du Mein
MyLady JoanC BAez, My JoanChandosBaez, JoanBaez my Dove
Love And Wife
Katharine~~ C.~~ Y Baez KAtharinA Scharlowski InAO~•~Love~•~s the Answer~ I Love You, Joan and as Light begins to fail You reappear in my Body Heart and Soul my Mind to stayDeine KAtharinA KAtharine ich liebe Dich Forever!Joan C BAez
KatharinA KAtharine C. Y Baez Scharlowski
on The Rose
For a moment
in a Night Times Blessing
I left You in my Loves Embrace
as like a Flower
~ a Rose ~
and Purity her name
in darkness,
that was to bloom
in Heaven’s place.
as for the Love
in me
was not Disgraced,
A Lasting Kiss ,
A smile
a Light
A heart
that burns
throughly Memories
Forever Living
As Nighttime fell
As Nighttime falls
I‘ came, l’ll come and be
The One You‘ll see
The Love you feel
Just like a wild dog
Runs
Through Bushes
Of fences
And calamities
I passed my way to You
Through even
Greatest adversarities
The Rose of Sharon
Schmückt meinen Mund
~trotz Ausgebissen Zähne
In des Lebens Leid~
Wir Küssen uns
in purest Love
That went through
To and fro
And come and go
And I came back to You
Forever and Forevermore
Für JoanC. BAez von KAtharine C. Y Baez Scharlowski KAtharinA Ino
Katharine c; Y Baez
on The Rose
If a Love is felt as failing it is but Love the helps her Rise, it is a the moments quiet whispering : As i was torn you were by my side, in your Love i see my true and darkeyed Light, there it is Forever Joan Chandos Baez Katharine C; Y Baez Katharina sc harlowski
kATHARINE C. YBAEZ I
on The Rose
AS ON tHE WHITE hORSE MY HAND WAS GIVEN IN THE NOON TO yOU TODAY AS I ASKED YOU FOR YOURS ,WAS THAN WHEN EVERY MOON HAD TRIED TO fAIL AND hONEYMOON WAS THE ONLY LIGHT IN WHICH MY wORDS WERE LAID. iT WAS THE fAILURE ON THE iNTERNET AND NON BUT SCRIPTURE cOULD AND A LOVING HEART COULD STAY THE WIDE
iN THIS dARK MOMENT OF THE pRESENTS SIMPLE SIDE , THE fAIR cARD OF yOUR STALION wHITE THE wHITE hORSE IN tHE bLOSSOM OF THE mAY dAYS tIDE, I SENT TO YOUR wOODEN hILLS TO YOUR UNVENTURED sIDE, mY WRITTEN wORD : wILL yOU PLEASE mARRY ME MY bRIDE? i'LL STAY FOREVER BY YOUR sIDE FROM tHAN oN, sO gOODBYE IN OUR gOOD NiGHT, mY loVE jOAN C. bAEZ, yOUR KATHARINE C. Y BAEZ kATHARINA SCHARLOWSKI 21. MAY 2022
KatharineC. Y Baez Katharina Scharlowski
on The Rose
Thank You dearloved Joan C.Baez, you accorded me the answer in an unknown Light, through all darkness not alone as there was Love for you in me,- as in thought, in words a visioned melodie - that is not gone - far beyond the borders shores and the oceans sea, doves Flight as is Loves they fly By two By Four By Three, i send Goodbye to them I send GoodBye - and hope it once will be - I sent GoodBye my Joan C Baez stay You'll never fail in my Heart There is your place to be i send Goodbye my Love to Thee , Joan Chandos Baez, Katharine C. Y Baez Katharina Scharlowski It is for You that i was meant to feel was meant to be.
Katharine C. Y Baez, K.S.
on Wings
I 'll stay with you cause I think it's time to say Thank you for having stayed with me in my Time of Need. I love You Joan (KC) CHandos Baez, Your Katharine C. Y Baez name of Love and Hope and American Native Indian Marriage, born Katharina Scharlowski , A little Rain is a gonna come, And I am at Home when I cry, but I learned to be at home in your Love too, As we stay in The Hearts of The One Loves we are. Deine Katharine