Born Maria Garzia Rosa Domenica d'Amato on 12th September 1943 in Greenwich Village, New York, she performed in the early 1960s in Greenwich Village with Bob Dylan, John Sebastian, David Grisman, and Stefan Grossman. Later in the 1960s her distinctive vocals were heard in many of the tracks recorded by Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band.
She began her solo career in 1972 when her marriage to fellow Jug Band member Geoff Muldaur ended, retaining her married name. Her first solo album "Maria Muldaur", released in 1973, contained her hit single "Midnight at the Oasis", which reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. It also peaked at number 21 in the UK Singles Chart. Later that year, she released her second album Waitress In A Donut Shop. This included a re-recording of "I'm a Woman", the Leiber and Stoller number first associated with Peggy Lee and a standout feature from her Jug Band days. The title of this album is taken from a line in another song on the album, "Sweetheart" by Ken Burgan.
Around this time, Muldaur established a relationship with the Grateful Dead. Opening for some Grateful Dead shows in the summer of 1974, with John Kahn, bassist of the Jerry Garcia Band, would eventually earn her a seat in that group in the late 1970s, as a backing vocalist.
Later in her career, as her voice deepened, the blues were featured in more of her recordings. Her 2005 release Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul was nominated for both a W.C. Handy Award and a Grammy award in the Traditional Blues Category.
In 2011 she released the album "Steady Love".
Heart Of Mine
Maria Muldaur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heart of mine be still
You can play with fire but you'll get the bill
Don't let her know
Don't let her know that you love her
Don't be a fool, don't be blind
Heart of mine.
Heart of mine go back home
You got no reason to wander, no reason to roam
Don't let her see
Don't let her see that you need her
Don't put yourself over the line
Heart of mine.
Heart of mine go back where you have been
It'll only be trouble for you if you let her in
Don't let her hear
Don't let her hear you want her
Don't let her hear know she's so fine
Heart of mine.
Heart of mine you know that she'll never be true
She'll only give to others the love that she's gotten from you
Don't let her know
Don't let her know where you're going
Don't untie the ties that bind
Heart of mine.
Heart of mine so malicious and so full of guile
Give you an inch and you'll take a mile
Don't let yourself fall
Don't let yourself stumble
If you can't do the time, don't do the crime
Heart of mine.
The lyrics of the song "Heart of Mine" by Bob Dylan depict a struggle within a person's heart, between their feelings of love and the need to protect themselves from hurt. The singer warns their own heart to be still and not reveal their love for someone, as they fear it will only lead to disappointment and regret. The heart is called upon to restrain itself from crossing the line, from letting the beloved know how much they are needed and admired. The recurring refrain of "Heart of mine" creates a sense of introspection and conflict within the singer's emotions.
The lyrics also suggest that the object of the singer's affection is not trustworthy or faithful. The singer acknowledges that she will only give her love to others and take advantage of the singer's feelings. The heart of the singer is portrayed as malicious and full of guile, almost as if it has its own mind and desires that go against the mind of the singer. But ultimately, the singer urges their own heart to be cautious and not let itself fall for someone who is likely to break it.
Overall, the song is a contemplative meditation on the complexities of the human heart and its ability to both love and protect itself. It conveys a sense of wisdom and maturity, as the singer acknowledges the need to not let emotions control their actions and to be mindful of their own well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart of mine be still
Stay calm, heart. Don't get carried away.
You can play with fire but you'll get the bill
You can pursue this love interest, but there will be consequences.
Don't let her know
Keep your feelings for her a secret.
Don't let her know that you love her
Don't reveal that you have romantic feelings for her.
Don't be a fool, don't be blind
Don't be naive or ignorant about the situation.
Heart of mine.
Stay composed, heart.
Heart of mine go back home
Go back to where you came from.
You got no reason to wander, no reason to roam
There's no need for you to explore other options.
Don't let her see
Do not allow her to witness your vulnerability.
Don't let her see that you need her
Do not show her that you depend on her.
Don't put yourself over the line
Do not cross a boundary.
Heart of mine.
Stay strong, heart.
Heart of mine go back where you have been
Return to your previous state of mind.
It'll only be trouble for you if you let her in
Allowing her into your heart will only bring difficulties.
Don't let her hear
Keep your desires a secret.
Don't let her hear you want her
Do not reveal your yearning for her.
Don't let her hear know she's so fine
Do not make her aware of her attractiveness.
Heart of mine.
Stay unfazed, heart.
Heart of mine you know that she'll never be true
You're aware that she's not trustworthy.
She'll only give to others the love that she's gotten from you
You'll see her love fall upon others, the same love she received from you.
Don't let her know
Keep up the facade.
Don't let her know where you're going
Do not tell her about your future plans.
Don't untie the ties that bind
Do not let go of what's tying you together.
Heart of mine.
Keep your cool, heart.
Heart of mine so malicious and so full of guile
You're a tricky and cunning heart.
Give you an inch and you'll take a mile
If given the opportunity, you'll take advantage of it.
Don't let yourself fall
Do not let yourself become victimized.
Don't let yourself stumble
Do not make a mistake.
If you can't do the time, don't do the crime
Avoid doing something that will lead to punishment.
Heart of mine.
Stay out of trouble, heart.
Contributed by Zachary N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.