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Mary and I went to hear Joan Baez sing last night.
To say it was breathtaking would be an understatement.
She was beautiful and erudite and every bit as relevant as when she sang protest songs in the '60s.
She did an a capella version of Finlandia that was just heart-rending.
This is my song,
O gods of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands so far away.
This is my home, the country where my heart is.
Here grew my hopes and dreams for all mankind.
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean
And sunlight shines on clover leaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too and clover
And skies are ev'rywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my prayer, o gods of all the nations
A song of peace for their lands and for mine.
She sang songs by Merle Haggard, and Steve Earle ("Christmas in Washington" which I've never heard before and now MUST find a copy of), and of course by Bob Dylan. But it was a Bob Dylan song she did NOT sing that was running through my head on the way home last night, so I had to pull out my guitar when I got there.
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
It was an amazing concert, despite the absence of this song. I can only hope I am as full of vim and vigor when I turn 65.
Side note: Playing guitar only once every four or five months = ow ow ow pain in the shower when the water hits fresh blisters.
Posted by Duff at November 08, 2006
That is so freaking awesome. I would love to see her...
Posted by: Carrie at November 8, 2006 07:50 AM
I'm still buzzing this morning. What a great concert -- thanks again for gettin' me there.
Posted by: Mary at November 8, 2006 08:15 AM
Awww, I knew you were a hippy chick underneath the banking girl.
Posted by: Sil at November 8, 2006 10:53 AM
It's so funny too... I had these insane blisters that turned hard on my fingers after playing my guitar for years--I literally thought they were going to be a tatoo on each tip...I was so proud.
Now I have fingertips of a newborn baby...it makes me cry. Or waaaaa , if you will.
Posted by: .25 Kid at November 8, 2006 05:19 PM