King's Highway
Joan Baez · Other Songs - Joan Baez
Sometimes you can never tell
Where a story will unwind
How deep is the shallow ground
Sometimes you would never guess
Who's all talk and who just might
Find a way or lose themselves
On the king's highway tonight
I am just like many more
Who lie in bed, still and numb
Waking up and I can see
Just how dark it has become
Who knows no better angels now
Who knows none but earthly light
Who is waiting for a stranger
On the king's highway tonight
It wasn't how I had it planned
When it finally came around
I took a man with my own hands
But I held him close when he went down
He hadn't time to be afraid
His look was only of surprise
Staring up from where he lay
On the king's highway tonight
I took the little that he had
Only as an afterthought
He wouldn't have to feel so bad
To think I killed him just because
He was passing through this town
Only 'cause he looked about right
He stopped when I flagged him down
On the king's highway tonight
I might just change my mind
Sometimes you can never tell
King's Highway - Joan Baez
Joan Baez's 1965 recording of 'King's Highway' stands as a pivotal moment in her transition from folk protest singer to a more expansive musical artist. Originally a traditional spiritual and gospel standard, Baez's arrangement infuses the piece with a distinctive folk-rock energy that resonated deeply with the counterculture of the mid-1960s. The track showcases her vocal versatility, blending spiritual reverence with the rhythmic drive characteristic of the era's emerging rock sound. By reimagining this well-known hymn, Baez demonstrated her ability to draw from diverse musical traditions, including gospel and spirituals, while maintaining the acoustic integrity of her folk roots. This recording remains a significant example of her discography, reflecting her commitment to preserving and revitalizing American spiritual music through a contemporary lens.