Last, Lonely And Wretched

Joan Baez · Other Songs - Joan Baez

You're tired and you're poor,

You long to be free,

But in this Godforsaken land

You find no home, no family



On the many roads that you've wandered

Since the day of your birth.

You've become one of the last,

Lonely and wretched.



Your hair is matted,

Your face and hands are dirty,

And the years that you've toiled

Must number somewhere near thirty.



The deepening of a sadness

Broke finally into madness.

You are truly one of the last,

Lonely and wretched.



Your eyes are wild and frightening

At the same time they are blessed

And I wonder if God died,

Turned his back or only just rested.



And you walked out on the seventh day

Through the big gates and on your way

To become one of the last,

Lonely and wretched.



For once you were a child.

Your cheeks were red,

You were well fed.

You laughed and played



Till you got teary,

Ran to your mother

When you were weary.

But somewhere you were forsaken



Alone I'll not bear the blame

And somehow all was taken,

Your mind, your body, your name.

Forgive us our unkindness,



Our desertion and our blindness,

With you, all the last,

Lonely and wretched.

Forgive us, all the last,



Lonely and wretched.

Last, Lonely And Wretched

Joan Baez's "Last, Lonely And Wretched" stands as a poignant testament to her mastery of folk balladry, blending acoustic intimacy with profound social consciousness. Recorded during the height of her career, the track exemplifies her ability to weave personal narrative with universal themes of isolation and resilience. As a defining voice of the 1960s protest movement, Baez often utilized her instrument to amplify marginalized voices, and this recording reflects that commitment through its evocative melody and unadorned vocal delivery. The song's enduring appeal lies in its honest portrayal of human vulnerability, capturing the emotional texture of an era defined by civil rights activism and countercultural expression. It remains a significant song in her discography, showcasing her skill in transforming simple folk structures into powerful statements on the human condition.