Strange Rivers
Joan Baez · Other Songs - Joan Baez
That open on the rivers we've never seen before
Are there choices for the sparrow, or does he only fly
High above the rivers that are pulling you and I
Oh, there are strange rivers, rivers that we cannot see
There are strange rivers who know our destiny
There are strange rivers who brought your love to me
He could have been a builder, he could have been the one
Who turned his dreams to steel cathedrals in the sun
He could have been a builder, until he bought the gun
There are forces in that river that keep him on the run
Oh, there are strange rivers, rivers that we cannot see
There are strange rivers who know our destiny
There are strange rivers who brought your love to me
Have you ever turned the corner and wondered why you did?
You haven't been that way since you were just a kid
Nothing really happens and then you have to say
You wonder what would happen had you gone the other way
Oh, there are strange rivers, rivers that we cannot see
There are strange rivers who know our destiny
There are strange rivers who brought your love to me
Strange Rivers
Joan Baez's "Strange Rivers" stands as a poignant testament to her commitment to acoustic folk and social consciousness. Recorded in the mid-1960s, the track exemplifies her signature style, blending traditional American folk melodies with a narrative that explores themes of displacement and the human condition. Baez's clear, emotive voice delivers the lyrics with a gentle urgency, characteristic of her work during the height of the civil rights and anti-war movements. The song reflects her broader catalog of socially aware songs, where personal storytelling intersects with collective struggle. As a staple of her discography, "Strange Rivers" remains a powerful example of how folk music can serve as a vehicle for empathy and reflection, capturing the spirit of an era defined by profound change.