Motherland
Joan Baez · Other Songs - Joan Baez
Far from the things that you know
Far from the sprawl of concrete that keeps crawling
It's way about 1,000 miles a day
Take one last look behind
Commit this to memory and mind
And don't miss this wasteland
This terrible place
When you leave
Keep your heart off your sleeve
Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go, don't you go
Oh, my five and dime queen
Tell me what have you seen?
The lust and the avarice, the bottomless
Cavernous greed, is that what you see?
Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go
It's your happiness I want most of all
And for that I'd do anything at all, oh, mercy me
If you want the best of it or the most of all
If there's anything I can do at all
Now come on shot gun bride
What makes me envy your life?
Faceless, nameless, innocent and blameless
And free, what's that like to be?
Oh, motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go
Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes, lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go, don't go
Don't you go
Motherland - Joan Baez
Joan Baez's "Motherland" stands as a defining anthem of the 1960s folk revival, capturing the spirit of social justice and environmental awareness. Recorded during a period when Baez was at the forefront of the counterculture movement, the song reflects her deep commitment to political activism and her ability to translate complex social issues into accessible, resonant music. The track exemplifies the genre's focus on narrative storytelling and acoustic instrumentation, often featuring her signature harmonies and vocal clarity. As part of her extensive discography, "Motherland" remains a testament to her influence on protest music and her role in shaping the cultural landscape of the era. It continues to be celebrated for its timeless message and its place in the canon of American folk songwriting.