Woodstock day 1 had ended with Joan Baez around 2 AM. People continued to arrived on the field and in the area. Traffic closed surrounding roads.
August 16 had dawned damp and misty, but by midday the sun shone and the crowd awaited. Little did they know that when Quill began around noon that it would be nearly 22 hours later when “Saturday’s” performances ended.
Quill is not on the Monument along with Keef Hartley and Tim Hardin. Quill is not in the movie nor on the original album, but once again due to the incredible and indefatigable Andy Zax, Rhino’s 50th anniversary releasehas all, including Quill.
The band had not yet released an album. That would not happen (and happened only once) until 1970. They Live the Life was the only song from their Woodstock set that appeared on that self-produced album. It is a heavily percussive tune. No lyrics available.
That’s How I Eat
That’s How I Eat is a bluesy rock tune. No lyrics available.
Apology Interruption I
We are all different parts of the same revolution. Hugh Romney.
While Woodstock is accurately known for its peace, love, and understanding, that does not mean that there were none who stretched the limits of counter-cultural patience. Hugh Romney (only later known as Wavy Gravy) suggests to the crowd that if someone is looking for a fight, just go up to them and kiss them or lick them.
And John Morris informs the crowd that the Motherfuckers, a group from NYC, has set up a food distribution site nearby.
Quill Woodstock
Driftin’
Like That’s How I Eat, Driftin’ is a bluesy tune with Phil Thayer’s saxophone prominent, but a long Roger North drum solo in the middle of the 8-minute song. No lyrics available.
Apology Interruption II
A second interruption in the brief set is an announcement regarding food by someone from the Hog Farm. They tell everyone that there is “tons of food” (all veggies) available at the Hog Farm site.
A louder and an angry John Morris tells those hassling the food merchants at the top of the hill
Quill Woodstock
Waiting for You
“You better get high or we’re gonna’ give you a tongue bath.”
According to the woodstock.fandom site, “Waiting for You” is a song which incorporates the audience. Quill used to hand out various percussion instruments so everybody could join the music. This may have worked at smaller venues but failed at a 500,000 people crowd at Woodstock.
Their enthusiasm is clear nonetheless during their 12 minute closer.
Other than Ravi Shankar, no other Woodstock performer had released an album sooner than Joan Baez, 29 years younger than Shankar. Hers in 1960 when she was 19. And likely, no other Woodstock performer was more of an activist than Joan.
Story about how the Federal Marshals came to take David Harris into custody
No Expectations
Joe Hill
Sweet Sir Galahad
Hickory Wind
Drug Store Truck Driving Man
I Live One Day at a Time
Take Me Back to the Sweet Sunny South
Let Me Wrap You in My Warm and Tender Love
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
We Shall Overcome
Before Joan performed, MC John Morris explains to the crowd that while all has been going reasonably well, that they should try to be safe. To stay off the roads as they are the only way to get supplies in and out.
“This isn’t the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, it’s your Fair.”
Her set began around 1 AM and lasted about 55 minutes.
Joan Baez Woodstock
Oh Happy Day
Joan Baez readily admits that she rarely writes her own material. For her fans, that’s just fine as the songs she selects to cover and the voice she has more than make up for any lack of composing.
It would be the second time that the crowd heard “Oh Happy Day,” a 1967 gospel music arrangement of an 18th-century hymn by clergyman Philip Doddridge. The Edwin Hawkins Singers had released their single in 1969 and it became an international hit in 1969.
The other Woodstock version had been Sweetwater’s much more energetic cover.
Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy day) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed) He washed my sins away (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy day)
He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray And live rejoicing every, everyday
Oh happy day
He taught me how
Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Joan Baez Woodstock
The Last Thing On My Mind
Joan jokes that she thought maybe they’d have a sunrise concert and then goes right into Tom Paxton’s The Last Thing On My Mind.
It’s a lesson too late for the learning Made of sand, made of sand In the wink of an eye my soul is turnin’ In your hand, in your hand
Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could’ve loved you better, didn’t mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind
You’ve got reason a plenty for goin’ This I know, this I know For the weeds have been steadily growin’ Please don’t go, please don’t go
Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could’ve loved you better, didn’t mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind
As I lie in my bed in the mornin’ Without you, without you. Every song in my breast lies a bornin’ Without you, without you.
Are you going away with no word of farewell Will there be not a trace left behind Well, I could’ve loved you better, didn’t mean to be unkind You know that was the last thing on my mind That was the last thing on my mind.
Joan Baez Woodstock
I Shall Be Released
Next is Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released and although the song was relatively new, it already felt like a classic.
They say everything can be replaced They say every distance is not near So I remember every face Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released
They say every man needs protection They say that every man must fall Yet I swear I see my reflection Somewhere so high above this wall
I see my light come shining From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released
Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd A man who swears he’s not to blame All day long I hear him shouting so loud Just crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released.
Joan Baez Woodstock
David Harris
Joan had married draft resister David Harris in 1968 and standing on the Woodstock stage Joan was pregnant. Gabriel Harris would be born in December.
Joan speaks fondly of David, whom authorities had just arrested in July. She explains how he is organizing other prisoners in an hunger strike.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night Alive as you and me Says I, ‘But Joe, you’re ten years dead’ ‘I never died’, says he ‘I never died’, says he.
In Salt Lake, Joe, says I Him standing by my side ‘They framed you on a murder charge’ Says Joe, ‘I never died’ Says Joe, ‘I never died.’
The copper bosses they shot you, Joe, They filled you full of lead ‘Takes more than guns to kill a man’ Says Joe, ‘And I ain’t dead’ Says Joe, ‘And I ain’t dead.’
And standing there as big as life And smiling with his eyes Says Joe, ‘What they forgot to kill’
‘Went on to organize’ ‘Went on to organize.’
Joe Hill ain’t dead, he says to me Joe Hill ain’t never died Where working man are out on strike Joe Hill is at their side Joe Hill is at their side.
In San Diego up to Maine In every mine and mill Where working men defend their rights It’s there you’ll find Joe Hill It’s there you’ll find Joe Hill.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night Alive as you and me Says I, But Joe, you’re ten years dead I never died, says he I never died, says he.
Joan Baez Woodstock
Struggle Mountain Resistance Band
Joan explains who’s on stage with her and that the three of them make up the Struggle Mountain Resistance Band.
Joan Baez Woodstock
Sweet Sir Galahad
This is Joan’s song–perhaps the first she wrote–and tells the story of her Mimi Fariña and her how her husband Milan Melvin courted her. Mimi and Milan had married at the 1968 Big Sur Folk Festival.
Sweet Sir Galahad Came in through the window In the night When the moon was in the yard
He took her hand in his and Shook the long hair From his neck And he told her She’d been working much too hard
It was true that ever since the day Her crazy man had passed away To the land of poet’s pride She laughed and talked a lot With new people on the block But always at evening time she cried
And here’s to the dawn of their days
La-la-di-di-di La-la-la-la La-da-da-da La-ah, ah
She moved her head A little down on the bed Until it rested softly on his knee And there she dropped her smile And there she sighed awhile And told him all the sadness Of those years that numbered three
“Well you know I think my fate’s belated Because of all the hours I waited For the day when I’d no longer cry I get myself to work by eight But oh, was I born too late And do you think I’ll fail At every single thing I try?”
And here’s to the dawn of their days
He just put his arm around her And that’s the way I found her Eight months later to the day
The lines of a smile erased The tear tracks upon her face A smile could linger, even stay
Sweet Sir Galahad went down With his gay bride of flowers The prince of the hours Of her lifetime
And here’s to the dawn Of their days Of their days.
Joan Baez Woodstock
Hickory Wind
Written mainly by Byrd Gram Parsons with some help from Bob Buchanan. Parsons first recorded “Hickory Wind” with The Byrds on March 9, 1968.
In South Carolina there are many tall pines I remember the oak tree that we used to climb But now when I’m lonesome, I always pretend That I’m getting the feel of hickory wind
I started out younger at most everything All the riches and pleasures, what else could life bring? But it makes me feel better each time it begins Callin’ me home, hickory wind
It’s hard way to find out that trouble is real In a far away city, with a far away feel But it makes me feel better each time it begins Callin’ me home, hickory wind
Keeps callin’ me home, hickory wind
Joan Baez Woodstock
Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man
The next song is also a Gram Parsons/Byrd song with writing help from Roger McGuinn. The Byrds had had a terrible experience performing at the Grand Ole Opry on March 15, 1968. Gram Parsons announced that instead of the planned “Sing Me Back Home,” they were going to play yet another track from their Sweetheart of the Rodeo LP. He then dedicated their performance of “Hickory Wind” to his grandmother.
Gram Parsons wrote Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man in response and had Nashville all night disc jockey Ralph Emery in mind who was among the many in Nashville who criticized the “hippie” band.
Jeffrey Shurtleff is featured in the next song and before it begins he has a few words to say: “Hello to all friends of the draft resistance revolution in America. Good evening, I hope it stops raining. One thing about the draft resistance that’s different from other movements and revolutions in this country in that we have no enemies. And it’s one of the beautiful things about it qnd to show that our hearts are in the right place we’ll sing a song for the governor of California…Ronald Ray-guns.
Shurtleff will play with the written lyrics a bit.
He’s a drug store truck drivin’ man He’s the head of the Ku Klux Klan When summer rolls around He’ll be lucky if he’s not in town
Well, he’s got him a house on the hill He plays country records till you’ve had your fill He’s a fireman’s friend he’s an all night DJ But he sure does think different from the records he plays
He’s a drug store truck drivin’ man He’s the head of the Ku Klux Klan When summer rolls around He’ll be lucky if he’s not in town
Well, he don’t like the young folks I know He told me one night on his radio show He’s got him a medal he won in the War It weighs five-hundred pounds and it sleeps on his floor
He’s a drug store truck drivin’ man He’s the head of the Ku Klux Klan When summer rolls around He’ll be lucky if he’s not in town
He’s been like a father to me He’s the only DJ you can hear after three I’m an all night musician in a rock and roll band And why he don’t like me I can’t understand
He’s a drug store truck drivin’ man He’s the head of the Ku Klux Klan When summer rolls around He’ll be lucky if he’s not in town
He’ll be lucky if he’s not in town
Joan Baez Woodstock
One Day at a Time
Joan explains that they learned One Day… from a tape of a group Styx River Ferry and that it’s “kind of a theme song for resistance.” Sticking with the country influence, Willie Nelson wrote this song and had included it on his 1965 Country Willie His Own Songs album.
I live one day at a time I dream one dream at a time Yesterday’s dead, and tomorrow is blind And I live one day at a time.
Bet you’re surprised to see me back at home, You don’t know how I miss you when you’re gone Don’t ask how long I plan to stay It never crossed my mind ‘Cause I live one day at a time.
I live one day at a time I dream one dream at a time Yesterday’s dead, and tomorrow is blind And I live one day at a time.
There’s a swallow flyin’ across a cloudy sky Searchin’ for a patch of sun so high Don’t ask how long I have to follow him, Perhaps I won’t in time But I live one day at a time.
I live one day at a time I dream one dream at a time Yesterday’s dead, and tomorrow is blind And I live one day at a time. And I live one day at a time.
Joan Baez Woodstock
Take Me Back to the Sweet Sunny South
Joan sings this accompanied by Jeff on this traditional song. It is interesting, at least to me, that this was played a few times by Jerry Garciawith David Grisman in 1990-92 and long before that with the Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers in 1962. Garcia & Grisman’s is truer to the song’s bluegrass roots.
Take me back to the place where I first saw the light To that sweet sunny south take me home Where the mockingbird sings me to sleep every night Oh why was I tempted to roam
I think with regret of the dear home I left Of the warm hearts that sheltered me there Of wife and of children of whom I’m bereft Of the old place again do I sigh
Take me back to the place where the orange trees grow To my plot in the evergreen shade Where the flowers from the river’s green margins did grow And spread their sweet scent through the glade
Take me back let me see what is left that I know Could it be that the old house is gone Dear friends from my childhood indeed must be few And I must face death all alone
The path to our cottage they say has grown green And the place is quite lonely around I know that the smiles and the forms I once knew Now lie ‘neath the cold mossy ground
But yet I return to the place of my birth Where the children have played ‘round the door Where they gathered wild blossoms that grew ‘round the path Twill echo their footsteps no more
Take me back to the place where my little ones sleep Where poor massa lies buried close by O’er the graves of my loved ones I long for to weep and rest there among them when I die.
Joan Baez Woodstock
Warm and Tender Love
Bobby Robinson andClara Thompsonwrote the song and many have covered it, including the well-know one by Percy Sledge
Let me wrap you in my warm and tender love, yeah Let me wrap you in my warm and tender love Oh, I loved you for a long, long time Darling, please say you’ll be mine And let me wrap you in my warm and tender love
Let me wrap you in my warm and tender love, yeah Let me wrap you in my warm and tender love You’re so lovely, you’re oh so fine
Come on and please me with your touch And let me wrap you in my warm and tender love
For I loved you for a long, long time Darling please say you’ll be mine And let me wrap you in my warm and tender love I said it’ll be alright if you just let me Let me wrap you in my warm and tender love Oh baby, come on and let me Let me wrap you in my warm and tender love I said it’ll be alright if you just let me Wrap you in my warm and tender love, yeah
Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home
Well, if you get there before I do Coming for to carry me home Tell all my friends I’m coming too Coming for to carry you home
Swing low, sweet chariot Coming to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home
I looked over yonder and what did I see Coming for to carry me home A band of angels were a’coming for me Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot Coming to carry me home Swing low, swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home.
Amen. Thank you.
Joan Baez Woodstock
We Shall Overcome
Thank you very much and you know this festival is quite extraordinary in just about every way. The people are absolutely beautiful to work with and I think it’s amazing that you people are still awake and I really appreciate it. And thank you. What I’d like to do is just sing one more song and ask you to sing it with me. It’s kind of strange to sing this song because it’s very old and in a way it’s very trite. On the other hand, it’s beautiful. What I’d like to do is sing this song for all the people in the world who are willing to take risks. What I’d like to do is dedicate it to David and what I think is if we sing it loudly enough and well enough maybe he’ll hear it in Arizona.
By herself on guitar…
We shall overcome We shall overcome We shall overcome, some day
Oh, deep in my heart I do believe We shall overcome, some day
We shall be alright We shall be alright We shall be alright, some day
Oh, deep in my heart I do believe We shall overcome, some day
We shall live in peace We shall live in peace We shall live in peace, some day
Oh, deep in my heart I do believe We shall overcome, some day
We’ll walk hand in hand We’ll walk hand in hand We’ll walk hand in hand, some day
We are not afraid We are not afraid We are not afraid, today
Oh, deep in my heart I do believe We shall overcome, some day
We shall overcome Oh Lord, overcome someday
Oh, deep in my heart I do believe We shall overcome, some day
It was around 11 PM, Friday’s concert continued and the organizers decided to fill in the with an unscheduled performer.
There is a saying that luck is when preparation meets opportunity and if so, Melanie was lucky on August 15, 1969.
She had signed a recording contract with Buddah Records, recorded an album, and released it in November 1968. Then, according to an article for Bethel Woods by Wade Lawrence and Scott Parker, Buddah co-founder Artie Ripp [who] was a friend of Woodstock organizer Artie Kornfeld decided to take a risk and send Melanie to the festival on the chance that she could perform.
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Poetic License
She did and her performance carries with it a bit of Woodstock trivia. After the concert in response to what she’d experienced there, Melanie wrote her most successful song, “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” because, as the story goes, the Hog Farm had just handed out candles to the crowd and had them light the candles.
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Earlier, just before Tim Hardin’s set began, MC John Morris quickly told a story about a Tiny Tim concert during which the audience lighted matches and Morris asked if the Woodstock crowd could do the same. They did and the illumination impressed both Morris and the crowd.
Before Melanie began, Morris asked for a repeat:
“It’s getting later and maybe they’re wet, but let’s try the match bit again. That really did it. I’d like to see that again. One. Two. Three. Light ’em up! Ahhh..come on. Let’s go. Oh, that’s better. Woooh! Hey, that’s great.
Click to listen.
The 22-year-old was on stage less than a half-hour, but left a long impression.
Her setlist:
Close to It All
Momma Momma
Beautiful People
Animal Crackers
Mr. Tambourine Man
Tuning My Guitar
Birthday of the Sun
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Close To It All
Close To It All was one of the ten songs from her Born To Be album. She wrote all the songs, except her cover of Bob Dylan’s Mr Tambourine Man.
Melanie accompanies herself with an acoustic guitar and not other backing musicians.
While walking through life I would never fall If I could be close to it all and all If I could be close to it all
If I had my dream it would not fall down If I could live high on the ground The sound of high is a good one to many around When they wanna be close to it all
And I wanna be close to it all and all I wanna be close to it all
The village sugar takers Madison Avenue pink dream makers They try to escape from it all But instead they build walls, that’s all But they wanna be close to it all
If I had my dream, I would fill a hall And tell all the people tear down the wall That keeps them from being a part of it all ‘Cause they gotta get close to it all
The village sugar takers Madison Avenue pink dream makers They try to escape from it all But instead they build walls, that’s all But they wanna be close to it all
There’s just one more thing that I wanna say Everyone has got their own special way That keeps them from getting too close to the day Accept and be part of it all and all Everyone tear down your own little wall That keeps you from being a part of it all ‘Cause you gotta be one with the one and all And everyone tear down your own little wall That keeps you from being a part of it all ‘Cause you gotta be one with the one and all You gotta be close to it all
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Momma Momma
Momma Momma was also on her first album.
Momma Momma, I fear you reared me wrong Momma Momma, I fear you reared me wrong ‘Cause I pick up my head, can’t tell where I belong
Momma Momma, something’s hurting me bad Momma Momma, something’s hurting me bad I have a yearning for something that I never had
Oh, sometimes I feel my life has come and then it’s gone Sometimes I feel my life has come and gone I live in this world but I’m only looking on
I can’t understand, it’s too far over my head I can’t understand, it’s too far over my head I’m living the life but I’m really dying instead, yeah
Momma Momma, I fear you reared me wrong Momma Momma, I fear you reared me wrong ‘Cause I lift up my head and I can’t tell where I belong Momma Momma Momma Momma, something’s terribly wrong
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Beautiful People
Beautiful People did not appear on her first album, but will appear on her second which Buddah would release in October. She had recorded the album in Wessex Studios, Londan.
You live in the same world as I do But somehow I never noticed You before today I’m ashamed to say
Beautiful people We share the same back door And it isn’t right We never met before But then We may never meet again If I weren’t afraid you’d laugh at me I would run and take all your hands And I’d gather everyone together for a day And when we gather’d I’ll pass buttons out that say Beautiful people Then you’d never have to be alone ‘Cause there’ll always be someone With the same button on as you Include him in everything you do
Beautiful people You ride the same subway As I do ev’ry morning That’s got to tell you something We’ve got so much in common I go the same direction that you do So if you take care of me Maybe I’ll take care of you
Beautiful people You look like friends of mine And it’s about time That someone said it here and now I make a vow that some time, somehow I’ll have a meeting Invite ev’ryone you know I’ll pass out buttons to The ones who come to show Beautiful people Never have to be alone ‘Cause there’ll always be someone With the same button on as you Include him in ev’rything you do He may be sitting right next to you He may be beautiful people too And if you take care of him Maybe I’ll take care of you And if you take care of him Maybe I’ll take care of you… People
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Animal Crackers
Animal Crackers was on her first album. Interestingly, the song refers to Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant song as he will follow Melanie.
Oh, eat your animal crackers ‘Cause my mother told me so long ago “If you eat your animal crackers The children in Europe won’t starve anymore” Ha ha ha… Oh, once I went on a diet A carbohydrate diet ain’t nice ‘Cause you can’t eat animal crackers So, I’m gonna stay a fatty for all of my life Ha ha ha… But some people think that fatties are nice, yeah I love eating ice-cream Chocolate, vanilla and butter pecan But I best love animal crackers ‘Cause I love helping my fellow man Yeah, I really do
Did you ever hear of Alice’s restaurant? I eat at Alice’s restaurant year after year She makes an animal cracker pizza, ha And she gives animal crackers out free with the beer Oh, let’s give Alice a great big cheer She knows the age of the animal cracker is here Ah, animal crackers are in this year Ha ha ha… Oh, lalala…
There’s a bit of technical advice for her after the song.
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Mr Tambourine Man
As mentioned above, Mr Tambourine Man appeared on her first album and was the only composition she didn’t write. The crowd applauds upon hearing the first notes.
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Tuning My Guitar
Tuning My Guitar will appear on her second album.
I’m thinking what I’m doing I’m thinking what I’ve done I’m thinking ’bout my mother Who never thought I’d come Quite this far from nowhere To hear myself be sung But I still haven’t forgotten I used to do it just for fun
When all the ones around me Would wonder if they saw Or heard me singing somewhere Tuning my guitar
Knock once, I got ten minutes And every night’s the same Sometimes I wish I wasn’t in it When I hear them call my name Same people all around me And I wonder who they are I know they’re not my family And they’re not my friends by far
They’re all the ones around me I wonder who they are They hide behind my curtain And they hope I’ll be a star
An’ they say, “Get out and sell them” But selling’s not my aim I’m gonna sing the life I’m living And try to ease the pain
Of all the ones around me No matter who you are Tonight you’re gonna hold the curtain I’m tuning my guitar
And all the ones around me I wonder who you are You hide behind my curtain And they hope I’ll be a star But all the ones around me Who don’t know who you are You hide and you look uncertain But you hope I’ll be a star
And all the ones, all around me I don’t care who you are Tonight you’re gonna hold the curtain I’m tuning my guitar
All the ones, all the ones All the ones around me And I don’t care who you are Tonight you’re gonna hold the curtain I’m tuning my guitar
Oh all the ones Who do you think that you are Tonight you’re gonna hold the curtain I’m tuning my guitar
Melanie Safka Woodstock
Birthday of the Sun
The crowd calls for an encore and Birthday of the Sun was it. She did not record the song for an album until her 1971 album, The Good Book. That album was her last official one for Buddah as she left and formed her own company.
Oh, I’m the one
I found the birthday of the sun
But all things change
And now I think it’s the birthday of the rain
If I never said goodbye
To all that I’ve known
I would never be alone
But still I will not cry
I’m not finished yet, boy
So wipe the smile from your eyes
Because if I were to hang my head
I’d miss all the rainbows
And I’d drown in raindrops instead
But you gotta know,
I’m the one
I found the birthday of the sun
And all things change
And now I’m sure it’s the birthday of the rain
If I never said goodbye
To all that I’ve known
I would never be alone
But still I’m gonna win
I’m not finished yet, world
So wipe the smirk from your chin
Because if I were to hang my head
I’d miss all the rainbows
And I’d drown in raindrops instead
But you gotta know, that I’m the one
I found the birthday of the sun
And all things change
And now I’m sure it’s the birthday of the rain
And all things change
Happy Birthday to the rain.
After her set, John Morris says, Let’s say goodnight to a very beautiful lady. Thank her very much. Good night Melanie.
Melanie Safka Woodstock
What's so funny about peace, love, art, and activism?
