JOAN BAEZ & JONI MITCHELL

Joni Mitchell

Joan Báez - Diamonds and rust

I'll be damned

Here comes your ghost again

But that's not unusual

It's just that the moon is full
And you happened to call
And here I sit
Hand on the telephone
Hearing a voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall
As I remember your eyes
Were bluer than robin's eggs
My poetry was lousy you said
Where are you calling from?
A booth in the midwest
Ten years ago
I bought you some cufflinks
You brought me something
We both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust

Well you burst on the scene
Already a legend
The unwashed phenomenon
The original vagabond
You strayed into my arms
And there you stayed
Temporarily lost at sea
The Madonna was yours for free
Yes the girl on the half-shell
Would keep you unharmed

Now I see you standing
With brown leaves falling around
And snow in your hair
Now you're smiling out the window
Of that crummy hotel
Over Washington Square
Our breath comes out white clouds
Mingles and hangs in the air
Speaking strictly for me
We both could have died then and there

Now you're telling me
You're not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You who are so good with words
And at keeping things vague
Because I need some of that vagueness now
It's all come back too clearly

Yes I loved you dearly

And if you're offering me diamonds and rust

I've already paid

*

Just before our love got lost you said  I am as constant as a northern star

And I said, constant in the darkness

Where’s that at?

If you want me I’ll be in the bar

On the back of a cartoon coaster

In the blue tv screen light

I drew a map of canada

Oh canada

And your face sketched on it twice

Oh you are in my blood like holy wine

Oh and you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you

I could drink a case of you darling

And I would still be on my feet

Oh I’d still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter

I live in a box of paints

I’m frightened by the devil

And I’m drawn to those ones that ain’t afraid

I remember that time that you told me, you said

 love is touching souls

Surely you touched mine

 cause part of you pours out of me

In these lines from time to time

Oh you are in my blood like holy wine

And you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you

I could drink a case of you darling

Still I’d be on my feet

And still be on my feet

I met a woman

She had a mouth like yours

She knew your life

She knew your devils and your deeds

And she said

Color go to him, stay with him if you can

Oh but be prepared to bleed

Oh but you are in my blood you’re my holy wine

Oh and you taste so bitter, bitter and so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you darling

Still I’d be on my feet

I’d still be on my feet

Joan Báez



*

Tengo el alma hecha ritmo y armonía;
todo en mi ser es música y es canto,
desde el réquiem tristísimo de llanto
hasta el trino triunfal de la alegría.

Nicolás Guillén