2017 Rock Hall Inductee Joan Baez & Guests Perform "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"

[@alberto-os1bx]

Still sounds great and she was 76 here. When she was young nobody could match her voice. I admire her so much and I would be so happy just to shake hands with her.

[@xtho7999]

I feel exactly the same but instead of shaking her hand.. I'd like too .. her

[@MrPedur]

It goes straight to the heart. Joan Baez has the strongest vibrato and purest voice. To this day, my soul responds just as strongly as when I was a boy. I think the feeling can only be described as pure love. It will be like that for the rest of my life. Thank you Joan, my dear

[@amorpatriaenostralex3822]

The voice became old, but still gold!

[@nigelgregory7308]

Joan is amazing even though many years beyond 💕💕

[@chondradickerson4093]

She still sounds amazing. Her tone is so pure.

[@AnneCoress]

Joan has *always* covered the most beautiful songs . .

[@Ilovechocolatelabs]

Still sounds so good it’s monumental that this song was played in 2017 one of my favorites

[@deanmashburn6829]

Wow y'all that was still awesome after all these years she still got it that's still brings chill bumps on this Dixie boy

[@georgefleblanc1]

Joan has a great group.

[@handbonewadenorth1346]

real cool.....cuts to the heart...... if folks could remember this epic time in the Country Theyd act like it!

[@4thetruthalways531]

Still a beautiful and talented woman!

[@rp2364]

She's the BEST For you Mommy (RIP)❤ GREAT SONG for a GREAT LADY Thanx for your fight MADAME 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@robynkulp6946]

Joanie you are a gifted singer and artist. Thanks for all that you do with these gifts to make the world a better place. Stay safe and healthy and forever young!!!

[@byronjackson9373]

Absolutely Beautiful. Thank you beautiful lady 🎉❤

[@leereeder2293]

Joan Baez still sounds good as she'll be a legend for years to come

[@DClean]

I haven't cried in 27 years, but this mite just do it

[@EndTimeApostles]

Joan is Joan ... she is very special... really a good player and singer...

[@JoeHenry1236]

The Band OWNS this song...

[@ericskonberg5408]

This song has more flaws than who sings it..

[@BenB-yk7kd]

Also they perform it beautifully. These ladies are awful

[@rp2364]

The Lady JOAN... THE QUEEN 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@JohnMehana]

Love her so much.

[@sophiegrisom]

Love this version because she finally got the lyrics right - "Stoneman's Cavalry came". Originally she sang "so much cavalry came", then "Stonewall's Cavalry came". Stonewall Jackson was a Confederate General who died years before, and wouldn't be tearing up tracks to halt Gen Lee's retreat anyway. Written by a Native American from Toronto in The Band.

[@BenB-yk7kd]

Also the music is absent. Just 4 lesbians crying where's the horns and drums? Terrible bastardization of a beautiful song

[@peachesb-georgia1125]

Love you so much Joan... great performance 😉...

[@francissmith4353]

She still has the Glow.

[@catdad7667]

Dose she still sing anymore if she dose dose she sing this song

[@thefrontpage]

A moment of silence today for Robbie Robertson.

[@jamesduclos2545]

May he rest in peace ....

[@Ms-ej2vb]

Just listening to this song on her you tube channel. I had the record 45. I loved singing it then and also now. Took me right back. No surprise I sing so well. Joan helped. Joan open the comments up on your channel 😢

[@BustersRyder]

One of my favorite songs of all time. Never would have thought that Ol' Joan would sing it.

[@dextrovert]

BustersRyder she’s been singing it for years

[@pjquaynanPeterKeenan]

She had a huge hit with it in 1971.

[@unhmathzone5643]

Well done...lots of memories there...

[@Charz-ih5mp]

I memorized the lyrics so well from the “Hit Parade” magazine when I was about 10 years old- I still remember the lyrics. Oh geez- thank you for the beautiful music Joan! Reminds me of my childhood days. ♥️👏💐

[@dennisbean7336]

Absolutely fantastic

[@mkazilakwamchilloh3563]

Number one thumb up on your posting second I love her more now than ever before

[@laburgy]

I love that she had four strong women on guitars to sing & harmonise for her induction.

[@JoeHenry1236]

The Band owns them

[@ladyvader2648]

She reminds me of my late grandmother Josie, who passed away when I was only two years old. I grew up hearing stories about her from my family. She was a teacher, a kind and loving one, especially to the "difficult" kids. She was incredibly smart and used to read me all sorts of books when I was just a baby. She did look like a young Joan Baez in her youth. No doubt she would look the same way if she were still here, especially with that short hair.

[@robertthurston2995]

A legend and a voice that is breathtaking.

[@terrencewildman1732]

My 3x great grandfather left Tennessee to join the 8th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry of the Union Army, and helped Stoneman tear up the tracks. We’re proud of him.

[@FirstResponderJack]

She still sound beautiful

[@ionpopescu1142]

❤❤❤o muzica primita din alta galaxie

[@robynkulp6946]

Awesome!!!

[@georgefleblanc1]

wow she that song as it's a new song to her & she stayed in great shape, 🗽🗼🏀

[@Krrrimmi]

Man. Her voice have toned down when she got older. But is still a legend. \m/

[@UltimoDogLover]

She's 79. Her voice in the 1990s, when she was in her 50s and had been singing for more than 30 years, was as good or better than it was in the 1960s and 1970s. Not many can say that. And if it's now lost the range and crystalline, siren bell-like quality it was has, it has gained warmth and wisdom and is maybe even more intimate. Definitely a legend.

[@rmejiaweb]

Not a lot of people can sing a song 50 year later!! She recorded this song in 1971!! being alive and singing at 79 if not a record, a great average! and like you said, Still a Legend! Indeed

[@boppob1343]

I dont think its got worse in any way, it's become so much more experienced and beautiful.

[@rejeanbeauchamp6126]

Performance émouvante ! La voix de Joan vieillit mais demeure magnifique.

[@elvirasanchezaranda5761]

Beautiful

[@thomasbryant2601]

Just awesome

[@michaelarndt8621]

Hi joan Ich habe dich vor vielen Jahren in der DDR, Berlin volksbühne beim Festival getroffen, das ist jetzt fast 39 Jahre her, ich hoffe dir geht es gut, Michaxx

[@robertcruz4055]

All you need to make a great song is a great voice and plenty of talent. No synthesizers or special,effects.

[@ajcbng8289]

TREASURE. 🙏❤️

[@zoltarzoltar4199]

crowds sure look different than in 78

[@francissmith4353]

We all look different now, but we still think the same.

[@ttrain45]

acoustic with good singers, can't fail on this song. lovely.

[@mickhokin4396]

The Lady has still got it

[@SkyKing171717]

Joan has always been one of my two favorite female artists. The other being Karen Carpenter.

[@susanstorm6182]

Great song, Levon would be proud! Always have loved her voice!❤

[@wendyknox-leet1034]

Lemon hated her version!

[@houtansabahi2223]

Susan Storm i

[@fastguned]

Wrong words

[@JoeHenry1236]

Not likely @@wendyknox-leet1034

[@willdwyer6782]

Cut to the guy who wrote the song at 1:53.

[@LOSKOSKI]

With all due respect, she doesn't come within a million miles of Levon.

[@wengelder9256]

Interesting … she sings “ I drove on the Danville train “. But the original text is “ I WORKED on the Danville train “. Long before this , Baez explained she did not really read the text and just sang the song as she heard it . Weirdly , years after she knew she sang it wrong , she is still singing it wrong . No big deal . But she also sings … “ there goes the Robert E. Lee”. It’s actually …” there goes Robert E. Lee”. The Robert E. lee was a boat … Small details but considering the meaning of the song , she either really did not understand the song or she did understand but wanted to soften any controversial support for the confederation . And , I no way , this a support for the South , or as other thought , a confirmation of supporting slavery .

[@lowellfeld5198]

Beautiful, although for whatever reason she changes some of the lyrics. Here are the actual lyrics: Virgil Caine is the name And I served on the Danville train 'Til Stoneman's cavalry came And they tore up the tracks again In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive By May the tenth, Richmond had fell It's a time I remember, oh so well The night they drove old Dixie down And all the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And all the people were singing They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na" Back with my wife in Tennessee When one day she called to me "Say Virgil, quick, come see There goes the Robert E. Lee" Now I don't mind choppin' wood And I don't care if my money's no good You take what you need and you leave the rest But they should never have taken the very best The night they drove old Dixie down And all the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And all the people were singing They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na" Like my father before me I will work the land And like my brother above me Who took a rebel stand He was just eighteen, proud and brave But a Yankee laid him in his grave And I swear by the mud below my feet You can't raise a Caine back up when he's in defeat The night they drove old Dixie down When all the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And all the people were singing They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na" The night they drove old Dixie down And all the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And you could hear 'em all singing They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na"

[@kaymullins228]

Ive aleays loved the lyrics to this song, although Robert E Lee never came thru Tennessee during the Civil War, ass far as I know!

[@babyvlad007]

I believe the lyrics are referencing the steamboat named after Robert E. Lee.

[@fastguned]

@@babyvlad007 Right you are !!

[@davidgarris2513]

I had to put my dearest friend in my life November 11th and her name was Dixie

[@willdwyer6782]

This song is a poignant anti-war anthem about the misery of war suffered by those who don't have a dog in the fight. Poor white southerners who couldn't afford to own slaves were cannon fodder for the wealthy plantation owners during the American Civil War. Thank you Robbie Robertson.

[@2Uahoj]

Well, I doubt that they were any more "poor white southerners" who had to fight than the poor northerners who had to. Rich people usually find their way out of fighting wars.

[@tims2501]

It was about a people to have the right to determine their own govt. It was a stated reason for fighting WWII and a founding principle of the UN. Prior to 1861 the Union was a voluntary association. Since then it has been maintained by force. This was no different than American Revolution. In the Revolution the Brits offered slaves freedom if they stayed loyal to the Crown. Americans did not offer slaves their freedom for fighting in Washington's Army.

[@tims2501]

It is a song about people to choose their own govt. That right formed the basis of the UN and was reason WWII was fought. Prior to 1861 Union was a voluntary association. Since then maintained by force.

[@ricardocaldas8433]

bão de maais

[@crosstechheavy6453]

MCGI...GOD BLESS

[@jamesduclos2545]

Robbie Robertson, RIP (July 5, 1943 - August 9, 2023)

[@benjones5819]

Joan ,,,,don't let them hijack you..

[@phoebe3583]

robbie was there :)

[@hans-jurgennolte7004]

3 mal plus

[@pjquaynanPeterKeenan]

Song written by Robbie Robertson of The Band. She mucked up the words in 1971, but 45 years later she has still not corrected all of her mistakes, even though the subject was aired publicly years ago. Not good enough! Nevertheless, credit where credit's due: she used to be a tremendous singer.

[@roller325]

It's folk music, there isn't any 'correct' lyrics. That's half the fun, you sour cornflake.

[@azdesertgray5937]

Joan Baez sings all songs as she feels them. She sings from the heart - not from sheet music. "Correction" is never required or asked from the great Joan Baez. Her voice has mellowed with age and still reigns as the great Joan Baez!

[@anthonybaratta6152]

@@azdesertgray5937 yeah but she’s still sang the wrong lyrics… which initially is understandable because Levon is a little bit difficult to understand in the original recording.. That having been said I would expect that after she looked up with the right lyrics were she would’ve changed them…

[@azdesertgray5937]

@@anthonybaratta6152 hi Anthony, today is a new day. I now understand cover songs. The singer may change any original words, but the song owner still receives the royalties for their work. Just guessing but it seems most of her songs were cover songs. This makes no difference to me, I still love her voice.

[@anthonybaratta6152]

@@azdesertgray5937 her voice is fantastic!! My issue is if you’re gonna cover a song at least check on the lyrics after you released it and said that you couldn’t understand what the original singer was saying… Also keep in mind that grammatically the song doesn’t make sense the way she sings it… she says that so much Calvary came and tore up the tracks again and then she took a train to Richmond that fell so which one is it did the cavalry tear up the tracks or did she get to Richmond on a train? And the sentence I took a train to Richmond that fell makes no sense either… did the train fall?

[@kenhedoityeshecan]

I’m pretty sure she performed with that same guitar over 50 years ago.

[@julianmarsh1378]

Among certain segments of our population, I am not sure she would have gotten away with singing that song in 2021. A shame.

[@Manga_Lloyd]

I don't mean to imply the song isn't a masterpiece (it is), but it's also a loser's lament. It gets a pass.

[@julianmarsh1378]

@@Manga_Lloyd Lots of songs represent a 'loser's lament'...they all get a pass?

[@Manga_Lloyd]

@@julianmarsh1378 I wasn't making a blanket statement. I was saying this specific song gets a pass. The reason I say that is because I don't particularly think this song is meant to glorify the Confederacy. I think it's meant literally as a loser's lament, so for that reason it's less politically divisive than some other kind of song that has a message more like "the south will rise again!"

[@julianmarsh1378]

@@Manga_Lloyd I misunderstood you so please accept my apology.

[@Manga_Lloyd]

@@julianmarsh1378 No need to apologize!

[@olgabarbarella3447]

Blue tattoo Joan Baez.

[@michaelt3308]

Is the second singer male or female? 🤔

[@cjcurtis8944]

That is Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. It’s entirely obvious she’s a woman.

[@rickysalas1111]

Is she the widow of the greats victor jara ???

[@bobbieilisferguson5897]

Ricky Salas No. She is the former wife of David Harris and was once involved with Bob Dylan, about whom she wrote 'Diamonds and Rust'.

[@cle216land3]

Dixieland

[@deutscherheisenberg8910]

yankeeshithole

[@chuck7476]

THIS IS GOOD , BUT EMMYLOU HARRIS VERSION IS CLASS

[@grahamvermish5955]

It's "there goes The Robert E Lee" referring to the river boat not the General. Just saying. Otberwise great

[@grahamvermish5955]

8RBrain Thank you for the information. I was totally unaware of the train - I am not from the US and thought it was about the riverboat😊

[@bxdanny]

I thought Robbie Robertson said it did refer to the General himself, and not a boat or train.

[@tims2501]

Regardless the namesake was the great Southerner Robert E. Lee. Lee is hated because he answered the call of his home VA to defend it.Thomas Jefferson gets a pass but he put slavery in the Constitution in addition to raping at least one slave. Without Jefferson there can be no Lee.

[@myboylollipop09]

Joan Baez nor Tupac ever charted a rock and roll record in there life..Connie Francis had 7 #1 records and 28 in the top ten and to date has still not been inducted..

[@tragicallyhoney]

myboylollipop09 shut up.

[@AntonesReality]

Facts

[@fastguned]

Still singing the wrong words

[@fastguned]

Yea but the most glaring are " I took the train to Richmond that fell" instead of "By may 10th Richmond had fell"> and "like my brother BEFORE me instead of "like my brother ABOVE me( because he had been killed and was in heaven) I can forgive blood instead of mud , working man instead or work the land and others, but not the 1st 2. Also there goes THE Robert E Lee which was a boat

[@editcalleja9541]

FastgunEd spare her..shes in her age like me where some words and memories erased

[@fastguned]

Edit Spare her? Her memory and age has nothing to do with it. She sung the wrong words on the her coverl in 1971 when she was only 30 because she got them from a 45 by The Band and misheard them she has had 47 years to correct her mistakes.

[@johnnyjensen6067]

Just singing it her way.

[@eddieduran89]

I know...thank god ❤️

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

She got the verse wrong it's all the people are sanging. Just listen to Levon.

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

Better get their pro nouns correct! Oh wait.

[@Landrew0]

Still not getting the lyrics quite right, but not bad.

[@jotge.3444]

Warum schaut sie so gequält, wenn sie ihren Hit singt? Sie sollte sich freuen.....

[@Muertes-tf2oj]

After all these years, she still hasn't learned the damn words!

[@fastguned]

Right. I like her version better than The Band's but I like the Band's too. Mistakes are Mud not blood Stoneman"s cavalry not so much cavalry THE Robert E Lee The song is referring to a train not the man. Brother ABOVE me not before me By May 10th Richmond had fell not I took the train to Richmond that fell

[@anthonybaratta6152]

@@fastguned and she said that initially she couldn’t understand what Levon was saying which is understandable because he is a little bit difficult to make out on the CD.. But when you look up the lyrics don’t keep singing the wrong ones change it… and I took the train to Richmond that fell makes absolutely no sense grammatically did the trainfall or Richmond… plus you just said that so much Calvary came and tore up the tracks so how did you take a train to Richmond at the tracks were torn up…

[@direfranchement]

Voice isn’t what it was.

[@tommyvette969]

GOD I LOVE THIS WOMEN ITS ALWAYS EMBARRASSING TO MENTION AGING SO MUCH TAKEN AWAY HER VOICE HER YOUTHFULNESS. IT SCARES ME TO GET OLD OR SEE SOMEONE GET OLD SHE WAS SO ATTRACTIVE TO ME STILL IS BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY .SORRY.

[@johnevans388]

She was born just over 10 years before me. I remember her albums from the 60s, I've seen her in concert twice (2012 & 2014) and I've got a ticket to see her at the Royal Albert Hall in May. Age is relative but her voice will still bring tears to your eyes and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

[@dxmxo9427]

Her trademark long hair she should have kept it

[@chiangmai700]

She keeps messing up that great song, anyway it's a men's song!Terrible😖😖😖

[@Horiatis76]

Such a great example only to foil herself to Trump hate. What a shame, shame to end up lost.

[@cjcurtis8944]

That bastard 45 is a fucking racist evil shitstain. You can fuck right off.

[@alanvallazza9781]

Not a fan. Only a fan of Peter, Paul and Mary, The Band, Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan. Perfer Joni Mitchell, Ricki Lee Jones, Judy Collins, Anne Murray, Tift Merritt, Shawn Colvin, Amy Rigby and Emmylou Harris over Joan among others. But her two best songs are Night They Drove Old Dixie Down redone by The Band and Diamonds and Rust which Judas Priest redid. My hang up is two issues related. Her social activism and her promotion of bad Democratic candidates. We do not see eye to eye. Add to it her insistance of claiming she found Dylan and riding his coattails was enough for me to not like her.

[@louistrudeau767]

The Band originated The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. It is their original music and lyrics. By Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm. Joan Baez later screwed up the lyrics. .. years later she admitted to doing it out of iignorance.

[@floodlit1]

This is horrible... I wish Prince's guitar would finally come down and knock her on the head.

[@steventisdale4650]

Pretty bad.

[@olgabarbarella3447]

Blue tattoo Joan Baez.