Behind the Meaning of Bob Dylan’s Message to Joan Baez, “To Ramona”

Bob Dylan has written many songs about the women in his life, but few are as candid as “To Ramona.” Rumor has it that this track is about his fellow folkie Joan Baez. Uncover the meaning behind this ballad, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Bob Dylan’s Message to Joan Baez, “To Ramona”

According to Baez, Dylan affectionately called her Ramona, leading fans to believe this track is about his fellow folk singer. The pair began to take opposite stances on music in the mid-’60s. Dylan began to become less politically minded around that time–which stood in stark contrast to Baez and her beliefs.

Though this song doesn’t perfectly align with who Baez is, those that have analyzed this track believe Dylan is singing about their ideological differences.

Ramona, come closer
Shut softly your watery eyes
The pangs of your sadness
Will pass as your senses will rise
For the flowers of the city

Though breathlike, get deathlike sometimes
And there’s no use in tryin’
To deal with the dyin’
Though I cannot explain that in lines

Though they were parting ways, Dylan still was captured by Baez. On top of admiring each other musically, the pair were rumored to be together romantically. The first few stanzas of this track speak to that connection.

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Your cracked country lips
I still wish to kiss
As to be under the strength of your skin
Your magnetic movements
Still capture the minutes I’m in

In the latter half of this song, Dylan seems to be singing about his distaste for Baez’s approach to music. He felt politics weren’t the way to move forward in the world–despite his early affinity for it. He calls politics a vacuum and a scheme, making his feelings very clear.

He does, however, at the end of this song leave a caveat. Though he disagrees with Baez’s approach, he adds in Someday maybe / Who knows, baby / I’ll come and be cryin’ to you. That line closes this song out with a level headed understanding about belief and how it differs from person to person. Revisit this track, below.

Everything passes
Everything changes
Just do what you think you should do
And someday maybe
Who knows, baby
I’ll come and be cryin’ to you

(Photo by MALI/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)