Any Day Now

I pity the poor immigrant

Who wishes he would’ve stayed home

Who uses all his power to do evil

But in the end is always left so alone.

That man who with his fingers cheats,

And who lies with every breath

Who passionately hates his life,

And likewise fears his death.

    [Bob Dylan]

A comment from Monique brought strong memories of a famous Joan Baez album, Any Day Now—and of a particularly meaningful song within it, “I Pity the Poor Immigrant.” As immigrants ourselves, the title intrigued us—and even more so after we grasped the more cosmic meaning of the song. The Genius and the Angel. They’ve left a deep impression on our lives, our memories of the 1960s, and beyond. Here is Baez singing it.

When his gladness comes to pass…