Joni Mitchell

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
There's a man who's been out sailing
In a decade full of dreams
And he takes her to a schooner
And he treats her like a queen
Bearing beads from California
With their amber stones and green

[Chorus 1]
He has called her from the harbor
He has kissed her with his freedom
He has heard her off to starboard
In the breaking and the breathing of the water weeds
While she was busy being free

[Verse 2]
There's a man who's climbed a mountain
And he's calling out her name
And he hopes her heart can hear
Three thousand miles, he calls again
He can think her there beside him
He can miss her just the same

[Chorus 2]
He has missed her in the forest
While he showed her all the flowers
And the branches sang the chorus
As he climbed the scaly towers of a forest tree
While she was somewhere being free
[Verse 3]
There's a man who's sent a letter
And he's waiting for reply
He has asked her of her travels
Since the day they said goodbye
He writes "Wish you were beside me
We can make it if we try"

[Chorus 3]
He has seen her at the office
With her name on all his papers
Through the sharing of the profits
He will find it hard to shake her from his memory
And she's so busy being free

[Verse 4]
There's a lady in the city
And she thinks she loves them all
There's the one who's thinking of her
There's the one who sometimes calls
There's the one who writes her letters
With his facts and figures scrawl

[Chorus 4]
She has brought them to her senses
They have laughed inside her laughter
Now she rallies her defenses
For she fears that one will ask her for eternity
And she's so busy being free
[Verse 5]
There's a man who sends her medals
He is bleeding from the war
There's a jouster and a jester
And a man who owns a store
There's a drummer and a dreamer
And you know there may be more

[Chorus 5]
She will love them when she sees them
They will lose her if they follow
And she only means to please them
And her heart is full and hollow like a cactus tree
While she's so busy being free

[Outro]
Like a cactus tree
Being free

Are you ready to explore one of the great masterpieces of folk music? Get ready to embark on a journey of love and self-discovery with Cactus Tree by Joni Mitchell, one of the most celebrated and talented singer-songwriters of our time.

About Cactus Tree

Cactus Tree is a song that tells a powerful story of a woman and all the men who loved her. As the song begins, you can hear the beautiful and peaceful sound of the guitar, which sets the tone for what's to come. Joni Mitchell sings about a woman who has been loved by many but has never truly loved anyone back. She has been with many men, but all of them have failed to capture her heart.

The lyrics of the song suggest that the woman in question is searching for something more profound than just a casual relationship. It seems like she wants to find true love, but she's not quite sure what that means. The song raises some thought-provoking questions like, 'Does she know how really to love?' and 'Has she loved them?'

The metaphor of the cactus tree is beautifully crafted as each of the men who loved her represents a needle on her tree. Each needle is a memory of someone who loved her, but now they are gone, leaving nothing but memories. The cactus tree is a beautiful representation of the woman's emotional state, which has grown tougher and less able to bear emotional wounds with each needle that's added to the tree.

The song has a mellow and soothing pace that's punctuated with occasional high notes, making it even more mesmerizing. The use of the guitar is incredibly effective, as it evokes a sense of melancholy that perfectly matches the subject matter of the song.

It's essential to note that Cactus Tree is a song that is considered a feminist anthem. Joni Mitchell was known for her take on feminism and gender politics, and Cactus Tree perfectly embodies the feminist movement's message. The song highlights the fact that women have the right to choose who they love, and they can pursue their dreams and careers without having to compromise their relationships.

The song's melody and lyrics both reveal Joni Mitchell's immense songwriting talent. Her unique style of singing and storytelling has been influential for many artists over the years. The song's popularity continued to grow, making it one of Joni Mitchell's most recognized songs.

In 1969, Joni Mitchell was relatively unknown, but with the release of Clouds, her second studio album, she became a household name. Cactus Tree is from this album, and it quickly became a fan favorite. It has been covered by many artists over the years, including Eric Andersen, Jennifer Warnes, and the Indigo Girls.

In closing, Cactus Tree is a powerful and poignant song that addresses themes of love, feminism, and self-discovery. The lyrics are thought-provoking, and the use of metaphors is brilliant. Joni Mitchell's unique style and unparalleled artistry make the song a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.

• Release Date: March 1968
• Artist: Joni Mitchell