Joni Mitchell - The Magdalene Laundries (Live Toronto 1994)

written by Joni Mitchell | produced by Joni Mitchell & Larry Klein | from the album Turbulent Indigo (1994) | live from Intimate & Interactive (1994) | additional audio mixing by sonicboy19 | lyrics:

I was an unmarried girl
I'd just turned twenty-seven
When they sent me to the sisters
For the way men looked at me
Branded as a jezebel
I knew I was not bound for Heaven
I'd be cast in shame
Into the Magdalene laundries

Most girls come here pregnant
Some by their own fathers
Bridget got that belly
By her parish priest
We're trying to get things white as snow
All of us woe-begotten-daughters
In the steaming stains
Of the Magdalene laundries

Prostitutes and destitutes
And temptresses like me
Fallen women
Sentenced into dreamless drudgery
Why do they call this heartless place
Our Lady of Charity?
Oh charity!

These bloodless brides of Jesus
If they had just once glimpsed their groom
Then they'd know and they'd drop the stones
Concealed behind their rosaries
They wilt the grass they walk upon
They leech the light out of a room
They'd like to drive us down the drain
At the Magdalene laundries

Peg O'Connell died today
She was a cheeky girl
A flirt
They just stuffed her in a hole!
Surely to God you'd think at least some bells should ring!
One day I'm going to die here too
And they'll plant me in the dirt
Like some lame bulb
That never blooms come any spring
Not any spring
No, not any spring
Not any spring

© 1994; Crazy Crow Music

[SN-szkw]

As an adoptee taken from my young mother by “Catholic Charities” during the Baby Scoop era - this saga rips my heart out. My own birth mother did not survive the trauma. She took her own life. There is no moral role for government or religion in the reproductive lives of women and girls. Joni’s Little Green became the voice of my lost mother & remains so today. 💗

[robcharlton]

Surely one of the greatest songs (and social commentaries) ever composed. This alone for me cements Joni Mitchell as one of the 20th Centuries greatest artists.

[mickeymcgreal]

I was born in a 'Magdeline Laundry' I'm 68 now and have listened to this incredible world class talent since I was 17. To hear our dear Joni sing about this breaks my heart each time. But her voice takes me to places I would have never realized on my own. I'm just not that gifted. Joni Mitchell's interpretation of Happy Birthday would be worthy of the Smithsonian's attention!

[Chaziltasm]

Not a single musician alive like her. Her playing... her voice... how she can hold a crowd like this. Her writing, the lyrics, the way she uses alliteration for rhythm. Every word is so carefully selected, so poetic so beautiful.

I'm 29 years old, I discovered a love for Joni at 20. She has been there through my hardest times, like a surrogate mother.

[trackie]

“….so I tuned my guitar to sound of the day…” I mean, who does that??? And even if they did, who else could be taken seriously saying that? Just a sensitive, creative monster.

[topgazza]

Pure unadulterated genius. Love they way she loses herself in her songs. Precious soul

[toneman]

I went to a Catholic elementary school. grades 2 thru 8, in the 1960's. The teachers were nuns, "sisters of St Joseph". They were vicious, mentally and physically abusive mostly to boys almost on a daily basis. The experience harmed me mentally most of my life. It was very difficult to recover from that trauma! There is more to the story but I won't go into it here.

[Gene]

Bob Dylan got his Nobel it's time for Joni's.

[TheWanderer]

I do believe that one day when Joni is gone, a big piece of my heart will die too. After listening, deeply, to her music for 45 years, I pray to God that she lives forever. We all need her.

[thomasromano]

This song grabs me around the heart like a vise. There is so much injustice in this world concealed by hypocrisy.

[ENGABU]

Just adore Joni. Bit of history here. When THIS performance was filmed the last remaining "laundry" was just about to close here in Waterford Ireland. THAT'S how recent this history is.

[ballymahonst]

Rest in Peace Mari Tatlow Steed ❤️🙏💜🙏. You were amazing in your help for all affected within the Magdalene Laundries, Rest In Peace, gone too soon, your work is done ❤️

[larryhuff]

Joni Mitchell was my Godmother unbeknownst to her after my mother died in 73 then my sister in 74, my brother in 75...I locked myself in my room with Joni's songs and my brother's Ovation guitar, practicing to perfection till I could play and sing for acquaintances, friends and my father...Carey (get out your cane), Ladies of the Canyon, Big Yellow Taxi...her music kept me sane, gave me my voice to render beautiful melody and give me profound confidence and joy. I love Joni Mitchell for being my muse and a mother of sorts who brought me through a dark time in my life into the light.

[candiceporter]

This song is more relevant than ever in light of the Roe reversal. And no one writes or sings as powerfully and achingly beautiful as our Joni.

[pianowoman]

"Surely, to God some bells should ring." Joni, you give them back their dignity.

[racheltattersall]

“So I sat out in the sun on a rock and I tuned my guitar to the sound of that day (...) I tuned to the crows and the seagulls, the sonic references available”

...As you do.

[Fanclub]

99% of the music business is just using beats for an ego trip and then there is something like this - real art - the searing truth. Joni!

[francollins]

No matter your taste in music or who you like you simply have to respect her musicianship! As someone at 18 I can see her music is timeless and appeals to people of all age and from all generations

[refundrick]

Joni Mitchell has been tearing my heart out for over 50 years - and I'm proud of it.

[toneman]

God gave us Joni so us mere mortals could see what is possible.