Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1937, Fariña’s was born to a Cuban father and Irish mother. He attended Cornell University where he began his studies as an engineer before switching to an English degree. During his time at Cornell, he published short stories for literary magazines and periodicals. He was suspended for his involvement in a student demonstration against regulations on campus. Eventually, Fariña dropped out of the university in 1959.

Fariña was a frequent patron at the White Horse Tavern in Greenwich Village, where he met various poets, songwriters, and authors. Among such artists was the folk singer Carolyn Hester. Fariña and Hester married and he would go on to become her agent. As Hester recorded her third studio album, up and coming musician Bob Dylan was featured playing the harmonica on a few songs. Dylan and Fariña became friends upon meeting at the recording session. While in Europe with Hester, Fariña met singers Mimi and Joan Baez. Hester and Fariña eventually divorced and Fariña would later marry Mimi, performing as an act together.

Similarly to Bob Dylan, Fariña was also a protest singer, writing political songs and demanding for justice and change. His best known pieces were “Pack Up Your Sorrows” and “Birmingham Sunday”. “Birmingham Sunday” would go onto be featured in Spike Lee’s documentary 4 Little Girls, detailing the September 1963 bombing of 16th St. Baptist Church. Fariña was also a novelist, with his book, Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me being a staple in counterculture literature.

On April 30th, 1966, Fariña died as a passenger in a motorcycle accident. His songs have been covered by various artists and he has had books and music dedicated to him in his honor.

-Lucy Koukoudian

This profile was created during the 2023-2024 academic year as part of the Song of America Fellowship Program, a project of the Classic Song Research Initiative between the Hampsong Foundation and the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.