How have I never seen this!!! This is my Pep-Paw and the man who raised me and I have done my best to keep up with all of his work. I spent a lot of my childhood on a tour bus and saw pretty much all of his shows during that time. So for me to find something that I have never seen that is this AWESOME! It makes me smile because it shows me how much content he put out and that makes me happy to think about finding other treasures of my Grandfather’s that I have yet to find. I love you Pep-Paw I miss you everyday 💙
I saw John Hartford perform this song around this time, or a bit later, in a very small venue, with his son. Such a beautiful and haunting song. I have never gotten it out of my head in all these years. Thank you for sharing this.
I have only just discovered this treasure of a man - how enormously sad to have never known this incredible talent - all of you who have seen him perform live count yourselves beyond lucky. This little snippet from many of his performances is my go to piece that helps me bring back calm.
There's a beauty and a yearning in this music that echoes down through the millennia and nobody understood that better than John Hartford, and from a technical standpoint nobody phrased better or played with a more genuine, affecting feel. Just a huge genius who gathered up so much history and emotion in himself and turned it into art. I heard you play live, sir, and it was a privilege. Much gratitude and love forever. A musician's musician and artist's artist.
I hope everyone watching appreciates how difficult this is to do, much less doing it and making it sound as sweet as this. When it came to talent there was John Hartford and then there was everybody else.
GUM-TREE CANOE Words by S. S. Steele; Music by A. F. Winnemore 1847 Banjo Tuned E, Key D Capo 1 ¾ Time Gum Tree Canoe D G D Chorus: x 2 Singing row away, row, o'er the waters so blue, A D Like a feather we sail in our gum-tree canoe. D G D On Tombigbee River so bright I was born, G In a hut made of husks of the tall yellow D corn G D And there I first met with my Julia so true A D And I rowed her about in our gum-tree canoe. All the day in the field the soft cotton I hoe, I think of my Julia and sing as I go, Oh, I catch her a bird with a wing of true blue, And at night sail her round in our gum-tree canoe. With my hands on the banjo and toe on the oar, I sing to the sound of the river's soft roar, While the stars they look down at my Julia so true And dance in her eye in our gum-tree canoe. One night the stream bore us so far away That we couldn't come back so we thought we'd just stay, Oh, we spied a tall ship with a flag of true blue, And it took us in tow with our gum-tree canoe. www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/john-hartford/gum-tree-canoe-23784.html
The song makes me happy and sad simultaneously... what a great work of art! It makes me so nostalgic for simpler times when folks interacted with nature, built things themselves and didn't have these nihilistic attitudes we see today, with overly urbanized living.
John hartford love your music thank you but when I tried to play Indian war whoop. Sung by gillian welch and music played by you it was all about $ sorry bout her luck Id rather listen to you Happy happy happy
He's not dancing...that's the rhythm section! LOL! John was such a rare and unique talent, his gentle sense of humor and casual warmth is rarely seen in these times.
Yes, it was from a UK documentary called ''Echoes Of America" on Channel Four. I also saw it advertised for sale in an early 2000s edition of Banjo Newsletter from the british filmmaker (name I can't remember, unfortunately) Hartford played this song also on a VHS tape ''Learning To Smile..." which I think you can find on this site too. It seems to be filmed on the same location as this, but not the same session (or same year ?)
This reminds me a little of the Canadian folk song the Log Driver's Waltz by John Weldon. Both are great songs.
Amazing guy
How have I never seen this!!! This is my Pep-Paw and the man who raised me and I have done my best to keep up with all of his work. I spent a lot of my childhood on a tour bus and saw pretty much all of his shows during that time. So for me to find something that I have never seen that is this AWESOME! It makes me smile because it shows me how much content he put out and that makes me happy to think about finding other treasures of my Grandfather’s that I have yet to find. I love you Pep-Paw I miss you everyday 💙
That's awesome! I love this.
Really mate?
Wish I could have met him best banjo 🪕 player ever my daddy just loved John
He was and is precious to my family! Bless you and yours. My son moved to St. Louis recently and we smile and think of him on that big wide river.
ruclips.net/video/EygHHCkLpaM/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/DU2ns9ORyTY/видео.html
John Hartford is a legend more people should know ❤😊
Beautiful brilliant playing and singing. Excellent songwriter and musician If you don’t like this you have something wrong with you.
I saw John Hartford perform this song around this time, or a bit later, in a very small venue, with his son. Such a beautiful and haunting song. I have never gotten it out of my head in all these years. Thank you for sharing this.
John Hartford lives on and on. The Father has John playing this banjo piece at His Throne.
I would like to request big rock candy mountain and home on the range duet with my Grandpa.
I have only just discovered this treasure of a man - how enormously sad to have never known this incredible talent - all of you who have seen him perform live count yourselves beyond lucky. This little snippet from many of his performances is my go to piece that helps me bring back calm.
There's a beauty and a yearning in this music that echoes down through the millennia and nobody understood that better than John Hartford, and from a technical standpoint nobody phrased better or played with a more genuine, affecting feel. Just a huge genius who gathered up so much history and emotion in himself and turned it into art. I heard you play live, sir, and it was a privilege. Much gratitude and love forever. A musician's musician and artist's artist.
I hope everyone watching appreciates how difficult this is to do, much less doing it and making it sound as sweet as this. When it came to talent there was John Hartford and then there was everybody else.
Levon Helm of The Band was in Johns league for sure.
“There was John Hartford and then there was everybody else.” True statement.
Of course, Bill Monroe did it first.
oyur voice can not get bored of it
No one brings tears to my eyes quicker than John
When I lay down to die, this will be the song I hear as I drift off. John Hartford you are a beautiful man!
Took him for granted back in the day (altho he always caught my interest). Now when I hear him I realize what a unique and singular talent he was!
He was Magical
That move at the end of the song with his hat I've seen Stringbean, another banjo legend, use many times. So cool!
This is a great rendition of the 170 yr old song. But you all should check Sierra Ferrells touch on this. Vocals will bring tears.
Fantastic rendition
Run it up a flag pole and salute. Simply perfect.
He had a voice that was soothing as a honey liqueur.
One of the greatest of the greats. Thanks for being there John, we all miss you very much.
Gone much too soon! Love John Hartford! Would never miss a show when he came here to NYC!
Dude was simply one of the best!
I've been trying for months to convince my fiancée this should be our first song. Just so simply beautiful.
Saw him in the cafe de wa in Madison Wisconsin in early 90s. I think he died shortly after. Real unique. Real Americana
Can't begin to express my appreciation for this most excellent performance.
I keep watching :). Love John Hartford and this song and that banjo
He can pick 32nd notes and maybe even 64ths. I don’t keep time. My man always does it for me. He is the best banjo picker ever
What a beautiful performance. So simple, so perfect.
GUM-TREE CANOE
Words by S. S. Steele; Music by A. F. Winnemore 1847
Banjo Tuned E, Key D Capo 1 ¾ Time
Gum Tree Canoe
D G D
Chorus: x 2 Singing row away, row, o'er the waters so blue,
A D
Like a feather we sail in our gum-tree canoe.
D G D
On Tombigbee River so bright I was born,
G
In a hut made of husks of the tall yellow
D
corn
G D
And there I first met with my Julia so true
A D
And I rowed her about in our gum-tree canoe.
All the day in the field the soft cotton I hoe,
I think of my Julia and sing as I go,
Oh, I catch her a bird with a wing of true blue,
And at night sail her round in our gum-tree canoe.
With my hands on the banjo and toe on the oar,
I sing to the sound of the river's soft roar,
While the stars they look down at my Julia so true
And dance in her eye in our gum-tree canoe.
One night the stream bore us so far away
That we couldn't come back so we thought we'd just stay,
Oh, we spied a tall ship with a flag of true blue,
And it took us in tow with our gum-tree canoe.
www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/john-hartford/gum-tree-canoe-23784.html
@vladimirjezovic5655 THANKYOU FOR THIS!
A National Treasure.
The song makes me happy and sad simultaneously... what a great work of art! It makes me so nostalgic for simpler times when folks interacted with nature, built things themselves and didn't have these nihilistic attitudes we see today, with overly urbanized living.
Perfect in every way
He plays 3-finger style, yet it still sounds more old-time, not bluegrassy. He's good!
This is the Charlie Poole style.
love this john hartford great entertainer
I like him music 🎶 🎵 and his dance 💃 to
a precious glimpse, thanks
I remember this bit from a documentary called "story of the banjo" it was epic.
I love john hartford
I wish there were more footage from this session :P
John Hartford Memorial Festival 2018!!
Most "bluegrass" music makes me feel tense.
John Hartford music makes me feel relaxed.
Guess the Lord loves banjo's too rip john
Love this video! Always inspiring.
The greatest minstrel who ever lived.
big sigh.......................
Very, nice like the ending.
How incredibly haunting.
What do you mean rude?
@@kurtb8474 pay no mind to that carlin c. comment.. it is just an idiot kid & btw, you are correct.. it is indeed haunting ..
love it
banjo playing just doesn't get any better than that!
Nicely done.
Thanks for this upload
So good!
Fantastic
John hartford love your music thank you but when I tried to play Indian war whoop. Sung by gillian welch and music played by you it was all about $ sorry bout her luck Id rather listen to you Happy happy happy
A bluegrass legend.
Great.
Dancing while playing is even harder to do when you were raised presbyterian....like I was
He's not dancing...that's the rhythm section! LOL! John was such a rare and unique talent, his gentle sense of humor and casual warmth is rarely seen in these times.
Asi Sera/Rick Garcia and Rene Reyes /The Green Car Motel/
like melodys oyu have voice to this
the last verse is missing though, which ties the whole thing up ....?
Could he ever play
Wasn't this clip taken from a banjo documentary?
I would like to know the origins as well
Yes, it was from a UK documentary called ''Echoes Of America" on Channel Four. I also saw it advertised for sale in an early 2000s edition of Banjo Newsletter from the british filmmaker (name I can't remember, unfortunately)
Hartford played this song also on a VHS tape ''Learning To Smile..." which I think you can find on this site too. It seems to be filmed on the same location as this, but not the same session (or same year ?)
Yes...., it's from "Echoes Of America"! I got it on DVD. Send me a message if you're interested to get a copy!
Are there any questions?
Sierra Ferrell
shia lebouf!
no sound
You've got a problem with your soundcard - works pretty fine WITH sound!
Who was Julia?
does it matter
minstrel song. its objectively purdy, but bigtime mixed feelings about its continued performance.
This was almost 40 years ago
What a beautiful performance. So simple, so perfect.