So I first heard this song in my early 20’s when I was living in Canada and was sent it by a friend. I loved it then and have frequently revisited it since - I’m a sucker for a song that tells a story and I’ve always tried to share such a wicked example of that in this diamond in the rough. Coming up a decade later in my early 30’s now in London - I’ve just booked tickets to go and see the man play the Hackney Empire approx 30 minutes from my home. Unreal! Can’t wait
God, when he says "what have I done" and you hear the police sirens start in the background it shakes you down to the core. Forever my favorite live rendition of a song
Wendell Walker was a friend of mine. we'd stain our teeth in the summertime, and with lips of purple, the winter would roll past the boarded windows into our souls and shake our weary bones. now this past winter was the coldest in years. it's hard to explain if you've never lived here, but it locks your doors and starts your mind thinking in circles just to pass the time, and breaks your weary heart. now Wendell Walker was a man of God, but he didn't care much for his sober mind, and when the cold mixed in he was turned around heard the voice of God and the angels sound a message just for him: my son, my son, she is the devil's child won't you save her while you can cut down the other man. now Wendell Walker was a friend of mine, but he married too young in the summertime. their hearts weren't ripe so they fell apart and I found myself with a joyful heart as our secret lives began. we found our moments in between the hours, when Wendell Walker drove his car to town. but one day he found a letter that I wrote for her on the top of her dresser and in his winter mind he heard the voice of God say: my son, my son, she is the devil's child won't you save her while you can cut down the other man. with the voice of the lord ringing in his ears and the note to his wife that confirmed his fears, he sat down on the edge of the bed read the letter again to see who'd sent it but it was signed 'forever yours'. he stood up slow like he'd just been hit. walked into the kitchen where his wife was sitting he said, "my mother called on the telephone she says she needs some help so I'll be back in the morning" and he grabbed his heavy coat. my phone rang while I was watching the news. she said the house was ours to cure these winter blues. so I made my way, and we turned the blinds and Wendell walked in just in time to see our secret die and say: my son, my son I'm gonna have to cut you down. he pointed his rifle to my eyes but his hesitating hands were shaking from the cold. so I pushed his gun away, just as he found his strength. and the bullet kissed her lips and I cried: my god, my god what have I done? and he reloaded his gun, and he put it in his mouth. and I stood in the room that I'd created. Songwriters: Andy Shauf
I love the idea of becoming a stronger and more versed songwriter but I really hope Andy sees his previous work in a kind light. This song...I mean, everyone's said it; it causes dread, pain, heartbreak and uncertainty. And this is all in the span of ten minutes, something some authors don't convey in an entire book. How is it you can speak about a song for two hours and still not properly convey what it makes you feel?
+Riley M in the clip he plays it tuned minor third down (his open strings are C# F# B E G# c#) but with capo on 3rd fret it sounds like standard E tuning.
those cackling birds in the beginning fuuuuuucking powerfully eerie.
Seagulls. South coast UK. The are very family driven and protective
lifelong bonds and would also peck your eyes out if they had the chance.
This is one of the most outstanding songs I've heard come out in a long time. The lyrics, production, and singing are unreal.
Agree
So I first heard this song in my early 20’s when I was living in Canada and was sent it by a friend. I loved it then and have frequently revisited it since - I’m a sucker for a song that tells a story and I’ve always tried to share such a wicked example of that in this diamond in the rough.
Coming up a decade later in my early 30’s now in London - I’ve just booked tickets to go and see the man play the Hackney Empire approx 30 minutes from my home. Unreal! Can’t wait
holy cow the birds in the background kept coming in at the perfect times.
Like clockwork...
@@Amanda-e4d4kby jam Baxter
God, when he says "what have I done" and you hear the police sirens start in the background it shakes you down to the core. Forever my favorite live rendition of a song
It's the definition of outstanding. Coming from Canada, Cohen, Downey...all the boys would be impressed by the lyrical prowess on this one.
Wendell Walker was a friend of mine.
we'd stain our teeth in the summertime,
and with lips of purple, the winter would roll
past the boarded windows into our souls
and shake our weary bones.
now this past winter was the coldest in years.
it's hard to explain if you've never lived here,
but it locks your doors and starts your mind
thinking in circles just to pass the time,
and breaks your weary heart.
now Wendell Walker was a man of God,
but he didn't care much for his sober mind,
and when the cold mixed in he was turned around
heard the voice of God and the angels sound
a message just for him:
my son, my son, she is the devil's child
won't you save her while you can
cut down the other man.
now Wendell Walker was a friend of mine,
but he married too young in the summertime.
their hearts weren't ripe so they fell apart
and I found myself with a joyful heart
as our secret lives began.
we found our moments in between the hours,
when Wendell Walker drove his car to town.
but one day he found a letter that I wrote for her
on the top of her dresser and in his winter mind
he heard the voice of God say:
my son, my son, she is the devil's child
won't you save her while you can
cut down the other man.
with the voice of the lord ringing in his ears
and the note to his wife that confirmed his fears,
he sat down on the edge of the bed
read the letter again to see who'd sent it
but it was signed 'forever yours'.
he stood up slow like he'd just been hit.
walked into the kitchen where his wife was sitting
he said, "my mother called on the telephone
she says she needs some help so I'll be back in the morning"
and he grabbed his heavy coat.
my phone rang while I was watching the news.
she said the house was ours to cure these winter blues.
so I made my way, and we turned the blinds
and Wendell walked in just in time
to see our secret die and say:
my son, my son I'm gonna have to cut you down.
he pointed his rifle to my eyes
but his hesitating hands
were shaking from the cold.
so I pushed his gun away,
just as he found his strength.
and the bullet kissed her lips
and I cried:
my god, my god what have I done?
and he reloaded his gun,
and he put it in his mouth.
and I stood in the room that I'd created.
Songwriters: Andy Shauf
That guitar tone + that voice is so good
Let's not overlook the potency of those lyrics...
@@baileyjardine1204 The guitar... that makes sound... In the video.
@@baileyjardine1204 what are you even asking lol
I hate people who play the same song again and again, but I cant stop myself from putting this on repeat.
Same! I had to show so many people this song when I found it 😆
thank you....because I can't either. oh my goodness. haunting and beautiful.
The story in this song is so intense
would love a version of this album with just this guitar and vocals
+Mick Martinez Agreed
That's pretty bleak.
Mick Martinez and the creepy birds
One of my favourite songs of all time
Wowwwwwwww! I'm captivated by the rawness and stellar ability to make me absolutely speechless.
hypnotizing
Best recording of this song, hands down. As everyone else, the birds add a great touch
i find myself preferring quite a few of his songs played live rather than the album versions
Same! This is my favorite version even though his studio recording is good too.
I think the drake hotel live version is the best. It’s haunting.
@@fairweatherfriends.this is a close second place
This one hits hard
One of my new favorites.
Better than the recorded one, keep coming back!
it's a touching one and I love the ducks in the background!
it really does not get much better than this IMHO.
5 years later we can still confirm this...
Gives me kind of a stableness ;) Love listening to ur Album and working for school! :D greetings from Germany!
Masterpiece
This dude is incredible.
Class...
Brilliant. Love it. A lot.
Just what I needed
I love the idea of becoming a stronger and more versed songwriter but I really hope Andy sees his previous work in a kind light. This song...I mean, everyone's said it; it causes dread, pain, heartbreak and uncertainty. And this is all in the span of ten minutes, something some authors don't convey in an entire book.
How is it you can speak about a song for two hours and still not properly convey what it makes you feel?
Beautifully put
Cause words are inadequate. Actually even more than that, you can’t convey an experience. It can only be or not be.
i know, right? I've called it a Rabbit Hole of Melodies, lyrics n chords. But i love the way you put it
Thanks y’all! I’m so glad he’s getting the attention he’s due!
Friendly reminder of Feb 10 drop date for the new albuuuuuuuum!!!
@@CronoXpono I took that day off from work!😃 I want to listen to the new album as soon as is released! Can’t wait!!!
I can't stop carving this into the walls of my skull.
Great!
oh my..................
2020
anyone know what tuning this song is in
+Riley M in the clip he plays it tuned minor third down (his open strings are C# F# B E G# c#) but with capo on 3rd fret it sounds like standard E tuning.
@@kasparasvarzinskas2020 this does not sound even remotely like e standard tuning
Wicked song for real. Wendell was fcuked over pretty hard. I know..
good job 👍🏻 here’s a 🍌 Mitch
Fuckin A!
its like it could be in a LOTR film for somereason
why would a song about an affair with your best friends wife be in LOTR? lmao
because it's enough to make kings declare war on each other
@@lewie895yeah that is more game of thrones style.
Have his eyebrows gotten less aggressive over the years?
at the part when he says “she is the devils child” i’m always like “yep, that’s me 😐”
Play outside and you will find out
That the birds hear music?
much deeper
"Didn't care much for his sober mind."