This is my first time hearing the traditional version! The word haunting is the most fitting! Your GB harmonies are the sweetest I've heard in a long time. Thanks for sharing this with us!
@Crime1234management You are right. I'm sure this song came across the pond as did so many folk songs and ballads. The song might date back to the English Civil War. Not sure, but it has been around a very long time. I love that this variant included the line about paying guineas (English money from that era) to get out of having to go to war.
The verse about the 10,000 gold guineas is really sad. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that's far more money than the young lady would ever see during the course of a lifetime, even if she sold everything she had and hired herself out as a servant. It's sheer desperation of making impossible promises, willing to attempt even the impossible, if only it will guarantee that she never hears the news that the man she loves has fallen in battle. Then again, the verse from the man's point of view about his love's delicate features is also sad. She's so delicate that she easily risks being slain in battle or succumbing to horrendous diseases in camp. In the rare event she does survive, life on the march will make her haggard in appearance, perhaps bearing scars from wounds or sallowness from disease. Her hands will become rough from exposure to elements and perhaps blood-stained, with dirt under the once elegant fingernails. She who has always sought to be a gracious hostess must now learn to take lives. If she takes part in combat, she will never again be young and beautiful, and her tender heart will be broken, and she will have serious scars on her psyche, even if not from physical ailments. All that being said, she's still willing to give everything to remain with her love: her possessions, her freedom, her beauty, her health, her sanity, her reputation, and even her life. Sad. Very sad.
Nice version. The song dates back to the Revolutionary War (Reference the gold guineas. The gold guinea was undoubtedly the major British coin of the eighteenth century.
Actually this song is probably older than the American Civil War. Gold guineas was a British currency. The last one was issued in 1813. Of course, all folk ballads are altered and adapted to suit the people singing it. The song probably originated across the pond. You did a nice job with this old ballad, wherever it originated.
I find this an exceptionally difficult song to try to sing simply because I break out in tears when I try to do so. Is it just me? Danny Boy messes me up too, but it is so difficult to sing [most people don't have near the range for it....unless I suppose they are Irish :-) ] due to the range that the sadness part becomes somewhat moot. But this damn song becomes difficult from its' simplicity. It just hurts to sing it. That don't parse, but I'll let it stand.
Dear Jim Carroll, Thank you so much for your rendition of this song. I'm a poet who teaches at Brown University, and I am interested in working with your rendition of this song, in using it as a basis for a poetic series. If allowing this video to be the basis of a series of poems interests you, would you please get in touch with me at coles@brown.edu? Thank you so much, in any case, for such a perfect rendition of this piece. Warmest wishes, Cole Swensen
So sorry, I think I clicked "dislike" by mistake (there was a blank little square that told me so only after the fact!) - to make up for it, I clicked "liked" 3 times. Very nice voice for telling a moving story in a melody, like this one. I was looking for songs like this to maybe record it myself :-)
well done! But I was waiting for the last of the song. "The cruel war is over, Johnny has come home, his head hung in sorrow, for he walks alone. She died at his side, no one will ever know, I want to go with you, no, my love no." ~does anyone have the whole song anywhere?
Okay, that's way too sad because it raises so many questions. Did she die only shortly after enlisting, so Johnny's spent years feeling guilty about her death, which may have been prevented if he hadn't relented? Did she die recently, just when it looked like the war might be ending? Did she die instantly, or did she sing another verse in his arms as she passed away? Was it just poor luck that she died, or did she specifically give her life for his, stepping between Johnny and enemy fire? Does she have no family who ever wondered where she went, or was she just some waif that no one (except Johnny) ever cared about? If she had known he would survive the war, but she wouldn't, would she still have begged to come? Was she only his girlfriend, or were they married when she died? Since she was disguised as a man, did they ever find a way to pass love notes or anything, or was it weeks or years of loving from a distance, but barely even speaking to each other?
What a beautiful performance! Thank you Jim. Have you heard the version by Sugar & Spice (Canadian group from the early 70s)? ruclips.net/video/EpPmp2wnEJw/видео.html
I could listen to this song over and over. Jim Carroll has such a beautiful voice....so much feeling. Thank you!
I choose your version over all the others because you sang it with passion and a tear in your eye.... Thank you.
They sing so perfectly together, blending in so well. So beautiful.
This is my first time hearing the traditional version! The word haunting is the most fitting! Your GB harmonies are the sweetest I've heard in a long time. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Raymond Impastato Thank you Raymond!
@Crime1234management You are right. I'm sure this song came across the pond as did so many folk songs and ballads. The song might date back to the English Civil War. Not sure, but it has been around a very long time. I love that this variant included the line about paying guineas (English money from that era) to get out of having to go to war.
one of the best voices, and versions I have heard yet..
+Leonard Norman Thank you Leonard!
powerful and heartfelt
hard to forget yours...
This is a beautiful variant and your voice--you could feel the emotion and the tearful goodbye. Very well done!
The verse about the 10,000 gold guineas is really sad. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that's far more money than the young lady would ever see during the course of a lifetime, even if she sold everything she had and hired herself out as a servant. It's sheer desperation of making impossible promises, willing to attempt even the impossible, if only it will guarantee that she never hears the news that the man she loves has fallen in battle. Then again, the verse from the man's point of view about his love's delicate features is also sad. She's so delicate that she easily risks being slain in battle or succumbing to horrendous diseases in camp. In the rare event she does survive, life on the march will make her haggard in appearance, perhaps bearing scars from wounds or sallowness from disease. Her hands will become rough from exposure to elements and perhaps blood-stained, with dirt under the once elegant fingernails. She who has always sought to be a gracious hostess must now learn to take lives. If she takes part in combat, she will never again be young and beautiful, and her tender heart will be broken, and she will have serious scars on her psyche, even if not from physical ailments. All that being said, she's still willing to give everything to remain with her love: her possessions, her freedom, her beauty, her health, her sanity, her reputation, and even her life. Sad. Very sad.
great voice, bravo! that was haunting and pure!
Talons of the Raven Thanks!
This is really very nice. Thank you for this.
Gorgeous.
since I am an invisible count, I can tell you........you made me cry.
Thank you Karen. Peace to you and yours.
beautiful and haunting
You are very kind. Thank you!
Wonderful! I really enjoyed it. This song reminds me of when I began to learn the guitar many years ago. I would like to upload this someday, too.
You are very kind. Thank you.
Thank you!
thank you for your kind comments and tech. info!
Jim, Still a favorite...take care, k. (TX)
Thank you.
Thank you Richard!
This is the 1st version with all verses. P.P. & M. skip 2 !! Soulful performance up front and in back.
Lovely!
+Linda Dempster Thank you!
Thanks for your kind comments.I do not have any recordings available.
Thanks Ann for your kind comments.
Thanks!
Nice version. The song dates back to the Revolutionary War (Reference the gold guineas. The gold guinea was undoubtedly the major British coin of the eighteenth century.
Actually this song is probably older than the American Civil War. Gold guineas was a British currency. The last one was issued in 1813. Of course, all folk ballads are altered and adapted to suit the people singing it. The song probably originated across the pond. You did a nice job with this old ballad, wherever it originated.
very emotional
Thanks Paul!
Thanks Damian!
Thank you so much for your kind comments!
BIG BRAVO
My vocal students will be required to listen to this.
Thanks for the comment. I did not know the verse you spoke of.
この歌にわ魂の叫びがかんじられます。pease full
What a beautiful performance! Thank you Jim. Have you heard the version by Sugar & Spice (Canadian group from the early 70s)?
I find this an exceptionally difficult song to try to sing simply because I break out in tears when I try to do so. Is it just me? Danny Boy messes me up too, but it is so difficult to sing [most people don't have near the range for it....unless I suppose they are Irish :-) ] due to the range that the sadness part becomes somewhat moot. But this damn song becomes difficult from its' simplicity. It just hurts to sing it. That don't parse, but I'll let it stand.
Dear Jim Carroll, Thank you so much for your rendition of this song. I'm a poet who teaches at Brown University, and I am interested in working with your rendition of this song, in using it as a basis for a poetic series. If allowing this video to be the basis of a series of poems interests you, would you please get in touch with me at coles@brown.edu? Thank you so much, in any case, for such a perfect rendition of this piece. Warmest wishes, Cole Swensen
Thank you for singing this. YOU have a VOICE! great version- where have you been? Do you sing more songs?
I think the Key of A
So sorry, I think I clicked "dislike" by mistake (there was a blank little square that told me so only after the fact!) - to make up for it, I clicked "liked" 3 times. Very nice voice for telling a moving story in a melody, like this one. I was looking for songs like this to maybe record it myself :-)
well done! But I was waiting for the last of the song. "The cruel war is over, Johnny has come home, his head hung in sorrow, for he walks alone. She died at his side, no one will ever know, I want to go with you, no, my love no." ~does anyone have the whole song anywhere?
Okay, that's way too sad because it raises so many questions. Did she die only shortly after enlisting, so Johnny's spent years feeling guilty about her death, which may have been prevented if he hadn't relented? Did she die recently, just when it looked like the war might be ending? Did she die instantly, or did she sing another verse in his arms as she passed away? Was it just poor luck that she died, or did she specifically give her life for his, stepping between Johnny and enemy fire? Does she have no family who ever wondered where she went, or was she just some waif that no one (except Johnny) ever cared about? If she had known he would survive the war, but she wouldn't, would she still have begged to come? Was she only his girlfriend, or were they married when she died? Since she was disguised as a man, did they ever find a way to pass love notes or anything, or was it weeks or years of loving from a distance, but barely even speaking to each other?
What a beautiful performance! Thank you Jim. Have you heard the version by Sugar & Spice (Canadian group from the early 70s)? ruclips.net/video/EpPmp2wnEJw/видео.html
My fav song
Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you very much!
Thank you!