“Swinging in, to old Fort Worth in 1883 Some old Mexican cowboy Come steppin' up to me Sayin' how are you young fella When would you like to go And spend another season with me in Mexico I had no employment Back to him did say It's according to your wages According to your pay Said I'll pay you good wages And often too you now If you spend another season with me in Mexico I went up to this cowboy I offered him my hand But he gave a string of horses So old they couldn't stand How nearly starved to death boys I mean to let you know And I never saw a dollar in those hills of Mexico I got up on that steamboat and back to home did go How thеm bells they did ring Those whistlеs did blow How them bells they did ring Those whistles did blow On that godforsaken fortune in those hills of Mexico” ❤
A friend of mine has a German Cuckco Clock that does not keep time and will not run worth a damn. He gave up on trying to make it run after 6 months of "dicking and jacking" with it. He says "it hates him" since he told his wife not to buy one of the damn things when she went to Germany. A clock showed up a few days after she got home - Image that. @@jcorkable
This, is genuinely one of the best performances I have ever seen, ever.. his eyes were closed, dam near the entire time.. the banjo never skipped a beat, the voice never faulted. You stayed true through out and sang with it soul... be moved people, don’t be impressed.. be moved
Ah man.. it's not about the mic peaking.. I'm not on RUclips to look for perfection. I just really digged the way he sang it. It's still my favorite version
This is music from my teenage years to my early twenties. Lots of good and bad memories, but the best time of my life and early 90's. I'm grateful that I was in that era and experienced a way of life (a simple life). That anyone will never experience again.
Sounds like this has been past down through his family. His voice was made for this type of music. Never let these things die, for it is important to reflect on the history of American folk music.
This is so pure!! I love it !! Just one guy and a banjo, yet the energy coming out of him rivals that of any hardcore or metal band I've heard. I love how he plays it so fast and clean while keeping that upbeat percussive sound in between licks
All the respect in the world to anyone who can play banjo period. Clifton Hicks and Meredith Moon both do wonderful variations of this song. That being this guy channels the feel of Roscoe Holcomb like no other contemporary artist that I've heard.
clifton hicks has two different versions of it, and both are fantastic; one is clawhammer/frailing (like this version) and another is in the two-finger style similar to Dock Boggs(which might be my favorite recording of this song)
I thought there would never be another 'Old Timer' in these days. But he is one. When you close your eyes and listen, he's from the 30's or 40'. His Rock Salt and Nails is so heartbreaking! Tears in my eyes! And his frailing is so good!
Wow... I've heard Hills of Mexico done by a lot of folks and a bunch of times but as far as singing goes that might be tops. If it looks like he's straining and getting red in the face on those high notes it's because he is. It's a very difficult song to sing and Willie nailed it. Glad he's out there giving a new take on traditional music.
I love to play this for people and watch them make the sour lemon face. I can’t lie, that may have been me at first, but honest to god this is one of the best ever. I love it and will always come back for it. Thank you Willie and NPR. 😁
Willie, I’ve been watching you for years. Your sound is intoxicating and it has that high and lonesome sound that bluegrass music requires. Love ya from a far pal. Keep it high and the digits wigglin.
When IIIIIII was in fort worth in eighteen in eightythree, S'm old Mexican cowboy come steppin up to me Saying how're you young fellaaah, how would you like to go? And spend'a nother season with me in mexico? I haaaaad no employment back to him did say It's according to you wages, according to your pay, say I'll pay you good wages and often too you know If you speeeeeend'nother season with me in Mexico I went uuuuuuhp to this cowboy, I offered him my hand But'ee gave a string of horseeeehs so old they couldn't stand, and I nearly starved to death booooooy as I mean'to letchu knowhuouou and I neeeeeever saved a dollar in those hills of Mexico. Started uuuuuuup that steam boat'n to home did go How them bells they did riihiiiiiiiing those whistles did blow How them bells they did riiIIIIIIIIIIng those whistles did bloww, On that gooooood forsaken fortune'neath those hills of Mexico.
I saw him open for Punch Brothers during their New Years shows, and immediately loved his style. He's got such a unique voice and way of playing that makes you take notice. It's awesome he's finally got an album out.
Great to see someone playing clawhammer on a resonator in the spirit of Grandpa Jones and Stringbean. That's almost exactly the sound I'm always aiming for - this pretty much nailed it.
Mr. Watson you, good sir, are High,Lonesome, and Legit. I anxiously await your arrival in Michigan at The Ark. If you have not yet played there, you will soon discover that the room was built for you and you for it. October 2015 will not be here soon enough for my liking. Thank you for the gift of this music!
+The Mafia Gaming I am pumped for the show! You are a Native of the Emerald Isle I take it? There is an artist that I follow with great interest who is travelling with the great Don McClean presently; Jarrod Dickenson. They are doing several shows in your part of the world. When this tour is finished, Jarrod will hook up with The Waterboys for a 6 or 7 show tour opening for Michael Scott and company.... How I would LOVE to take in one or more of those shows! 400OTD
Fantastic. I love that claw hammer. One of my biggest complaints with contemporary Americana and Bluegrass is the banjo player playing with a plectrum! It just doesn't sound the same. This guy has the longest thumb I have ever seen, too.
Listen to Banjo Dave Caroll with Trampled by Turtles. He does a plectrum in 5 string better than some wanna be finger pickers. It's awesome if you ask me
Some young musicians make great effort trying to sound and look "old timey", but still come across like characters in costume. Willie Watson is not one of them.
He makes his own clothes that he sells online. Overalls, nice hand stitched pants. This guy is the real old timey deal. They (Old Crow) used to make moonshine and grow their own weed in the hills of North Carolina outisde of Boone. Guys lived a vagabond life for a long time before getting big and moving to Nashville.
Loved the music the first bars he played and for me that is very very rare. Purchased two albums so far folk songs 1 and 2 and recommend them to anyone
You know a song is good when it just creeps up in the back of your head a week later after just listening to the song once. Took me ages to realise who it was again lol
No recording studio...no sound engineer...just raw talent! Incredible performance! I thought I had heard this song done before , but the other versions paled in comparison to this!
Everything about this is perfect, except for the spiking audio... wish the levels would have been set properly on that mic to capture his voice better. Still an amazing video shoot! I have probably watched this 50 times.
To be fair, he's definitely singing very loudly, and 1 mic for him belting and th e banjo, that's a difficult balancing act for the audio engineer. I think he really shouldn't have been singing that loud, like acoustically I'd say it was a crazy imbalance.
@@PK_Mega_Awesome yeah I suppose but not really to this extent, in my opinion anyway. Like he's absolutely roaring. Check out some other bluegrass acts that use 1 mic, their volume control is incredible.
![The Bluegrass Situation [ BGS ]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/opK9SLrRvYUqrS7iYkIQ1H7rOvSwpu9PbWE20D5e-5sVflw2bmUYO2zhBUThak8lkVKvXtOIyw=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
“Swinging in, to old Fort Worth in 1883
Some old Mexican cowboy
Come steppin' up to me
Sayin' how are you young fella
When would you like to go
And spend another season with me in Mexico
I had no employment
Back to him did say
It's according to your wages
According to your pay
Said I'll pay you good wages
And often too you now
If you spend another season with me in Mexico
I went up to this cowboy
I offered him my hand
But he gave a string of horses
So old they couldn't stand
How nearly starved to death boys
I mean to let you know
And I never saw a dollar in those hills of Mexico
I got up on that steamboat and back to home did go
How thеm bells they did ring
Those whistlеs did blow
How them bells they did ring
Those whistles did blow
On that godforsaken fortune in those hills of Mexico”
❤
All clocks in my house are envious of the precision timing of this man.
My clocks are all Swiss and they say “oooh ya, das is very goot”
Amen, Brother Barry. The man can put the "hurt" a banjo.
A friend of mine has a German Cuckco Clock that does not keep time and will not run worth a damn. He gave up on trying to make it run after 6 months of "dicking and jacking" with it. He says "it hates him" since he told his wife not to buy one of the damn things when she went to Germany. A clock showed up a few days after she got home - Image that. @@jcorkable
Haha best comment 😂
@@jcorkable You forgot “ zig heil” which all good German clocks say.
As a Mexican, thanks for this performance (listening to it right now from Germany). Greets !
🇺🇲🇲🇽🇩🇪
guten tag ramon
Wth how'd you get over there a tornado? Aliens drop you off? Too much tequila don't remember?
🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽💪💪💪💪💪💪
If a movie is ever made out of McCarthy's Border trilogy I hope this song is in it
Oh man no doubt. My son just asked about blood meridian. I said read the border trilogy.
By the way they did make all the pretty horses
This, is genuinely one of the best performances I have ever seen, ever.. his eyes were closed, dam near the entire time.. the banjo never skipped a beat, the voice never faulted. You stayed true through out and sang with it soul... be moved people, don’t be impressed.. be moved
His version is welded into my mind as well.
SHame about the mic peaking, but yes he killed it
Ah man.. it's not about the mic peaking.. I'm not on RUclips to look for perfection. I just really digged the way he sang it. It's still my favorite version
Prefer a live version that sounds real verses a waxed studio air-play version. @@andrenel6377
@@andrenel6377 I couldnt agree more, banger version timeless
I've wanted a banjo since I was about 7 years old. After watching this, at 30, I finally bought a banjo. Thanks for the great music and inspiration!
still practicing? ^_^
Update!!
Big bump
Still practicing, not as much as I should be!
This song was featured on KXCI 91.3 in Tucson
This legit gave me chills when I first heard it, he's a really powerful musician.
Check out Roscoe Holcomb "Hills of Mexico"
Dude just look at his thumbs
Have you seen his thumbs tho?
He can bench press over 300 pounds for like 5 reps. Dude makes Carrot Top look like Little Lord Fauntleroy.
@@theodorebennett7938 uh?
Thats’s some awesom banjo playing. I bow to you sir.
This is music from my teenage years to my early twenties. Lots of good and bad memories, but the best time of my life and early 90's. I'm grateful that I was in that era and experienced a way of life (a simple life). That anyone will never experience again.
You're soooooooo old.
i always forget to breath when i hear him sing
Absolutely blows my mind how this young man can transport me back in time. True heart and soul in this Willie Watson.
"You need a countdown?"
"Naw, sir!"
I think you mean "the West Texas Tit" on account of that particular bird's mellifluous warble.
Nightbreed jajajaja pobre buster
"Well that's no good"
“Shoulda seen this comin”
"The countdown starts when I start fella!"
What can I say? I love this.
Willie Watson, Colter Wall, Corb Lund, and Uncle Lucius = The Highwaymen 2.0.
No way you're leaving Stapleton out of the next Highwaymen.. .Just saying. Could see Childers in the mix too.
@@brandenmartin802 Damn, I agree with both of those.
Branden Martin good luck with that. Maybe we could get Marcus King instead?
Featuring Sierra Ferrell
@@brandenmartin802 Stapleton, Childers, Simpson and Watson.
The thumb does not lie
The facial expression on the first line always gets me it comes so abruptly and unexpectedly!
I've watched this quite a few times now, and never cease to marvel at the power in that voice.
right?! we find ourselves re-watching this one all the time
at this moment, best thing ive ever seen. long time listener of willie. not the first time seeing this
Willie if I hadn't married my husband I would have married you. ❤😉 I love your music
High and lonesome type voice
What lucky library patrons that day to be able to hear this talented man.
That ain't fair Willie! That thumb is un-human!
By God, it looks like it hurts, don't it?
Ugly, ugly thumb!!!
Are you grown and still saying things like "that ain't fair?" Sad.
RODRIGO ALONSO PINA CAMPOS yes
Bruce Parks I play clawhammer in a similar manner, thumb is my most comfortable finger on my right hand, even for double thumbing!
Sounds like this has been past down through his family. His voice was made for this type of music. Never let these things die, for it is important to reflect on the history of American folk music.
You the man Willie!
We all know that the true cowboy is Mexican, and this song gives me chills .
The Americans called them Mexicans, the Mexicans called them Norteños. It was an unsettled country back then with a culture all its own.
About half of "cowboys" were black, mexican, etc. The idea of a "white cowboy" is somewhat of a historical myth and a very racist one.
Awsome song, but he shouldn’t have shot Buster.
at least he struck a cool pose
well you cant be top dog forever.
He hadn’t ‘a ought to have did it
French fried tatters
Well that ain't good
This is so pure!! I love it !! Just one guy and a banjo, yet the energy coming out of him rivals that of any hardcore or metal band I've heard. I love how he plays it so fast and clean while keeping that upbeat percussive sound in between licks
All the respect in the world to anyone who can play banjo period. Clifton Hicks and Meredith Moon both do wonderful variations of this song. That being this guy channels the feel of Roscoe Holcomb like no other contemporary artist that I've heard.
clifton hicks has two different versions of it, and both are fantastic; one is clawhammer/frailing (like this version) and another is in the two-finger style similar to Dock Boggs(which might be my favorite recording of this song)
Damn this man is legit. Thank you Willie Watson.
I thought there would never be another 'Old Timer' in these days. But he is one. When you close your eyes and listen, he's from the 30's or 40'. His Rock Salt and Nails is so heartbreaking! Tears in my eyes! And his frailing is so good!
Take a listen to sierra Ferrells new albm
Like the old saying “Never Lose Hope.”
The Slugs. That is such a great album. Good pop/punk from Chicago.....:)
I've watched this at least a dozen times, and I can't get enough. What a musician.
John Spivey I know his variation of the claw hammer picking is out of this world
Those are rookie numbers man, gotta get those up
It's always nice when you come across a song and it gives you chills. This is one of them.
Wow... I've heard Hills of Mexico done by a lot of folks and a bunch of times but as far as singing goes that might be tops. If it looks like he's straining and getting red in the face on those high notes it's because he is. It's a very difficult song to sing and Willie nailed it. Glad he's out there giving a new take on traditional music.
I have never seen anything quite like this performer. Absolutely love it.
One of my favorite songs of all time.
Willie is one of the best! I cant wait for his album!
Willie Watson is an incredible singer and artist.
I love to play this for people and watch them make the sour lemon face. I can’t lie, that may have been me at first, but honest to god this is one of the best ever. I love it and will always come back for it. Thank you Willie and NPR. 😁
Willie, I’ve been watching you for years. Your sound is intoxicating and it has that high and lonesome sound that bluegrass music requires. Love ya from a far pal. Keep it high and the digits wigglin.
In all my days, I ain't seen a happier banjo than this one right here.
#LoversCaress
When IIIIIII was in fort worth in eighteen in eightythree,
S'm old Mexican cowboy come steppin up to me
Saying how're you young fellaaah, how would you like to go?
And spend'a nother season with me in mexico?
I haaaaad no employment back to him did say
It's according to you wages, according to your pay, say I'll pay you good wages and often too you know
If you speeeeeend'nother season with me in Mexico
I went uuuuuuhp to this cowboy, I offered him my hand
But'ee gave a string of horseeeehs so old they couldn't stand, and I nearly starved to death booooooy as I mean'to letchu knowhuouou and I neeeeeever saved a dollar in those hills of Mexico.
Started uuuuuuup that steam boat'n to home did go
How them bells they did riihiiiiiiiing those whistles did blow
How them bells they did riiIIIIIIIIIIng those whistles did bloww,
On that gooooood forsaken fortune'neath those hills of Mexico.
thank you i've been looking for the lyrics!
god bless ya
Your emphasis on his held singing notes in writing nearly gave me an aneurysm
thanks!
Thanks Sean
I keep coming back and watching this. Amazing and tremendous.
No kidding. This is the best recording of this playing by Willie too.
0.75x speed for a nice slow version and 1.25x speed for when you’re halfway through an eight ball and wanna listen to your tastebuds dance
Stupid.
That makes me wanna start doing drugs again lmao 🤣
.75 is how fast I could play it 😔
I never would've thought of that but you're not wrong 😂😂
Thx for the research man.
I saw him open for Punch Brothers during their New Years shows, and immediately loved his style. He's got such a unique voice and way of playing that makes you take notice. It's awesome he's finally got an album out.
Throw the banjo at Simon !!!! Lmao everyone will still vote for you... That voice you have is soo powerful!!!!!!
His thumb just proved evolution for me.
Mr. Watson ... I have just found you through the magic of RUclips... I am now forever a Fan... Thank You
Many Blessings , SMR
What a fucking jam.
Love the story too. Reminds me of my summer jobs out West.
Great to see someone playing clawhammer on a resonator in the spirit of Grandpa Jones and Stringbean. That's almost exactly the sound I'm always aiming for - this pretty much nailed it.
+Jake Tolbert please don't forget the late , great John Hartford also ...
Many Blessings , SMR
+TheSmreeder absolutely. Hartford is one of the all time greats.
+Jake Tolbert Take a look at Roscoe Holcomb.....I'm sure Willie has.
Mmmm....Roscoe Holcomb. So high. So lonesome.
Startin to be a lost style..
The songs title is actually hills of mexico
Mr. Watson you, good sir, are High,Lonesome, and Legit. I anxiously await your arrival in Michigan at The Ark. If you have not yet played there, you will soon discover that the room was built for you and you for it. October 2015 will not be here soon enough for my liking.
Thank you for the gift of this music!
+400OTD seen Willie in a small room in Cork Ireland you wont be dissapointed high energy fantastic
+The Mafia Gaming
I am pumped for the show!
You are a Native of the Emerald Isle I take it?
There is an artist that I follow with great interest who is travelling with the great Don McClean presently; Jarrod Dickenson. They are doing several shows in your part of the world. When this tour is finished, Jarrod will hook up with The Waterboys for a 6 or 7 show tour opening for Michael Scott and company.... How I would LOVE to take in one or more of those shows!
400OTD
Fantastic. I love that claw hammer. One of my biggest complaints with contemporary Americana and Bluegrass is the banjo player playing with a plectrum! It just doesn't sound the same. This guy has the longest thumb I have ever seen, too.
born picker
I just saw a photo of Roscoe Holcomb and he's wearing finger picks. Don't know if those are the plectrums you're referring to, though.
Yikes! I just noticed the thumb...The dude would make a good hitch hiker...
Listen to Banjo Dave Caroll with Trampled by Turtles. He does a plectrum in 5 string better than some wanna be finger pickers. It's awesome if you ask me
Can’t unsee the thumb now....
Good stuff nonetheless
Some young musicians make great effort trying to sound and look "old timey", but still come across like characters in costume. Willie Watson is not one of them.
hes not a young musician he's 40
Another musician similar to this is Benjamin Todd, amazing musician!
willie lives it
@@Christian-my4dp with his sheriff badge? Lol
He makes his own clothes that he sells online. Overalls, nice hand stitched pants. This guy is the real old timey deal. They (Old Crow) used to make moonshine and grow their own weed in the hills of North Carolina outisde of Boone. Guys lived a vagabond life for a long time before getting big and moving to Nashville.
Magnificent! Awesome!! Devastating!!! Slay 'em Willie!
Can’t stop watching! 🤠
Willie doing the lord's work. good on ya
WOW....I'm impressed. As fine a frailer as I've ever heard. His guitar and vocals on Rock Salt and Nails....SUPERB.
i love the sounds of the old men and the old women. i love it. thanks willie
Fantastic version of one of my favorite songs. Definitely gotta listen to more of him.
Makes my heart hurt in all the right places.
This is extraordinary
Another young fellah with something to prove.
Hes proven himself. Been around a long time. Left a band that held him back and is flourishing.
Loved the music the first bars he played and for me that is very very rare. Purchased two albums so far folk songs 1 and 2 and recommend them to anyone
Man I love this song. Live on Wille Watson!
Deep and soulful performance as always .. !!
I think Roscoe Holcomb would be impressed
+Alan Schulte You are right!!
His face when he sings is magical
Damn Watson! Just damn! Everything you do inspires me! Thank you for giving us this
You know a song is good when it just creeps up in the back of your head a week later after just listening to the song once. Took me ages to realise who it was again lol
That's high praise coming from the San Saba Song Bird
i love this guy!
i seen him in concert last tuesday night and he sounds just as good as he does in his album!
BLUEGRASS IS STAY ALIVE...THANK YOU WILLIE!!!!
Wow. Incredible. Something new to aim for with modern banjer. Love it !!
Soo good to see people keepin claw hammer alive..
"That's some mighty fine apickin and asingin!"
😂!!!
No recording studio...no sound engineer...just raw talent! Incredible performance! I thought I had heard this song done before , but the other versions paled in comparison to this!
Seriously love this song! Glad I found it!
seriously.... never stop doing this!
roscoe holcombe reincarnated!!! un-fucking-real how good Willie is! Rock on!
A very polished traditional American art form.
Solid right hand !!
Everything about this is perfect, except for the spiking audio... wish the levels would have been set properly on that mic to capture his voice better. Still an amazing video shoot! I have probably watched this 50 times.
To be fair, he's definitely singing very loudly, and 1 mic for him belting and th e banjo, that's a difficult balancing act for the audio engineer. I think he really shouldn't have been singing that loud, like acoustically I'd say it was a crazy imbalance.
@@EmThePenguin isn't the belting it out at a million decibels kind of the point though?
@@PK_Mega_Awesome yeah I suppose but not really to this extent, in my opinion anyway. Like he's absolutely roaring. Check out some other bluegrass acts that use 1 mic, their volume control is incredible.
Freaking flawless execution 👍🏻👍🏻
All Soul and heart!!.
Man you take me back in time, before my time, lovin' it! You must make a trip to Arizona. Good stuff Willie. :)
Agreed. Arizona is where songs like these have never died.
Outstanding song. Pure soul
Songs and sounds from the heart and soul ....
I figured he was gonna pass out at any moment. Solid tune meng!
was in Old crow medicine show, watched ballad of buster scrugs that brought me here, recognized that voice.
Same here.
old crow medicine show are missing an amazing singer/musician. thanks willie!
Love that stanky banjo face, makes this song for me. I won't ever hear it again without seeing that lol
Holy hell, Willie. Just fine. Really fine.
Holy shit this is some legit old timey Roscoe Holcombe high lonesome sound shit. Fucking A'.
*sitting at a campfires listening to the fore crackle while listening to this beautiful gem"
GDamn those are some pipes!!
Awesome song, awesome musician, thanks mate
That was excellent.
Wow. I wasn't expecting that to come out of his mouth.
You haven't heard any OCMS when he was in it?