This video demonstrates what a legend Alan Hull was. I saw Lindisfarne loads of times and Alan Hull as a solo performer on quite a few occasions. The last time was in Hastings a year or so before he died. Due to a problem with publicising the gig there were only a handful of people there but he played for two hours like it was to a hall full of thousands. I just can't understand why he never got the acclaim of such a brilliant singer songwriter he deserved.
In tears now, and every time I hear this. This song gives voice to silence and the humanity in us all, pure, beautiful, cleansing music which I was fortunate enough to experience in person many times. To those who dislike this, I pity you, that you don't have ears to hear music properly.
100% agree. Try thunderclap newman, something in the air and relate to what's happening now. Scarey stuff considering this was written some 55 years ago.
My favourite Lindisfarne song, and one of my favourites by anyone. Alan Hull was a poet, try reading the lyrics without the music. Still beautiful. Was in a pub in Bishop Middleham a few years ago and a solo guitarist was playing acoustic stuff. While we were discussing favourite songs, this was mentioned. A few minutes later he piped up with this one. Spooky or what!
Nearly 50 years after I first heard (and cried) this song, I pay tribute by learning the bass line to accompany this glorious tune. God bless you Alan.
I found this by accident when looking for the ‘other’ Winter Song...and was curious enough to listen and then get hooked and fall in love with this fabulous song.
Just watched the BBC 4 documentary on Alan by Sam Fender, which was wonderful, so had to come back here to this song and video again. What a talented guy.
Bought Nicely Out of Tune (my first LP ever) in 1970 when I was 11 years old. I lived through punk and indie. The Clash are the best band ever (in my opinion) but I have always kept coming back to Lindisfarne. The truth is they never left me or my consciousness. About 20 years ago I bought this incredible single and put it on my jukebox along with other popular Xmas songs. For some reason, I keep forgetting to take it off after the festive season is over. If I had ten lifetimes I couldn't write anything anywhere as great as this song. Winter Song is one of many classics Alan Hull (and Lindisfarne) left us with. As much as I love early Dylan, Winter Song is up there with anything Bob wrote.
I saw them several times between 1978 and 1984 in their Christmas gigs at Newcastle City Hall. Brilliant band and this has to be one of my favourite Alan Hull songs.
Play this every year at this time, just wish they would play it once or twice on the radio for others to enjoy and think more deeply about their fellow human beings. Sad loss, great song. Happy Christmas to one and all.
I've never known a man (band) to sing so beautifully out of tune as Alan Hull and Lindisfarne. Thanks for so many hours of pleasure that your songs have given Alan. Hope to meet you one day.
wow! That's just fantastic. It took me straight back there in Newcastle City Hall early 70's when I was a student. Thanks for the posting. I agree , Alan Hull was a bringer of joy.
God bless Alan, happy times I thought would never end, the music and the after gig pint with you and the band at so many venues including the wonderful Maggy Bank...........the memories live on.
Wow...stumbled across this beautiful song, and was forced to retrieve my diary from 1984...I was there at City Hall with my girlfriend on Friday 21st December...my diary just says 'brilliant', and after all this time, I'd still agree with that sentiment...wow...35 years ago...
Heard this for the first time one freezing January afternoon many years ago. It still takes me back to that day walking along Northumberland Street, Newcastle coming back from college, the world was my oyster. How it brings back memories.
James Watkin saw them at Airdrie town hall a number of years ago,went into pub,cellar bar,next door,they were all in having a beer,good chat and good times,this song by far my favorite.
What can I say that hasn't been said already. I saw these in Liverpool, and it was a master class in unadulterated natural talent, in every aspect of the show. I've also seen them after Alan's departure, and still it's a good night out. I like the fact that they'll have a pint with you later.
Capo on the 7th fret - Alan told me he wrote the tune for both this and Lady Eleanor back stage at a folk club in Newcastle where he had booked Bert Jansch, he wrote them on Bert's guitar and had to put a capo on the 7th fret in order to play it as the strings were about 1/2" off the neck
A great mucisian and singer, I seen the1m at the city hall in the late 80s , There was no need for seats, cause no body was sitting, every one was on their feet clapping and really enjoying themselves. Brilliant!
Great song from a great songwriter and great lad , tragically taken from us too soon , always had time for anyone that had time for him , remember having a pint with Hully and the lads in the Hotspur on a Friday afternoon or any afternoon for that matter they were always in there, RIP mate hope you are keeping them entertained where ever you are sleep tight
I reckon this is one of the best solo performances ever........macca at the royal variety show sining yesterday somewhere behind if any one agrees....?
i saw alan in a small town in Nireland many years ago. He was on his own with a guitar and a piano. I bet he couldnt believe in Coleraine, a small outpost of the UK, THAT SO MANY OF US KNEW ALL THE WORDS TO HIS pIPEDRAM SONGS. tHE sQUIRE WAS JUST OUT AND WE ALL KNEW THE WORDS TO THOSE SONGS AS WELL. What a wonderful songwriter and he gave us all a night to remember. That was nearly 20 years ago
long before the frozen winds of winter came howling in, I came seeking this song I'd never heard, but once had read few lyrics of.. om, it is touching, raw, real, realistic even as it dawns indeed shadowy otherworldly. I spare a thought for summer
Thanks, wateroftyne. I saw the guys in 86 in Birmingham Odeon. Love Alan Hull to this day. Sad that Jacka doesn't perform any more - too busy painting buses.
Just bought the songbook for `nicely..` and looking forward to getting stuck in, wish to god i`d seen them live myself, cant imagine the buzz though seeing Bert Jansch last year in a room of only 50 people was also humbling. Long life to you all. richard
My very first album was Nicely Out Of Tune. Alan was truly one of the great modern poets, and very underrated as such. I just wish I'd been able to go along to the City Hall to see them - hindsight, eh?
Lyndisfarne popularity will live the band wrote music for people particulary Alan Hull who was their great force. I always put , winter song on my face book at christmas, I try to tell people it is not a christmas song , its Alan Hull condeming Chritmas if it is with out compation, went to Beemish this year . I remembered from a visit in about 1958 when I stayed in Biker as a small child , went to the park and went on the transporter bridge in Middleborough too, farntastic
If you Google 'Lindisfarne - Official website', then under 'Website archives' go to 'Lyrics and chords'. You'll find tabs for 'Winter song' in a long list of their songs. There's a simple version and also one with a 7th fret capo.
I play it differently to this and, I think, better. Basically I do it like my dad does. He is from Newcastle. I play it regularly in pubs, at jam nights etc.
well there are people who would argue alan hull is not under appreciated. he was a brilliant musician and there are some who like you and me wish his talent was more appreciated. My favourite alan hull record came out as a Christmas tune last year but it was never a christmas song, it was more about inequity in this country and Hippocracey in the USA. Alan Hull was not Bob Dylan, he was Alan Hull, Winter Song is an amazing piece of work .
Completely agree! Such a pity that so many people don't understand what 'underrated' actually means. Just to be clear, Alan Hull wasn't / isn't underrated in the slightest! He is hugely respected.
Billy Mitchell was indeed a member of The Callies (Ray Tweedie and Will Browell being the other two members). 'Mitch' didn't join Lindisfarne until after Alan Hull died (1995)- though the other members of Lindisfarne knew him before they knew Alan Hull. Ray Jackson, Ray Laidlaw, Simon Cowe and Rod Clements were known as the band 'Brethren' before the met Alan Hull (who all later made Lindisfarne". For chords, go to Lindisfarne's website and to 'website archives'. Then, "lyrics and chords".
Billy did a great job as front man after we lost Alan, nobody could be another Alan, Billy did it his way and it worked fine until the band split up, the line up now plays Lindisfarne songs but it's like making a glass of dilute orange, drinking some and topping up with water, carry on doing that and you end up with water rather than orange.
@Cannychanta Hello! The chords are.. complex. The Callies didn't become Lindisfarne, and didn't write Fog on the Tyne. However, one of the members, Billy Mitchell, grew up and became the frontman of LF-offshoot Jack the Lad, and then the final line-up of Lindisfarne.
You must be absolutely tone deaf!!!! His voice is pure joy & raw emotion. Listening to Hull's 'Pipedream' has a visceral effect unmatched by any other album. Who, pray, do you think CAN sing? I dread to think.
My apologies True. There was no disrespect intended. However, I have to defend myself in response to the "who do you think can sing, I dread to think". This beautiful song has many a meaning and one ,in particular, for me.
@Prokifiev Never saw them with Alan Hull, only with Billy Mitchell- even though they were excellent I still feel I missed out. And I lived in Gateshead for 4 years
Every year at about this time "winters' shadowy fingers" send in the shivers and I always have to dig out the record....then I pull the bedclothes higher and the wife wonders what I'm up to. She's German.
This video demonstrates what a legend Alan Hull was. I saw Lindisfarne loads of times and Alan Hull as a solo performer on quite a few occasions. The last time was in Hastings a year or so before he died. Due to a problem with publicising the gig there were only a handful of people there but he played for two hours like it was to a hall full of thousands. I just can't understand why he never got the acclaim of such a brilliant singer songwriter he deserved.
Giving it all...
In tears now, and every time I hear this. This song gives voice to silence and the humanity in us all, pure, beautiful, cleansing music which I was fortunate enough to experience in person many times. To those who dislike this, I pity you, that you don't have ears to hear music properly.
paul welsh couldn't of been put better than by the bard himself.
100% agree. Try thunderclap newman, something in the air and relate to what's happening now. Scarey stuff considering this was written some 55 years ago.
My favourite Lindisfarne song, and one of my favourites by anyone. Alan Hull was a poet, try reading the lyrics without the music. Still beautiful. Was in a pub in Bishop Middleham a few years ago and a solo guitarist was playing acoustic stuff. While we were discussing favourite songs, this was mentioned. A few minutes later he piped up with this one. Spooky or what!
Nearly 50 years after I first heard (and cried) this song, I pay tribute by learning the bass line to accompany this glorious tune. God bless you Alan.
A Geordie poet of the highest calibre... the very best... RIP marra.
I found this by accident when looking for the ‘other’ Winter Song...and was curious enough to listen and then get hooked and fall in love with this fabulous song.
Should be played on every radio station EVERY CHRISTMAS---Hully was a Legend !!
why does a sad song always make me smile - Alan Hull you live on and may the gods bless all who appreciate and the rest of the band too
xx
This song says more to me about humanity than the bible ever did.Alan Hull-absolute genius.
Rest In Peace-I'll raise a pint of broon to ya canny lad.
Just watched the BBC 4 documentary on Alan by Sam Fender, which was wonderful, so had to come back here to this song and video again. What a talented guy.
Wow! Kind of same! Thanks Sam! Listened to Costello's version too and finally the original which I admit I didn't know before
Bought Nicely Out of Tune (my first LP ever) in 1970 when I was 11 years old.
I lived through punk and indie. The Clash are the best band ever (in my opinion) but I have always kept coming back to Lindisfarne. The truth is they never left me or my consciousness.
About 20 years ago I bought this incredible single and put it on my jukebox along with other popular Xmas songs. For some reason, I keep forgetting to take it off after the festive season is over.
If I had ten lifetimes I couldn't write anything anywhere as great as this song.
Winter Song is one of many classics Alan Hull (and Lindisfarne) left us with. As much as I love early Dylan, Winter Song is up there with anything Bob wrote.
Brilliant.. remembering the poor and the marginalised, and getting to the heart of Jesus' message as well. Makes me proud to be a Geordie
Amazing song!!! Gives me goose bumps everytime! RIP Alan, unbelievably talented man x
I saw them several times between 1978 and 1984 in their Christmas gigs at Newcastle City Hall. Brilliant band and this has to be one of my favourite Alan Hull songs.
Loved the Newcastle Hall concerts so much......they made it actually feel like Christmas.
Nobody can sing this as he does - seen this live several times, am now 50 and feel his loss more than ever..................
People have tried but none have the vocal range nor stage presence of Alan Hull, god bless fella.
The best Christmas song never released. Those vocals are extraordinary. The words beautiful. The guitar solo (chef's kiss).
I was there! Ah, the memories. I am so proud to have been born in Newcastle.
You're a lucky man
what a mighty talent this man was.Loved lindisfarne and his Radiator band.I named my eldest daughter Eleanor after the song Lady Eleanor.
I built and rode a custom Harley motorcycle named Lady Eleanor, a very quick appearance in Lindisfarne's Party Doll video on here.
No doubt one of his finest songs and it brings tears of joy every time I hear it. Such a super performance this one and long live Allan Hull.
How this does not get any air play on radio station this time of year is beyond me still in my thoughts Alan hull
Play this every year at this time, just wish they would play it once or twice on the radio for others to enjoy and think more deeply about their fellow human beings. Sad loss, great song. Happy Christmas to one and all.
I've never known a man (band) to sing so beautifully out of tune as Alan Hull and Lindisfarne. Thanks for so many hours of pleasure that your songs have given Alan.
Hope to meet you one day.
I love how they play this live - it's WAY better than the album version. Fabulous.
wow! That's just fantastic. It took me straight back there in Newcastle City Hall early 70's when I was a student. Thanks for the posting. I agree , Alan Hull was a bringer of joy.
God bless Alan, happy times I thought would never end, the music and the after gig pint with you and the band at so many venues including the wonderful Maggy Bank...........the memories live on.
Wow...stumbled across this beautiful song, and was forced to retrieve my diary from 1984...I was there at City Hall with my girlfriend on Friday 21st December...my diary just says 'brilliant', and after all this time, I'd still agree with that sentiment...wow...35 years ago...
I was definitely there too, though maybe not on the same night.
Christmas Eve 1980 was my first ever proper gig Lindisfarne at Newcastle City Hall and it still remains one of the best gigs I've been to............
Thise gigs made it a real Christmas.........
Heard this for the first time one freezing January afternoon many years ago. It still takes me back to that day walking along Northumberland Street, Newcastle coming back from college, the world was my oyster. How it brings back memories.
James Watkin saw them at Airdrie town hall a number of years ago,went into pub,cellar bar,next door,they were all in having a beer,good chat and good times,this song by far my favorite.
What can I say that hasn't been said already. I saw these in Liverpool, and it was a master class in unadulterated natural talent, in every aspect of the show.
I've also seen them after Alan's departure, and still it's a good night out. I like the fact that they'll have a pint with you later.
What can I say? Poetry perfect. Revisiting after 40 years...
Thanks so much for posting this.
All these years and still the hair on the back of the neck goes up!
Too wonderful for words!!
Alan hull sadly missed from this world!!
Very much missed
Thanks for posting this, I was at the gig. The Lindisfarne Christmas Shows at Newcastle City Hall were legendary.
I haven't heard this song for years. What a classic - brings back memories of the 70's
First time I've seen this video of Alan singing one of his best. He's missed.
A great songwriter and musician,, a lovely man, and I am proud to say he was my friend,, I miss him,,had many happy times on the road with him,,
A truely great guy and a friend of mine too, so many happy memories.
Aw! Alan Hull - what a loss. R I P. Lyrics are special xxx
Thanks soooo much for this. The goosebumps will last for ages! Wish someone would put some 'Pipedream' tracks on. Alan was a genius.
Capo on the 7th fret - Alan told me he wrote the tune for both this and Lady Eleanor back stage at a folk club in Newcastle where he had booked Bert Jansch, he wrote them on Bert's guitar and had to put a capo on the 7th fret in order to play it as the strings were about 1/2" off the neck
A great mucisian and singer, I seen the1m at the city hall in the late 80s , There was no need for seats, cause no body was sitting, every one was on their feet clapping and really enjoying themselves. Brilliant!
Really, that was smashing. I didn’t think it possible for anyone else too do justice to this special song. Thank you.
Lindisfarne are one of the best British bands that have always been underrated. They always remain brilliant.
Underrated??? In what possible universe are Lindisfarne underrated?
I was at this gig alan hull complete legend .I also saw him at the red lion trimdon
melt ~this live in a little bar near a ferry. flying by in 2020! wishing you and me a better 2021
great song and emotion, merry christmas to you all, thanks for posting
Great song from a great songwriter and great lad , tragically taken from us too soon , always had time for anyone that had time for him , remember having a pint with Hully and the lads in the Hotspur on a Friday afternoon or any afternoon for that matter they were always in there, RIP mate hope you are keeping them entertained where ever you are sleep tight
I reckon this is one of the best solo performances ever........macca at the royal variety show sining yesterday somewhere behind if any one agrees....?
Not quite solo, as Rod Clements was playing bass.
always loved this song from the first time i saw them perform it an eternal classic
didn't get to listen to Nicely out of Tune til '71 but ever since then this has been a very very special song, bettered by none.
Great boost for 2007 The best band ever from the North East
Great to hear and see this band they are a miss,Alan Hull the greatest songwriter in the north east what a miss
top men top band theres very few like them these days...
all for the class of workers n their families...
i saw alan in a small town in Nireland many years ago. He was on his own with a guitar and a piano. I bet he couldnt believe in Coleraine, a small outpost of the UK, THAT SO MANY OF US KNEW ALL THE WORDS TO HIS pIPEDRAM SONGS. tHE sQUIRE WAS JUST OUT AND WE ALL KNEW THE WORDS TO THOSE SONGS AS WELL. What a wonderful songwriter and he gave us all a night to remember. That was nearly 20 years ago
This is just fantastic.
Thanks for posting it!
two fantastic albums, totally brilliant. How many bands can produce such timeless classics?
one of my favorite all time songs. thanks for posting. Love from the States....
long before the frozen winds of winter came howling in, I came seeking this song I'd never heard, but once had read few lyrics of.. om, it is touching, raw, real, realistic even as it dawns indeed shadowy otherworldly. I spare a thought for summer
lyrics are so potent now than when released. Love this eternal ballad
I love this song sooooooo much!
It makes me wierdly happy even though the lyrics are kinda sad.
59,000 views, not many considering 45,000 are mine! An absolutely beautiful song.
Thanks, wateroftyne.
I saw the guys in 86 in Birmingham Odeon.
Love Alan Hull to this day. Sad that Jacka doesn't perform any more - too busy painting buses.
Just bought the songbook for `nicely..` and looking forward to getting stuck in, wish to god i`d seen them live myself, cant imagine the buzz though seeing Bert Jansch last year in a room of only 50 people was also humbling. Long life to you all.
richard
an absolutely amazing song
I had never heard this song until Def Leppard covered it. What a great song. So heartfelt.
this song is so meaningful i luv dese ppl dey rok WOOOOH GO LINDISFARNE TYNE SIDE 4EVER !!!!
lovely, theres so much beauty in Alan's music
Absolutely priceless!!
Thank you so much for posting this.
Alan Hull could never sing...but who cares. I certainly don't!! Magical.
Powerful and mesmerising performance.
Great to see this stuff again.
One of my top 3 music heroes
Such a great song.
was probably at this gig. NCH was the perfect, and only stage for this band. great memories
My very first album was Nicely Out Of Tune. Alan was truly one of the great modern poets, and very underrated as such. I just wish I'd been able to go along to the City Hall to see them - hindsight, eh?
Alan Hull wasn't / isn't underrated in the slightest!
Hello!
The capo is on the 7th fret, and the song is in E.
Lyndisfarne popularity will live the band wrote music for people particulary Alan Hull who was their great force. I always put , winter song on my face book at christmas, I try to tell people it is not a christmas song , its Alan Hull condeming Chritmas if it is with out compation, went to Beemish this year .
I remembered from a visit in about 1958 when I stayed in Biker as a small child , went to the park and went on the transporter bridge in Middleborough too, farntastic
Well if this doesn't make you cry what can I say
Magic.
I can understand the winter eating at you /shaving years off you. Came out beautiful tho!
Alan Hull was a genius,i recommend you all listen to his solo album Pipedream!
many thanks!
If you Google 'Lindisfarne - Official website', then under 'Website archives' go to 'Lyrics and chords'. You'll find tabs for 'Winter song' in a long list of their songs. There's a simple version and also one with a 7th fret capo.
class. legend. :)
superb
Brilliant
I play it differently to this and, I think, better. Basically I do it like my dad does. He is from Newcastle. I play it regularly in pubs, at jam nights etc.
well there are people who would argue alan hull is not under appreciated. he was a brilliant musician and there are some who like you and me wish his talent was more appreciated.
My favourite alan hull record came out as a Christmas tune last year but it was never a christmas song, it was more about inequity in this country and Hippocracey in the USA.
Alan Hull was not Bob Dylan, he was Alan Hull, Winter Song is an amazing piece of work .
Completely agree! Such a pity that so many people don't understand what 'underrated' actually means. Just to be clear, Alan Hull wasn't / isn't underrated in the slightest! He is hugely respected.
I hope to hear of the Court in the Act, it is the best Lindisfarne song.
a geordie hero
Billy Mitchell was indeed a member of The Callies (Ray Tweedie and Will Browell being the other two members).
'Mitch' didn't join Lindisfarne until after Alan Hull died (1995)- though the other members of Lindisfarne knew him before they knew Alan Hull.
Ray Jackson, Ray Laidlaw, Simon Cowe and Rod Clements were known as the band 'Brethren' before the met Alan Hull (who all later made Lindisfarne".
For chords, go to Lindisfarne's website and to 'website archives'. Then, "lyrics and chords".
Billy did a great job as front man after we lost Alan, nobody could be another Alan, Billy did it his way and it worked fine until the band split up, the line up now plays Lindisfarne songs but it's like making a glass of dilute orange, drinking some and topping up with water, carry on doing that and you end up with water rather than orange.
@Cannychanta Hello! The chords are.. complex. The Callies didn't become Lindisfarne, and didn't write Fog on the Tyne. However, one of the members, Billy Mitchell, grew up and became the frontman of LF-offshoot Jack the Lad, and then the final line-up of Lindisfarne.
You must be absolutely tone deaf!!!! His voice is pure joy & raw emotion. Listening to Hull's 'Pipedream' has a visceral effect unmatched by any other album. Who, pray, do you think CAN sing? I dread to think.
My apologies True. There was no disrespect intended. However, I have to defend myself in response to the "who do you think can sing, I dread to think".
This beautiful song has many a meaning and one ,in particular, for me.
You can see why Elvis Costello rated this so highly
alan hull what a poet-what an arrangement does anyone have the squire album?
Special....
@Prokifiev Never saw them with Alan Hull, only with Billy Mitchell- even though they were excellent I still feel I missed out. And I lived in Gateshead for 4 years
Greatly missed genius, r I p
Every year at about this time "winters' shadowy fingers" send in the shivers and I always have to dig out the record....then I pull the bedclothes higher and the wife wonders what I'm up to. She's German.
Anyone know what fret the capo is on and what key is Alan playing the song in?
7th fret. E.
Excellent, thanks for that, can you play it?