At The Purchaser's Option - Rhiannon Giddens at Augusta Vocal Week 2016 

This woman is a unique American treasure. We are extremely fortunate that she has chosen to spend so much effort examining the roots and history of our music within the context of society and culture -- not just Black society and culture (although that has been overlooked for two centuries), but ALL American society and culture. If there were a Hall of Fame for beautiful people (not superficially, but souls), she would get in on the first ballot.

I'm a truck driver and love music,I listen to this song at least 20 times a day I love it so much.

I was in prison in West Virginia and heard Rhiannon on PBS. I heard this song and Julie. Fell in love. Never saw her but a voice from heaven. Used to play with the Carolina chocolate drops. She is exceptional

Highly an emphatic artist: she can put herself into the skin of those who had suffered. Even during the singing, she is immersed in that pain.

That song felt like it was channelled. Her performance was so focused or tranced, it was chilling!

We owe so much to our black citizens - music, dance, etc. Just came from a kidney scan - performed by a kind young black women - who made me feel so comfortable.

She truly plays from her soul and you can hear it in her music.

She is so much more than a musician.... A beautiful ambassador for women and all of humanity.... What a gift to the world you are my dear! Thank you!

There are no words of praise that would do this justice.. Amazed..

Beat box over banjo and upright bass!! A musical dream going on here!

I hope the soul of that young Black woman is able to see from her resting place, as a young, free, Black woman sings a song about her and her babe. What would she think? Wouldn't she be amazed?

She was featured in the most recent Smithsonian Magazine. I had NO idea that she is such a music historian of southern music, especially that of black banjo players. When I saw her picture I said "That's the girl from Nashville!" completely unaware of her real accomplishments in musicology. Even her banjo is an older style, based more on the African instrument it descended from

You are light and pure power. Peace and love to you.

I took a class about African-American history through songs for a week at Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins WV. It was wonderful learning from her and singing with her. I remember being in the audience at this concert and this song touched my heart.

This powerful song distills a historic truth in a way volumes haven’t. Love the background of body sounds and that bass. It’s like a time travel.

I must say this is actually pretty powerful, I am proud to be an American I am proud to hang my American flag, I am proud to call this lady a fellow American I love what she's doing and I will continue to collect her music and if anybody tries to say else will stuff their head in the toilet. This is one of the best folk singers that I have ever heard in all my days and God has blessed her with a voice for doing so God bless America God bless this young folk song singer. Don't ever let anybody discourage you and don't let nothing come between you and music you are fantastic..

Some singers and songs burn a hole into your heart and soul. Need I say more !

My soul aches for what was done in the cause of greed.... my lord, the abuse... forgive me Lord

Rhiannon Giddens, you are SO deeply talented. I would like to echo previous commentators: The Soul of that enslaved woman, should she hear your song, I hope would be able to find a measure of peace. This song is wrenching and beautiful.

What an American jewel she is! I'm impressed on several levels and moved by her music, lyric, and style.

Beautiful music from a Beautiful woman! Her music touchs the soul!

The intensity of her singing is only equalled by the intensity of the lyrics... truly amazing and deeply moving.

Thank you Ken Burns for introducing me to this national treasure.

The reason for this song that she give brought me instantly to tears.

This lady is powerful... her career did not happen overnight.

She’s the best thing that could’ve happened to bluegrass music. Her IBMA address was absolutely stunning. This genre has a stereotype (and many adherents to) of racism. The way she is actively educating through her music is wonderful.

This woman has the spirit of Judah. I've listened to her music and I know the soul and sound of Judah when I hear it and she definitley has it.

Anyone else immediately start crying when she started singing?

OMG this is real soul music. What a heartfelt performance. Brilliant lyrics.

There are no words, that would do her justice.

I am SO THANKFUL that this wonderful woman is keeping this memory of a most sad injustice alive !!!!!!

Everything is perfect. The voice, the music, the story. Not often a song or artist can touch me to the depths of my soul. This has done it. Magnificent!!!!!

Sultry and soulful and smooth. Man!! Excellent ekphrastic writing and fine execution of an orginal song. Simple and haunting. What a voice! Wow!

Amazing! That banjo sounds so interesting.

That's a beautiful banjo and it matches her look and style perfectly. Great song. Heartfelt and compelling

Her music is so amazing live. I saw her in Portland OR in 2017 when she co headlined a tour with Aimee Mann, and she blew me away.

Its a fretless Banjo, isn't it or what? This is so great... Im totally in love...

What the hell just happened. I have no words . Wow

Thank you beautiful people for sharing true emotions what can i say words not enough to thank you for sharing.

Hauntingly beautiful and sad. I stumbled onto this amazing artist on my side feed showing Irish folk music. She did "Wayfaring Stranger" beautifully and I also found her singing "La Vie en Rose". I am hooked!!

She is simply amazing!!!!!! When this virus thing goes away and we can somehow get back to normal I would love to see Rhiannon and her group play in concert. I’ve been watching a lot on RU-vid.

Powerful, powerful lyrics presented so simply. Lyrical melody sung tenderly and simply. My heart breaks.

I could feel that pain in my D.N.A., what a great song

Heartbreaking. And it becomes more heartbreaking when you reflect on how this cruelty lives on today in new forms.

Profoundly moving, thank you for the story behind the song as well as for the song itself.

There's a lot going on here. Music, history, love and pain. Very amazing and touching too. All the best from UK.

This lady is an amazing talent but when she plays the banjo it is transcendental.

I think I enjoy watching her channel the "character" of the song the most. She does it here. In this video, you can see her transport her own soul to that long-forgotten woman's soul and empathize with her experience. It is pretty amazing.

Love this tune.the woman who gave me music recommended it may the road go with you mary

Rhiannon you have such a lovely voice and are an excellent musician. Keep it going.

Well, I have Ken Burns' Country Music series to thank for introducing me to her! I'm so glad to have found her and her band. What beautiful art. God bless!

Rhiannon, I see your eyes in trance back there with that woman and now with all of us who think they can own us.

I don't remember having heard a beatboxer functioning like this. It works and dammit, with RGs voice on top it's nice.

Beautiful. Awesome. Powerful. I have listened to this song at least ten times, and I am weeping -- every time. I am so grateful that Rhiannon wrote this song. I am so proud of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I am so ashamed of slavery -- not just the institution but the racism. Their incredible music is the the only thing those poor people had -- that and each other which is what the music was all about -- to help maintain their sanity. Seething anger and hatred sustained some. Others maintained themselves through drug addiction. There were others like Friedrich Douglas who were able to rise above it. Rhiannon understands the totality, and the anger and the hatred, and she is able to get beyond that and show us what it felt like. That is a miracle. Those who found Jesus eventually found peace, love and freedom. There were many different stories -- some sad and tragic, some uplifting and inspirational. But the truth is, things went on in the Old South that were as bad as anything the Hitler's SS did in WWII. It was a crime against humanity. You cannot overstate how evil it was, or the violence and damage it did to people. That damage is still with us in some people today. But, also, there are millions of normal, decent, black skinned Americans who are living normal lives too. We just need to resque every precious child we can resque. We can not help the poor girl that inspired this song, but we can help her great great grandchild. Anybody with me?

One of my favorite artists!

Wow! I'm literally lost for words! Love her beautiful voice!

I was at this show...one of the best!

She's a genius. I wish I owned clearplay I'd just have her on repeat for everyone's morning drive on all their stations..

Wow!! ...just wow!!

This song rips my heart out.

So much talent in this world that I'm just recently discovering.

I saw Rhiannon Giddens Live at Davis and Elkins on Mountain Stage a few years ago. She has a hauntingly beautiful voice and plays the Folk Banjo in the old time Appalachian style. In this song you can see her from the heart Lyrics. Thank you Rhiannon

Epic! Thankyou! Best music i have heard in a looong time! Standing ovation& this is 🏅🏅🏅💜👂👀🙏🤩👏👏👏👏👏💐💐💐💐💐

Glorious (and tragic) song. And that bass!

Damn! That's deep and I love it!!!

I've got a babe but shall I keep him 'Twill come the day when I'll be weepin' But how can I love him any less This little babe upon my breast You can take my body You can take my bones You can take my blood But not my soul You can take my body You can take my bones You can take my blood But not my soul I've got a body dark and strong I was young but not for long You took me to bed a little girl Left me in a woman's world You can take my body You can take my bones You can take my blood But not my soul You can take my body You can take my bones You can take my blood But not my soul Day by day I work the line Every minute overtime Fingers nimble, fingers quick My fingers bleed to make you rich You can take my body You can take my bones You can take my blood But not my soul You can take my body You can take my bones You can take my blood But not my soul You can take my body You can take my bones You can take my blood But not my soul Ive got a babe but shall i keep him

Thank you, Augusta Heritage Center, for putting this online! And for bringing black and white traditional musicians together in oldtime, blues & swing, and vocal weeks.

Rhiannon: You have a real gift, my dear. A, real, gift.

This is so chilling and sad... Thank you for confronting me with with this, even if it is hard to hear that story. The beauty of the song brings the history to life so vividly.

this beautiful woman is living magic 🎼🎻

What a powerful message to this humanity! love it.

A difficult and weighing heavily on the heart piece and with such breathtaking tone. This is the first Rhiannon Giddens piece that I have listened to. Definitely will explore her musical art and storytelling. 🌻

Sung with every bone in your body.

I was reading Garden & Gun when I saw she was named a Southern Hero. She is amazing.

on this 4th of July this voice speaks to the nation as a whole

Saw her live in LA last week. JUST WOW!!! SO TALENTED!

This, is what music is about... Love her spirit.

Voice to literally die for

Wow. I get full-body goosebumps every time I listen to her. This song in particular was complimented nicely by the beat boxer (although if this were a studio version, I might have retracted/added different layers at different times to create more builds/breaks), but the human percussion was such a nice element here considering the subject matter... Well done!

A deep spiritual uplift and connection I can't explain as a follower of Messiah

I could watch her incredible hands forever.

What an incredible talent this beautiful lady is! I have a wish! Maybe they both will read this and do it: I wish to see Rhiannon in a co-operation with the equally beautiful and talented Tracy Chapman! Wouldn't that be something?

Just excellent you are a one of a kind !!!This song I feel in my soul !

Beautiful! Sad! I am crying!

I am weeping. This is absolutely amazing.

I keep coming back for this.

WOW, please stay as pure as this sounds, love it! Thank you.

Such a Beautiful American Woman! Long over due. Brilliant!

She's great. I'm a big fan.

Beautiful voice, beautiful soul, beautiful person. Drop dead gorgeous and insanely talented.

Thank you for posting this track! Appropriate for al this craziness.

She composed a version of this for the Kronos Quartet's "Fifty for the Future," it's really good.

You are an awesome person. I'm glad I found your music.

What A Beautiful Amazing ,Insightful young Lady!

Mercy she’s incredible! 🙏

What a sad premise for a song. Giddens is a beautiful soul.

Truly amazing musician Takes my breath away.

I love this woman, so sweet...

You improve every song you perform, with your beautiful voice, but it's your amazing spirit that shines through and makes every song you sing a soul touching experience that uplifts our hearts. Thank you!!!

52 people who watched this have no sole , How could you not like this