Some of you just don't get it. His voice is chilling, haunting and gives me chill bumps. When you can make a person feel what your singing that's great music! Love this!
This is what they call the high lonesome sound from the Blue ridge mountains of North Carolina very folk and very authentic Bill Monroe was referred to as the godfather of bluegrass music.. God bless this man
I read that Mr. Monroe as a child listened to the high lonesome sounds of soldiers returning home from WW1. May the souls who influenced Bill Rest In Peace.
The stylings of the Appalachian music can be hauntingly beautiful. Bill gives us a taste of this in this outstanding performance! My father sang appalacian songs and used beautiful stylings developed by our ancestors, the Scots-Irish who settled in appalachia. Than you for this beautiful gift.
My daddy died 2 weeks ago. Bill was his idol. We often traveled many miles to bluegrass festivals, even visited Bill's farm when I was small. These songs hurt so much, but I listen to honor him. RIP daddy
I met Bill in California many years ago. He sang this song solo and with only a little of his mandolin. He got into it so much I thought he would cry. This is "soul" music anyone can relate to. His version fits into the mountains I live in here in the hills of Appalachia. His "high lonesome" rendition touches me deeply. I know it touched him. It's not perfect, but it's real. Acapella fits this song well, too.
Many people do not understand Bluegrass Music or it's people. To some it may seem to be off key. If you listen close to the music behind the lyrics you can hear and feel the soul they bring together. Bluegrass is pure Americana in it's truest form.
"I'll do my best." Now that is true humility. His worst is something few will ever achieve. And his best is absolutely bone-chillingly amazing. Much respect to this legend. There's just something so down to earth about him. Yet so awe-inspiring.
So sad how no one mentions Arnold Shultz who played with Uncle Pen and later taught Bill Monroe. More whitewashing black men out of American History. If you get tired of hearing this, perhaps stopping the lies to continue.
I am surprised that the balloon didn’t perish as the helium molecules slowly escaped through the fibre of their latex prison rendering monroe’s signature hieroglyphics scrawled across a shrivelled unrecognisable memento
Jeffery Baker Are you serious? He sings flat a lot, and some people probably don't like thon high-pitched voice anyway, and would prefer more of a baritone sound like Doc Watson or, more modern, Trace Adkins. And there are also great female versions - Eva Cassidy, EmmyLou Harris, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, Dolly Parton. All of these are better than this poor version by Bill Monroe
Between his face his eyes that high lonesome voice and the haunting sounds of that old mandolin being played slowly this performance gives me chills truly the work of a legend God rest his soul there will NEVER be another Bill Monroe
Sounds like the mountains are singing and the rivers flowing through the valleys. Music from the heart of the mountains. Cheers fae the Highlands O Scotland.
....my last name is Forbes. Myself and my son are the everlasting echo of the Ulster-Scots who came to the mountains of East Tennessee looking for a better life two centuries ago. This should be our ballad.
@@ChristineJonah88 please do some research into the origins of this hymn and the hell the Scots-Irish immigrants went through before settling in the hills/mountains of the Appalachians, specifically blue-grass Civil War era.
A special treat to see and hear Mr. Monroe alone with just his mando ,no banging/clanging banjo,no screaching fiddle just pure unadulterated reserved emotional music.
I've literally sat at his feet, and Ralph Stanley's, at the Berryville (VA) Bluegrass Festival, a very small place called Watermelon Park. And I will happily carry those experiences to my grave in a few short years. Berryville is across the Potomac River from Harper's Ferry, WV. Bless all.
American Soul. Now this is what I call real American music, not that soulless crap promoted by corporations that's so popular nowadays. Respect from England.
+PsychosisFire This music came from Northern England, Scotland and Ireland. It is as close as it gets. The peoples of Appalachia and the South, the poor whites, have been isolated to some degree up until the last generation or two, so the sound will please our cousins from the Isles.
No African origins in original mountain music from Appalachia. The settlers of those mountains were overwhelmingly from Ireland and Scotland and the influences in their music and accompanying dances were and are blatantly evident. This is historical fact.
Karioti's mostly right. If you go far back enough, the music is very English/Irish in Appalachian music, however, the banjo's origins are from West Africa. Before Lester Flatts, Earl Scruggs, and Arnold Schultz popularized the common 3 finger style of banjo playing in bluegrass, banjo playing was done via claw hammer style, which (with its syncopated rhythms) originates from West Africa via slaves in America. Take the Akonting for example, an instrument akin to the banjo both in playin style and shape. This became part of popular music in the South and Appalachia via menstrel shoes. This is also historical fact. Back to what Karioti said though, there are several Appalachian folk songs that were originally folk songs from Ireland, England, and Scotland, with the Irish predominantly being the bigger influence of the 3.
Mr. Monroe always described Bluegrass music as a high lonesome sound. Music doesn't get much more lonesome than a solo of this song. Merry Christmas, everyone. This is what the day is really about. Behold, born unto you is a savior so that one day you may be lonesome no more. I don't care what you believe, but it's a beautiful message. The desire to know and love one's creator and each other should not be attacked or burdened with battles over differences in theology. It should neither be used as an excuse to attack others. Love and peace are the point. No matter what you believe or if peace is always possible, these are wonderful things for which to hope.
When you listen to Mr. Monroe on this cut you clearly hear a man telling us he's going "home" very soon. He sends shivers down me and touches my soul. As a mandolin player, I've returned to really listen to Bill. He makes it talk and say what's deep inside him. I am humbled and still learning...
Nice job by a fragile-voiced Bill. "Ancient Tones", indeed. One of the classic American songs of any type. I used to sing this, in a bar band, remembering those loved ones I had lost, sometimes fiinishing with tears in my eyes.
Allison Brisbois that's how I found my way to this video I love bluegrass music my stepdad's family knew Ralph Stanley I use to live in Breathitt Co. Ky and this sounds like home
Soulful, sincere expression of devotion to long-held beliefs by a man who feels he is reaching the destination he's so longed for throughout his journey; there is pain, and relief all at once, a catharsis. It's raw. It's primal. It's music, Americana, a man telling this story, not in words but within the resonance of his quavering voice and the plucking of the strings of his old mandolin from which emanate rich, understated tones that take a lifetime to master. Bill Monroe playing the soundtrack to rural America: simply beautiful.
I was raised listening to Bill. My mom grew up with Bill on the radio. I was the one who told my mom when he passed on. it was one of the saddest days. He was a true Gentleman.
what they don't know is the man in the video has been singing and playing music since before most of them who are complaining were even born into this world . Besides he was doing what is commanded of him " Make a joyful noise unto the Lord . "
+Sean Rumney I couldn't agree more. If you look back in history the majority of music out there come from this very beginning. I was raised listening to this music and even learned to play guitar mandolin and bass because of it .
Sean Rumney you don't have to go to church to go to heaven. The more important thing is to believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for you and he rise again. That you will forever live with Him in heaven someday.
true. No Bill Monroe? then no Elvis. Also no Everly Brothers, so then no Beatles, then no anything. Everything comes from him combining African roots blues and European folk tradition
I've decided to go backwards in life. I use to (10 yrs ago) look forward to new stuff coming out. Now with the music industry the way it is today, I started digging. And I find stuff like this. And I realize that the BEST music has already been done. It's fresh, eerie, moving, and as appropriate as ever. There's a whole world out there that I have not tapped into. Thanks to real artists like Monroe, Cash, Dylan, Guthrie, Rev Gary Davis etc I can live my days knowing i'll never run out...
All I can say to that version is WOW! I Want that recording played at my funeral. Bill Monroe was one of a kind and there are NO MORE like him or ever will be!
Most excellent rendition! I do get chills to hear Bills incredible voice and sweet mandolin. Thank you vintage18lover, you started my day with hope and love.
I grew up with a dad who played bluegrass on his Martin guitar. My childhood is filled with summertime memories of weekend music gatherings at our house, we would have 5 or 6 musicians and their families over for bbq, bluegrass, hand cranked homemade ice cream, and homemade wine. I accompanied my dad to bluegrass festivals all over Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. I had the privilege of witnessing some of the all time greatest blue grass guys ever. Bill Monroe, Bobby and Sonny Osborne, Jimmy Martin and Ralph Stanley just to name a few. When I hear good bluegrass, it takes me back to those childhood memories-it was good times when life was much simpler.
I came here cause I’ve heard many of my favorite folk and country acts mention Mr Monroe as the greatest bluegrass artist there is, and I can dig it myself
The sweetest voice I ever heard. This always makes me cry. Every time I hear this I think of you Pawpaw .This man was my Great Grandfathers idol. Rip Bill Rip Papaw. I'lll never forget either of you.
I'm 23, and I grew up on this, Cash, Emmylou, Tanya, Tammy Wynette, Red Sovine, Minnie Pearl.... Luckily, not all of us are denied the pleasure of such amazing talent.
Been a Bluegrass fan all my life. My papa introduced me to bluegrass gospel at a young age and I've loved it ever since. I've always heard the name Bill Monroe but never really listened to much of his music - this is the first song I've heard from him.
William Smith Monroe.man tears me up eva time i see or hear him. I so LOVE & Miss HIM!!!! THE MASTER ~ THE FATHER~ THE MAESTRO OF BLUEGRASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My grandparents taught us to do our best cause it comes from your heart! I'm so very grateful to have been raised with values and morals and help those in need and do it with a grateful heart. Always do your best! Rip James Delk my dad, my mentor, the best singer and picker, Fentress County TN
Mr. Monroe created one of the only truly unique forms of music in American history. It is rather obvious that this fact is deserving of respect. While I truly dislike certain forms of music, I would not go so far as to publicly berate them, or make public spectacle of my own ignorance like the individual in question here. Talent is talent and it is worthy of appreciation regardless of the platform.
Sad to think we can't make beautiful music like this,a time when we still had our roots to God and our nation was still free!!R.I.P. w/ our Heavnly Father Bill!!
Reminds me of sitting around the radio with my Daddy and his friends at their deer camp on a Friday night, listening to the Grand Ol Opry. Great memories of being with the Greatest Generation. Men who made it back home after WWll who taught me that freedom isn’t free and Faith in Jesus is the only Way to Live and Die! I’m the old man now and after surviving many life or death situations, gun confrontations, knife confrontations, being attacked by individuals wielding various blunt objects and more hand to hand fights than I can remember, I still hang onto and believe in that Truth. God Bless America and thank you for this video! 🙏✝️
Ich höre und sehe dieses Video der Version von bill bestimmt schon das dreissigste mal und finde es immer wieder authentisch und die beste Version überhaupt......❤❤❤
Bill Monroe is the shit. My grandfather loved him and I got a mandoline and this song makes me proud of who I am. Thanks the king of grass. Whose that dark haired fella with the hundred mile a hour mullet.
Makes me homesick for Wolf holler & mt baldy along The Illinois river valley where I was raised spent many of my adult years in Texas now back to Illinois but now on a small river called the Vermilion I sure do miss those hills
ancient tones in that voice: from the old country to he hollers and ridges of KY. We didn't know how special and how rare when he was with us because he was out with the people.
I watched that live and the chills washed over me. I saw Big Mon twice ,and I can honestly say he was a true STAR. He created a whole style of music ,bluegrass.
Bluegrass is our Irish folk music herritage and I love it. My grandma was part Irish and loved to sing blue gospel. A lot of it sounds like her church songs(Primative Baptist) Which were my lullabys. My favorites were . I SAW MOTHER IN A VISION. and ANGEL BAND.
Veronica Smith It ain't Irish. It's American music! The majority of Southerners didn't have a thing to do with Ireland ancestry. The whole "Scotch-Irish" myth is based on very thin ice. The native Southern dialects, religious preferences, and culture are almost entirely the result of Anglo-Saxon culture as practiced by English peasants of the 17th century being modified and enhanced by the American climate, Indian tribes, and African slaves. What little Irish ancestry there was that affected the South came largely from Irish indentured servants, many of whom had spent a generation in the Caribbean first! And even these "Irish" were largely ANGLOS--much of what you and others now imagine to be Celtic Ireland was really full of the descendents of English-speaking Anglo immigrants who moved to Ireland hundreds of years before the colonization of America.
I guess all those Scotch-Irish Presbyterians just hadn't read the right books to know what their ancestral line really was. So glad we have folks like Neutung to set us straight. Sheesh! Indians, Africans, the Caribbean - my God.
I always loved Bill Monroe and still do. He is a symbol of class. His voice carried me through some tough times. Just me and my guitar Bill Monroe on the radio on a hill in Arkansas. I won a lot of girls hearts with his music. I tip my hat to you Mr Monroe.
I’m from England and just learning the mandolin and I know I will never be able to play bluegrass with the feeling these guys do as it comes from the soul, It’s pure American music and always will be. God bless you Bill!
I had the pleasure to know this wonderful man. He was and is the King of the mourful sound of our people from the hills. Uncle Bill I miss you so much.
So much pain, joy, anguish, and hope wrapped in a few short lines and notes that were broight forth from this man's soul. Pure music. Pure bluegrass. One of my favorite songs ever. RIP Mr. Monroe. Til' Jordan
