I've been thinking a lot about this song, born at such a different time and in a different context, in terms of the ongoing and current tragedy in Palestine and Israel. A groyse sheynem dank, JT.
The Trans Atlantic Sessions is one most brilliant produced collaborative collections in recording history. This session with James is not widely known but it is very fine. Thank you for posting this it does all our hearts the good!~
I know little about this area of the world or the music and story this song is truely tied tied. But you cant help but be moved by the sincerity of the chorus and the words strung together by these magnificent musicians (nice to see/hear Jerry Douglas). They tie your heart to those souls persuaded to do the bidding of others in the name of the Almighty. This common occurrence continues to be played out over the generations in most parts of the world. Hence the relevancy even today spanning across oceans and continents and the need to truly listen, remember, and march to tunes like this with compassion and an open heart less we repeat the same fate. Beautifully done.....peace and thanks for the post.
The very first time I heard this song, recorded in a polished studio session, it made me cry. I’ve cried every time since, but this particular version is by far the most moving to me. Bless James and everyone who performs this song with sincerity and compassion and hope for peace.
I have looked for this for so long since it aired on bbc tv. Thank you! Though something happened to make the bodhran quieter, I still find it beautiful. I agree with the comments below that this deserves a place far higher in the rankings.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS STATEMENT. It took me many years, and battles with many program directors, radio consultants. I got to the point where I had to leave my career in radio after 16 yrs. because I could not be a puppet. I now turn to you tube for music I want to hear. (no bullshit)
Looks like Ally Bain on 1st Fiddle . . .My Grandmother was from Belfast - Irene Barber she made her own wedding dress back in 1918, She was so very proud of it . . .
Beautiful James! From his album October Road.. "God's Rifle" There are rifles buried in the countryside by the rising of the moon May they lie there long forgotten till they rust away into the ground Who will bend this ancient hatred, will the killing to an end Who will swallow long injustice, take the devil for a countryman Who will say "this far no further, oh lord, if I die today" Send no weapons no more money. Send no vengeance across these seas Just the blessing of forgiveness for my new countryman and me Missing brothers, martyred fellows, silent children in the ground Could we but hear them would they not tell us "Time to lay God's rifle down." Who will say this far no further, oh Lord, if I die today.
Support the coffee house music in your area..I hate to see these wonderful outlets for acoustic/folk/indie music close. I am creating an encyclopedia of this kind of music: In a multi-media format, i.e., Lyric sheets with chords, cd's, and instructional dvd's,..all sequenced so that young folks can hear, watch someone play,..and have the cd's to learn the stuff...This makes it easy to learn...and preserves the best of the best in Hard Copy. There is sooo much poor and mediocre material out there and I haven't seen anyone take this available format..so that the light can be put upon a hill and not under a basket.!! SHINE ON BROTHERS AND SISTERS your light is more valuable than gold or diamonds
the trans-atlantic sessions have raised the bar on internet music,..my children have been raised listening to this music, ..i'm worried about the peer/pack pull that teenagers go through is a real negative force that needs to be contended with,..and can be today more easily than ever...if the effort is made.
Ireland, Poland, Bosnia, Kosovo. ... Almost everyone in Europe knows similarly complex stories of hatred, hopelessness, abandonment and evil. But there is always some hope because there has always been love. She will save us all, you just have to believe in her.
