Not many people understand that these songs are a language. Please know that, as in this film, these songs don’t begin and end. They are literally a living history that is enriched by each individual’s experience. They are a language unto themselves. It is an extremely important part of American Culture, akin to Native American Oral Narratives. I believe that we are in danger of losing this beautiful part of America. I care. Does anyone else??
Grew up Appalachian Pentecostal. Couldnt wait to leave there and experience modern life and get away from the yokels. Turns out I just needed time to appreciate the unique position I was lucky enough to see. Now im old and often wish I could go back lol
Notice how every person sings it in a different way. Absolutely amazing. This is true music, and the true meaning of it. Not for big loud sounds and meaningless lyrics, but to speak for the human soul what it can’t say in normal speech, each person unaccompanied and in their own way. May it continue.
Well said. This kind of song and singing does not need a stupid show with lights and half-naked dancers, this music comes from heart and soul, and it is absolutely beautiful in its raw, simple form.
So much truth in this song. How the bad guy gets up and without saying anything just starts to sing. How everyone LISTENED to him, because he sang his truth. How the others took up the song and sang. No fancy nothing. No autotune. THIS is Music. THIS is Human.
+yrandyc11 you have that right, it was the same for the Indian peoples, such as the Lakota, Cheyenne and many others who's children were sent to the white man's schools they never forgot who they were on the inside even though they wore the white man's clothes and spoke their tongue these children never really forgot their roots or their songs and I think that's what is so moving about this scene, this man who had lived among the city folks and had come back as a damn flatlander was still a true southern mountain Man at heart and he showed it by breaking out in this ancient song to just show just cause he wear's a white Man's suit doesn't mean he's lost who he is and for me that made me tear up even if he was the bad guy in this film he still had his singing heart still. Hoka hey! power to songs whicha!!
the first time i heard this song was while watching supernatural and then I saw this movie and my jaw dropped to find there was more to this incredible song
Justin Mays not me! I teach these old folks tunes to my elementary music students. All orff schulwerk music teachers do so as to carry on these beautiful melodies...
oh what is this i can not see who's icy hand takes hold on me oh i am death that none can excel i open the door to heaven and hell ... oh death oh death how can it be that i must come and go with thee for death oh death how can it be see i'm unprepared for eternity oh yes I've come for to get your soul take your body and leave it cold see i'll drop the flesh from off in your frame the earth and the worms both have their claim ... oh death oh death please let me see if Christ has turned his back on me when you were called and asked to bow you wouldn't take heed and its too late now fair well fair well to all fair well my doom is fixed i'm summons to hell as long as god in heaven shall dwell my soul my soul shall scream in hell
@Dwight Diller I completely agree with you. Every single film or tv show I’ve seen that is about Appalachia is full of derogatory and old stereotypes. I’m a Midwesterner and what I saw in WV amazed me. People who still knew how to farm, raise animals, and take a share from the land without destroying it. I’ve never been somewhere where the people’s intense pride in their heritage is as exemplified in action and not words.
I feel bad for the first dude who sang. Yes, the company he worked for was swindling the people out of money, but everyone hated him for wanting more than to what he grew up with.
Sheila Kay Adams, once again, gathered up the music from her home area of Sodom Laurel, Madison co, N.C. The two men singing were singers from that area. The woman was Hazel Dickens from the coal fields near Beckley WVa. This version of was called "Conversation With Death" in that area of Sodom. on youtube, Berzilla Wallin can be heard singing it exactly how it was sung. Look up her "Conversation With Death". Her brother, Lloyd Chandler, can also be heard singing it on youtube. It is listed as "O Death" there. They are also siblings of Dellie Norton ["Silk Merchants Daughter"] who lived at Sodom. She can be heard on youtube. Sheila ["Little Margaret"] is in the next generation and carries on the tradition of these relatives of her's. Obviously, this kind of singing cant be copied. Either you got it or you dont, plus "O Death" also carries with it a "belief system that is directly connected to Jesus Christ." there is a comment i am going to make about this movie. it is one more time that people set up untruths so as to be able to denigrate, belittle, sully the folks in the southern highlands of the Appalachians. they could not have gotten away with these kind of stereotypes if the folks were a different race or religion. however, "hillbillies" have always been fair game.
