The Unthanks performing live at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2012 Buy The Unthanks - King of Rome live on iTunes: smarturl.it/qb8xdm For more music visit www.delphonicmusic.com
I promise you this is a true story .I was in a pub on the Devon/Cornwall border some years ago .I had been rock climbing all day ,we called in to the pub for a pint ,there was a folk session staring , Later in the evening I sang this song , a young lady sitting close to me ,burst in to tears at the end of the song ,I was not aware that my rather poor rendition was that bad ,she then explained Charlie Hudson was her great grandfather ,and asked me to sing the song again . We certainly had more than a pint and ended up in sleeping bags on the village green .
Ian Woodyatt I really want to believe you Ian, that’s a beautiful story but I promise I don’t . The west end of Derby is a long way away from Cornwall(centre of the known Universe). Small world I spose. I lost an Uncle recently from that neck of the woods. I miss him badly. This song reminds me of him:).....Any way this Song is off the Scale M8.
I have revisted this video many, many times and I am still mesmerised by this performance. Follk music wasn't my typical music genre. The absolute complimentary look Rachel gives to her sister just shows so much respect for one another and it boils down to one anothers performance, including the supporting orchestract and vocals. I lack the appropriate words to convey my feelings. Thank you The Unthanks and to all those who made this happen.
Great version of Charlie Hudson and his pigeon ..Hudson was a gas lamp lighter! and died in 1958... a very powerful song and the Unthanks are beyond comparison in doing this superior version.. what a great place to perform this.. the BBC 2 Folk Awards.. appreciated the BBC for adding Sandy Denny to its hall of fame..
"I can't fly... BUT me pigeons CAN!" (That line makes me SOB!!!) So heartfelt, so beautiful, so well delivered by the band... #Just Love Unthanks xx SF
Totally agree, some real hair on the back of the neck lines in there ! For me another is " and if you live round here the ground seems awful near" says so much of the quality and expectancy of life in 1913 industrial Britain.....✌️👍
Without question, the most moving and fantastical true story of a pigeon race I have ever had the pleasure to hear. When I heard the lyrics, I just HAD to find out if it was true. Of course it's one of the most famous pigeon races in history! Amazing, beautiful.
In an era where we became of little more than statistic value, King of Rome reminds us of the sheer power of human imagination. Let's get out of that calculated maze. Reclaim our territory and live up to our dreams again. We might be surprised how easy it is to fly. Peace and respect to you wonderful Northumbrian girls, giving integrity such powerful voice again :)
stunning version of David Sudbury's piece...last heard this from June Tabor..a precious song and topic..it doesn't get any better than this! Charlie Hudson, the bird's owner, died in late 1950's.
I dont know why, but this song in this version reminds me of something that would play as bgm music in some of The Peanuts movie, while Charlie Brown try and try 'till he makes a kite that finally flys right
I count the line pigeons can, doves shining, Charlie, where life had a dream. Charlie had a pigeon who made his dreams come true, but charlie never heard, thousand were swept away surely you know by now. Yea I know but he sometimes lift to victory, story attached. Charlie king of the world, come back your magisty, come on down my lovely dream come true, pigion, working man I come fly, just like an old autumn day
This is such a wonderful song, it doesn't need all the brass in heaven to come squarking down and washing over it; also it doesn't need such a lugubrious, syrrupy vocal rendition. They're just not telling the story. June Tabor should be their constant study. Hope they don't attempt 'A Proper Sort of Gardener'.
+stuart griffith I take my hat off to anyone who holds a note. It's just a different version, why not try to be a bit more gracious or better still why not give us your version.
+Denny Ferguson I would if I could. I just don't feel very gracious when great art is over-embellished with so many forces leaping on the band wagon; also it's disturbing as a hallmark of this current century that people cannot brook criticism ie 'feedback', as it used to be called. We're not forced to like everything, and a forum as this, is invaluable to enable the blood flow throughout the folk body - don't you think ?
stuart griffith Feeling gracious is a state of mind, which I sometimes fail to reach. I wouldn't say this song is a piece of "great art" I've heard other versions and I enjoyed this one. I was taught not to offend someone by pushing my opinions upon them and if I dislike something I look for something else...but hey that's just the way I was brought up. There's lots of disenchantment in this world, let's not add to it by quibbling over your perceptions of folk music.I wouldn't want to write something about someone that I wouldn't say to their face....again just the way I was brought up., so , in the traditions of good old merry England let us part as friends.
+Denny Ferguson Come on Denny, this is where you DO push your opinions, this IS the place to quibble, debate, for Free Speech. I wouldn't say all this in a pub. In the 21st century free debate is stifled, take David Cameron's cabinet. To say 'part as friends' I think would be a little presumptious. Our common ground is the hope that the Unthanks will continue to experiment and explore this special music. Who knows what treasures may lie up ahead ?
Oh dear, I hope you're not one of these people who have to have the last word. I don't believe in being negative and I don't believe in being disrespectful.
