I live in a country (USA) where selfishness, indifference, and meanness are often considered virtues. That's why I cherish this great song so much. Superb version here--beautiful and truly moving.
As the descendant of "travellers" This song has always had a profound effect on me, but this version is so lovely and haunting, I just have no words for it.
I have loved several different versions of this song by different musicians/singers, but this version just blows me away. I feel like I never really understood this song until now. Brilliant.
The winter sky hung with stars/One star shone brighter than rest/No eastern king stood stern strict/served the order to evict......." This has great lines, Ewan's words in tribute to the travellers' plight.
My first born was evicted on his first birthday, and again three or four days later. One more move that week saw him living about half a mile from the A5. Dammo this is a good version of this song.
This is one of those songs that I need in my life. Powerful social comment, humanist message, making a statement. Thank you for posting. A great version. The contrast of the fabulous quintessentially English style of CW in stark contrast to the Scottish vernacular of KP. I Love it!!
Superb version of a very great song, perhaps Ewen MacColl's best. It's art like this that keeps the human spirit alive in this dark age of plutocracy and pathocratic states.
Extraordinary, how hard it is to find this video again with youtube by typing in 'Chris Wood live' or 'Karine Polwart live'. Just a fact, not a comment, of course...
This is beautiful, and it is from the BBC4 programme "Folk Britannia: Which side are you on?", recorded live at The Barbican, London, 02/02/2006, broadcast 24/02/2006.
Amazing version of this song. How does Chris Wood manage to play two fiddles at once? Some useful information: 2)The man who introduces the song and then plays backup is Neill MacColl, one of Ewan's sons with Peggy Seeger. Neill's brother Calum also plays on the set. 3)The lines "where will ye go? Where will ye bide" that Karine Polwart sings at the end of the song are from another Ewan MacColl song, "The Terror Time".
Thanks for the recommendation - I did get the CD which I've enjoyed although I find it a challenging listen, not having cultivated a 'folkie' ear yet lol. There is something compelling in this version.
I think you should listen to the preamble. It's a sentiment we need more than ever now. But if this is the hundredth time you watched this you might want to know that the music starts at 1:29
This, and Karine Polwart's haunting version of "Nobody Knew She Was There" are the highlights of a terrific concert and fitting tribute to the great Ewan MacColl.
This will need to be sung even more in the UK now, given that the country has given a monster a parliamentary majority, thanks to the decent person who stood against the monster being slandered and demonized for no valid reason.
Chris Wood was the singer and fiddler. Karine Polwart was the other singer. The backing musicians are Calum and Neill Maccoll, Ewan Maccoll's sons with Peggy Seeger, his wife and musical partner.
@Countrybanburybill I'm going on Ewan MacColl's OWN statement to that effect. He and Peggy traveled to Juneau, Alaska(my home)to play at the 1987 Alaska Folk Festival and I actually heard him say that. Ewan not only sang these songs, he and Peggy collected many of them in the field and published an entire book of them. So others sang them, but the Travellers saved them. Without them, it would just have been Saxon-German shite.
@cleverfeller I salute your father for fighting the fascists. And I wasn't bashing all "Gorgios"(after all, I'm Gorgio myself). Just the ones who persecuted the Travellers and acted as if those people had no right to live.
@Countrybanburybill NO, not all Travellers were source singers, or saints. But if none of them had been, none of the traditional songs of the British Isles would have survived to be collected and revived in our own lifetimes. And I think it's an interesting question as to ponder as to whether the Travellers would have done the more objectionable things they did had the Gorgio accepted their right to live on their own terms and go where they wished to go.
ady24 - do you have the first album? I think it's even better than Trespasser for consistently moving, expertly delivered songs. I took a friend - also a Chris newbie - to the village hall gig at Towersey this year and she found it incredibly emotional. It was truly amazing stuff...
@cleverfeller Of course there are a lot of Gorgios who AREN'T evil. Most aren't. And Ewan MacColl WAS a Gorgio,(and a Scot, contrary to the pointless refusal of some to accept the fact). I honor your grandfather for fighting fascism, too. The song is really not about "Gorgios" as a total unit, but rather anyone who takes the few that people should be wiped out just because they might be "different" or because they "lower the price of property". We ALL have the right to be where we are.
I am not from the UK and I wondered why they call them commons and do individuals own them? Do they hav caravan parks for these travellers. Must agree its a well crafted song anyway.
blahblahblah85 OK so you probably never expected a reply to your question after so long, but, here goes: commons used to belong to everyone, and locals had commoners rights to graze animals etc. Then, from the 17th century onwards laws were brought in to limit the rights. Enclosures acts were used to prevent use by anyone other than wealthy land owners.
From Tramps and Hawkers? Though it is "braxi ham" not "brak sea ham". Braxi ham wasn't really ham at all but salted mutton from a sheep that died of a disease called braxi.
Bullshit. Ewan wrote this in the early 1960's-BEFORE "hippys/new age travellers". This was part of a whole Radio Ballad he did on The Travellers(who everyone who loves traditional British ballads owes a debt to, since The Travellers were the ones who kept singing those ballads long after the Gorgios(the "respectable, normal" people who always end up backing fascism and killing beauty)stopped. Thee nations of Europe tried to wipe out the Roma/Travellers. They were sent to camps.
@cleverfeller You are in deed correct that victims can become victimizers. Look at the history of Israel. The answer is, stop victimizing people. And as to the Serbs....I'm sorry, but it's insane that they were still attacking ethnic Albanians in the late 1990's over the freaking Battle of Kosovo. You just can't go on punishing the fufure for the past over THAT length of time.
I live in a country (USA) where selfishness, indifference, and meanness are often considered virtues. That's why I cherish this great song so much. Superb version here--beautiful and truly moving.
How is there not more talk about Chris doing the double fiddle thing!?
As the descendant of "travellers" This song has always had a profound effect on me, but this version is so lovely and haunting, I just have no words for it.
I have loved several different versions of this song by different musicians/singers, but this version just blows me away. I feel like I never really understood this song until now. Brilliant.
The winter sky hung with stars/One star shone brighter than rest/No eastern king stood stern strict/served the order to evict......."
This has great lines, Ewan's words in tribute to the travellers' plight.
❤️👏❣️♥️💕Love from London.
Thank you for this version, I have used it countless times in Austria in my lectures.
Its so beautiful. Just amazing. Their voices blend so well.
My first born was evicted on his first birthday, and again three or four days later. One more move that week saw him living about half a mile from the A5.
Dammo this is a good version of this song.
This is one of those songs that I need in my life. Powerful social comment, humanist message, making a statement. Thank you for posting. A great version. The contrast of the fabulous quintessentially English style of CW in stark contrast to the Scottish vernacular of KP. I Love it!!
This makes me cry instantly...
Christ,this is an awesome version of an old favourite.
I love this. I was at the show curated by the bragg man and loved it. I have always known the Christy Moore version but this performance blew me away.
Superb version of a very great song, perhaps Ewen MacColl's best. It's art like this that keeps the human spirit alive in this dark age of plutocracy and pathocratic states.
Moved me to tears. Powerful and beautiful.
Thank You For Sharing
This gave me chills. Bravo!
This song has everything. Beautifully played and sung with great originality by some of the best performers of the day.
Chris Wood has never performed better! The politics and humanity are so clear. Brilliant!
Ewan was one of best songwriters in the English language, without a doubt.
I am speechless. This is a wonderful version of an already awesome song. Thanks for posting it.
Wonderful to find this.. I've been searching for more stuff with Chris Wood in it.. cant get enough!
Thanks!
Extraordinary, how hard it is to find this video again with youtube by typing in 'Chris Wood live' or 'Karine Polwart live'. Just a fact, not a comment, of course...
This is beautiful, and it is from the BBC4 programme "Folk Britannia: Which side are you on?", recorded live at The Barbican, London, 02/02/2006, broadcast 24/02/2006.
Amazing version of this song.
How does Chris Wood manage to play two fiddles at once?
Some useful information:
2)The man who introduces the song and then plays backup is Neill MacColl, one of Ewan's sons with Peggy Seeger. Neill's brother Calum also plays on the set.
3)The lines "where will ye go? Where will ye bide" that Karine Polwart sings at the end of the song are from another Ewan MacColl song, "The Terror Time".
Wow.
first heard this song on a christy moore album but must say a love this version really great song and great get together of brilliant musicians.
I was there! go me.
and that was such an awesome song
A gem!!
Wow, who are these people? This is the most amazing thing I have heard in ages.
Thanks for the recommendation - I did get the CD which I've enjoyed although I find it a challenging listen, not having cultivated a 'folkie' ear yet lol. There is something compelling in this version.
What a great performance and very moving!!
Absolutely brilliant song and even a better performance... Wish i can download it somehow :(.
Wonderful video, 👍👍👍👍👍 BIG THUMBS UP
I think you should listen to the preamble. It's a sentiment we need more than ever now. But if this is the hundredth time you watched this you might want to know that the music starts at 1:29
Good lyrics in this song
This, and Karine Polwart's haunting version of "Nobody Knew She Was There" are the highlights of a terrific concert and fitting tribute to the great Ewan MacColl.
Do you have a link to that song? I can't find it.
@@Estalwin Sadly it doesn't seem to be on TH-cam. I'll upload it if it's repeated!
This will need to be sung even more in the UK now, given that the country has given a monster a parliamentary majority, thanks to the decent person who stood against the monster being slandered and demonized for no valid reason.
A splendid version of Ewan’s song 👏 it’s shameful as it’s still going on in the world of gov politics today n f all gets done 👍
Chris Wood was the singer and fiddler. Karine Polwart was the other singer. The backing musicians are Calum and Neill Maccoll, Ewan Maccoll's sons with Peggy Seeger, his wife and musical partner.
Response posted - June tabor Singing 'All Our Trades are Gone'
Paste &fmt=18 on the end of the link for high quality!
@Countrybanburybill I'm going on Ewan MacColl's OWN statement to that effect. He and Peggy traveled to Juneau, Alaska(my home)to play at the 1987 Alaska Folk Festival and I actually heard him say that. Ewan not only sang these songs, he and Peggy collected many of them in the field and published an entire book of them.
So others sang them, but the Travellers saved them. Without them, it would just have been Saxon-German shite.
tales of the berry fields and tatty fields of blair, horse fairs,apple picking with wet cidered knees and drunken bees.
Was this whole concert a tribute to Ewan? If so, when did it happen and who else performed?
Did a CD of the concert ever come out, to your knowledge?
Nice Bob Polwart
@cleverfeller I salute your father for fighting the fascists. And I wasn't bashing all "Gorgios"(after all, I'm Gorgio myself). Just the ones who persecuted the Travellers and acted as if those people had no right to live.
This is a fantastic performance - is there any more from this concert?
An amazing performance. I've got so into Chris Wood lately. Anyone know if he has recorded this anywhere to buy?
FAB SCOTSMAN
@Countrybanburybill NO, not all Travellers were source singers, or saints. But if none of them had been, none of the traditional songs of the British Isles would have survived to be collected and revived in our own lifetimes.
And I think it's an interesting question as to ponder as to whether the Travellers would have done the more objectionable things they did had the Gorgio accepted their right to live on their own terms and go where they wished to go.
yes Tofu love frogs cover this, also great version done by inner terrestrials
🤍
Anyone know where the Makem and Clancy version are? Used to be up, now its gone?
ady24 - do you have the first album? I think it's even better than Trespasser for consistently moving, expertly delivered songs.
I took a friend - also a Chris newbie - to the village hall gig at Towersey this year and she found it incredibly emotional. It was truly amazing stuff...
Why is it called a Common then? Did you own it?
Another MacColl clip posted on my profile - see response above
I'd like to add my voice to the more videos plea!
check out the cover of this by Inner Terrestrials, UK ska punk band!
@cleverfeller Of course there are a lot of Gorgios who AREN'T evil. Most aren't. And Ewan MacColl WAS a Gorgio,(and a Scot, contrary to the pointless refusal of some to accept the fact).
I honor your grandfather for fighting fascism, too.
The song is really not about "Gorgios" as a total unit, but rather anyone who takes the few that people should be wiped out just because they might be "different" or because they "lower the price of property".
We ALL have the right to be where we are.
I am not from the UK and I wondered why they call them commons and do individuals own them? Do they hav caravan parks for these travellers. Must agree its a well crafted song anyway.
blahblahblah85 OK so you probably never expected a reply to your question after so long, but, here goes: commons used to belong to everyone, and locals had commoners rights to graze animals etc. Then, from the 17th century onwards laws were brought in to limit the rights. Enclosures acts were used to prevent use by anyone other than wealthy land owners.
Yeah Christy's moore voice helped him to own this song
tatty scones wi brak sea ham , mcgraths ta washer down stamp the fire an keepta ta,road
From Tramps and Hawkers? Though it is "braxi ham" not "brak sea ham". Braxi ham wasn't really ham at all but salted mutton from a sheep that died of a disease called braxi.
That would be appreciated, but don't get yourself in bother for pestering, will you??!! Just tell him his public demands it! ;-)
Christy Moore's version "Go Move Shift" is better in my opinion, much grittier and portrays modern Traveller life more accurately
Bullshit. Ewan wrote this in the early 1960's-BEFORE "hippys/new age travellers". This was part of a whole Radio Ballad he did on The Travellers(who everyone who loves traditional British ballads owes a debt to, since The Travellers were the ones who kept singing those ballads long after the Gorgios(the "respectable, normal" people who always end up backing fascism and killing beauty)stopped.
Thee nations of Europe tried to wipe out the Roma/Travellers. They were sent to camps.
@cleverfeller You are in deed correct that victims can become victimizers. Look at the history of Israel.
The answer is, stop victimizing people.
And as to the Serbs....I'm sorry, but it's insane that they were still attacking ethnic Albanians in the late 1990's over the freaking Battle of Kosovo. You just can't go on punishing the fufure for the past over THAT length of time.
the song aged well but the speech didnt, considering the labour party killed the unions :.,, still a great set of people though and a great song