This song is one of the most profound songs ever written - period. Even without the music, it stands alone as world-class poetry. Ritter is in the same class as Dylan. "The border is soft with refugees". What a weighty use of words to describe human lines in the sand.
Some songs demand attention because of how they are written. For the same reason this demands respect. "Masterpiece" doesn't even begin to describe it.
I first heard this song when I was in high school, and thought it sounded deep. Almost two decades later, it popped up on my Spotify playlist one morning and couldn't stop tearing up because I finally understood what he was singing about. I don't think any other song has hit me this hard before, and it hit like a sack of bricks.
this was the first Ritter song I ever heard, was instantly hooked. Not many song writer can twist words like this guy! Hope he has a long life in music, his stuff just gets better and better. Like a good whiskey!
i've heard this song a thousand times. every time i hear it, especially in a live version like this, i have to stop what i'm doing and pay attention. it's just so epic.
This song is absolutely incredible- what a story of growing through the hard times, learning, growing stronger and finding the light. The last verse in particular gives me chills.
I discovered Josh Ritter because my favourite artist covered Girl in the War and recommended Animal Years. Picking up that album is easily one of the best music buying decisions I have ever made. This song still haunts me.
Not only this song but also this performance, will always come to mind when I consider picking up the next JR release or going to a show. Among other things that have been written, this is epic.
This is the most meaningful song I have heard heard in the last few years. Only 6,180 views though. I hope a wider audience starts to recognize his genius. Regardless, this song is resonates with me. peace
Can some one explain me about the paragraph;"Where even Laurel begs Hardy for vengeance please" - I searched the web and found about the comediants Laurel and Hardy but not sure if he is talking bout them, Im not from the US so..
Los cincoache this article references an interview about those specific lines. Maybe that will help. He is also quoted elsewhere " I’ve listened to all the other people pointing fingers and yelling ‘impeach this’ and ‘unpatriotic that,’” he says. “The sad thing is, no one knows how to solve these problems. It’s just like Laurel and Hardy, always running around a problem without being able to fix it.” nodepression.com/article/josh-ritter-dances-wolves
@@Clzbear Sorry took so long, been listing to this song for years, i always thought that he was referring to Bush and Chaney, listen to Girl in the War, same reference.
Yes that is who he is talking about. It's an unusual reference but I think he is trying to emphasize how bad things are if even Laurel and hardy are at each others' throats. That is how I interpret it anyway. : )
13 years later and this is still the best song of the 21st century so far
Please keep this here. It is precious and magical.
This song is one of the most profound songs ever written - period. Even without the music, it stands alone as world-class poetry. Ritter is in the same class as Dylan. "The border is soft with refugees". What a weighty use of words to describe human lines in the sand.
So true! His writing is just bottomless; I think about some of the lines in this song for days.
This song never gets old. It may be Ritter’s masterpiece…
Some songs demand attention because of how they are written. For the same reason this demands respect. "Masterpiece" doesn't even begin to describe it.
Powerful! And sadly, TIMELESS. Will there ever be a day when these words mean nothing?
I first heard this song when I was in high school, and thought it sounded deep. Almost two decades later, it popped up on my Spotify playlist one morning and couldn't stop tearing up because I finally understood what he was singing about. I don't think any other song has hit me this hard before, and it hit like a sack of bricks.
this was the first Ritter song I ever heard, was instantly hooked. Not many song writer can twist words like this guy! Hope he has a long life in music, his stuff just gets better and better. Like a good whiskey!
Chad Spencer damn fine stuff, sir.
God remember when the war in Iraq was the most injust thing we could imagine?
It's so quiet in that room full of people when he quiets down for the last verse...it's as if no one is even breathing.
i've heard this song a thousand times. every time i hear it, especially in a live version like this, i have to stop what i'm doing and pay attention. it's just so epic.
This song is absolutely incredible- what a story of growing through the hard times, learning, growing stronger and finding the light. The last verse in particular gives me chills.
Yes that last verse is absolutely perfect
Breathtaking. Perhaps one of the best performances of this song Josh has ever done. Bravo!
I needed to hear this today. It's hell to believe theres not a hell of a chance!
I discovered Josh Ritter because my favourite artist covered Girl in the War and recommended Animal Years. Picking up that album is easily one of the best music buying decisions I have ever made. This song still haunts me.
Matthew Good .... !
Not only this song but also this performance, will always come to mind when I consider picking up the next JR release or going to a show. Among other things that have been written, this is epic.
His Masterpiece........
Love Josh's music!
This is the most meaningful song I have heard heard in the last few years. Only 6,180 views though. I hope a wider audience starts to recognize his genius. Regardless, this song is resonates with me.
peace
This is the only thing that comes close to how I am feeling right now.
@DisturbingThePea This is awesome!
I hope to hear this tomorrow at the VA show :-)
There has yet to be a better song written than this one. If you haven't experienced it live I hope that one day you can.
❤❤❤
"i really mean this song"
@viclle I'm sure they were in awe...
Can some one explain me about the paragraph;"Where even Laurel begs Hardy for vengeance please" - I searched the web and found about the comediants Laurel and Hardy but not sure if he is talking bout them, Im not from the US so..
Los cincoache this article references an interview about those specific lines. Maybe that will help.
He is also quoted elsewhere " I’ve listened to all the other people pointing fingers and yelling ‘impeach this’ and ‘unpatriotic that,’” he says. “The sad thing is, no one knows how to solve these problems. It’s just like Laurel and Hardy, always running around a problem without being able to fix it.”
nodepression.com/article/josh-ritter-dances-wolves
@@Clzbear Sorry took so long, been listing to this song for years, i always thought that he was referring to Bush and Chaney, listen to Girl in the War, same reference.
Yes that is who he is talking about. It's an unusual reference but I think he is trying to emphasize how bad things are if even Laurel and hardy are at each others' throats. That is how I interpret it anyway. : )
dylan likes this song
@#CopperCanyonRailRoad?
It's a folk rap..another reference to Laurel and Hardy.