Norman wrote this song for June Carter Cash. They were recording a Christmas album at the House of Cash. June, John, Dad and others were talking about their memories of Christmas as a child. June talked about the last train leaving Poor Valley until the next spring. Dad came home that night and wrote the song sitting at the kitchen table on Richland Ave., Nashville, in about 15 minutes.
Thank you for this. I was listening to this song off of The Fields of November and I was driving to work early in the morning it was still dark outside and I had heard the song before, but for some reason on that drive I really heard it for the first time and it moved me. I couldn’t shake the feeling of hearing it as a Christmas song but I shrugged it off as the lyrics about the snow falling down around his cabin. So this confirmed my feelings the song brought me and goes to show how brilliant a song writer Norman Blake is.
The reaction to Josh's lick at `2.0 minutes is one of my favourite youtube moments. Pure and genuine enjoyment. If it was a VHS my copy would be warped at this point by now!
I come back to this video again and again and find myself tearing up a little every time. The song, their treatment of it, and the videography are all so beautiful and powerful.
Grateful bow and hand to heart, with thanks to Norman Blake, to the Seldom Scene, to my wonderful friends and former neighbors in Franklin County, VA, and to God. Andy, Emily and Josh embody what I find so beautiful and poignant about central Appalachia - one of the most focused, in-sight-full musician-poets, the most beautiful of free spirit fiddlers, and a very laid-back, talented 'best man', who've been faithful to music and one another for years. 'Mandolin Orange' have re-christened themselves as 'Watchhouse' this year - new chapter, same long, fine story! And after years, I still come close to crying every time brown-haired Becky heads back to Richmond.
@@jackmurphy4788 - I have watched Josh play a bit over the past few years-he has all of those extra gears a good guitarist needs. It's only a matter of time . . . . I am reminded of the first time I saw Steve Gaines play, even before he 'made the team'. Mandolin Orange, in all respects, is a breath of fresh air in an overly stagnant world filled with pretense and mindless flapdoodle. ;)
I've probably watched this video 60 times and I never get tired of it. The harmony play between them is impeccable. I wish Josh had leaned in a little because I lose him sometimes but that just makes me appreciate when I can all the more. This is honestly one of those videos that when it shows up in my feed I can't help but watch it to the end. Beautifully done.
To hear the guitar solo played on that old Gibson adds warmth and sweetness together with those pristine harmonies makes a near perfect rendition of this beautiful song.
This is absolutely the best version of this song I've ever heard.. and I love seldom scene, norman Blake, and hell even billy strings version.. but this is the cream of the crop right here.
Mandolin Orange is my favorite band. However, Tim O’Brien does an outstanding vocal performance of this song just him and a mandolin at the end of a podcast called The Show on the Road. I could swear at the end of it (which I listened to maybe 10 times in a row) Brown-haired Becky left him in Poor Valley. Check it out. One doesn’t have to be better and I’m always a sucker for harmonies, but what he does is something special.
Songs like this one transports me to another country, another time. Love your voice. Ps, l live in New Zealand. Discovered you guys two years ago and feast on your work. Love it!!
A very touching song, done proud by MO folks. Norman would appreciate and approve of these folks' version. I remember busking this song on streets of Seattle way back many decades ago.
Two cents time...as the son of an Appalachian coal miner I learned the meaning of "scrip" as a boy. Basically it was company tender instead of dollars used to pay the miners. I understand how folks might think the line is "get your ration script on time" but please, leave the "t" off at the end for accuracy's sake.
On the other songs I could barely hear Josh this time I can hear Josh and with you guys together this was the best video you guys put out as a trio. Wow that last part where the music went real low and is just vocals WOW. Probably one of my favorite mandolin Orange videos of all time well done
Well it was good one time everything was mighty fine The coal tipples roared day and night But things they got slow for no reason that I know And ill winds they hove into sight The mines all closed down everybody laid around There wasn’t very much left to do Except stand in that line to get your ration script on time And woman I could see it killin’ you Now the soft new snows of December Lightly fall my cabin ’round And the last train from Poor Valley Takin’ brown haired Becky Richmond bound It’s been a comin’ on and on lord soon you would be gone Leavin’ crossed your mind every day Then you said to me things are bad back home you see I guess I better be on my way Well I should blame you know but I never could somehow A miner’s wife you weren’t cutout to be It wasn’t what you thought just some dreams that you’d bought When you left home and ran away with me
Interesting vocal stacking. Seems like the lower pitched guy is singing the tenor part, while the higher pitched woman's voice is singing the baritone. Very cool. Great guitars, heck *everybody* is good on this one.
Nice job on a great song. ...but am I hearing "coal temples roared day and night"? vs. "coal tipples roared day and night." Coal Temples would be a great bluegrass/old time band name.
Norman wrote this song for June Carter Cash. They were recording a Christmas album at the House of Cash. June, John, Dad and others were talking about their memories of Christmas as a child. June talked about the last train leaving Poor Valley until the next spring. Dad came home that night and wrote the song sitting at the kitchen table on Richland Ave., Nashville, in about 15 minutes.
Unreal story. I'd never heard it. Wow. Norman is a legend
Thank you for this. I was listening to this song off of The Fields of November and I was driving to work early in the morning it was still dark outside and I had heard the song before, but for some reason on that drive I really heard it for the first time and it moved me. I couldn’t shake the feeling of hearing it as a Christmas song but I shrugged it off as the lyrics about the snow falling down around his cabin. So this confirmed my feelings the song brought me and goes to show how brilliant a song writer Norman Blake is.
Such a cool backstory. Your dad is a legend. Cheers man.
What a wonderful story. Love this song and your father and his music. Thanks so much for sharing.
If this was the only song your father had ever written, he'd still be one of the greats.
The reaction to Josh's lick at `2.0 minutes is one of my favourite youtube moments. Pure and genuine enjoyment. If it was a VHS my copy would be warped at this point by now!
Too true
I come back to this video again and again and find myself tearing up a little every time. The song, their treatment of it, and the videography are all so beautiful and powerful.
I come back this all the time. Thanks.
Vocals are smooth as butter
Grateful bow and hand to heart, with thanks to Norman Blake, to the Seldom Scene, to my wonderful friends and former neighbors in Franklin County, VA, and to God. Andy, Emily and Josh embody what I find so beautiful and poignant about central Appalachia - one of the most focused, in-sight-full musician-poets, the most beautiful of free spirit fiddlers, and a very laid-back, talented 'best man', who've been faithful to music and one another for years. 'Mandolin Orange' have re-christened themselves as 'Watchhouse' this year - new chapter, same long, fine story! And after years, I still come close to crying every time brown-haired Becky heads back to Richmond.
Andrew smiling at that low slide (2:08) just made my morning.
Emily grinned, too. I don't get bird-leather much these days, but Josh is a talented picker, and those chill-bumps were a pleasant surprise.
Josh in drop D. Works really well.
@@jackmurphy4788 - I have watched Josh play a bit over the past few years-he has all of those extra gears a good guitarist needs. It's only a matter of time . . . . I am reminded of the first time I saw Steve Gaines play, even before he 'made the team'.
Mandolin Orange, in all respects, is a breath of fresh air in an overly stagnant world filled with pretense and mindless flapdoodle. ;)
That's pure respect , Donna.....
Tone all day … totally inspired to lock myself in the bathroom and play until 3 am
I've probably watched this video 60 times and I never get tired of it. The harmony play between them is impeccable. I wish Josh had leaned in a little because I lose him sometimes but that just makes me appreciate when I can all the more. This is honestly one of those videos that when it shows up in my feed I can't help but watch it to the end. Beautifully done.
To hear the guitar solo played on that old Gibson adds warmth and sweetness together with those pristine harmonies makes a near perfect rendition of this beautiful song.
This is an excellent presentation of a great song! Wow!! Emily on that fiddle is superb! Move over Allison Krauss. Love this group!
This is absolutely the best version of this song I've ever heard.. and I love seldom scene, norman Blake, and hell even billy strings version.. but this is the cream of the crop right here.
Norman Blake is a great songwriter, and a terrible singer. Seldom Scene rules this tune, but this Mandolin Orange version is damn good, too.
Agreed. Best version.
Mandolin Orange is my favorite band.
However, Tim O’Brien does an outstanding vocal performance of this song just him and a mandolin at the end of a podcast called The Show on the Road.
I could swear at the end of it (which I listened to maybe 10 times in a row) Brown-haired Becky left him in Poor Valley.
Check it out.
One doesn’t have to be better and I’m always a sucker for harmonies, but what he does is something special.
@@sheikwake Tim is amazing--will have to check that out
Tony sings this one so nice. RIP
Songs like this one transports me to another country, another time. Love your voice.
Ps, l live in New Zealand. Discovered you guys two years ago and feast on your work. Love it!!
This is a wonderful rendition. And the fiddler’s eyes.❤️lol
By name, Emily. Yer not the only one totally taken by Emily.
Just got chills here listening to them harmonize on the chorus the first time. Wow....
A very touching song, done proud by MO folks. Norman would appreciate and approve of these folks' version. I remember busking this song on streets of Seattle way back many decades ago.
I believe in love at first site with the fiddle player! Beautifully done guys! Outstanding stuff!
Known as Emily. Many love her- get in line.
These guys are astounding. They just get better and better.
Plain good. Let's have a deep crystal bowl of Mandolin Orange as a centerpiece, please!
Two cents time...as the son of an Appalachian coal miner I learned the meaning of "scrip" as a boy. Basically it was company tender instead of dollars used to pay the miners. I understand how folks might think the line is "get your ration script on time" but please, leave the "t" off at the end for accuracy's sake.
On the other songs I could barely hear Josh this time I can hear Josh and with you guys together this was the best video you guys put out as a trio. Wow that last part where the music went real low and is just vocals WOW. Probably one of my favorite mandolin Orange videos of all time well done
kirk lefevre Jr. Wait until you see the NPR tiny desk that just came out today...
Thank goodness there is still great talent out there
Good stuff indeed...
Always loved this song. You can SEE the situation unfold through the beautiful words. Love the writers.🦇
Such a wonderful band! I saw them in the Cumberland Caverns and it was an outstanding concert.
I've just discovered you all and this song.... love it your music and voices
played it over and over ..
Totally outstanding ! 👏👏
A Wonderful cover of this classic !
Beautiful!!!
I love this song, and it is well presented!
What a gorgeous rendition!
Outstanding Vocals.
Damn that's good music!!!
Fantastic cover by some of my favorite performers. I will listen to this often as I can.
Fine singing!
Well done.
Just great. Thanks.
Very nice . Find the Seldom Scene version also. Fine job
That's where I first learned it from. Got a few miles out of it busking in Seattle in the early '70s. Wonderful song.
well aint this lonesome. so good
Awesome... just awesome
Can’t think of another vid where Andrew AND Josh are playing guitar. They do just keep getting better and better
Kind of weird too in that John Duffey played mandolin on the Seldom Scene's version
Josh's J45 is a cannon when he wants it to step up. Nice job, all of you.
so disappointed you didn't play this in Louisville. You were still great.
For me it's the finest version of that song! Recorded with a great Mic.
Great guitar work
Holy shit Sarnac Lake!!! Nice
Wow, just wow.
Just found this group/song tonight. I’m in looooove. 😍😍😍
Happens to lots of folks- brief encounter, and you're hooked. Like me.
Mercy, mercy, so good!
Wow, so nicely done.
Always listened to Seldom Scene doing this number growing up, and still am yet to find a bad rendition
Love your music, cant get enough. Would like to know what capo you are using.
5 years ago? I'm gone!
How is his guitar tuned for the picking out he does at approx 1:47sec? Is it different from standard tuning?
Big fan of the Seldom Scene. Beautiful version, thanks!
That's such a great song. Would love to see them cover Billy Gray.
One of my favorites of Norman's
There is a Cover from billy gray by Andrew Marlin with one Of his Solo projects! Absolutely Perfect… ❤
th-cam.com/video/tIAhyXUTano/w-d-xo.html
Well it was good one time everything was mighty fine
The coal tipples roared day and night
But things they got slow for no reason that I know
And ill winds they hove into sight
The mines all closed down everybody laid around
There wasn’t very much left to do
Except stand in that line to get your ration script on time
And woman I could see it killin’ you
Now the soft new snows of December
Lightly fall my cabin ’round And the last train from Poor Valley
Takin’ brown haired Becky Richmond bound
It’s been a comin’ on and on lord soon you would be gone
Leavin’ crossed your mind every day
Then you said to me things are bad back home you see
I guess I better be on my way
Well I should blame you know but I never could somehow
A miner’s wife you weren’t cutout to be
It wasn’t what you thought just some dreams that you’d bought
When you left home and ran away with me
RIP John Starling
Interesting vocal stacking. Seems like the lower pitched guy is singing the tenor part, while the higher pitched woman's voice is singing the baritone. Very cool. Great guitars, heck *everybody* is good on this one.
Just fuckin awesome!
is there other guy plaiyng a lg2?
It's weird to see Andrew play guitar whilst Josh is playing guitar cause I'm used mandolin Andrew haha
Very good version of this song I like it better than the Billy Strings one !!!
Fabulous rendition. I feel it should be a bit faster though
❄️ 🚂 ✌🏼🤟🏼
Was he mad at poor Emily?
Nice job on a great song.
...but am I hearing "coal temples roared day and night"? vs. "coal tipples roared day and night."
Coal Temples would be a great bluegrass/old time band name.
A tipple is a structure used at a mine to load the extracted product (e.g., coal, ores) for transport, typically into railroad hopper cars.
A song thats easy to butcher as it is to sing. This song merits respect. However, I'm iimaging blood on the floor at their feet.😢