im a 37 yr old englishman and for some reason im fascinated with the civil war and the whole americana thing. this song sums it all up for me. love it.
With Levon Helm in his final Stages of cancer I dedicate this song written by Robbie Robertson to Him as it was his great voice that made it so popular when it was released in 1969 and later By Joan when it made it to the top 5 with her amazing voice. There will never be another Voice like Levon Helm's. May he live his last days in dignity and praise of his accomplishments in the music he has shared with so many of us.
My great grandfather Alfred Whitfield fought with the 11th Illinois volunteer regiment company B . He was a English men. Fought at Fort Donelson Tennessee
Thanks for the nice compliment! I had ancestors from Ohio and Kentucky in the war as well. Mine all fought for the north though. A fascinating time in our history. Brave men regardless of which side they fought for.
Whoa! Randomly clicked this to listen to (because I love this song) and the first picture that came up is of my cousin Chris!!! Thats awesome. He's been doing Civil War reenactments for YEARS.
I am from California and am GLAD we had no part in the Civil War. The North and South should both be ashamed of their legacy, insofar as niether side was able to prevent the greatest tragedy in US History.
I heard Joan Baez's version before I heard this one. I had never listen to this song until I heard The Band's version. This version is much better than Joan's version. When The Band made this song, it was a sad song about the tragedy of the Civil War. When Joan made this song it sounded like a happy folk song.
One of my all time favorites! I listened to a great interview with Robbie on CBC radio today. I just had to post this video on my facebook page! What a beautiful creation from some part Mohawk kid from Toronto. Great video as well! I loved the reenactment presentation!
man, the lyrics that hit me the hardest are, "Now I don't mind choppin' wood / and I don't care if the money's no good / You take you need and you leave the rest / but they should never have taken the very best." just captures the sadness and loss of a proud civilization.
This is what this great song is all about. Very enjoyable to watch and thanks for those excellent pictures of a remarkably authentic re-enactment society. Superb all round.
No, again thank you "my brother" I have been seeking a regular "album" version of this song for months on you tube the pictures and the attention to detail? You should get a you tube oscar!! ;)
@1888gp True...the human cost of the Civil War was staggeringly high. So many killed and wounded, and this was 70+ years before the discovery of penicillin. More soldiers died from infection and disease than from being killed in action. Nice shot of Burnside's Bridge at 0:50.
how different life must have been for these soldiers...a life without music, a life without knowledge beyond their small town, a life without pretense.
From the heart....we are all AMERICANS...This great nation....LETS UNITE...LETS SHOW THE WORLD....WE THE AMERICANS CAN TACKLE ANY JOB... TOGETHER WE THE PEOPLE ...CAN OVERCOME ANYTHING...ANYTIME... ANYWHERE!!! UNITED WE STAND...DIVIDED WE FALL!!!! "WE" HAVE A CHOICE!!!
Yeah, the wounds may be unhealed to an extent, but my friend, what I think you may not be understanding is the extreme poverty that came as a result of this war that reached well into my grandparents' generation , and that does not go away over night. My own parents, who were born in the 1930's, were the 1st generation in my family to break out of that poverty. Be careful critisizing what you don't know anything about. This song characterizes well the wretched pain for us on the loosing side.
I like the sound of your reply. I sense a man with a soul who will have to leave many beautiful things behind when your time comes. I hope I will meet men like you when I go where they will send me.
I never get tired of listening to this song. It is truly one of the last works of art. As long as there is a United States of America, this song will endure.
Did somebody just say something POSITIVE about the Latino Community??? If so, It's about time. I've been to school and to work with them--they aren't lazy, they have an education wish and work ethic that is powerful.
RIP Levon, magnificent voice, magnificent musician. Play your drums in the spirit realms with all the other great artists who have passed on, they'll love to join you in making music again.
History is told by the winners ... Nobodys country is "little" I have respect for all no matter the size look at the Native america nations, so many , so proud
@Norwalkdude - You're quite wrong actually. California was a state and remained loyal to the Union so they were part of "The North" as you call it. Over 17,000 Californians enlisted with most serving in the west. California troops engaged Confederates from Texas on several occasions in New Mexico. Several California companies saw action in Virginia with Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York regiments. So, welcome to the winning side!!
@MrErdner - I live in Kentucky. Most of the re-enactments / encampments that I attend are in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana. Robert E. Lee never made an appearance in the western theater. Look closely though and you'll see "Don Carlos Buell", "U.S. Grant", "Braxton Bragg", and "Patrick Cleburn" Thanks for the editing compliment.
WISH I KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE SAVED THIS TUNE,,, COULDN'T KNOW WHO SANG IT WHEN i WAS YOUNG.. didn't hear who did the tune......... years and years.....
Give us a railroad, a food supply chain, and a fighting chance and y'all would be dealing with a different place today. May God bless our Confederate heroes. Your sacrifice is not forgotten. SALUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" Virgil Kane is the name And I served on the Danville train 'Till Stoneman's cavalry came And tore up the tracks again In the winter of '65 We were hungry, just barely alive By May the 10th, Richmond had fell It's a time I remember, oh so well The night they drove old Dixie down And the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And the people were singing They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la" Back with my wife in Tennessee When one day she called to me "Virgil, quick, come see, There goes Robert E. Lee!" Now, I don't mind chopping wood And I don't care if the money's no good You take what you need And you leave the rest But they should never Have taken the very best The night they drove old Dixie down And the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And all the people were singing They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la" Like my father before me I will work the land And like my brother above me Who took a rebel stand He was just 18, proud and brave But a Yankee laid him in his grave I swear by the mud below my feet You can't raise a Kane back up When he's in defeat The night they drove old Dixie down And the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And all the people were singing They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la" The night they drove old Dixie down And all the bells were ringing The night they drove old Dixie down And the people were singing They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"
I am not going to debate the Joan/Band thing. This has just always been my favorite version of the song I feel they put more [passion and soul into it.
@CoastGuardIDC - The Stars and Bars was the first Confederate National Flag. It consisted of two red stripes, one white stripe, and a blue field of white stars. The flag these re-enactors is carrying was the Regimental Flag of the Sixth Tennessee Infantry. It was the simply the Stars and Bars with their regiments name on the white stripe. The flag that the soldiers are holding near the end of the video as they prepare to advance is the "Southern Cross" flag. Note the cross in the blue field.
if anyone could recommend me some songs that are just like this one, please do! this song gives me goosebumps. the lyrics, especially the chorus, the melody, the vocals...everything about it is just perfect.
@Paulmancieri67 The original version is in C major, but the RPM on this recording has been slowed down, to where it sounds as though its in B major. I must say, I do like hearing it at a lower pitch!
@GX2Photography Great, now I feel as ahamed as you should. In my family's defense, in the 1850's we lived in a village in the San Gabriel Valley and we didn't fight thart war nor did we fight the Mexican American war.
9 relatives in the so called "civil" war....3 died and 2 of those fellas were catured ,,,died of disease ,,,,so they say,,,pft....others made it thru but my 3rd great grandfather jabez O'Callaghan,,,,MADE it to 93 yrs old and lived to tell his story. Bless all the boys,,,yes,,,boys,,children who went out to fight this war and died just thinkin it was right- so sad on both "sides". Lord bless em and never forget that this song is NOT a PRO war song
@CoastGuardIDC Not all conferate forces flew the conferate flag in Battle, sometimes it was the particulare units flag such as the 1st Virginia volunteers and other states regiments.
Man when I was standing next to that canon at Fort Pulaski and heard this song it sure gave me some ghostly feelings. All time best song, however did you change it because Levon's voice sounds a lil' low.
Actually first blood spilled in Oxford Township, Kansas in mid 1850's. Research "Bleeding Kansas". War was basically over slavery, however Lincoln only freed slaves in southern states.(All freed after war.) Even w/o war slavery was doomed to fail with the availability of cheap,exploitable and expendable labor from European immigrants.A healthy male slave ran into the thousands of dollars, had to be fed, cared & housed.An Irishman could be had for 25 cents per day & he had to take care of himself
The North took great advantage of the 'cheap Irish labor'. The men they sent to fight...the women & children worked in factories supplying war materials.
@@michelleruggiero3441 ahh read that during irish spud blight 4 plus million irish immgrated too both Britain and U.S.A. 1845-1850 and because off this in W.W.2. 70 % off British and U.S.A. military serveing had a Irish ancestor.''
I'll always call myself a proud Yankee and even prouder New Yorker, but I've got a love and respect for the history of the South and the Confederacy. The CSA's part of our American heritage, and any proud American ought to embrace that heritage regardless of what makes it up. I might not agree with some of the things the CSA stood for, and I might crack jokes once in a while (who doesn't, honestly?) but the way I see it, the Civil War's outcome is what would've happened if the patriots lost the
If you can, take a trip to Virginia to tour all the battlefields and excellent museums there. Walk the grounds. Plenty of good hotels, restaurants around the sites. It will be a good time you won't forget.
My PPL fought on both Sides many from Ohio many from Ky ;( Guess that's why they call it CIVAL WAR I totally love this song and what a classic tribute with the pictures?
I live on Old Campground Rd in our county. I found out last week it is named that because the confederate soldiers camped here. Cool. I love the reenactments, but miss most of them.
im a 37 yr old englishman and for some reason im fascinated with the civil war and the whole americana thing. this song sums it all up for me. love it.
Levon Helm had a voice that others would die for. Brother Levon is no longer with us. Bless him wherever he may be.
With Levon Helm in his final Stages of cancer I dedicate this song written by Robbie Robertson to Him as it was his great voice that made it so popular when it was released in 1969 and later By Joan when it made it to the top 5 with her amazing voice. There will never be another Voice like Levon Helm's. May he live his last days in dignity and praise of his accomplishments in the music he has shared with so many of us.
There is something about this song and the history that it portrays, that still tugs at my heart. Everyone who died was an American.
My great grandfather Alfred Whitfield fought with the 11th Illinois volunteer regiment company B . He was a English men. Fought at Fort Donelson Tennessee
I was always amazed that one southern boy talked a bunch of Canadians into souding like this!! Good thinking, guys.
Amen
i've been listening to this since i was a wee child, i'm 19 now and i will never get sick of it.. thanks for the upload
Hello hopefully you have on notifications
Thanks for the nice compliment! I had ancestors from Ohio and Kentucky in the war as well. Mine all fought for the north though. A fascinating time in our history. Brave men regardless of which side they fought for.
Such a motivational song, totally my favorite
Whoa! Randomly clicked this to listen to (because I love this song) and the first picture that came up is of my cousin Chris!!! Thats awesome. He's been doing Civil War reenactments for YEARS.
RIP Levon Helm. Thank you for the beautiful music
heard this song for the first time on the radio the day he past and i've been humming this song ever since.... Rest In Peace Levon.
sorry to hear about Levon's passing. May he rest in peace. He was a hero.
I am from California and am GLAD we had no part in the Civil War. The North and South should both be ashamed of their legacy, insofar as niether side was able to prevent the greatest tragedy in US History.
still, there are many things schools leave out, the south was not as evil as they would like you to believe
I heard Joan Baez's version before I heard this one. I had never listen to this song until I heard The Band's version. This version is much better than Joan's version.
When The Band made this song, it was a sad song about the tragedy of the Civil War. When Joan made this song it sounded like a happy folk song.
One of my all time favorites! I listened to a great interview with Robbie on CBC radio today. I just had to post this video on my facebook page! What a beautiful creation from some part Mohawk kid from Toronto. Great video as well! I loved the reenactment presentation!
My buddy is a high school history teacher and I know he will get a kick out of this!!
man, the lyrics that hit me the hardest are, "Now I don't mind choppin' wood / and I don't care if the money's no good / You take you need and you leave the rest / but they should never have taken the very best."
just captures the sadness and loss of a proud civilization.
This is what this great song is all about. Very enjoyable to watch and thanks for those excellent pictures of a remarkably authentic re-enactment society. Superb all round.
Always loved the Band and this song. Thanks for posting it.
No, again thank you "my brother" I have been seeking a regular "album" version of this song for months on you tube the pictures and the attention to detail? You should get a you tube oscar!! ;)
NIce video to a classic song by The Band.
Amazing band , amazing song . Very sadly Richard , Levon , and Rick no longer with us . But their music will live on !
@1888gp
True...the human cost of the Civil War was staggeringly high. So many killed and wounded, and this was 70+ years before the discovery of penicillin. More soldiers died from infection and disease than from being killed in action.
Nice shot of Burnside's Bridge at 0:50.
Great video... Putting this song with these photos was a great idea, and well done -- thanks GX2!
Music just doesn't get better than this ..
We were fellow countrymen. We still are. And WE will always be.
how different life must have been for these soldiers...a life without music, a life without knowledge beyond their small town, a life without pretense.
My dad just said that Levon's voice is perfect for this tune.
tulllguy that it is!
great job! thanks
From the heart....we are all AMERICANS...This great nation....LETS UNITE...LETS SHOW THE WORLD....WE THE AMERICANS CAN TACKLE ANY JOB... TOGETHER WE THE PEOPLE ...CAN OVERCOME ANYTHING...ANYTIME... ANYWHERE!!! UNITED WE STAND...DIVIDED WE FALL!!!! "WE" HAVE A CHOICE!!!
People still vote Democrat and hate this country. I'm afraid it's over
Always a great song about the South and the war. A great tribute to Levon as well. R.I.P.
Just remember: 'They should never have taken the very best' a phrase to remember!
I love this song... THE BAND is the best band of the era.
Classic and wonderful sound.
Best of the renditions on You Tube!
they ARE DESTOYING HISTORY JOIN ME
Thay been destroyed it from the begging now people are seeing it when it's lost
G'day and thanks for sharing your talent. Cheers from Downunder.
Yeah, the wounds may be unhealed to an extent, but my friend, what I think you may not be understanding is the extreme poverty that came as a result of this war that reached well into my grandparents' generation , and that does not go away over night. My own parents, who were born in the 1930's, were the 1st generation in my family to break out of that poverty. Be careful critisizing what you don't know anything about. This song characterizes well the wretched pain for us on the loosing side.
Peter Weller in Firstborn 1984 brought me here
nice job thank you.
i love dixie
Those civil war photos are amazing, they give me the chills, you did a beautiful job on this video!
just one word: beautiful!
I like the sound of your reply. I sense a man with a soul who will have to leave many beautiful things behind when your time comes. I hope I will meet men like you when I go where they will send me.
genius song writing and stellar performances they made-no doubt. Respect
I never get tired of listening to this song. It is truly one of the last works of art. As long as there is a United States of America, this song will endure.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The Flying Burrito Brothers. Ry Cooder.
Love it
It's okay for men to cry to this song.
I'm crying right now
i like this verson better than the others on here.
Really well-presented retrospective: clear photos and great sound! Good job! --The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville, KY
Did somebody just say something POSITIVE about the Latino Community??? If so, It's about time. I've been to school and to work with them--they aren't lazy, they have an education wish and work ethic that is powerful.
RIP Levon, magnificent voice, magnificent musician. Play your drums in the spirit realms with all the other great artists who have passed on, they'll love to join you in making music again.
Such a beautiful song.
History is told by the winners ...
Nobodys country is "little" I have respect for all no matter the size look at the Native america nations, so many , so proud
R.I.P. Mr. Levon... Not many knew the man... But ALL loved the voice!
beautiful song
Thanks for this - I always thought Joan Baez was the first to record this song - how wrong could I be!
woot the band canadas finest
i was a union reenactor at perryville about 8 yrs ago was a blast we actually camped on the real site love this song love this band
listened to this song in history class today ^^
I to am from kentucky I take great pride in the southern cause. The south is coming agine. Great video love it
@Norwalkdude - You're quite wrong actually. California was a state and remained loyal to the Union so they were part of "The North" as you call it. Over 17,000 Californians enlisted with most serving in the west. California troops engaged Confederates from Texas on several occasions in New Mexico. Several California companies saw action in Virginia with Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York regiments. So, welcome to the winning side!!
[possible 3 known Australians in Konfederate army. Some Australians were crewmen on the ship- Shennadoah that served in the Pacific ocean.''
one of my all time fav songs
God bless the South
@MrErdner - I live in Kentucky. Most of the re-enactments / encampments that I attend are in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana. Robert E. Lee never made an appearance in the western theater. Look closely though and you'll see "Don Carlos Buell", "U.S. Grant", "Braxton Bragg", and "Patrick Cleburn" Thanks for the editing compliment.
Southerner till i fall. BlueRidge Mountains North Carolina
this song brings tears to my eyes sometimes.
WISH I KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE SAVED THIS TUNE,,, COULDN'T KNOW WHO SANG IT WHEN i WAS YOUNG.. didn't hear who did the tune......... years and years.....
Give us a railroad, a food supply chain, and a fighting chance and y'all would be dealing with a different place today. May God bless our Confederate heroes. Your sacrifice is not forgotten. SALUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"
Virgil Kane is the name
And I served on the Danville train
'Till Stoneman's cavalry came
And tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '65
We were hungry, just barely alive
By May the 10th, Richmond had fell
It's a time I remember, oh so well
The night they drove old Dixie down
And the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"
Back with my wife in Tennessee
When one day she called to me
"Virgil, quick, come see,
There goes Robert E. Lee!"
Now, I don't mind chopping wood
And I don't care if the money's no good
You take what you need
And you leave the rest
But they should never
Have taken the very best
The night they drove old Dixie down
And the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"
Like my father before me
I will work the land
And like my brother above me
Who took a rebel stand
He was just 18, proud and brave
But a Yankee laid him in his grave
I swear by the mud below my feet
You can't raise a Kane back up
When he's in defeat
The night they drove old Dixie down
And the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"
Unfortunately when I think of our country currently, I find myself singing this song.
I am not going to debate the Joan/Band thing. This has just always been my favorite version of the song I feel they put more [passion and soul into it.
This is a great song no matter who sings it.
The spirit lives
This song was written by Levon Robbie wrote the music and took credit for everything that is a well known fact.
@CoastGuardIDC - The Stars and Bars was the first Confederate National Flag. It consisted of two red stripes, one white stripe, and a blue field of white stars. The flag these re-enactors is carrying was the Regimental Flag of the Sixth Tennessee Infantry. It was the simply the Stars and Bars with their regiments name on the white stripe. The flag that the soldiers are holding near the end of the video as they prepare to advance is the "Southern Cross" flag. Note the cross in the blue field.
if anyone could recommend me some songs that are just like this one, please do!
this song gives me goosebumps. the lyrics, especially the chorus, the melody, the vocals...everything about it is just perfect.
9 year old comment hello
iClapMaster FN oh hai reply
rathees u do u wanna join my militia
North Carolina Southerner till i fall
Wow. Thank you very much!
@Paulmancieri67
The original version is in C major, but the RPM on this recording has been slowed down, to where it sounds as though its in B major. I must say, I do like hearing it at a lower pitch!
@mjsipg No it's Levon. This is the studio version from the Band (album)
@sonofipecac Thanx 4 making this point - it's a good one!
@GX2Photography Great, now I feel as ahamed as you should. In my family's defense, in the 1850's we lived in a village in the San Gabriel Valley and we didn't fight thart war nor did we fight the Mexican American war.
9 relatives in the so called "civil" war....3 died and 2 of those fellas were catured ,,,died of disease ,,,,so they say,,,pft....others made it thru but my 3rd great grandfather jabez O'Callaghan,,,,MADE it to 93 yrs old and lived to tell his story. Bless all the boys,,,yes,,,boys,,children who went out to fight this war and died just thinkin it was right- so sad on both "sides". Lord bless em and never forget that this song is NOT a PRO war song
Yeh by 1865 they were shoeless and starving, God Bless their souls.
@CoastGuardIDC Not all conferate forces flew the conferate flag in Battle, sometimes it was the particulare units flag such as the 1st Virginia volunteers and other states regiments.
Because that's the beauty of good things. They are hidden, so that only those that seek may find.
EXCELLENT!!!
Man when I was standing next to that canon at Fort Pulaski and heard this song it sure gave me some ghostly feelings. All time best song, however did you change it because Levon's voice sounds a lil' low.
Actually first blood spilled in Oxford Township, Kansas in mid 1850's. Research "Bleeding Kansas".
War was basically over slavery, however Lincoln only freed slaves in southern states.(All freed after war.)
Even w/o war slavery was doomed to fail with the availability of cheap,exploitable and expendable labor from European immigrants.A healthy male slave ran into the thousands of dollars, had to be fed, cared & housed.An Irishman could be had for 25 cents per day & he had to take care of himself
The North took great advantage of the 'cheap Irish labor'. The men they sent to fight...the women & children worked in factories supplying war materials.
@@michelleruggiero3441 ahh read that during irish spud blight 4 plus million irish immgrated too both Britain and U.S.A. 1845-1850 and because off this in W.W.2. 70 % off British and U.S.A. military serveing had a Irish ancestor.''
That is true what you say about more character, well said!
@GX2Photography song as she (mis)heard them .She now sings the original lyrics whenever she sings it.
I'll always call myself a proud Yankee and even prouder New Yorker, but I've got a love and respect for the history of the South and the Confederacy. The CSA's part of our American heritage, and any proud American ought to embrace that heritage regardless of what makes it up. I might not agree with some of the things the CSA stood for, and I might crack jokes once in a while (who doesn't, honestly?) but the way I see it, the Civil War's outcome is what would've happened if the patriots lost the
Awesome job. =)
If you can, take a trip to Virginia to tour all the battlefields and excellent museums there. Walk the grounds. Plenty of good hotels, restaurants around the sites. It will be a good time you won't forget.
My PPL fought on both Sides many from Ohio many from Ky ;( Guess that's why they call it CIVAL WAR I totally love this song and what a classic tribute with the pictures?
@79bonny - Wonderful compliment. Thanks so much!
maybe my favourite song ever. ill tour the american south some day,
I live on Old Campground Rd in our county. I found out last week it is named that because the confederate soldiers camped here. Cool. I love the reenactments, but miss most of them.