Anais Mitchell One-Take - "Why We Build The Wall" (2010)

Dusty Wright presents singer/songwriter Anaïs Mitchell at her farm in Vermont performing "Why We Build The Wall." Recorded in 2010. Dusty Wright's One-Takes are a series of live songs by artists you know, should know, or will know very soon.

[@woemrainsworth1371]

How surprising it is almost 10 years since she wrote the song. From a folk opera to Broadway, that's really a long road and i'm happy to see her dream finally comes true.

[@MBM1117727]

Well its been 14 years at least since she wrote it I think

[@dimitraBlissDk]

I saw the broadway show in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was fantastic

[@starsandsuch7778]

Lord, this musical was 10 years in the making. Incredible.

[@centuriesofblood]

Absolutely brilliant lyrics dripping with irony. Reminiscent of the circularity of Where Have all the Flowers Gone. Our work is never done and the war is never won.

[@fishlordusername891]

I have sat down to analyse this song and how genius the writing behind it is before, and I can do it again. Using a "builds upon itself" folk song structure in order to "build" the lies the workers are being taught, brick by brick, verse by verse, completing it with this cyclical "why do we build the wall? to build the wall!" it is actually genius. It is such a shame that people misinterpret this song to be anything but critical of the things it says.

[@Laurabeck329]

This version has serious '60s protest song vibe and I'm here for it

[@andygendron]

I'm not a huge musical/stage theater fan, but to this day, Hadestown was the best show I've ever seen. Saw it at the Dibden Center for the Arts at Johnson State College in like 2009. AWESOME

[@romangladiator1106]

Lovely song and beautifully performed. This lady is a great musician. This song, to me, is a narrative about how economic privilege keeps the haves and have-nots apart. It's brilliantly astute once you understand a thing or two about what economic privilege actually does to the economic health of a society; as expressed in the line "Poverty is the enemy".

[@Em-gj2sg]

***** economic inequality is a characteristic of capitalism

[@romangladiator1106]

I'm sorry to tell you this but you're completely wrong. This is a common mistake I hear a lot. Capitalism is the voluntary exchange of value, nothing more, nothing less. A lot of people ascribe fascistic attributes to capitalism but what they're really describing is crony capitalism. This is where the political and economic classes work in tandem to line their own pockets to the detriment of everyone else both in the present and the future by taking command of the issuance of money. It's a painful side-effect of central planning, not true capitalism.

[@Em-gj2sg]

***** That is not the definition of capitalism. In capitalism the means of production are owned by a few. These owners allow people to use the machines in exchange for a lot of the value of what the worker produces (surplus value). Often due to competition the owners will pay horrible wages to their workers or destroy the environment. They must do this to make enough profit to stay in business. Obviously this leaves the owners of the means of production a lot richer than the workers (economic inequality). This system is a feature of capitalism

[@romangladiator1106]

What you've written sounds like a bad essay chapter on communism. Broadly speaking, capitalism is the voluntary exchange of value, it is the private ownership of the means of production. Private, as in, you can join in, too! Capitalism is the difference between you having an iPhone or a government issued (un)smart phone. Businesses don't force you to buy their products for the same reason that McDonalds doesn't charge $1,000 for a Big Mac. Your understanding of capitalism's role in society is limited to the delusional belief that it's a tyrannical, all consuming force that grants privilege to the few to the detriment of the many. Once again, that's CRONY capitalism, not true capitalism. Sorry to say this to you, but you're delusional. To aid comprehension, here are a few dictionary definitions of capitalism. Remember, wherever you read 'private' try not to change that to 'the few' but instead change it to 'that means me, too' and you'll be right as rain in no time. Definitions of cap·i·tal·ism mises.org Capitalism is an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market. Modern Capitalism is essentially mass production for the needs of the masses. Investopedia A system of economics based on the private ownership of capital and production inputs, and on the production of goods and services for profit. The production of goods and services is based on supply and demand in the general market (market economy), rather than through central planning (planned economy). Capitalism is generally characterized by competition between producers.

[@Em-gj2sg]

I just think that if one person benefits more from production than another person, then there is economic inequality between those people. And no you can't exchange "private" with "that means me,too". If everyone owned the means of production that would be socialism not capitalism. If you mean that anyone could be one of the few, that doesn't matter because then there are still only a few who own the means of production.

[@LouiseMaree95]

I honestly love anais mitchell. She's incredible. Her voice and everything about her style just brings me happiness. Ahhh come to australia!

[@elevenkrause]

love anais' voice and her aggressive attack on the guitar. terrific!

[@Crystallanakirk41]

I think she should always do songs on her orange chair.... so raw and in nature in Vermont. where she is from. this is so nice. thanks so much for making this video, I think she is radiant in her own performance alone and unplugged. Make it an "Orange Chair Records:) hehee OCR

[@Mouldytone]

I've only recently become aware of the music of Anais Mitchell. A fabulous singer, brilliant guitarist and extraordinary songwriter. And to think, if I was only relying on commercial radio for my music I would never have had the joy of hearing her music. Thanks to Puff Dusty for the beautifully recorded performance. Beautiful setting and the audio is fabulous! Tony

[@elicrow1968]

@Allan. In the opera, It's a song sung by the citizens of a post-apocalyptic depression-era company town. On a wider scope, it's a metaphor surrounding the conditions which widen gaps between the rich and poor-namely the promise of work and the fact that fine folks will sell their freedom for security and some degree of comfort.

[@grahamwashburn5015]

The Opera is about the story of Orpheus told mainly through the perspective of Eurydice. There is no "post-apocalyptic era" town because there is no apocalypse. In the Opera, this song is sung between Hades (king of the Underworld) and his subjects (all the dead souls). "The Wall" is in fact a symbol that represents order, which Hades himself has works so hard to create.

[@elfgirlManveri18]

Graham Washburn In my view it's simultaneously both. The story is Orpheus and Eurydice. The style of the music and phrasing of the lyric recalls 1920s depression era blues and the social situation then. For me putting this old story in a new context actually puts a fresh perspective on it.

[@lizlandry3388]

Telling people they are the free ones all while jailing them to keep building a wall to keep the ‘others’ out. Sounds familiar …

[@fionaenglish4738]

This is one of my favourite ever songs - it resonates exactly with what's going on right now in Europe. Thank you Anais Mitchell and Dusty Wright for introducing her to me.

[@joelrenker1901]

Never heard this before--so relevant, great execution, so much soul and belief in your voice. Very powerful. I Thank you for writing this!

[@greg7656]

jesus, this is fantastic. Like seeing the birth of a genuine work of genius in real time!

[@twheeler1980]

Anais: Let me pay you a song that breaks down the conservative strategy of the last 30 or so years. Also Anais: Song is done, gonna go check on my chickens! Love her. Congrats on taking ALL THE TONY AWARDS MAMA!!!!

[@Redreefmedia]

You look pretty dumb now that "evil orange man" blocked travelers that visited China almost immediately. The pandemic would be ten times worse if not for Trump.

[@aylabarry7273]

@@Redreefmedia what?

[@N1inSK]

@@aylabarry7273 Don't worry; their precious wall is only intended to prop up their egos and ideology.

[@aylabarry7273]

@@N1inSK this is from a musical, not Donald Trump's wall.

[@QuikVidGuy]

500 years

[@wugy07]

I've been waiting TOO long for musicians like you!! Yes!!! Bring it on!! I want more of this, and less of that sh*t we hear on the radio. Lovely ..

[@estory76]

PERPETUALLY AMAZED BY ANAIS!!! Thank you for posting!!!

[@FlatlandMando]

Lots of deep commentary by others. I like your amazing contrasts as a performer. You sing wise & assured, yet with a child- like voice. These contrasts are paralled by your, if I may say " ballsy" guitar styling. In other words your hard slap- base style on a 6 string is way beyond folksy...out into the areas inhabited by the old blues musicians. Thanks for your music.

[@DavidCKendall]

Holey Moley! -- song for America 2015

[@JadeButterfly22]

4:41 is the most beautiful part of the video. ... But not why you think: I love Anais and this song, but that shot with the chair is gorgeous, aesthetically speaking.

[@katchoo82]

Amazing...

[@TrilbyTrue]

Outstanding Art on so many levels. Brava!

[@jellyfishyishy]

Her voice is so beautiful

[@youtubor]

My son and his partner now own that "farm"!

[@tysavoy5593]

Wow! I think I'm in love.

[@lozzbol]

A STAR IS BORN!

[@36Chambersism]

This is the best song i have ever heard.

[@wappa99]

Brilliant, amazing talent. Maybe the next Joni Mitchell?

[@debragiannini4458]

+wappa99 she's alreqady there! I think she's really the current Dylan

[@DustyWright]

It's an AIF master, 2 track audio file...plus It's crickets and farm noise...hiss from the two tracks is very minor on my studio reference speakers, but once you compress the entire vid it gets squashed a tad,but still sounds fine on my system...what are you ...it could be if eliminated if we decide to release it as stand alone mp3...that could happen.

[@Rando_Shyte]

This is amazing. I'm in love, you're as beautiful as the song :)

[@Phimstone]

NAILED IT

[@JimB73C]

It sounds perfectly fine to me! I only hear a lovely quirky voice reminiscent of Iris Dement! Just a touch but uniquely your own! Love it!

[@kswig19]

this is amazing. so raw.

[@cliffjamesmusic]

Great song. Thanks

[@filmcsillag]

Great! Great! True!

[@BlueLunarWater]

I'm truly fascinated by the sound of your voice...

[@uberflan]

Awesome, awesome, awesome...

[@JC-tv5zx]

What a great song!!!!

[@AmanduhCan]

Very nice :) me likey. I bet the only person saying negative bs is one of the kids from the bullying grandma on the school bus video. Lol! Keep it up! We need more anaïs on KZbin! Tulsa loves you! You and Ani should come play in Tulsa. The fan base is huge! We have our own RBR street team.

[@bourgeoisgilles101]

you're right, the outdoor "noise" suits so well that kind of song. Off with the head of purists of sound!

[@musicwaffles5481]

this is my favourite version. wowza the lyrics aged well.

[@mainschannel]

beautiful!

[@nur1gruebchen]

Love it.

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

Quite amazing.

[@hwy612008]

Dusty, thank you for the reply,.....sorry to vent my frustration about the sound quality..... I'm listening thru headphones (volume up high)....would love to hear this and the other farm one as an mp3 or better yet lossless format. PLEASE release (audio) of these two farm classics you've created from this Vermont songbird; artist extraordinaire thank you

[@FatAlan_]

the waaaallll so awesome

[@alienindisguise5546]

Your Voice is So sweet and Smooth, with that little accent

[@EchBinEinNerd]

Thanks!! Finally got the chord sequence right.

[@fabiusso84]

Amazing, this acoustic version is incredible. Puffdusty did you record any more songs in this way (like the one I hear at the beginning of the video)?

[@DustyWright]

@fabiusso84 Yes, we did. Pending approval we will post it soon!

[@charliea2181]

What an incredible human.

[@Aconitum_napellus]

I wish I owned a farm in Vermont.

[@QuikVidGuy]

*footage of a cat in a tree followed by a constantly bubbly personality* "Anyway, here's a song about how capitalism is a death cult"

[@mywalterego9248]

Lol. That's not what the song was about, but ok.

[@raz8752]

MyWalterEgo You may need to read the lyrics. Or the entire album/musical.

[@mywalterego9248]

@@raz8752 Let me guess, you think Hades is the bad guy? LMAO!!!!!

[@raz8752]

@@mywalterego9248 Wait, do you NOT think Hades is the bad guy?? Jesus, that's cultish. He's literally the antagonist of the musical, his songs and personality have been adjusted to make him villainous, the story clearly and blatantly tells you, like, a million times that what he's doing is wrong. I'm not even sure how you would interpret the character like that. That's actually insane.

[@soulfur1031]

Only 4 replies in and i sense a huge 20-reply long argument starting

[@MegaLotusEater]

Im speechless

[@timothywynne]

LMAO you are my hero!!!!!

[@dedelman2005]

for those of us trying to learn how to play it - pretty sure this is standard tuning with drop D, capo on 4th fret. let me know if you find otherwise

[@DustyWright]

@fabiusso84 Just posted "Our Lady of the Underground" from the same farm session.

[@radzebra]

whats the song in the begging i love that one

[@Gorillaspill]

I know im 8 years late, but its our lady of the underground. You almost definitely know that by now lmao

[@DustyWright]

@JadeButterfly22 Thanks, Jade. Stoked that you dig our aesthetics. More on my youtube page under puffdusty One of my current faves is with Colin Devlin.

[@kennethgray1635]

Written over a decade before Trumps presidency..... Captures the chilling mentality.... Not just in the US

[@Jessica-rz7zw]

It’s been ten years now wow

[@DustyWright]

We used a EV boom mic. And I think one Sony 77b.

[@oddjam]

All I can say is "incredible".

[@centuriesofblood]

This song takes on new meaning as Donald Trump runs for President.

[@joshtimmons7332]

Not really... The Berlin Wall and the West Bank Israel Wall were long built and built and gone before Trump ever came to power. Or even the wall around Jericho

[@benschmitt7035]

@@joshtimmons7332 art evolves over time. It takes on new context for sure, especially as we see the rebirth of fascism all over the world, including but not limited to Trump

[@RewdAwakening]

I can't think of a better song to capture the essence of cognitive dissonance, and make it so beautiful...

[@blink18moo]

This song ruins my brain! I can't comprehend how good it is! It's literally impossible to write this song. Anais scares me with her talent.

[@DustyWright]

You got find that song on my channel under One-Takes. Enjoy!

[@melwagz]

genius

[@BilboBaggins332]

Got here from PhilosophyTube

[@JustJoeT]

While it seems that Anais wrote "Why We Build The Wall", I've yet to find that and its date confirmed - HELP?

[@Em-gj2sg]

This reminds me of Mending Wall by Robert Frost

[@panda721312]

The natural noises help make the track.... To HELL with studio micro-managed tracks.... Should be more talented folks like Anais...

[@Phimstone]

@snackajack117 Our lady of the underground :) complete version by Ani Difranco

[@philprice5712]

Her naivete is captivating if not rational. Sing on gentle free spirit.

[@needlesinmyeyes7272]

What's the song at the beginning? Tyia

[@CHARG3R]

I can picture this song in animation like the music video "Handlebars" by Flobots. Someone get on that so this song can go viral.

[@kgrotelueschen1433]

Cicadas . . .

[@정유안-j5u]

1:07

[@billbernhard3582]

Compelling and astute, this story of mistaken safety and security, behind the wall. But is mankind actually capable of achieving another reality, without the wall ? So far, the remedies have been seldom - few and far between.

[@onled1]

What's the name of the song at the start?

[@DustyWright]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHXbaKR_a82lr5I

[@finn8762]

honestly let the trump supporters come and twist the meaning of the song. let em equate fart man grande to the literal actual king of the underworld, singing about a wall that'll eventually be felled by love and compassion , cracked by "a song" context is fun and exciting !

[@69Yosiel69]

Greetings, I come from the distant future of 2019 to tell you that this song has been retaken and its meaning has not been lost...

[@BilboBaggins332]

Does anyone have a match?

[@needlesinmyeyes7272]

Such an idiot you are

[@antoniocarlosgoncalvesfilho]

No matter were we look, flames are beggining to rise

[@owenprice4072]

Shameful actions from politicians across the globe at the moment.

[@tsjoencinema]

+Owen Price Trump 2016

[@portcullis5622]

+tsjoencinema How is exactly is a sexist, racist, xenophic bully going to solve anything? How ironic in a country built by immigrants that a dangerous clown spouting anti-immigrant rhetoric should, apparently, gain so much support.

[@SunnyDragonfly]

+tsjoencinema Great example of what Owen was saying!

[@needlesinmyeyes7272]

@@portcullis5622 2 words.....weimar conditions

[@prunefeatures]

Who the fuck disliked this!?

[@thecatinthetree]

hawt.

[@hwy612008]

great song...... why (REPUBLICANS) build the wall DUSTY.....can this beautiful capture be found without the "hiss" through out the recording ...... higher quality audio ? another classic from Anais on you tube is NAMESAKE (balcony recording, Germany) lost to hiss! i would give a million bucks for these without the background noise

[@grahamrodger372]

bloody good cos it is simple?

[@quatele]

Well usually we build the wall to hold up the roof.

[@DustyWright]

@InvisibleGoodByes Just posted it! /watch?v=6Dx7qI6hry0

[@cinnamonbrandylite]

@TheLittleAnais - is your friend just a friend, or do you sometimes doodle your first name & their surname a la sally sparrow & billy shipton at 2:20-2:50? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXetfYdjaL98gJI

[@amessenger5781]

What a unique voice, from such a pretty farm girl. This is the age of woman, to be here thrilling God. Are you singing wisdom? Precious voices of the world in form humanity, in the will of Gods grace and mercy. We're here to use our voice for truth. Never lie. I like it, we build a wall to keep us free. Mostly were to learn and discern, and grow, instead of just coping in survival mode. Check out Amy Messenger youtube channel. My song Build A Wall and read comments. Trump was meant in this position. We all have issues. Can you imagine, if he realized how, the rich are screwing up a blink of an eye test for eternity, and no nongiver avoids hell? While the case system keeps children, without shoes. If only the hundred richest would decide to ace this test. They could be the kings of giving on earth. Paying off student loans, for the ones that are really trying, working so hard, trying to thrive, and not being able to get ahead. People trying, do so much good. But the inequity it's an ugly sight. It makes it seem impossible for our struggling students, are low paid teachers, are hard working humans. Those still sitting on billions while other people go without food, water, and shade, check yourself. There is a sick imbalance, you can correct. God wants everyone, don't hurt him, making him turn, get in his destiny for you. What you give, you leave to humane kind, your showing of the soul to your kin. Are you really rich, if your soul is of what is not of God? Is the rich not having to pay fair taxes, trickery, a sin of pure evil protecting the 99% of humane kind. Overcome the urge of being the anti-Robin Hood. Robby the poor to give to the rich, its tyranny, its trickery. I know as the messenger, you all can rise above it and flood this world with hope. Its another temptation to rise above, God as me to tell you all, reject hate, worry, fear, greed, trickery, and poisons to your body. Let your mind go to solution, compassion, creativy all the things you could stand of yourself in eternity. Giving in the will of GOd. Were to protect a country to keeep it safe and free. Humanity faces that rising above and flooding this world with love, thrill God.their hate over it and grows to see the bigger solution.

[@dio52]

Without commenting on the song itself, am I the only one rubbed the wrong way by the old armchair in the middle of a field?

[@lizlandry3388]

dio52 yes

[@vanes9066]

woe to whoever has to drag that chair back inside...

[@JadeButterfly22]

@puffdusty Re: Colin Devlin Yeah, it's okay. Not quite as good imo, but still pretty cool.

[@dropdeadandfly]

terrible place to put a chair on a farm, but im not going to argue with anais about that, she can do what she wants :)

[@leightonhs]

exactly. commercial radio is a joke anyways..

[@nervesofreal]

a eunuch drummer who has overdoesed [sic] on stupidity. :p [oops, I didn't read the "don't feed the trolls" sign]

[@bourgeoisgilles101]

she should play this song in Palestine....or Israel maybe....

[@chromanin]

Do notice that there is no counter-argument in this song; it implies that Hades is merely propagandizing while hypocritically doing the same.

[@nachtebuch]

2 people got trapped behind the wall.