Ashokan Farewell on Uilleann Pipes

A tribute to the Ken Burns Series on the Civil War that started my love for early Americana music. This song featured prominently in the show. The original was played on fiddle. Here, played on the Irish Pipes. Written by Jay Ungar.

[@DS-bk3mc]

One of my retirement dreams was to continue to learn the uillean pipe. However, a stroke took my dexterity away and I sold the Kennedy pipe I had bought years before in anticipation of my dream. This was one of the songs I had hoped to play, but I can still listen and appreciate it. I still love the pipes even though the only one I have is a self built version that I can’t play. While this was originally a fiddle song, it translates beautifully to the pipes.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you. I’m sorry you lost the dexterity from the stroke. That’s a really hard thing. I’m glad you’re still able to listen and enjoy the pipes. There’s nothing in the world quite like their sound. God bless.

[@gerardokeeffe9640]

It's in your blood and your heart.

[@virginiaconnor8350]

Top bad my friend's Catholic Monsignor Pat Bishop didn't know how to play the bagpipes like Paddy Maloney did; he looks alot like our dear piper!

[@melaniehellum1281]

We all seem to have a dream that time takes from us. I love simple tunes and always promised myself I had time. I use to torment a violin but now I play a tin whistle easy and sweet. No wretched tuning.

[@bungee7503]

It plays well on my flute, too. I’m glad you can at least enjoy the sound.

[@clay3205]

We played this song at my brother's graveside service today, January 30th, 2024. Everyone in attendance remarked at how appropriate it seemed. A beautiful tribute and send off for my only older brother. R.I.P MNL 1977-2024.

[@kelsohighlander1]

I’m so sorry for your loss my friend. That is such a hard thing.

[@collizross]

STILL too young at 47. Hugs m8.

[@la_old_salt2241]

My sincerest condolences in your loss. God bless.

[@gordonbradley3241]

A Scotsman and our war pipes make my blood fizz ! But the Uilean pipes are sublime

[@donnarogers7732]

Ken Burns choose this song played on the Violin as the Theme song for "The Civil War" It's the saddest Melody I've ever heard. Because I am Scottish by my Mother's Father, this song is a Farewell at many Scottish Rite Festivals. Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it😥♥️✌️🙏🇺🇲

[@genghisthegreat2034]

And God rest Shelby Foote too

[@ClergetMusic]

Irish here by maternal grandfather as well.

[@josephosheavideos3992]

Though Ashokan Farewell sounds as if it had been written in the 1800's, Jay Unger did not pen this haunting tune for fiddle and guitar until 1983, just a few years before Ken Burns produced his monumental PBS documentary , "The Civil War," in 1990.

[@marklynch9527]

I got goosebumps

[@brennenfitzgerald]

It was the farewell tune to the Ashokan Folk Music Festival….. Ken Burns heard it and requested it for his documentary……. Because of the sale of sheet music, the composer turned into a millionaire nearly overnight.

[@knoll9812]

I though it was a variation on major McLeod's lament in the death of his wife

[@sanjivjhangiani3243]

The only piece of Civil War era music not actually composed during the Civil War!

[@stevebirmingham9650]

This recording should be capured on CD superb technical recording want this played when my times comes brilliant

[@Canuckmom128]

I just LOVE the sound of Uilleann pipes. It hits hard in the Irish part of my ancestry. I love this piece as well, BEAUTIFULLY played. Thank you for sharing it.

[@egrogan6482]

Me, too! I was born a Murphy, adopted by Garrick family, and married a Donohue - I think that makes me triple Irish? LOL - hello fellow daughter of Ireland!

[@jimpomac]

I play this tune on my Highland pipe but the Uillean pipe just takes it to another level. Thank you

[@somecuriosities]

Excellent. It's almost as if your pipes themselves are crying and lamenting through song 👏

[@maureenmartin4730]

Uileann pipes are beautiful … such a haunting sound….tune lovely❤

[@fredwood1490]

This instrument is perfect for this song!!! It is also played perfectly! Thank you!

[@allandunn1431]

Gorgeous. What a haunting sound.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you so much! Means a ton.

[@spacelemur7955]

Jay Ungar's gift to the world.

[@HPNomad]

The high notes send shivers up my spine. Excellent job my friend.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you!

[@geoh7777]

That was so gorgeous. I'm so glad I dropped by. Subscribed.

[@davedickinson9260]

Oh wow Oh wow Oh wow. One of the most haunting and thrilling things I've heard in decades. Thank you Mr Jay Ungar and thank you to the great Gaels of Ireland for giving us this sound. My Irish blood is boiling tonight. Happy Christmas everyone from Lancashire, North West England. Peace and Love. RevDev xxx

[@lordpizza4391]

It speaks to the soul of our people wherever they may find themselves nowadays. One sound of the pipes and we're home again.

[@michaeltoner3366]

This is quite brilliant, and about one of the most poignant songs of both our Civil War, and about all wars.

[@biggieed949]

Beautifully haunting…Thank you for this on December 31, 2023.

[@philhand5830]

Never heard these pipes before now. They have a haunting attraction.

[@spacelemur7955]

Never? Well... welcome!👍🍻

[@madeirafonseca6383]

One of my favorite tunes done beautifully. Thank you Sir.

[@aidanphelan2952]

This is a tune from the American civil war and is full of Celtic flavour - what a beautiful rendition on the uillean pipes🙏

[@jansport0409]

From the documentary The Civil War by Ken Burns. Composed by Jay Untar in then 20th century.

[@uptoolate2793]

Not exactly.

[@midtwilightblue]

Found this in search of seeing if anyone has performed a cover of Awesome God by Eden’s Bridge. Shocked to see most of the results are of Braveheart and Titanic. Glad to come across this beautiful piece!

[@Bookstorewalla]

Very few people know the true story of this beautiful song and assume it much older origins.. From Wikipedia : "Ungar wrote “Ashokan Farewell” with the Civil War in mind. But he wrote it on a September morning in 1982, after the end of his third Ashokan summer music and dance camp on this property, which the State University of New York at New Paltz owned and had used since 1967 as a field campus for environmental education." By the way, this Upstate area of New York is gorgeous.

[@glennwing4214]

I first went to college at SUNY New Paltz in 1966, and lived in the area for 6 years. It's an unbeleivably beautiful place, full of powerful memories for me. The Ashokan Resevoir is gorgeous. Not surprised that this song was written nearby.

[@piedpiperprod]

Nice playing. Would be nice to credit Jay Unger for composing the tune. Ken Burns made it famous, but Jay composed and performed it with his wife Molly Mason on guitar. Good people and great musicians.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Absolutely! That’s a great idea. Thanks Tim

[@debrabolton9372]

Hauntingly beautiful! ❤

[@harryb7149]

Simply beautiful!

[@lawrencevandenberg7725]

Lullaby for serious dreamers...💭😌

[@ariellelester655]

I absolutely love this song on this instrument. So beautiful ❤😌

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you!

[@anonymuswere]

'scuse me...there's cannon smoke in my eyes...

[@hungadunga523]

Absolutely lovely.

[@thisisjen2005]

I think this is incredible.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@huntsail3727]

Amazing, Beautiful!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@claytonschase]

Beautiful

[@libbynoska7379]

Makes me cry .

[@robertryan7397]

A haunting piece of music beautifully played,I came across this version played on the uillean pipe by chance you now have a new fan

[@wendyhutchins945]

My favorite pipes

[@colinellicott9737]

Delightful. Thx.

[@manelrui222]

Me encanta el sonido y la expresividad que tiene. Saludos desde el sur de España.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Gracias mi amigo

[@jeremypreston5009]

This is a very personal piece of music for me as it was something of a warm up for myself and my violin teacher before lessons. He died suddenly from leukemia. This was years ago.... But to hear it on one of my favorite instruments.... Incredible Question, not criticism, is there a reason you decided to forego the registers?

[@kelsohighlander1]

Hi, Thanks for listening. Yes, I didn't feel the need to add the regulators in this one as I wanted the accompaniment to be strictly guitar like in the original. Thanks for your comment.

[@jeremypreston5009]

@@kelsohighlander1 it's still beautifully played

[@jeremypreston5009]

​@@kelsohighlander1 PS you played a part in inspiring me to get my bow rehaired and new strings on my violin and I'm playing it again after many many years away. I'll let you guess the first thing I played on it

[@eoinoriabhaigh8186]

Lovely playing

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you!

[@arronsmith3813]

This is an amazing version in it's own right. Would love to hear this paired up with a violin. Or perhaps a violin and highland pipes 🤔 Again VERY NICE version. I shared it on mt FB wall. 👍🍺

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you!

[@pato7614]

😂I have this played at my funeral fitting for an Irishman

[@jamesburnett7085]

Wonderful

[@Rojokokomo]

Lovely! ❤

[@dannywhelchel4801]

Very beautiful

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you for listening!

[@dannywhelchel4801]

@@kelsohighlander1 your welcome

[@jiyong21cn]

So touching and nostalgia.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thanks for listening!

[@outpostraven]

Marvelous

[@TedHouk]

A few more pipes and holes and golly levers? My GH pipes have a new bag at least louder. Eirn go brach

[@beckybishop9872]

Yes!

[@bufordt.justice2020]

Beautifully done Sir!

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thank you so much!

[@mickcostigan8042]

O no 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning

[@Hubcap888]

Video?? Looks like a photograph

[@cre8ivenerd]

This is phenomenal. Do you have it available to buy or download in a higher res?

[@kelsohighlander1]

I don't. Sorry. Thanks for listening.

[@nigelneill4035]

And this isn't even an old irish tune.

[@StewieGriffin505]

Interesting. I have never heard of this instrument. How is it different from what I call bagpipes?

[@kelsohighlander1]

It is a type of bagpipe that hails from Ireland. But it is played sitting down, inflated with a bellows, and it has a greater melodic range than the typical highland bagpipes.

[@gerhardthoffmann]

So I will become for the rest of my life.

[@Kitiwake]

Often played it on the flute.

[@johnjewell219]

👍👏👏👏🇦🇺🐈‍⬛😎

[@brianarndt6439]

Fuck the strippy tube I want a corroding tube

[@brianarndt6439]

Pipe!

[@bobbybatte417]

It's ok. I prefer the violin, though.

[@spmoran4703]

It's a Appalachian tune ( Irish American) it can be played on both pipes or fiddle .

[@SpielinWhelan]

Go h-alainn !

[@kathleenkeane4364]

I prefer it played on the violin.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Thanks for watching anyway!

[@garmisra7841]

I really like this version more than the original. It sounds like a tune that was made to play on the Uillean pipes.

[@resourcedragon]

Normally I like music played on the instrument/s for which it was written. In this case, I'm going to make an exception. Laments and pipes are meant to go together. The only question that needs settled is whether Uilleann or Scottish Highland pipes are better. (I'm going to guess at an honourable draw.)

[@peterchristian541]

Dreadful tune.

[@kelsohighlander1]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’m curious why you think so?

[@peterchristian541]

@@kelsohighlander1 It’s so repetitive. It just irritates me.

[@kelsohighlander1]

@@peterchristian541 Fair enough. Have a great day.

[@peterchristian541]

@@kelsohighlander1 Happy Easter 🐣