Brennen Leigh | "Prairie Funeral" | Western AF

[@Jake_Steiner]

I loved the reference to "O Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie." ❤

[@SuperBollus]

Robert Christgau (Village Voice) wote of Iris Dement's songwriting, "She goes from A to B in the straightest line you can draw without a ruler...not because she knows where B is, but because she knows where A is." I feel the same way about Brennen. She has never forgot where she is from. Love your channel all the way from Australia.

[@Willi-Carlisle]

I've had the album this is on, "Prairie Love Letter" on repeat all year-- it's just incredible! Also, Brennan is low-key the best interpreter of Lefty Frizzell songs there is. 🔥

[@willhurt3446]

What’s “low-key” mean ?

[@mattjohnson5197]

@@willhurt3446 not well known or under appreciated

[@WildwoodSon]

You are a national treasure, Ms. Brennen Leigh. In a different decade you'd have topped the country charts. Maybe that decade hasn't come yet. One can hope.

[@sethmountain]

Wow, just wow. What a song, what a voice, what a presence. I was fully taken into the story, and came out with tears on my cheeks.

[@melschevelle]

She reminds me of a female version of Johnny cash. I LOVE her!!

[@gerwynevans2729]

Authenticity matters in Country music and she has ii in bushels. I love everything she does.

[@GrahamAndersonis]

How many times can I tear up-90, 100 times? This song accesses a cultural memory. So powerful.

[@urthtone]

Saw her open for Charley Crockett at Gruene Hall. She's stunningly good.

[@ComedyBros5]

Golly that's a glorious lineup. Would've loved to hear these two in one night!

[@taylorsheets5913]

@@ComedyBros5 Thats just a Friday night in Texas brother. The music scene here is unparalleled.

[@verdant2215]

​@@taylorsheets5913True. I live outside of Austin and just about any bar will have live western music.

[@erikchoice6759]

I’m from Nebraska, I left the Midwest at 18. I’m 21 now and I’m not saying I miss it, but I wish I would’ve appreciated it more when I was there.

[@saidinjest]

You're still very, very young. You may find your way back there someday! I felt uncomfortable in the country when I was in my 20s for some reason. I'm exactly twice your age now and can't get away from the city fast enough.

[@nrkltkman8512]

Such a beautiful song. My Grand Father was born in 1898. I’m only 36 & I love to sit & think about how differently they lived then. The hardships & the great joys that we can take for granted now.

[@wiscgaloot]

Guy Clark was right about Brennen--she can pick like a mf'er and this song proves it!

[@ersp1]

if you really want to hear her tearing up the flat top, check John Deer H in this channel. I really like hearing her on her own, where she plays all the parts, rather than relying on a bass or fiddle for rhythm and/or splitting leads and fills with a fiddle. She and Noel McKay are really great together. Check Steam Thresher's reunion in Brennen's channel and Blue Eyed Dog over on Music Fog's channel.

[@Stevewatson3]

I’m blown away😮❤ I’m a Scot and I can’t get enough of this stuff the songs and story’s are incredible! USA is lucky!

[@ComedyBros5]

Hot damn. This gal's voice immediately takes me back to simpler, older days that I was never a part of. I don't know why, but I envision myself sitting on the front porch of our family farm with my Granddad in the 40s, just relaxing and reminiscing on life. It's amazing what music can do for you.

[@skystevenson24]

Her voice makes me long for a time and place I've never been!!

[@jackwalker1822]

Just discovered her. Where have I been? Exactly the kind of music I love.

[@dr.strangevelo6031]

The ‘boots piled in the hall’ line brought this one home for me. Funny how a little detail like that stands out.

[@hauntsofnature]

This song is so special. The lyrics really touched my soul and heart. It made me nostalgic for my family and my grandmother's house on the outskirts of town in the prairie. 💜 There was a lot of death in my family growing up, but it always meant the family would come together. This song reminds me of that. Thanks you, Brennen and WesternAF!

[@Christyc250]

I'm from western ND, when my great grandfather was barred my grandpa and his brothers put his boots out on fence posts overlooking his favorite veiw of the farm stead. This song exactly depicts my ancestors that came over from Odessa and Besserbia Russia. Lived in a soad house and the roof was the wagon turned over. They sent the children out to pick bones and broke the ground with oxen teams most people didnt own horses. They where in the Dakota territory the same time teddy Roosevelt was in medora, ND. My ancestors named the town of Kulm, ND also the birth home of the actress Angie Dickinson, my great grandmother was friends with her mom and my great grandfather played with the king of poka Lawrence Welk when he first started out playing music before heading to California.

[@skylilly1]

Awe, that's very touching.

[@AndyTheCornbread]

My family is from Norway and Germany but we too homesteaded our ranches and farms in Western, ND back when Montana and the Dakotas were still a territory. Although some were lost to the bank during the Great Depression most of them are still in the family. Nobody and I mean nobody captures in song the Great Plains experience the way Brennen does. She is amazing.

[@jackmehoff2363]

I came out to north dakota in 2012. And i aint gonna ever leave. Came out for the oil. Bought a house in tioga, northside of the river. My kids are born here. Its better here then the east coast

[@michaeljcommins]

Absolutely beautiful song, so full of evocative memories. It stirs the heart in a special way. Superb lyrics and wonderful delivery. This is country music from the the fountain, the kind that touches the heart. Greetings from Ireland and well done Brennen!

[@whitedog1778]

One of the greatest songs ever written!

[@misterr50]

watched her for the first time last night and am hooked...such a wonderful talent

[@cedarriver]

Ah that guitar sound, I love it! Chords and lyrics below folks, have fun playing! And don't try to play along until you guitar is out of tune, because hers is, so don't wonder. Verse C F C / C / C F C / C F C [Verse 1] It was a funeral on the prairie, all his children gathered round Put him in a horse drawn wagon, drove him into town In the dark of February snow covered up the ground. In a pioneer church made out of sod we sang A Mighty Fortress Is Our God [Verse 2] He was born in 1898 when the plains burned red and green To God fearing pilgrim parents, the twelfth kid of thirteen. They broke up that ground yard by yard with a mule and an oxen team Now we’re burying him out on the lone prairie where the coyotes howl and the wind blows free [Verse 3] Back at the house we pushed that big oak table against the wall Built a fire in the cast iron cook stove, made room for one and all The children and grandchildren piled our snow boots in the hall The women worked like an oiled machine; the coffee boiled and the kettle screamed [Verse 4] Then the old folks took to telling tales of back when they were young And it weren't too long before that four string banjo began to strum Mom played the fiddle and my Uncle Lars played his accordion The old farmers cried in their flannel sleeves when we sang that song from the old country [Verse 5] That was long ago and as the years go by I still forget he’s gone But I look out on the open plains and I know his soul lives on He’s the red sky mirrored on the lake, he’s the first cold light of dawn He’s a coyote’s wail, he’s a winter storm, he’s the August wind blowing through the corn

[@McAwesomeDelux]

Archtops are something special! They really change the "feel" of a song, the subtly of single notes really stands out compared to a flattop. I think, anyways!

[@barrybr1]

Don't mean to be rude but it looks to me that she's playing C G C

[@cedarriver]

@@barrybr1 Not rude at all, don't worry. They never actually film her playing that chord, only the C/G, but I'm 100% sure its F not G soundwise

[@MitchellMaichak-ze7mr]

@@McAwesomeDelux It don't hurt that it's a Harmony archtop , the workin' folks guitars , from Chicago , when Chicago was somethin' else !!!

[@PenaltyKillah]

I've known Brennen since her Lefty Frizzell tribute album. Loved Obsessed with the West and her latest, Ain't Through Honky Tonkin' Yet... but wow, Prairie Love Letter is something else! Soulful and deep with humor and sadness all in one record. Ain't nothing like a prairie girl from North Dakota singing what she knows best.

[@PenaltyKillah]

(Also, I must add that her songwriting is just as good as her vocals. Brennen crafted a whole story with this song, and you really get a sense of the setting, the scenery, the small-town characters going to this funeral... I could go on and on 😅 so let's just keep it at that!)

[@reedanderson]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@deetee2063]

Beautiful! Song, lyrics, singer....

[@ssimonson09]

The is the most wholesome funeral song ever. Gotta love it!

[@wilburshuman]

WOW, Just Wow................ Had this old man in tears.......... As I remember well, folks born before......... The turn Of the "Last" century. Well Done young Lady, Well Done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheMatchsellers]

Brennan Leigh is as real as it gets! She's an inspiration to all of us trying to do this music thing. Thanks for filming her. A living legend in my book... andrew

[@AndyTheCornbread]

Finally!!! I loved Brennen's music for years and I wondered if we would ever get to hear on here. Our ranch was on the Montana border but she is the only singer who has ever captured the great plains country experience for me.

[@ericmalmstrom9943]

I love your work, Brennan! Prairie Love Letter is so very touching, so very real. I don't know where to begin. My great-grandfather immigrated in 1870's and homesteaded in Kansas, living in a dugout sod home for the first couple of years, then an above-ground sod home. You had to have a dugout home to survive the prairie wildfires. Today there are dozens or hundreds of of decendants, yet few know the story. His third son named Carl was my grandfather. The other two Carls had died before he was born. The graveyard includes three other siblings that died within one week, along side my great-grandfather. We have it so easy today. You tell great stories in your music. I am so glad I discovered you and your music!

[@westxranchin]

Growing up Ranchin in west Texas this song hits home.

[@dustinhinds1999]

Wow! Just wow.

[@idahoduckhunter]

Nice Brennen, my favorite on this channel in a while. Beautiful story.

[@direwolf6234]

incredible small details that bring this song so true to life .. and a cool old guitar ..

[@acesnoopy]

What a song and what a guitar player

[@CarolinaMusicScene]

Thank you.

[@mrrockabilly8814]

Growing up I was obsessed with Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, Mother Maybelle, and this reminded me of it all. Amazing work.

[@TerryHarrisontbh]

I love all songs your songs

[@johnnyk6460]

Brilliant song and fabulous voice!!!

[@jim2vogt]

Awesome. Thank you

[@coriekerr2649]

Watched you last night in Springfield, Mo you were fantastic ❤ so was Ashleigh C.

[@adamr327]

Song she’s humming at the beginning and end? Hope to listen to it the rest of my days

[@sagramor22]

IN THE GARDEN by C Austin Miles

[@SpoonLady]

Good job! Loved this one. ❤️

[@dirtytiger]

Beautiful.

[@DonnaKramer-g8h]

The first time I saw Brennan Leigh was at the Fun Barn in Winfield KS a few years ago, when she was a teenager. I'm embarrassed to say I bought her CD because she had such a twangy voice, I sorta felt sorry for her. I have to say, though, I've worn that CD out. She's going to be in Winfield again this week and I am going to see her and buy more CD's. I love her voice and her songs.

[@robertnoller4645]

This song awakens ancestral memories

[@shanesarver6895]

Awesome.

[@riddyarman30]

The QUEEN

[@jaylair6366]

Love that natural voice!

[@jubileeflymusic]

Thank you for this!!! Brennen Leigh's an immense prolific and poignant songwriter who I admire so much.

[@hz3917]

"The farmers cried...when we sang that song from the old country" What a touching line

[@robertbenedict5648]

"Will the circle, be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by"

[@trophybowhunter1]

Now that is Western AF.

[@CarolineParkeSongwriter]

What a beautiful ballad

[@KevinOverton-i9x]

I have roots in a different prairie in southwest Oklahoma, but I think Brennan and I share a common background. I have been to many funerals that fit the funeral described in this wonderful song.

[@justinmishler6758]

Wow that was awesome

[@KaukTim]

Another fantastic performer...wow! Love it...would love to hear her do a full performance of the little waltz she was humming as she walked through the barn. Just fantastic!

[@chriscocks3670]

Dang! Thank you KZbin for bringing me here. Instant fan and love from Scotland

[@magnuspym]

Love i !! New sub... Stumbled on you from my John Prine night. Love your music! Gonna' pass(share) you along to my friends!

[@timbonnell2182]

This is what I wanna hear right about now.

[@randyrobinson8751]

You live on that state line of ND & Minnesota there's people you really get attached to

[@Pine_01]

I love my country

[@jaylair6366]

Ooh, that guitar! Looks like a 1930's Epiphone? Great song, BTW!

[@paulgofrogsbrown]

Its a Kay Sherwood. Might be a 40's. 30's Possible.

[@MrEdukator1]

Beautiful

[@everdeneb4811]

Damn, she's good !

[@stevehall7193]

Beautiful song. A masterpiece.

[@ninebandedarmadillo9534]

Amazing and so genuine.

[@fitzyfresh843]

The values portrayed in this song are the very reasons I moved my young family to ND. Where hard work and the death of loved ones is the most difficult things I may have to know in life, and where being surrounded by love, family and song will surely be the first prescribed remedy. I'm a fairly new fan but have had my attention turned your direction for the last few months. I'll be waiting patiently in South central ND for you to play a show close to home, so I can have a chance to lay my own two ears on you. Thanks for your contribution to life.

[@gregself372]

That was beautiful thank you

[@larryeddings3185]

Beautifully done!

[@eggs2627]

Thank you that was amazing!

[@thekid3032]

What a unique voice and a pretty face to match, keep the content coming! :)

[@TheVeek192]

What the hell. "Pretty face." Yeah. Let's congratulate people for having a "pretty face."

[@dbo7525]

This is awesome

[@garyhectormusic4989]

Very cool vibes.

[@nirvana613]

Sweet, sweet, sweet !

[@jeffcmo1957]

That is a great song.

[@gehringkeith]

Love the song about home.

[@lappleman]

Great performance. Wonderful tone from that guitar.

[@headwhop26]

This is literally the only music in existence that appeals to both my mother in law and my punk rock ass

[@vicbottini]

I've the chills...

[@jamesbrown55]

Gosh that was an awesome song. Please post more videos

[@reilrochon4602]

Beautiful as the day is long

[@christopherhenderson7303]

Nicely done!

[@AxeMoose]

Speaking of cook stove I swear bread baked in the oven of a wood stove always tasted way better. Could just be my aunt had a secret to baking it. This is a great song. Enjoyed.

[@andersbjrnsen7203]

Of course it does, just like meat from a coal grill tastes better than meat from an electric grill.

[@curlybill3966]

Red River People! Tough, Good People!

[@mekongbaby]

What a song. Wow. Anyone knows what a beautiful guitar she plays here?

[@jubileeflymusic]

A vintage archtop Harmony. She plays it like no other

[@mekongbaby]

@@jubileeflymusic thank you, very much!

[@maxwellcoddiwomple2281]

Look, sound, and feel. Nicely done.

[@marktate4466]

Very nice song!

[@Galiuros]

This song was featured on KXCI 91.3 in Tucson

[@Heffy90]

Yeah this is awesome!

[@leahallen6464]

♡♡♡ I miss you Dad

[@johnrussellpsychicandautho2510]

Wow!

[@gibrigg]

Very nice!

[@bendummitt888]

She's great...

[@ericfarley1475]

wow, that was a story. I'm pretty sure I was there. 2 thumbs up!

[@NT-qj1sy]

Oh wow

[@dylanirvin9199]

Just gonna be honest I didn't know this gal existed til today looking at the charley crockett ticket for tonight and she's pretty good

[@TheVeek192]

Hahaha. "Pretty good." Listen to more than one song, you'll find out.

[@mirandag.3277]

i think this may be the first time i already knew a song you guys posted(yes, i am a little impressed with myself lol) but this is such a lovely song. i just love it

[@Rabadamtimtimti]

I'm norwegian - and can totally relate to this.

[@joedematteo7090]

First introduction for me. And I’m sold.

[@TheCoyoteRadioShowPodcast]

awesome sound!