Eva Cassidy - AMERICAN TUNE -

This Eva Cassidy rendition of a Paul Simon song* is a perfect example of the type of music Cassidy enjoyed: covers of songs she loved. The genre of music mattered little; i.e. jazz, blues, gospel, rock, folk; she cared about and insisted on singing songs in any musical style. As a result, her music didn't really fit into the format-defined music industry. Her career never materialized which is why so very few people anywhere ever heard of her.
So, how is it that a gifted artist achieved fame after death, after life in obscurity? Her posthumous popularity occurred when her music was first broadcast in the UK on BBC Radio Two in 1999 (she died in 1996). In 2001, the BBC television show Top of the Pops 2 showed a homemade video clip of Cassidy doing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".
The public response was incredible! Her album, Songbird, became number 1 in independent and album charts. The rest is history.
It is amazing that the unexpected popularity in Eva Cassidy's music (which came along years after her death) became a true phenomenon. She still remains unknown in much of her country of origin (USA). I was fortunate to learn about her from a You Tube fan. This is my form of payback time. :))
*Note: Paul Simon wrote the lyrics and his own arrangement of American Tune. However, it should be noted that he discovered a good chunk of the melody from listening to JS Bach's "St. Matthew's Passion". Bach used a good chunk of the melody that originated with Hans Leo Hassler's "Mein G'müt ist mir verwirret" (a love song). So, this wonderful melody found its way to the voice of Eva Cassidy via a love song , the Passsion of Christ and a perspective of the American experience.
LYRICS:
Many's the time I've been mistaken and many times confused
Many's the time I've been forsaken and certainly abused
But it's all right, it's all right you can't be forever blessed
When I think of another working day
I've just got to get some rest
I've got to get some rest
I don't know a soul who's not been battered
Don't have a friend who feels at ease
Don't know a dream that's not been shattered or driven to its knees
Oh but it's all right, it's all right we've lived so well so long
And when I think of the road we've travelled on
So far away from home
So far away from home
And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty sailing away to sea
In a dream I was flying
We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hour
And we sing an American tune
Oh but it's all right, it's all right you can't be forever blessed
And when I think of another working day
I've just got to get some rest
I've got to get some rest

[@DrMusicStarr]

Thank you. Oh my, what an exquisite pairing, American Tune sung by the Incomparable Eva Cassidy. And the powerful images... 😪 Why do I cry? The grief of the American Dream being so infiltrated with harmful patholigy, Driven to its knees. And yet... Music, Hope, Love 💖

[@donnadignity]

This beautiful beautiful song - by the immortal Eva Cassidy - brings hope at such a time that is desperately needed. Bless your soul Eva. Your legacy is forever blessed.

[@donnadignity]

A beautiful video interpretation of Eva Cassidy's exquisite performance. She inspires beyond the grave. Exquisite.

[@bbharim]

Only Eva could do Paul's song as well as he. Almost like Paul wrote it for her. Thanks for coming Eva. I miss you, forever.

[@cultivatingcivicconversations]

Really wonderful compilation of content. Thank you

[@GuitarraUltima]

Thank you for uploading this meaninful song and the best interpretation thereof (my opinion) by Eva Cassidy. I believe it is prophetic since Simon and Garfunkel sang it as early as in the 1970s. One correction: Paul Simon is not only the author of the words but the music as well. True, he used Bach's motive for a part of it, but it only made it more beautiful.

[@Laurenbdavis]

Another day, another tragedy -- Las Vegas shooting -- and again this song consoles me and breaks open my heart.

[@msomusicco]

Such a wonderful version of this song..incredibly Beautiful!!

[@edhelium6931]

You put a lot of heart and soul in this Eileen. Thank you.

[@all4musica]

Such a Beautiful Rendition By Eva!

[@Bluematter1969]

Wonderful! I've been out of town and was so happy to to see this creation of yours upon my return. May your spring be filled with joy and wonder. Blue

[@bellevans]

Thanks Adamfulgence, for your beautiful and generous visual interpretation of Eva Cassidy's rendition of this song. Although I love to hear Paul Simon sing his words, there is no doubt that Eva touches hearts deeply. Its so beautiful. Thank you for showcasing her beautiful voice and vision. Great songs give that opportunity, eh? :-) And you are a terrific visual interpreter.

[@zjmn58]

Hi Eileen,I'm glad you are creating your wonderful videos again! I've missed your artistic view of music. Great job on this one! My Mother introduced me to Eva Cassidy's music. We both had the same eclectic taste in music. Thanks for sharing! : )

[@imjunipernow]

Your choice of images is so interesting.

[@viqarakram9440]

Untouchable

[@bellevans]

This is such a beautiful video interpretation of this song, Thank You. I listened to Eva Cassidy's evocative voice even 'harder' with the icons. Really lovely total presentation. Thanks!! Love it!!

[@Adamfulgence]

Thank you so much!!

[@kaitlynlaraine2197]

I was aware of the change of lyrics before I actually listened to her version of the song. After listening, though, I don't care. This is beautiful and perfect.

[@RachelsSweetie]

I'd never heard of Eva before Pandora dredged this song up for me. Now I love everything of hers I've listened to. I hope Paul Simon heard this and thought, oh, so *that's* what this song is supposed to sound like! The lyric change from "certainly misused" to "certainly abused" is so poignant. Would have loved to see the image at 0:20 when she sings "abused" but I'm not complaining.

[@glennl8910]

We love you always :-)

[@rebeccaosvold6174]

she took enormous liberties w lyrics and yet stayed incredibly faithful to the spirit & soul of the thing always. beautiful phrasing and feeling, and paul simon himself stole the music from an old protestant hymn i am pretty dang certain.

[@gabalw.3992]

Copy & Paste from Wikipedia: The tune is based on a melody line from a chorale from Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion, itself a reworking of an earlier secular song, "Mein G'müt ist mir verwirret," composed by Hans Leo Hassler. The melody used for "American Tune" can be heard quite distinctly in part 1, number 21 and number 23 and in part 2, number 54. The melody to "American Tune" is practically identical to that of "Mein G'müt ist mir verwirret" and "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," although Simon expanded on the tune. Credit to the origins of the melody is given on his album cover.

[@Adamfulgence]

I appreciate your explanation though it hadn't escaped me. Click on the small downward arrow under the video on the right. Thank you!

[@sarafeldman9524]

Liberties? For sure!! You might say the lyrics are twisted and turned, verses exchanged, like what Iz did with Over the Rainbow..but I do love her. So sad she died young.

[@ragc0100]

The melody dates back to Europe. Bach borrowed it from another, earlier composer, then it became several hymns in the Protestant church, and came to the New World on the Mayflower, then traveled to the Moon on Apollo 10. This is the thread in the message of the lyrics...