Sam Shackleton, "Cuckoo Bird," // GemsOnVHS™

[@Orourkebanjo]

I’m an American banjo player and this guy is great. I love how no two people play this song the same.

[@Townes.VanZandt]

Right. That what good folk is to me, people telling it their own way.

[@hosank]

I’m a Canadian who doesn't play the banjo 🪕 and I concur, this guy is still great

[@rxgueplanet]

He slayed that thang

[@jacksonparrish224]

Trying to play it now, and its completely different

[@alfonso.toribio]

True!!!! Banjo player from Spain here. So old and so many different interpretations of it.

[@Brigand88]

This man looks like he just got drafted for WW2

[@blaisegirl420]

🤣 this is too accurate but it works

[@midwesternwelds1197]

Ok this is hilarious but I’m pissed that I didn’t notice before hand

[@rodolfojar9972]

for a moment when i saw the photo of the video i believe it was an old video..

[@scoursey]

Is there tab for this version? I love it!

[@ImTakinMeFishin]

Class only seems to have died a long time ago.

[@vflrockytop]

I'm a southern Appalachian American i grew up to my grandfather clawing the banjo to these classic tunes.

[@chrislackey2170]

I never thought I’d find a version of the song I like better then Willie Watson’s

[@KJAY2THOUSAND]

@@chrislackey2170 woah woah woah.. Willie Watson also sang this? Idk if he’ll top it in my books but his vibrato and singing voice is legendary

[@Pine_01]

A lot of Scottish settled in Appalachia

[@bsan8650]

One of the best renditions I've heard of this song, I keep coming back to it almost weekly.

[@DynasticBroom]

Daily for me

[@ML69898]

I've heard that The Cuckoo is a super old song, like at least 800 years old with the lyrics unsurprisingly being changed. "Gonna build me a log cabin to see Willy as she goes passing by." Was originally "castle" instead of "log cabin" and "Willy" being William The Conquerer who took the English throne in 1066 AD. If true, pretty cool if you ask me.

[@galaxyanimal]

Well, the verse about seeing Willy, as well as the verse about Jack o' Diamonds & probably some others, are floating verses, which means that they pop up in various different songs. Whether or not "Willy" refers to Wm. the Conqueror, that still doesn't necessarily mean that that verse originated in this song.

[@waylonhurt958]

A lot of these songs are very old pretty Polly is from the 1600s

[@kenny6920]

Willy in the modern version refers to the feds I'm pretty sure- need that cabin way up to see em coming for you and your still

[@YorkyOne]

@@galaxyanimal Yes, floating verses that are radically different from the various English originals. And the above poster is just repeating the Wm the Conqueror and 800 years old twaddle posted elsewhere.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@galaxyanimal Actually, what I think is happening is that there appears to be some confusion between this song and 'Sumer is a cumin in' which really is old (1200's) and which is also known as the 'Cuckoo Song'.

[@jeffreyhoward6319]

A lot of the music from Appalachia comes from the Ulster Scots (or Scots Irish) who settled there. I grew up in the foothills of the Allegheny mountains in West Virginia and I heard these songs all my life. Thank you so much for sharing your music with us,

[@trentlytle7289]

I think I finally figured out how to play this! This is one of those tunes that inspired me to learn clawhammer banjo this year, and nobody seems to play it the same way. Go half a step down from G-Modal, stay on 13,22,32/33,43 for fretting and practice galax rolls.

[@alexanderedward74]

A Sports Direct mug is the most British thing I've seen on Gems On VHS

[@tolvaer]

As someone from Georgia Appalachia, this is a sweet surprise to hear someone from Scotland sing like this

[@ando5899]

You are of us, though you do not remember.

[@CraigStCyrPlus]

Shouldn't be!

[@jamiemccallum9055]

he's fae the old country

[@Coompie621]

I can't stop listening to this!!!

[@kelaine9023]

Me too, ha!

[@DougFLTRX]

MORE OF THIS GUY, PLEASE!

[@barrystevens7195]

Hey it’s funny the famous explorer Shackleton made sure to always pack his banjo, there’s also a banjo company in Norwich, UK who use the name Shackleton on their banjos! Great playing, love this

[@blomkoal4766]

Shit, this is one of the best videos on this channel! World class, I will put this on replay for days.

[@blomkoal4766]

Came to correct myself. I did not put this on replay for days but for months.

[@davfive]

This is great stuff and love GemsOnVHS for getting me here.

[@robertmccluskey7757]

How on earth do you have a 6 day old comment on a video published 30 minutes ago

[@adamosullivan5839]

@@robertmccluskey7757 Patreon subscribers get to view video's earlier than the rest of us plebs.

[@swing-o-gram]

One hella talent. Wish him all the best in his career (and hope to see more!) :)

[@SanrioAngelBB]

This version of the song is just too good. I keep returning to listen to it.

[@DougFLTRX]

This version is badass. I've played this at least a couple hundred times in a month now

[@TimeTravelinHendrix]

Oh man that is good. What a tough song. His rolls* are incredible.

[@Pete-z6e]

TimeTravelinHendrix , Rolls, and he doesn’t roll, it’s claw hammer.

[@buddysyst3m]

Came here to say rolls as well, but I'm surprised you dont consider those rolls. Clawhammer as it may be, it's hard to call that riff in the chorus anything but a roll. Would your criteria from a roll require multiple fingers plucking as opposed to one finger...well... rolling over the strings?

[@JauntyWhale]

@@buddysyst3m Less of a roll, more of a scrape.

[@buddysyst3m]

@@JauntyWhale good answer. I'd accept that.

[@derekhodge2289]

Love that raking style, so smooth.

[@HiNinqi]

My fave sung version of this song

[@offair5513]

This song is a gem and rare to find people even know this song exists

[@carolmcln5028]

JUST discovered this man. Amazing singer & player. Love this music.

[@Automedon2]

I'd like to live next door to this guy so I could hear him practice

[@JustSomeYTuser]

apartments like these in Edinburgh are pretty expensive

[@GemsOnVHS]

Hey y’all, this field recording is now available to stream on our spotify. Check it out here: open.spotify.com/track/3AiwyKx5WbrXvxBmF6GrxS?si=6281b080def6479a Be sure to give us a follow on there so you’ll be the first to know when we release more. Also, we have "Cuckoo Bird" and other Sam Shackleton favorites available for download on our Bandcamp page: gemssamshackleton.bandcamp.com/ Sam's got big plans, so follow him on Instagram to keep up, instagram.com/sorleythebard/ Follow GemsOnVHS on Instagram as we explore where music's going and where it's been, instagram.com/gemsonvhs/

[@groomedtodie]

Pin this!

[@devilaces]

Gets me right in my banjo feels.

[@bobbydazzler1209]

This is in my top 10 tracks of all time and I DJ progressive house music and techno.

[@Rwfinsanantonio]

Hot damn this song got me grooving

[@lew-e]

I always want to learn to play the banjo. This guy makes me want to play it even more. This is Good

[@bluesageful]

Been listening to this song all my life. One of my favorites. And AMAZING version! I follow Appalachian ballads. Which of course most started over there. It interesting to see each person's bent. And you did an amazing job!

[@E6EN]

I sing this same song and we still play music with the same sound here. I have to come to Scotland & Ireland. My people harken me

[@grouseman1994]

I’ve watched this dozens of times over the year mostly on my way to grouse covers dogs loaded down coffee in hand chasing prairie birds. Just a fantastic song that has held its weight for me over and over sounds great. Well done sir. I tip my hat to you. Wish I wrote this a while ago hope you get to see this and know some dog trainer in Iowa travels the country with your song in his playlist chasing birds of an older time.

[@GemsOnVHS]

That is awesome!

[@grouseman1994]

Update shot a new species of grouse I haven’t hunted before and I was listening to this song cruising the sand hills and prairies of Nebraska on the hunt for sharptail grouse and the new species for me prairie chicken! Ruffed grouse camp was a success we got on a ton of birds and put a couple down in the process keep ripping the banjo Sam!

[@CT_Irvine_Music]

Savage version! I used to play this with a buddy of mine, hopefully we'll all be back playing at gigs soon :)

[@lukerice69]

Good on him for saying Appalachia correctly. It always does my heart good hearing someone pronounce it well

[@Each-Uisge]

Can say it either way. My family has been in Northern Appalachia since the 1700s and they all say it with the "sh" sound.

[@joeyfultz9937]

This is so good

[@scott236]

This is great stuff! This southern American approves!

[@grouseman1994]

Seen 7 states since hearing this cut absolutely still flawless

[@jacquelinehaywood6952]

First heard oliver swain sing this song with kendal Carson on fiddle and loved it ever since. Had no idea it may have originated from bonny Scotland. Excellent version, well done. Love from UK, east coast.

[@RichardRuth]

Well, it was at least played their but can a case be made for it originating there?

[@YorkyOne]

@@RichardRuth No, because it is a traditional English folk song.

[@masonmichael6656]

That outro kicks ass. Skills, man!!

[@lonesomelou4188]

Nice rendition, Bud. The side comments were an authentic touch that some old blues guys would do. You made it your own. Thanks for the performance.

[@adifferentbanjoguy9603]

He's playing in standard when this song is usually played in sawmill... And that fancy slide thing... I think I'm gonna have to re-teach myself!

[@davidjerezgomez]

Love this! Thanks for sharing!

[@Thekidfromcalifornia2.0]

Coco bird it one of all time favorite folk songs and oh boy did he do it justice.

[@cameronmcisaac633]

One of my favourite renditions

[@chrismarty406]

Just the best cover of this piece of history great man!

[@erniegutierrez1942]

Sam... if you read this you have an awesome take on this! Your style is it's own is damn cool !!! You need to come to Appalachia where you'd be so welcome I'm sure brother!!!

[@rongplanet]

Wow! Great voice, great singing, really great all round performance.

[@andysemitic4456]

Best version of this song I ever seen

[@cornontherob1225]

Insane. I gotta learn this.

[@westonf3216]

It's nice to hear names like Alex Lomax. Such an amazing dream and glad to see his aspirations live on!

[@andrewp8284]

This is absolutely amazing. Intoxicating!

[@forgottentraveller5736]

I listen to this at least once a day if not more

[@samuelleake9213]

Yes! You killed that, what a talent

[@natalimenacher1981]

He looks absolutely flawless ❤️

[@lynnettereede6887]

A Sister from NYC... Chill bumps! Young Man! Slainte!

[@tylerroney]

Waiting for this on Spotify. Come on y'all.

[@TheWrxrally]

I really love the way this guy plays. So much rhythm!

[@FuxiaSue]

Brilliant! What a voice!

[@bycarolbarber]

Love this song!!!! Banjo too 💖

[@stevebardill5784]

This song taught me how to get started to learn the geitar .......good job man

[@CurtisShaw-folkfanatic]

I love that little break he does twice through the song

[@Drakonak]

The instant switch from a Scottish accent to a Southern drawl was incredible

[@westoniii]

There are similarities

[@monalisa11]

I come back to this video quite often

[@GemsOnVHS]

have you seen the new ones we've done with Sam?

[@seancrutcher525]

Damn good version of cuckoo bird my friend

[@forgottentraveller5736]

"Your horses ain't hungry, and they won't eat your hay" -biggest roast of the millennium 🙏😎🙏

[@grouseman1994]

Almost two years later and still my favorite song chasing birds 🤙🤙🤙

[@dulcierosebuffey3230]

Love this guy! I wanna meet him! I love the way you whoop boy! X

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Great job my Scottish friend. greetings from North Carolina!

[@DieselBarks]

Excellent observations about buskers.

[@derrickcompher3624]

I love this version of this song

[@cedarriver]

Love it! Lyrics below, chords are F#m and E all the way through, or, If you hate barree, Em and Dm with Capo 2 [Verse 1] Oh the cuckoo is a pretty bird Well she warbles when she flies But I never caught a cuckoo Til the 4th day of July [Verse 2] I'm gonna build me a log cabin On a mountain, oh, so high So I can see Willie Where then he goes on by [Verse 3] Well I played cards down in England And I played cards down in Spain Well I bet you ten dollars That I beat you, oh, next game [Verse 4] Jack of diamonds, jack of diamonds And I know you from old And you robbed my poor pockets Of my silver and my gold [Verse 5] Well your horses ain't hungry And now they won't eat your hay I'm gonna ride on a little further Go to meet them on my way [Verse 6] Well the cuckoo is a pretty bird Well she warbles when she flies But I never caught a cuckoo Til the 4th day of July

[@davyjones2994]

Cedar River thank you

[@jakesingleton6268]

Would you call this a clawhammer style? Or something else?

[@McGby128]

@@jakesingleton6268 yes, this is clawhammer

[@SirShakeJunt]

@@jakesingleton6268 Interesting right hand style though, it's definitely different than most clawhammer styles

[@TimeTravelinHendrix]

is it played in standard g tuning?

[@dakotacapps7829]

This one caught me by surprise

[@EvertfromNederland]

Love how you play this dude. good on ya nice job sir.

[@Pete-z6e]

Love the scrapes, class.

[@batzpfsaddict2806]

Great version

[@miguelmarquez4192]

:17 its neat when you can see someone is truly a kind soul.

[@Woodwalker219]

Thats awesome!!! Thanks

[@grouseman1994]

What a great sound. I wish I knew more about music so I could give a better compliment but god damn dude. That's the right sound 🤙🤙

[@kelaine9023]

This is brilliant!

[@sabrinaandbenji1390]

Wow so inspiring!

[@sartainja]

That song is old as dirt but a damn good one.

[@corywilliams3846]

Your voice is deadly good... This is incredible !

[@Bootscootinaly]

Lordy this man & his banjo pickin just gets me 🫠

[@jvcourtney1992]

We need more!

[@GemsOnVHS]

more is coming. planning a whole scotland trip sometime soon.

[@sixthgatebass]

love that rake thing he does

[@magicstuff505]

i would love this on spotify

[@bl00dshade07]

Rory Gallagher, one of Ireland's great musicians (and for my money, our greatest), does a lovely version of this too. Fair play to Sam, he did it justice!

[@federicoperez4373]

This versión Is much better than gallagers if you ask me

[@tommylumberjack]

Sammy boi, or shall I say good old Sorley?! :D I just bought a banjo myself and omly once you make much sense of the instrument I realise some of the talent you hold brother! Hope you're well, and please let's jamm soon! One love.

[@seabud6408]

Great playing, singing, performance. Good luck with your career.

[@mattpilcher9413]

Straight fire right there.

[@badboybootz8]

This music is like candy for my ears

[@jgarber1]

Great cover. Well done

[@johndunnahoo9234]

Wow that Cuckoo is a pretty bird for sure great song and performance Sir.

[@MrVeritasAQ]

Great video. Love that song. Thanks for sharing!

[@jacquelinehaywood6952]

Love this

[@michaeljenner1795]

A group here, Kaleidoscope, back in the early 70s did a version of this, quite nice. It's on youtube if you look for it. This was good. I enjoyed it.

[@WestboundCityTrain]

Sick bro!

[@sacredsolfire]

1:20 in and I already saved it to tha SOULJAMZ playlist....thanku

[@JacktheFreaklol]

never heard a scotsman throw his voice like that or any at all cool stuff man!!

[@FaustLiber]

The boys Scottish but got the fingers and mind of southerner I swear

[@BadCookWhoJudgesChefs]

It's the banjo. If he would have played this with traditional Scottish folk instruments, it wouldnt have been the same.

[@FaustLiber]

@@bouch2442 that's incorrect, I play banjo. The origin of the first banjos were African. The modern day banjos as the one he is playing were invented by Joel Sweeney In America. The style of playing he is doing is picking with rolls which was invented by Earl Skruggs in 1924 (American) jofflowson.com/banjo-for-complete-beginners/history-of-the-banjo#:~:text=Joel%20Sweeney%20was%20the%20first,people%20question%20these%20claims%20nowadays.

[@BadCookWhoJudgesChefs]

@@bouch2442 no it's not. Its african then made it's way to North america, then it went back with Irish immigrants when they went back to Ireland.

[@Townes.VanZandt]

@@bouch2442 I thought the same as you, good on ya tho. Anyone here enjoying this is music is good people! Enjoy it!!

[@galaxyanimal]

I think that you've got it backwards: southerners have the fingers & minds of scotsmen because they're part scottish.

[@marshallmarvin1369]

Good stuff