"He was a Friend of Mine" (Cover): Another Sunday Morning Tune (no. 250)

The provenance of "He was a Friend of Mine" is chaotic at best. Dylan recorded it for his first album though it was not selected. Dave Van Ronk recorded it for his first album--it became associated with him throughout his career--and he credited Dylan as songwriter, as many of those that followed also did. But Dylan had heard it on a record by Rolf Cahn and Erich von Schmidt who had arranged a traditional folk song first recorded in 1939. Later The Byrds recorded it and changed the words to make the song about JFK after his assasination. Soon other singers/bands would adapt the song to someone who was dear to them. As the world goes around, Van Ronk recorded a 20-year old Dylan playing the song in 1961 at the Gaslight Cafe. The sound quality is astounding and you can hear it now on KZbin. I thought of it because of the death of my odest friend, John Seifried,, on Jan. 26, 2025. #hewasafriendofmine #bobdylan #davevanronk #thebyrds #gaslightcafe #rolfcahn #erichvonschmidt #anothersundaymorningtune

[@MountUpWithWings-r7h]

Beautiful tribute to your friend. I’m so sorry for your loss.

[@johnpbo]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@LynnWood-r3g]

😿😻

[@johnpbo]

Ah, always good to see you here. Thanks.

[@dianebones4345]

Nice tribute to Sig, John.

[@johnpbo]

Why thank you, Di.