Iron & Wine - The Trapeze Swinger

[@michaelliggins3314]

My wife and I watched this performance live and I was so close to proposing afterwards, we were in bits, but I'd left the ring at home (not wanting to lose it in the Welsh mud! - It rained a lot that year) We ended up using the audio from this recording for our first dance when we were married in 2009, so thank you for posting

[@missyhate]

Michael Liggins This is such a lovely comment! Thanks for brightening up my Monday. :)

[@michaelliggins3314]

My pleasure, credit where it's due. To Sam Beam also, obviously. We still prefer this recording to the studio version :)

[@derekstorey4938]

missyhate yes thanks for the share. Of all my times at Greenman this is my favourite memory. The audience was transfixed.

[@richardbarth918]

Miss so many that this song instantly brings back. Sorry for those who got lost along the way. Anyone out there in search of their way please keep going. You do not know the sorrow that will be left when you leave.

[@dalta0110]

Wow...that's my favorite performance of this song. This has to be my all-time favorite song...it's just so...I don't know how to describe it...but wow!

[@beatificdreams]

12 years later, it's still indescribably lovely.

[@hotsircire]

This is definitely my favorite version of this song. Not only does he have the voice of an angel, the beard of a mountain man, and amazing clothes, but he also has such feeling behind the song. It's as if he's telling stories that everyone can relate to. I really want to know what he thinks about when he sings songs like these.

[@2004Cursereversed]

I love how music can take you to a place you’ve only hoped to be. We’re so lucky to have Iron & Wine. Love live Sam Beam

[@scarymike51]

this is a perfect song to listen to while driving on a peaceful road with the windows down.

[@alexagabriel3424]

So majestic. He gets so into it too - he goes from whispers to belting out all his emotions to whispers, beautiful harmonies, and preciously slow parts.

[@LucasLemosh]

Best version ever ! This song is amazing

[@gleam6370]

Definitely the best version

[@missangie6601]

this is my fav version of this song thanks for posting :D

[@missyhate]

+Eliza Sofa_Spoons My pleasure!

[@peterroe6233]

I was there for this. And very important for me at the time, Whoever took this footage . thanks very much. `brilliant.

[@regretthebroken]

I can’t get through the first ten seconds of this without shedding a tear

[@LamyaKR]

Oh God, I'm Totally In Love With This Song... I just want to cry in silence everytime I listen to it while remembering my childhood, my missing friends, when we used to play in the grass all day long, when we used imagine fabulous stories ... The lyrics are so touching ... Iron And Wine is THE best band ever... ♥♥♥

[@daskdask]

Saw them last night at Terminal 5 in NYC and he came out for an encore and played this... I've never heard it before, but it was easily one of the greatest concert moments of my life. Pure beauty captured. I hope someone posts a video from the show.

[@patchespetunias]

Great video. More people need to do themselves a favor and listen to this song.

[@peterroe6233]

I was there for this. Our kid (my brother) couldn't/wouldn't. Our Mum was very sick in a home back in Derbyshire and didn't have long to go. Sorry for being maudlin but this was a beautiful moment, at a beautiful festival.

[@missyhate]

I'm glad you were able to have a moment of beauty during a difficult time.

[@peterroe6233]

Credit to you missyhate. A lifelong memory.

[@psychedellion]

So amazing. The crowd went so still for this song.. I almost cried! First time I heard it, I didn't want it to end xxx Thankyou for playing in Wales! :) Please visit soon xxx

[@MaritAkilah]

I think this is my favorite song of all time. And I can't believe 4 people have disliked this video. This is way too beautiful and complex and moving to dislike!

[@tallliketrees]

So incredibly beautiful. The lyricism this man possesses amazes me.

[@chloesaysGO]

Holy crap I love this so much. I could cry.

[@SteffieEhm]

Ive been listening to this song all day. What a lovely, lovely song.

[@captainadam1]

Out of the hundreds/thousands of songs I've heard in my life, this is one of the very best.

[@tonyinwood]

Just cannot get over the presentation of this song, and how unique it is. Great melody and words. This song just draws you in....

[@ajdelanger]

i love this song. i just learned how to play it on my guitar and its so much fun to play. beautiful song

[@ydk2284]

What's the finger picking progression? (if you're still there)

[@dondante]

Thank you thank you, this is my highlight of the whole weekend. *sighs* Just lovely.

[@SpokenLiterature]

This is probably my favourite Iron and Wine song and the best version I've heard of it. Just incredible. Thank you.

[@backgroundbob]

A beautiful version of a beautiful song. He performed this live in Manchester, the first time I'd heard it - I just stood there in awe as verse after verse rolled by, thinking, "this man has just used every wonderful image I could ever have thought up in a lifetime, in one song." I understand what you mean about the crowd, but remember that this is the Green Man festival! I don't think the cheers are meant to be ironic - I think they really appreciate the sentiment of sticking it to the Man.

[@kersh8568]

If there were words that could describe how this song draws out a persons memories and emotions theyd probably be written into this masterpiece itself when I spun it backwards.

[@PreciseTennisStringing]

One of those songs you wouldn't mind if it never ended

[@ChordsFromTheVoid]

2 years later since I first saw this video and its STILL fucking amazing

[@sauron1984]

Oh lord, that audience. Cheering at the word "fuck", and trying to clap along. This is a song where you must simply stand, silent, and soak in the waves of emotion that are radiating from this man and his guitar.

[@CooperLordOfAll]

his voice is light; ethereal and forever

[@Christamaphone]

This song is so incredibly beautiful, it makes me so emotional every time I hear it.

[@Ads2509]

Rip to my little brother, who decided to leave us far too soon. Swift and bold, fair winds and following sea's ❤️

[@BleedingKS]

This song fills me with a plethora of emotions. It's perfect.

[@hampx3]

Managed to be at the front for this, was absolutely mesmerising.

[@cookiiiebreath]

This song always brings a tear to my eye.

[@Lorcan.oshanahan]

this man is an special bread of artist, one of that last of his kind!

[@urbanmermaidgirl]

I have never seen this version - it's gorgeous! :) Thanks for posting it!

[@goliabianca]

cry everytime

[@MonicaBarbalace]

goliabianca so do I

[@cincylaw14]

+goliabianca God, me too. It makes me think about my girls...7 and 3...and leaving them early. Like I'm singing this to them. At 5:50 (in this version), I lose it every time. So powerful.

[@danty100]

it's the first time i hear this song and by far i Love it

[@it5ju5talx]

thank you for buying an awesome video camera and filming this!

[@yellowgirl4]

i LOVE this performance so much

[@mpalardy]

After three beers and a shot of whisky, I'm still crying.

[@mELONHEAD1899]

Thanks for posting this. Its a great version!

[@mtino25]

i cry. so frocking beautiful

[@cay87]

This song is soooooooooooooooooooooo much better live. There's so much more soul.

[@SteveLeeG]

sam did this as his encore at radio city music hall a couple of weeks ago and brought 5900 people to absolute silence. some people can't handle that, sadly.

[@raven2401]

@fernandoruirodrigues don't you this it's weird how repetitive it is but still is amazing and it works i love it!!!! this is the most beautiful song i have ever heard!!!

[@0bananaskin0]

Wow! Thankyou so much for this... painting embellished with truth

[@tommyvalentino]

this was actually beautiful

[@karpi99]

Gracias Marce Rojo , está noche la pongo sí o sí

[@bibiez]

Such a sad song, Very god though, I had enver heard it before

[@sidelliott]

Please, remember me...a masterpiece.

[@samtc2]

it's beautiful. just beautiful.

[@Spacemonkeymojo]

Amazing, love this song.

[@Thornspyre81]

I've wanted a jacket like that for 10 years when I first saw this video. Never found one

[@craigslistdave2086]

Doubting Thomas still haven’t found it 😭 whenever I watch this video I think of your jacket comment. But hey, post a screen shot of Sam wearing it from this video to the correct subreddit and I guarantee they find it for you ASAP.

[@GGDslover]

It looks like a men's trench jacket if that helps. Kinda similar is this one www.rebelsmarket.com/products/men-s-double-breasted-trenchcoat-stylish-belted-windbreaker-225885

[@JamesCovington01]

Fucking hell. This song is amazing. God I love tripping over real talent.

[@Lorcan.oshanahan]

@scarymike51 or with the windows down stopped in traffic in a big city jst watching people go about their lives… uughh i gave myself goosebumps :)

[@RocksteadyPlumbing]

A lot of this song reminds me heavily of Vic Chesnutt. The nostagia, the phrasing, it's just great.

[@Ellabrook21]

It only has 2 more dislikes from a year ago... That's pretty good. That says something about this song.

[@findingnvrland21]

This guy is God. Best beard ever. RESPECT.

[@aceshot72]

Also check out John Butler Trios "Ocean" (max sessions version)

[@matthewportugal538]

This is perfect

[@MattD37]

this looks like 1080p :D beautiful song..

[@iloveyoujules]

you're right, pretty good performance!

[@KevinWarnock-w7d]

My funeral song.😢

[@melmey07]

Wow, art...

[@xfactor5492]

Listen to it completely sober, you might cry.

[@jvaleriu]

This song is straight from the heart, and to the folks laughing and trying to clap along i must say that you are missing the point completely. Anyway, great song and very talented songwriting.

[@resi500]

amazing.

[@ShebbaRod]

Simply Amazing... I have to see this man live before I die... Or I´m gonna be a piss off ghost^^

[@easelnorela]

"A vision too removed to mention"...oof. Too good.

[@dirtycockerspaniel]

True musical poetry

[@Randomesrik]

If you like this you should watch the version "live at ACL"

[@pomelobass]

AWESOME

[@georgearakawa]

@pretzelzetzel No way! She is incredible! She is very talented. Her name is Sarah, Sam Beam's little sister.

[@EmSeeKay]

Inspirational.

[@BoobyMcDoogle]

they do that every time he plays this live, anywhere I think. check any other video =/

[@MrAaronsrun]

This man knows how to life

[@Valllick]

wow no wonder why he quite acting WOW joaquin phoenix can sing no wonder why hes leaving acting behind im gonna miss movies like space camp and russkies but its well worth it What great music

[@surveysaysNO]

Every time I watch a live version of this song I am A) Blown away by the emotion B) Completely stumped as to why the album version has to sound so watered-down and timid when clearly this is Sam Beam's vision for the song C) PISSED when idiots whoop it up at "fuck the man" like that's the whole point of the song

[@samgould8567]

As of today, there are 2 officially released live recordings of this song and they both sound watered down compared to this performance. I’m not sure if this video portrays Sam’s vision for the song or if it was just a magical moment. I agree it is the best.

[@bergkamparsenal10]

i wish he would record this version instead of the version found on the rarities cd. the studio version is good but his live version is simply amazing

[@aceshot72]

man i love this live version, does anyone know the finger picking progression!

[@Filbunkish]

@henobeno yeah well, if you only know "trapeze swinger" and "flightless bird, american mouth" that's your problem. I'm sure people in the audience knew the songs. I saw him just a couple of days ago. I knew the songs. But they changed up the arrangements on the songs pretty much. Maybe that's why you didn't recognize them.

[@aceshot72]

id need to make a tab for it haha i just learned it by ear

[@johnnybrop]

it is!

[@RocksteadyPlumbing]

@lisamaudje He doesn't really remind me of Vic himself but the song reminds me of Vic's words. The emotion that comes through reminds me of Vic also but it's mostly the way the song is written; the words used, the phrasing. It has that mid-life nostalgia that Vic was so good at but with a little less regret.

[@Thornspyre81]

I want Sam's coat! Anyone know what type it is or where the heck I can find a similar one?

[@toast1594]

My girlfriend needs to grow a beard like Sam

[@goliabianca]

piangere per ore..

[@scarymike51]

absolutely agree

[@brianjdillon]

capo on 3rd - watch his hands C, G F etc

[@lisamaudje]

@RocksteadyPlumbing it reminds you of Vic chestnutt or of Vic's music??

[@jamesyu896]

I'm pretty sure this is Jesus singing. This guys is great!

[@amazeroth]

"Uh, he said "fuck", I have to cheer!" *cheer*

[@mrmedina52]

@efrenjh Thanks!

[@yourfriendg00]

beautiful song. why people feel the need to clumsily clap along to songs like this will always baffle me...

[@becket03]

silly to clap at "fucxk" but still someone should commission a painting of the Pearly Gates containing all the wonderful imagery in this magnificent song...i'd proudly hang a knock-off on my wall if it was done cleverly enough..sam beam is the real deal...colleen keegan this song is about us!!

[@mayerguitar]

@pageerror404 seen him play this twice live, once while sober and once while f*cked up, cried both times

[@mademoisellesarah1660]

does anybody know a specific version where he does the falsetto on "the trapeze act was wodnerful"?