Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Perform "Ashokan Farewell"

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason perform Ungar's song "Ashokan Farewell."
Watch Jay and Molly's full Articulate segment here: loom.ly/4E1RqUA.
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Articulate connects audiences to the human stories behind art, offering a trustworthy, visually stimulating, never ordinary take on classical, contemporary, and popular art forms. From acclaimed musicians and best-selling authors to designers changing the way we live, each episode explores what great creative thinkers and doers can tell us about who we are, who we’ve been, and who we might become.
A production of Articulate Studios for The Articulate Foundation, Articulate is co-produced and presented by PBS39, Lehigh Valley’s PBS station, and distributed by American Public Television (APT).

[@thomast8539]

"Sarah, do not mourn me dear; think I am gone, and wait for me, for we shall meet again." - Taken from Major Sullivan Ballou's last letter to his wife, written a week before he fell at First Bull Run, July 1861.

[@carriehubble2074]

😢

[@herondelatorre4023]

@thomast8539 : Interesting fact about that famous Sullivan Ballou letter to his wife Sarah . After his wife received the letter following Sullivan's death during the first Civil War battle of Bull Run she kept the letter for the rest of her life. Following her own death many years later Sarah left instructions to her family that her late husband's civil war letter be buried with her.

[@ruthiemay423]

Tears of sorrow and heartbreak 💔 as I remember what our own citizens did to one another... 😢😢😢

[@Gently469]

If ever a song took me back in time, this was it. Stumbling on this by the guy who wrote this timeless classic and being accompanied by Molly Mason is pure gold.

[@b42baritone]

When I heard that there will be a series about our American Civil War, I was not to interested in it. I decided to watch just a few minutes of it just to see if its worth watching. When they played the First Battle of Bull Run and read the Sullivan Ballou letter and played this song I was hooked. I did not realized that Ashokan Farewell was written in 1982!! Now every time I watch the Ken Burns Civil War, I have to watch it from beginning to end and enjoy Ashokan Farwell tune.

[@fjfb1001]

I cannot express just how much I love this. My heartfelt thanks are hopelessly inadequate.

[@Deribinkle]

Jay and Molly, I never tire of listening to this. Each and every time it brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for this beautiful and solemn melody.

[@48Nugget]

Agreed 100 per cent. I have just played this with this clip of Jay and Molly on KZbin after a 'tough day at the office' and boy if I didn't just feel all the tension I felt just melt away. Simply put, this is a wonderful, sublime piece of music - and I ❤ it... Thank you Jay for writing The Ashokan Farewell and giving it to the world.

[@herondelatorre4023]

This song will forever be remembered as the theme song to Ken Burn's PBS Documentary The Civil War.

[@allenharris1069]

The most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard. And there's a lot out there !

[@kwidder1]

I wonder how many times they have played this in their lives. It never gets old.

[@ambu6478]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. My Great Great Grandfather lost his life in the Civil War on December 31, 1962 at the Battle of Stones River. I think about how he must have felt at that time when I hear this song.

[@p71collector]

1962? That was when Kennedy was President!

[@stevetillcock7361]

I fell in love with what I considered an original period ballad with Ken Burns' doc. Hats off to the truthful art work in our time. The letters were the inspiration.

[@jamnee]

My eyes are tearing, this music is so beautiful. I remember it in the Ken Burn's Civil War series which has always moved me.

[@judychamberlain3544]

Beautiful song, just had it played at the end of my mom's funeral service. Reminds me so much of my Dad and Pa-pa's style. They have both passed as well. Hope the tune is etched in my children and grandchildren's memories. Thank-you Mr Ungar and Ms Mason for being a part of a most memorable time in all of our lives. In loving memory of Maxine. ♥️

[@ronaldwharton939]

How much fun would it be to sit with your spouse and play different instruments and make great music together.

[@glennsprigg2378]

Wow... they are both looking a bit older now!!!, but that's OK... They have both aged gracefully & with love for each other... Yes!, Jay Ungar here wrote that piece, in memory of leaving their 'Ashokan' (country location) music gathering one year.

[@user-yn8lk1hq7e]

This song fits so well with Ken Burns Civil War documentary .It feels like music of that period, although it's a modern song.

[@Robconnors7253]

Beautiful song. I live along The Ashoken Reservoir in the Catskills Mountains ⛰️

[@coyotecreekblues6935]

Such a beautiful fiddle tune. It just stays with you long after you hear it.

[@917hazel]

Two instruments create a symphony. Lovely.

[@jessieash8316]

Combined with the Sullivan Ballou letter even Aussies can she'd a tear.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

The Ballou letter is simply incredible for its poetry. It's as good as anything that Edgar Allan Poe wrote (see "Annabelle Lee"), and unlike Poe's most famous love poem, it has the added poignancy of having been written for Ballou's wife the week before he was killed at the first Battle of Bull Run.

[@bradykelso8682]

A magical couple with a beautiful waltz!

[@fjfb1001]

And - I love these two people.

[@christophernewton2856]

Absolutely beautiful ❤

[@federicocommisso9272]

Hello! My name is Federico and I'm from Argentina. This song is very beutiful and I'm playing it with my violín.

[@johnwatts8758]

Kool

[@user-gs1gv5iw1n]

I learned how to play violin BECAUSE of THIS SONG. I love it and these two wonderful people for creating it. Thank you 🙏

[@billcoffey6921]

Mankind's greatest invention is art, ... and music is the greatest of these arts.

[@noahcount7132]

Too beautiful for words! 👍❤👍❤

[@bruscifer]

This is so beautiful. My brain won't let it go.......

[@Jamesdylandean]

Elderly people making music. Wonderful!

[@johnbruno6868]

We were all younger then. Funny how that works!

[@Yrksman]

Absolutely fantastic. This tune is up their with the classical greats of past centuries, Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky et al.

[@TheOldtimecountry]

Heard many people play this but this is by far the best. Molly is flawless. Not 1 squeak on the strings as she moves from note to the next as you hear from many guitar players. Jay is the master of this version .

[@rar6546]

It is not only his "version". He composed the song.

[@jacquelinecant1179]

I conpleetly agree amazing all from tjer hearts old school xxx

[@AlbertoSegovia.]

I love squeaky guitar playing! But the cleanliness and mastery from her is amazing. Jay is also a master!

[@johncook1080]

Jay and Molly combine to be greater than the sum of their parts. They have informed and inspired a generation of musicians. God bless you both, and thank you.

[@Jerry-fn5nx]

Wow! Always gives me chills hearing this melody. Seeing Jay and Molly play it gives me even deeper chills. Love those two and all they play

[@johnhickey319]

Such a pleasure to listen to Amazing musicians ☘️☘️☘️❤️🇮🇪

[@imgriff2436]

First heard this on the Transatlantic Sessions around 1995/96. Been a fan ever since, especially the very talented young lady Molly Mason.

[@Freakster1970]

The Transatlantic Sessions has to be one of the best music series ever ! I have never missed an episode over the last 20 or 30 years.

[@claudiale7837]

My absolute favorite. Love this so much. Thank you

[@mrj335]

Loved this. Beautiful playing both violin and lovely Martin guitar. Light and perfect. What a lovely piece. All the best to you both. I hope to do this rendition as you played it. Thank you.

[@chongoleary7065]

What a beautiful tune, part of history. Thank you.

[@MichaelLynMusic]

Just as Fantastic as the 1st night I heard it back in 1990...thank you Sooo Much!

[@jaywilliams5138]

WOW, I love this song and how they play it.

[@jeffrowlette]

Absolutely gorgeous 👍

[@lubyvader]

your great composition, its up there with the greats such as Bach and Vivaldi for me, and beautifully performed love it

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

It really is so beautiful that it honestly nearly brings tears to my eyes, especially when thinking about how perfectly it fit into the incredible documentary in which it was used.

[@user-bv3hg7qs1n]

I adore this music, as does everyone else, but even more....I love both your obvious personal enjoyment as you play and your sweet honest smiles at each other.

[@catherinezooski7138]

Gorgeous...love it!! Wow...what talent!

[@pjones7012]

my wife and i love this song and especially lovers waltz. she played the violin and i the guitar. but i could not keep good count. we both started playing when we were about 63. my wife played lovers waltz at her recital and i recorded it. she passed away in 2021 from pan cancer. i will always miss having het near but her love is in my heart forever. it is hard to play the lovers waltz recording but it brings back wonderful memories. thank you both so much.

[@tomanderson9257]

You made a great song, Jay!

[@lisamccormick2229]

Simply wonderful!

[@helenhighwater5313]

The best I've ever heard it played, they just keep getting better, bless them.

[@kerrywoodlock6646]

Superb piece of work.

[@pegheadproductions]

Love that old Martin... ❤

[@michaelcallegher9605]

great so authentic i thought for years that this was actually a song from the civil war era......its actually only about 40 years old.

[@timothyjohnson4969]

So incredibly moving for me. Thanks for sharing

[@MarthalieThurstonSachemPiper]

Simply beautiful. Thank you.

[@enotoof]

Beautiful

[@donnachamcgowan]

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL 😍

[@kevinforde2555]

Beautifully played, perfect

[@brucelyons2423]

Beautiful!

[@lizziesklar7117]

Beautiful.

[@pennyburns4425]

Thank you, Thank you sooo much for such beautiful music! Restore my ❤xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@UAL320]

America is a lot of things….THIS is truly one of them…..

[@sueandsherm]

So, So Beautiful!!!

[@christophernewton2856]

God bless you both for being such a blessing with your beautiful music. Much respect and gratitude.

[@jbijouc6915]

So beautiful.

[@SingWithUkraine]

Awesome!

[@suea.swlondon7799]

As beautiful as ever... x

[@ismewhat1234]

Nice playing 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍

[@HanksterGuitarDrums]

so beautiful

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

Lovely and loud Martin!

[@SovereignBlade]

Beautiful :)

[@FrankCoPenn]

Beautiful video

[@KirbyLeeDavis]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@catherinecarter8987]

Very nice 💕

[@garyritterstrings]

Hey Jay, remember when I saw you and Molly at the Ark in Ann Arbor Mich.? Stop by my Violin Shop if you get near. Gary Ritter

[@sdavid2]

❤

[@youonlytubeonce]

"the surprising fulfillment of expectations" at its best

[@tenza7556]

Beautiful and haunting. This song and James Horner's Legends of the Falls themes are do strikingly similar to me. Does anyone else think so?

[@leeannscholl9924]

Yes they totally do!! One of my favorite movies and soundtracks of all time!

[@YEWGYZE]

Hits you right in the guts . Heavenly

[@pre10801]

Pure Americana

[@joseph2832]

NY TUNE

[@SkeepyJeepyJohnson]

Well, I mistakenly assumed that this piece was a century or more old.

[@samsterling1462]

This song makes me nostalgic for a century I never lived in.

[@mylessmith5244]

The song was composed in the 1980s

[@samsterling1462]

@@mylessmith5244 your point?

[@catherinecarter8987]

@@samsterling1462 I too thought it was Traditional. Its lovely.

[@johnaustin1825]

Is it unplugged? Great duo

[@TheGeonam]

This beautiful old civil war song leaves me knowing it's going to end but you really don't want it too.

[@derekambler]

Not a Civil War Tune!!!

[@olivierroy5540]

Jay Ungar actually wrote this song, Ken Burns liked it so much he used it in his documentary.

[@Oldman808]

Keep practicing! You’ll eventually figure it out.

[@SpaceTech54]

Goodbye Mom

[@jean6872]

Too bad that the lyrical mood is shattered by strange music after the lovely tune has stopped.

[@annecavanagh1579]

Go h-íontacht ar fad

[@timothykunz6643]

L

[@FrankCoPenn]

Beautiful!