Michael Peter Smith does "The Dutchman" Gainesville FL May 2010 + back-story

Michael Peter Smith at a house concert produced by Paul Wales and Annie Orlando in Gainesville, FL May 9th 2010.
Plus a little front and back story on the song from the author's mouth.
For more of Michael's music go to his web site at:
michaelpetersmi...
Lyrics can be seen here:
michaelpetersmi...
Thanks to Bob McPeek for great work recording the evening and providing the great audio for this clip!
Video by David Beede
www.davidbeede.com

[@Silverbasso]

I’ve known and loved this song for over 40 years. I sang it every night to my daughters (along with Puff). Now sometimes I sing it to their children. The older I get, the more meaningful this song becomes to me. Thank you, Michael.

[@maevemadden6871]

Check out the Brendan Grace version. Beautiful and pure also.

[@4ththe5th46]

So sorry to hear of Michael's passing...I remember going to see him at folk club outside Chicago...after hearing Steve Goodman's cover of this song...then learning to play it...still feel it's one of the greatest folk songs of all!!! RIP, Michael 😪 BUT...the music lives on 🎶❣🎶❣🎶❣🎶❣🎶

[@GHGuy-tn9ls]

I never thought I'd have kids, but finally I did in my late 40s. I think his line about her seeing his unborn children in his eyes was subconsciously a major reason. Thank God for him.

[@stevejohnston8543]

I’m in my fifties and haven’t given up yet

[@HonestlyAnnaFun]

I literally just burst into tears. My parents played this when I was a kid.

[@4thThe5th]

HOW WONDERFUL TO HEAR HIM TELL THE "BACKSTORY" OF THIS MARVELOUS SONG...AND SING IT...THIS IS "ONE FOR THE AGES"...THANK YOU!!!

[@docfoolery]

One the very greatest American Songwriter's of our time sadly now gone, but never to be forgotten.

[@52topper]

Beautiful song! I love it! I'm a widow and miss my late husband.

[@atahulpa3584]

Michael taught me The Dutchman at The Flick Coffee House in Miami, Fl. and I've played it for over 40 years .. / Thanks Michael ...

[@lawrencenewman615]

that's where I first heard as well...1965

[@josephelden4573]

Went to see him twice with my Dad in the early 2000's and I still get goosebumps during the last refrain when the audience starts singing. They always seem to do it with great reverence.

[@edog1955]

Can't hear it without a tear in my eye.

[@jq5596]

Same here

[@Legnerps]

or 2...

[@LazyIRanch]

How do I get this lump outta my throat now?? 😭

[@David-ig8of]

E'tu brute'

[@soldier2297]

As an Irish man who has always listened to Liam Clancys version I can't believe it was you who wrote this. Well done sir. Thanks for writing such a beautiful song.

[@sharonsurbaugh-painter5164]

Thank you deeply, Mr.Smith, for writing an All~Time Classic LOVE song. . . one of THE best ever!! I must claim our fellow Chicagoan, Stevie Goodman, as my ALL-TIME, HeartSong version, though! ~next to your's. . . It must be a Chicago thing. . .with all due respect to Mr.Clancy. . .STEVE GOODMAN 4ever 🎸

[@lynnmckenna9934]

Exquisitely written song❤️

[@jq5596]

Truly beautiful. Never tire of this song. What a treat to hear the author sing it!! Magic!!

[@paulrolland134]

There's always something special about hearing a song you love performed by the person who wrote it.....especially a song for the ages like this one..... Truly a great post!

[@richardperkins5046]

Beautiful, he almost brings himself to tears. That's what the song does to me when I hear it and sing it.

[@Zeckellin]

You know it, Richard - same here. If I want to have a good cry, all I have to do is try and sing this song. The way Margaret takes care of him has me bawling away in no time - it's pretty embarrassing, I must say.

[@markrush5013]

by now he has played this song many hundreds of times...why would he cry? he is a performer..an actor ,if you will, on stage .

[@richardperkins5046]

@@markrush5013 I guess you don't read people very well.

[@josephmyers8717]

Love, when time has passed by. A wonderful, powerful, emotional song. Michael Peter Smith wrote it when he was young, and he had never been to Amsterdam. It made this aging guy cry a few tears.

[@Hollcall]

Beautiful Song. As a child we lived near a couple of Dutch Families. Great people . They liked my last name-lol { Holland } . Partied a few times with Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy. Great Guys.........very plain & down -to - earth. CHEERS

[@rerenaissance7487]

Decades old, this song. But could be an anthem for all those living with a partner with dementia. Not a tragedy, just two people who remember above all how to love.

[@dimurray9325]

I'm so sorry to hear that Michael is very unwell just now. Blessings for your wonderful music - may you travel easily

[@Imissthepostoffice]

It's like if I wanted to get away from Michael Peter Smith and move on .. well it's like he always seems to somehow just come back to me. Just a great singer songwriter .. his voice ! and he's not too damn bad on guitar either. I've seen him play around here in Chicago more than a few times, and have more than a few of his albums (CD's). The man is just brilliant. What a gift for all of us to enjoy !

[@nbenefiel]

my memories of him go back to the late 60's. Dear Margaret remembers that for me

[@Imissthepostoffice]

Margaret is neat ! I wish that all of us would have such a person.

[@gerardluif1158]

Being 85 I've a girl like that!

[@patriciadelabretonne1600]

I heard Michael sing this when he was quite a young man, in LA in the early 70s I think, at the Icehouse in Pasadena and other venues around LA. Beautiful even then..

[@garoldamadon1926]

Thank you Michael Peter Smith for this song! It's been a cover in my gigs for nearly 30 years. I do hope to keep it going with total appreciation and always give your name as the author... Just a beautiful piece! Played it for a community dinner just last month. Yup. Thank you...

[@jimchevallier528]

For many of us, this will always be a Steve Goodman tune. Saw him do it more than once.

[@rdvqc]

Stevie often used to kid that Michael had never been to Holland

[@jimchevallier528]

@@rdvqc It is absolutely a fantasy version of Holland. And of a relationship.

[@Bing6813]

I Love this song , it speaks to getting old and never forgetting what true love is

[@Imissthepostoffice]

I wish we all had a Margaret.

[@anneruddy3539]

Many happy memories of hearing this song in the pubs in Westport.

[@08shortstop]

I think sometimes as a songwriter it all comes together and the result is a perfect song like this.

[@cash12347]

What a great song. Thank you Michael Peter Smith for writing it. Isn't it wonderful how a wonderful song just comes through you and lives on for years and years as a classic. Bravo!

[@Sunshine-Light]

Michael was a gift from God❤

[@Bjohnson1945]

I love love love this song. Stevie Goodman's version is my favorite... though they are all great. Had the great fortune to know Steve. We spent some time together in Athens Georgia when he was there performing at "The Last Resort". Such a great talent and great person.

[@ttwillow9073]

Lucky you. I sure miss Steve Goodman

[@edcasey9738]

Steve Goodman version is best.

[@olivetg1]

aka Cool Hand Leuk

[@bobrussell9839]

A beautiful, wonderful, love song.

[@brucewatsonmusic]

Beautiful song - and the version with the most integrity. Michael Peter Smith - Come to Australia!!

[@loojishtc9899]

Sometimes, the gift is being able to write the music, and sometimes, the gift is being able to sing the song.

[@raindog2262]

And sometimes, it's a gift just to be able to hear it.

[@Zeckellin]

I cry like a baby everytime I hear this song, everytime I try to play it.

[@markw4206]

Same! Every dang time. :)

[@elsakoczan9479]

Wow! Could listen to this guy forever! He's one of my top ten all-time performers to listen to ( and I'm an amateur entertainer all of my 70 yrs of life so I listen to a lot of performers and music)on my bucket List to see him perform live andhearhis stories as well Elsa Koczan

[@Legnerps]

I 1st heard this song and loved it when I was still a young man ...but now it really gets to me.

[@markrush5013]

thru the threads of the mysterious musical universe many years ago david allen coe brought me here..

[@susanedmond2826]

A very emotive song, I love it! Love at its'purist!

[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

Great story about a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

[@vestertube1]

LOVE this! RIP Michael

[@DavidRothMusic]

On the Mount Rushmore of folk songs.

[@agalli908]

So a magical Song. ....thank Michael

[@trilobyte51]

Too many UK fans of this flawless lyric think Liam Clancy wrote it. In the US, they think Steve Goodman. While that's certainly a tribute to these deeply evocative performers, I'm relieved to have lived long enough to embarrassingly recently exit the latter group. Apologies and gratitude, Mr. Smith. Brilliantly done and RIP.

[@jimburnham7282]

Love this presentation by Michael Peter Smith. Saw him do a similar cover (wonderful) here, several times in the past 10 years or so.

[@carlkuss]

I worked as a priest for twenty´three years in Holland (now in Mexico) and this reminds me of real people...

[@johnwhelan1193]

beautiful the best version I ever heard

[@JenniferOgle]

Great song from a master song-writer. He will be missed...

[@mcinadr]

BRAVO Best tribute to Liam from a very talented writer

[@mouseman6942]

It is true, Life creates music and music creates life. Great song, wonderful story...

[@kennymcadams9295]

thank you for a great song

[@ssgtsouth]

What a great song, sometime you just stumble on to it a fall in love with it. This is just such a song...Wonder if I'm reflecting on my young years?

[@pubmgr]

Lovely song. Wonderful performance.

[@jackodoherty1458]

Beaytifulsong that will be sung for hundreds of years.

[@chikipiki1]

Awesome - good to see you David :)

[@bestwishes9435]

The Dutchman, beautiful song . I look forward to seeing you at the house concert on Feb 17th.

[@DimeStoreMusic]

Great job. I love this song.

[@geoffbing42]

Thanks for sharing this David, it's wonderful.

[@jhnyrok]

Incredible! Thank you!!

[@kenoflaherty8769]

Magnificent,...this is going in my repertoire

[@paullubin6730]

As I get older I cry every time I hear it, especially by Anne Hills and Michael.

[@Imissthepostoffice]

+Paul Lubin I have the CD. Actually, I could have done without Anne Hills. She was fine and all, but seemed to override Michael with her overpowering voice. (And I've seen them both live, too). Somehow, at least for me, Michael's voice is all I needed to get the point across.

[@Imissthepostoffice]

no need to cry . pass it on. all of us are getting older at the same pace. never feel distant. none of us likes it, but let's all sing together. Okay ?

[@GeorgePossley]

I woke up thinking about this song. I think my first exposure was from Steve Goodman's recording that I stole on Napster. It is one of my favorite songs ever and it frustrates me that I haven't even thought of it for years. I last covered it on KZbin ten years ago. I'll do it again, maybe today. I can't do all that fancy finger picking but I'll strum it and sing it like the Steve Goodman version that I first heard with the multiple guitars.

[@ziziroberts8041]

Just. Beautiful. ❤

[@452susieq]

Great story!

[@joeharl2006]

Lovely song

[@spacemissing]

Of all the great songs ever written, this one is probably the most realistic in terms of humanity. Steve Goodman's album version is the best rendition of it I've heard.

[@ELMASLAD]

As an ecstatic immigrant to Vermont and new warehouse manager for the then Independent Music distributor, Silo/Alcazar Records, picking LP orders to ship across the USA, I inevitably got to listen to many of the recordings. There used to be a show on the BBC in England called Desert Island Discs where well known people chose, and had played, their 10 favorite recordings. I would have to cheat and take the entire collections,Time and Michael Smith both with me. I'd insist it only count for 2 !

[@12345688587]

Wonderful song..............

[@Imissthepostoffice]

brilliant

[@dadama925]

I did something impromptu tonight related to this song. I juxtaposed Dutchman with Daisy a Day, replacing the chorus of Daisy with that from the Dutchman. Try it, you will be surprised how well they fit. Both are in C Major.

[@jonjames5561]

Love!

[@RicksTastyLicks]

I was turned onto your music by TFIA and played guitar on their version of "Dead Egyptian Blues." When Ezra played this song for me the first time, I cried unabashed tears. You're a most remarkable songwriter, Mr. Smith and I'd really love to hear from you if possible!

[@DavidBeede]

Rick Gordon , David Beede here. I made this video of Michael at a house concert. I doubt he checks it for comments, but he does have a FaceBook page. You might try messaging him there.

[@RicksTastyLicks]

@@DavidBeede I'll see if I can hunt Michael up on FB. My comment was a hail mary pass and I hoped someone might catch it:) Thanks so much for the info and the suggestion.

[@jnich16]

“The Dutchman” has been one of, if not the powerful and meaningful songs for me for reasons sad and beautiful 40 years long. So I hate to admit this but I always thought it was a Steve Goodman tune.

[@davidrumpler5528]

Don't worry.... a lot of people still think that Arlo Guthrie wrote “City of New Orleans”....its funny how these things work😊

[@Egmond67]

Ewan McColl wrote "Dirty Old Town" about his home town Salford, near Manchester. Lots of towns have old canals and gaswork walls, so the song has been variously claimed by Derry, Dublin and Belfast and no one really minds. Dublin used to have the nickname "Dirty Dublin" - no longer deserved by the way. Phil Coulter's song "The Town I loved so Well" is definitely about Derry.

[@bzockster]

Wonderful tune. Listen also to Steve Goodman's version.

[@richardperkins5046]

I have, many times. Jerry Jeff Walker does a decent version too.

[@markw4206]

Also John Gorka. Very good one.

[@kkoo3247]

Great song

[@Egmond67]

Wonderful performance of a marvellous song. I love the before and after comments. Go into any pub in Ireland and ask can anyone sing this song. Just about everybody will belt out the chorus; however most will struggle with the verse as the melody here is quite subtle. Irish people like claiming songs as being traditional old songs. For example most Irish people think that Ewan MacColl's song Dirty Old Town is about Dublin, whereas it was actually written about Salford in England

[@theresakennedy893]

No one sang the Dutch man like Liam Clancy , god rest him

[@claoftheninesausages]

and Tony, everyone will know the chorus of Dirty Old Town but very few will know the verse even though they think it's a Dublin song but The Dutchman is an absolute classic.

[@LaCanadaMike]

Great song with a lot of wonderful versions here on KZbin. Listen to Jerry Jeff Walker.

[@ub1846]

Great cover of this beautiful song by Bob Shane - performed live with The New Kingston Trio (Lost Masters 1967-1972). Check it out on KZbin; it's my favorite rendition.

[@mikesmith7898]

Bless you, dadama925, Forewarned is forearmed. I've never heard "A Daisy A Day" but still, believe me, I SO hope I never have to listen to this.

[@connopv]

Nice.

[@yvonnemolina6352]

R.I.P dear sir.

[@MrA259]

Love Steve Goodman;s version--but this is slightly better

[@Rivergull]

Hmmmm. I always thought Dirty Old Town was about Derry City, Ireland.

[@markrush5013]

all of us old men know its coming. . .

[@clintjordan5846]

Do yourself a favor and listen to Steve Goodman version C

[@DavidBeede]

I've heard Goodman's version and I appreciate it. However I heard Michael play it first and in addition to gravitating to the writer's interpretations of their own work, I notice I/we have a tendency to feel the first version of a song we hear performed is the "right" way to play it. Humans are funny that way. Plus, I like the funny back story.

[@sidney4329]

One thing that could have given credibility to the "shell-shocked" theory is the mention of Rotterdam, which was heavily bombed by the Nazis in 1940.

[@DougGrinbergs]

1:45 start

[@henharro]

Better not listen to versions of Steve Goodman and Liam Clancy

[@bmwldr]

Why is that? All versions are different and may appeal to different tastes. I had the privilege of seeing Steve perform this live and his version is still a favorite. But, I like hearing other versions as well. I love hearing from the actual writer of the song.

[@henharro]

Liam's story to it is ridicolous pathetic and added falsely, Steve's version is much too fast and not hitting the sense of this beautiful song

[@bmwldr]

I agree about Liam's back story, not so much about your opinion of Steve's version. To each our own!

[@Imissthepostoffice]

I watched the Clancy's version (referring to the dutchman as being shell-shocked). Yea, I agree it puts a negative take on the song .. takes away from the substance and beauty of the song. And especially, somehow degrades the character of the dutchman.

[@Imissthepostoffice]

When you s

[@hansvancoby]

Pissant