Ye Vagabonds :: Barbara Ellen

[@SchismaticProductions]

For anyone not in the know, one of the brothers is winding his hand. This was common in Sean Nós singing, the singer would wind their hand either solo, or often the person next to them's hand was grabbed and wound also. There's links to the winding or clockwise nature possibly going back to pagan times and the contiuing circle or spiral. Think of the traditions found where one walks clockwise/counter clockwise around a sacred/holy place or dancing around the May pole. They all have foundations in antiquity and the worship of the circle or spiral.

[@gregbwa1]

And the winner of this year's Air Gurdy competition goes to . . .

[@toniqa3]

thank you for this comment

[@ricstunneloftunes4288]

yeah this version of the song is good and all but what is that lad dong with his arm?

[@ClueFinderDirtDigger]

Rics' tunnel of tunes! It’s a good way to keep the tempo consistent when you’re singing a cappella or the instrumentation is droning rather than setting the rhythm & tempo. Reminds me of the arm swinging used in American shape note choirs.

[@black.gallow]

@@ricstunneloftunes4288 It's part of the Sean-nós singing. "Sometimes a listener will hold the performer's hand, and together they will move or "wind" their linked hands in the rhythm of the song. The Irish verb cas means to turn or wind, and an idiomatic expression for singing is to turn/wind a song: cas amhrán" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean-nós_song#Distinguishing_social_features Here you can see it with the singer holding someone's hand: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnrMdWetft6roMk

[@ricstunneloftunes4288]

@@black.gallow ah I knew there must be something to it. Thanks very much.

[@vickystanley8853]

My Ozark Mt. raised grand mother used to sing this to us. (alittle bit different) then I saw yet a different version in my 11th grade English lit. book. Y'all make it fresh with that gorgeous harmony.

[@hollytaylor3068]

We have heard this song before many times and always thought it a bit dull. So thank you ye vagabonds for transforming this old song into something so deliciously tense and heart renching. At new year our whole party trooped up the side of the hill into a blackthorn grove. Moved to sing we filled the glen with this song. Truly magic. Now it's often the first thing we play when we pick up our instruments. Love and peas The Lasses fae Abergeldie

[@lugdan]

That is a very old song. In the Appalachian mountains of the US it survives as Barbry Ellen and is frequently played on the dulcimer...

[@talonsoftheraven6693]

+lugdan dulcimer is such a magic instrument!

[@user-td4do3op2d]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b52Wh5iGfLdgh6M

[@Cailleach26]

@@user-td4do3op2d "video unavailable" (in UK anyway) Who features, presumbably playing dulcimer, and are they singing Barbara Allen?

[@torvilasulvstle362]

@@talonsoftheraven6693 I thought it was a Hurdy Gurdy?

[@talonsoftheraven6693]

@@torvilasulvstle362 sorry i was refering to what the original poster said about "Barbry Ellen and is frequently played on the dulcimer..."

[@margaretigoe1445]

This is the only song I ever heard my Grandmother sing...it was her song...thank you so much for this ..a wonderful version.....

[@johncgough]

brilliant. and that conversation at the end. just class.

[@altj9931]

T'was early early in the spring When rose buds they were swelling Young William on his deathbed lay Oh, for the love of Barbara Ellen He sent her a servant to the town To the town where she was dwelling Saying, "My master's sick and he send for you if you be Barbara Ellen" So slow, so slowly she got up And slowly she went to him But all she said when he got there, "Young man, I fear you're dying" "Oh, yes, I'm sick, I'm dreadful sick I hear the death winds howling And no better, no better will I ever be If I can't have Barbara Ellen" Well, I remember that distant night And in the logwood tavern you sang And danced with a lady's fair You slighted, Barbara Ellen And she was on her long way home She saw her funeral coming She said lay me down his body there That I may look upon him The more she looked, the more saw 'Til she fell down in sorrow "Young William died for me today, I'll die for him tomorrow" They laid her in the far graveyard And William's grave beside her And o'er his grave grew a red red rose O'er Barbara 's grave a briar They grew and grew up the churchyard wall 'Til they could grow no higher And they wound and bound in a true lovers' knot The red rose and the briar Era temprano, temprano en la primavera Cuando las rosas florecían El joven William yacía en su lecho Por el amor de Barbara Ellen Envío un sirviente al pueblo Al pueblo donde ella vivía Diciendo, "Mi señor está enfermo y me envía a por usted, si es que es Barbara Ellen" Lenta, lentamente ella se levantó Y lentamente fue hacia él Pero lo único que dijo cuando llegó "Muchacho, me temo que estás muriendo" "Oh, sí, estoy enfermo, estoy gravemente enfermo Escucho la muerte llegar Y no estaré mejor, no estaré mejor Si no puedo tener a Barbara Ellen" Recuerdo esa noche distante Y en la taverna Bailabas y cantabas con una bella mujer Arrasabas, Barbara Ellen Y se dirigía de viaje a casa Cuando vio su propio funeral aproximarse Dijo, "Rucuesten su cuerpo ahí Que he de mirarlo" Cuanto más miraba, más veía Hasta que cayó en desesperación "El joven William murió por mí hoy, Moriré por él mañana" Pusieron su tumba en el cementerio Y la de William junto a ella Y sobre la de él creció una rosa roja Sobre la de Barbara creció un rosedal Crecieron y crecieron sobre las paredes del cementerio Hasta que no pudieron crecer más alto Y se ataron en un nudo de amantes La rosa roja y el rosedal

[@trackhorse9028]

Amazing harmony singing (not often seen in trad Irish singing). The "winding" is very old-school trad, sometimes clasped in another's hand

[@torvilasulvstle362]

I think he is playing an imaginary hurdy-gurdy.

[@JoshTurnerGuitar]

Woah.

[@YourLoyalDeserter]

You're very talented, and you've got really good taste apparently.

[@hectorduncan7449]

Fabulous. thank you both.

[@NicPelizzoni]

Your films are such an inspiration for my work!

[@robotabob]

Gorgeous rendition! Thank you.

[@rjmun580]

The man at the end said `got rid of the pigeons but about thirty came back` He could make a steady living doing that!

[@irland1961]

GREAT !!!

[@ricstunneloftunes4288]

i love how your man at the end compares pigeons with smoking

[@roughanmacnamara]

Love that chat at the end. Sure something will do us all in at the end....once we go happy. Wise words 😎 8 people don't like pigeons.

[@torvilasulvstle362]

Love it, O*Hare!

[@maggiemacnab1002]

nice, boys.

[@kieranatherton4549]

I listen to this everyday.

[@kieranatherton4549]

Still everyday.

[@kieranatherton4549]

Still all the time. Almost everyday

[@kieranatherton4549]

Still everyday….. I flew from to Ireland from the us to listen to them and they placed this for me. Absolutely beautiful

[@fioredeamor]

that is a sweet melodic accent, oh brothers from Ireland * thank you for the translation though ;) one needs to listen to it a while to decode it, I reckon.. all indigenous language, I believe.. beautiful!! through music we all unite, all the people and the times and the old stay alive all together in the Now # take care, be true and give the world your present, Ye Vagabonds!! Light from Olympus ~

[@louisestaats234]

Harmony that rivals the Louvin Brothers. Amazing!

[@michaelboylan5308]

I admire their respect for the classic folk repertoire,,,as Dylan found you cant go wrong with the old ballads,,they never let you down,I recommend the repertoire of the young American singers Anna and Elizabeth, But the hurdy gurdy hand movements,,is it in homage to the old sea no singers,The last two minutes are grand,,never forget the townland,,,buy a foal off the travellers, Never tire of the road vagabonds,,never tire of the road

[@TaichiStraightlife]

The Road's a demanding mistress... (former world traveler).

[@basic-decaf]

Best content on KZbin

[@angryfiddler1751]

This filled my soul with joy. I'm so glad to have found it! :D

[@Scoob505]

speechless!

[@douglasreid8905]

You lads are a treasure. Brilliant stuff.

[@gudlisner501]

I love this version of this old song, Said to be a 17th century Scottish Ballad which travelled to North America and became very popular over there with very many differing versions turning up here and there. It remained popular in England, Scotland and Ireland. The Everly Brothers used also do a very good version of this song, but then I am biased because I feel that there is something special about sibling harmony.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

Or more likely a 17th century English ballad.

[@angeladuffy9507]

Just thank you - keep it alive :)

[@reddwing4368]

Another beautiful piece of art myles thanks vids a masterwork like gormleith one

[@aljohnson3010]

brilliant!

[@lindaberg1695]

I believe this is a very old traditional Scottish or Irish folksong/ballad. I just love this version, it's so haunting and beautifully sung in the mourning tradition.

[@JimBell1984]

It might surprise you to know its an English song

[@lindaberg1695]

@@JimBell1984 Actually it wouldn't. I know it came to America from Britain but unsure of exactly where. Chances are it hopped the border to Scotland. :)

[@maritaz7577]

What a gem! thanks!

[@newfiecelt]

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful

[@myles.o.reilly]

You might well enjoy the other films I have made with the brothers Mac Gloinn, on my website arbutusyarns.net/tag/ye-vagabonds/

[@thejustalrightgatsby2177]

Almost forgot to watch this today

[@richieroma]

He didn't want to talk to the father anyway!

[@richardportman8912]

Thanks boys that was nice

[@margaretnesbeth593]

Brilliant boys 😘😘😘😘😘🌹🍀🍀🌹

[@lucywithflowers5824]

Very nice 😍

[@susanhorton9492]

you are amazing

[@myles.o.reilly]

You must check out my other films with Ye Vagbonds on my site arbutusyarns.net/?s=ye+vagabonds

[@Ajmorno1]

The lads - no way no way lol😂Norfolk was it? No way

[@DanielKellyFolkMusic]

I love the rendition and the production of the video (the melody is also not the one I familiar with, one of their own arrangements?). But please explain what is going on with the phantom Hurdy Gurdy??

[@Steviegottagunn]

Singers will sometime incorporate instruments they either play, or instruments they imagine playing, as they vocalize a song. It's just an affect of their artistry.

[@eldricgrubbidge6465]

It’s winding. I’ve seen it in Connemara a few times. You’re singing away and someone grabs your hand and winds it round and round. Looks like an affectation here, but who knows? Maybe he’s spent a good bit of time singing with people who still do it. Or maybe he just finds it helps him sing.

[@EatBakeSing]

was wondering the same @daniel kelly! beautiful song hey

[@DanielKellyFolkMusic]

@@eldricgrubbidge6465 there is a great example of that in the Joe Heaney movie, songs of granite.

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

Bravó.

[@svenlittlecross]

where are all these videos from? and can we have moaar?

[@catadara3353]

สุดยอด

[@johnloveday2161]

ITS GETTING WOSRER

[@RJH1971]

Million miles better than Johnny Cash's version!

[@cycloptical26]

Freeze the frame @ 3:16 for a very funny visual!

[@andrewgoodbody2121]

Lord! that made me laugh! Thank you ;)

[@paulgildan4388]

Unusual sound for a male duet, but great harmonizing on it.

[@josephinegleeson1867]

Up Carlow boys

[@josephinegleeson1867]

Brothers God bless you he gave you that talent 🙏

[@AndreLuiz-tw2og]

Anjos cantado lindo

[@Jackcantsleepful]

Is this about the Guardian columnist? No?

[@andywilson552]

That kick sounded painful.