Poor Cow. Donovan...Be Not Too Hard (1967)

[@TheStevecaesar]

The cafe she was in was dinos and opposite was the regal cinema, and can see one of the doors to the george pub!!..great memories of fulham back then...

[@YardleySlicker]

I saw this movie when it came out, amd even as a teen-ager, it broke my heart. I don’t think I could bear to watch it again. Carol White was like a fairy who was too pure for this world.

[@derekantoine4396]

The images of the people of London in the late 1960s are astonishing, a period now consigned to distant memory, and history. Truly remarkable. I never get tired of watching this film, and it was groundbreaking for it's time. I don't think Carol White ever received the accolades, and recognition she deserved. But she lives on, in her body of work. ❤️.

[@geraldstephen5418]

I read somewhere that this street scene was filmed at Fulham Broadway, close to the Chelsea football ground. London in the late 60's remember it well.

[@max17ren]

Saw this in the theater. Great song. Love Donovan’s singing. Reminds of the Hippie days.

[@jamespeploe1680]

An object lesson in how to begin what is a stunning film - Ken Loach is a great director, one who doesn't get the credit he deserves in the UK.

[@rolandrothwell4840]

I think Carol White was an amazing actress with a really authentic touch. The film is beautiful and depicts the much harsher side of life in post war Britain. Thank you Carol RIP xxxxx

[@alberthall4039]

Watched this on black and white telly in 67, I was a teenager and Carol White was my first love, so vulnerable and yet so beautiful in the film. I can hardly believe that decades on I can sit and watch re-runs of it, and with Donovan's incredible voice, Stamp's part and the 'atmosphere' still exists. Very sad to hear of Carol's death r.i.p. x

[@julievanberkel3058]

Just such a beautiful song and a really great film. Donovan has a wonderful voice, and carol White was such a natural actress....

[@julievanberkel3058]

I love this track and the film. I have just watched the film again. Carol White was so beautiful, but her life was almost as sad as the character she portrays in Poor Cow. Terence Stamp was gorgeous, and even the kids acted their parts really well.

[@joeb267382]

This is great to hear. I have been playing this a lot. I knew this song had been covered but this original version by Donovan is the one that speaks to me the most.

[@arindammitra4710]

Yes. To me too...

[@davidmyles9967]

Just saw the film again tonight. Its showed frequently on talking pics freesat 306. Makes me want to dive into all the great old "films" not today's movies.

[@john111257]

great channel

[@mothratemporalradio517]

@@john111257 hello, i've stumbled across this distractedly on mobile while looking up a 2007 Swedish indie pop song. Can you please tell me what this film is about or what you enjoy about it? Sometimes it's nicer to still chat with people rather than just google everything. Cheers!

[@divaskaleale]

@@mothratemporalradio517 it's about a young woman raising a child on her own as she moves around with men that end up in prison.

[@mothratemporalradio517]

@@divaskaleale Thanks! 👌

[@vgfxworks]

100% agree

[@raymondbretherick7183]

A wonderful song.so incredibly moving

[@boogieelaine]

Beautiful song such a fabulous film 🎥 carol white such a talented actress x

[@AndrewWilliams-zc1hf]

I agree, Carol White was a great actress who gave realism to her roles.

[@williamr3840]

The 60's... Such a beautiful time.

[@julie5668]

Love the film and love the song. Carole White was beautiful.

[@debraobinna7120]

Be Not Too HardBe not too hard for life is short And nothing is given to man. Be not too hard when he is sold or bought, For he must manage as best he can. Be not too hard when he blindly dies Fighting for things he does not own. Be not too hard when he tells lies Or if his heart is sometimes like a stone. Be not too hard for soon he'll die, Often no wiser than he began. Be not too hard for life is short And nothing is given to man. And nothing is given to man.

[@brianebbatson8305]

He wrote the music. The words were a poem by Christopher Lihue.

[@chrisharro]

It's so good to find this - I still have it on an old C90 cassette - a recording I made by putting a little microphone attached to a portable cassette player in front of the TV when Poor Cow was shown. Donovan brings great tenderness to Christopher Logue's stark lyrics. The "Battersea Bardot" Carol White, and Terence Stamp were really good in the film which, unfortunately, never gets shown now, like most of Ken Loach's early works. Hopefully he'll be rediscovered in a gentler age.

[@arindammitra4710]

What a lovely comment ...

[@jamesmanon3000]

I related to your cmment.I did the same thing in amovie theater with the Brother Sun Sister Moon movie in 1982.My first time hearing this song.I have never seen the Poor Cow movie.I must.

[@JohnJohn-px6ib]

Thanks. Lovely song!

[@spots35]

Wonderful.

[@taddyd1]

I've only heard Baez sing this though I knew he wrote the melody. He nails it!!

[@clipstone]

I agree with you about the J. Baez version. Apart from the 'talking' it's quite nice. I think the fact the song isn't to be found anywhere but on the film gives it a sort of specialness.

[@emsonman]

Yes , Donovan is unable to write a bad song !

[@serendavies7375]

Cute baby 🥰

[@AnEnchantedGypsy]

Beautiful song!

[@clipstone]

You know, one of the kids (the older one) was her son in real life. He also appeared in Cathy Come Home with her.

[@pixiepixie8114]

Where can i watch the full movie please.

[@clipstone]

YPU CAAN STREAM IT ON AMAZON for just £3.49

[@clipstone]

Interesting about the Swan song. Mary Hopkin sang it on her album 'Postcard' which Paul McCartney produced + a few other Donovan songs. I don't think I could stand to sit through "If it's Tuesday it Must be Belgium" again, just to hear Donovan sing it though.

[@suzannelawson9215]

Did Mary Hopkin cover, "Be Not Too Hard?"

[@folkmusicgirl]

Was this song ever recorded or any video of Donovan singing it other then for the movie Poor Cow? I would love to hear a version (without the talking in background in the film) and just wondered if there is any place to find Donovan singing it elsewhere?

[@clipstone]

+folkmusicgirl No, this is all there is. Shame isn't it?

[@folkmusicgirl]

Yes, really is a shame. I love this song and wish Donovan had recorded it on an album/ or if it had been sung in the movie without the talking at the time Donovan was actually singing.

[@jodihicks8488]

Joan Baez does a cover and she sings it quite lovely. I found it a while ago and really enjoyed it. Although I much prefer Donovan's version. ❤️

[@max17ren]

I have searched high and low and have never found a recording of this song by Donovan.

[@jimjames3951]

awesome.....chords please anyone?

[@Kekuahiwi]

Jim James verse I vi IV V chorus vi I IV V Joan Baez plays it in the key of G major: G Emin C D

[@jimjames3951]

sound like capo at 2nd fret to me but its late so im not sure

[@suzannelawson9215]

Does anyone know for sure, if Donovan ever recorded this song on an album, bootleg OTHER then the one for this movie? I am a huge Donovan fan, have just about every album he recorded but would love to hear this song where there is no movie dialog or distaction from the movie going on. He sings this so beautifully and would give anything to have a version without the movie noise in the background during parts of the song. Thank you.

[@clipstone]

Sadly not, Suzanne.This is all we have.

[@suzannelawson9215]

Thank you for your reply. Maybe Donovan will someday release rare tracks for a box set. Late last year Joni Mitchell had a box set of rare and many previously unreleased material on 5 discs in a nice box set of songs from 1963 to 1967. Very rare songs, some at folk coffeehouses in Canada, some songs even recorded at her parent's house, and other obscure gems. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a Donovan box set of obscure songs, like "Be Not Too Hard" on some master disc that he has possession of without the movie version and other obscure songs that were never released on albums?

[@clipstone]

@@suzannelawson9215 Yes, it would. Maybe you can find a way to write to him.

[@DeltaJazzUK]

I don't know if it's the same version but it originally appeared as the B side to the Jennifer Juniper single.

[@EuniceKathleen]

❤️