Performed on Sessions At West 54th show. Recorded October 1998. Concert included songs with the Del McCoury band. Artist info..... www.steveearle.... www.delmccouryb...
Пікірлер: 123
@mikeclaw16 жыл бұрын
On the short list of the best songwriters of a generation.
@TheKyledstokes3 ай бұрын
No short list. He is the best to ever live!
@Bluenose213 жыл бұрын
I'm getting old.This one still makes me cry.The best anti-death penalty song ever.
@joycemcswain5279 Жыл бұрын
Me too
@michaelbentley824410 жыл бұрын
Its a song folks. Supposed to make you think from a different perspective than perhaps the one you normally would. Mr Earle is quite vocal about respecting the rights and opinions of greaving family members while he protests the right of the State, any state, to kill anyone. SE is a survivor and a genius song writer who is the closest thing we have to a 'tell it like it is' balladeer.
@thyamelate8 жыл бұрын
You summed it up perfectly. If only more people thought as you do
@postcaptain574 жыл бұрын
My politics are polar opposite to Steve's. But I love this song as it is FAIR. I got it when the movie came out and I bought the soundtrack (dead man walking). Your post is spot on. I have listened to Woody Guthrie, Kristopherson, Prine, Dylan, Springsteen, etc my entire life. I love SMART music. I do not have to agree with the politics of the singer/writer nor necessarily the message if any in the song to enjoy something well communicated. Splendid post. Spot on.
@trentjones18243 жыл бұрын
It's a story
@DMaggieMagee2 жыл бұрын
Came back to this powerful song because the days are growing shorter for Julius Jones to get justice. 🤟🏽#Justice4Julius
@darlincommitme15 жыл бұрын
This is a song he wrote for Dead Man Walking, after seeing the rough cut of a scene where a guard is talking to Sr. Helen Prejean. He was writing to his friend Jonathan Nobles at the time, but the song he wrote for Nobles after witnessing his execution is called Over Yonder. Both are powerful songs!
@joannehack7588 Жыл бұрын
🌠
@resonatorplate16 жыл бұрын
This song is about a friend Steve met on death row, who invited Steve to his execution. Truly a heart felt song.
@Dtapped13 жыл бұрын
Such an amazing song. 17 years on and it's lost none of its impact. Earle has always struck me as someone who has some personal demons to live with, but that's what makes the best poets/artists/song writers out there. The struggle that comes with this life brings insight and Earle has that in spades.
@langstongrandma8 жыл бұрын
Oh, God, what a beautiful song. Please listen to the words. Thank you, Steve.
@edwardnobles64184 жыл бұрын
I met Steve in 1987 at Mack's cafe with Ken Moore during bar rush. He talked to me for a half hour and signed my napkin. I still have it.To Ed keep a rocking Steve Earle!
The genius of Steve Earle leaves you with a torn heart for the condemned man as well as those who must carry out the task at hand. It should be noted that Mr. Earle is also very much against the taking of pleasure by members of the public who choose to attend an execution. SE is the master of the balladeers and will always have my unwavering admiration.
@MrDrewlips13 жыл бұрын
Steve Earle is an activist against the death penalty. That is what this song is about. Period.
@108870sro12 жыл бұрын
This song is great...great lyrics, full of poetry and emotion, love the melody and structure. Earle has chops....
@nilradem12 жыл бұрын
I have not had someone close to me killed, but I do know people, including a close friend, who have lost family to murder and yet still oppose the death penalty. In their experience revenge doesn't bring healing. I also have met people in prison who have genuinely changed. Some haven't, but my faith says redemption is never impossible.
@Gekokujo7615 жыл бұрын
That is great to hear Foul...I was the same way about 5 years ago. I "grew up on" Steve Earle to a degree, but I still didnt know more than 4 songs or so. Ellis Unit One was the song that got me to dig deeper and now my favorites by him are all songs that I hadnt heard when I was growing up. Ben McCulloch Dixieland Tom Ames Prayer Over Yonder Billy Austin Christmas in Washington John Walker's Blues These are all great songs that I think anyone who enjoys this song would also enjoy by Steve.
@pukarj16 жыл бұрын
this song sends shivers thru my spines!!..love it
@DaveyHotrod2 күн бұрын
The guy centre of shot is my Dad, Alan. Great video...
@rkoorse Жыл бұрын
wow. This man grabs your heart, and he does it over and over, fast and slow.
@exaltica15 жыл бұрын
impressive song. makes you think about god and man and respect for life
@orphanejk17 жыл бұрын
OMG! I have this on VHS.. this song is so damn good!
@arleneferreira65092 жыл бұрын
Eu praticamente tenho verdadeira.paixão por música. Principalmente as mais antigas. Pois com elas carrego meu Passado. Não só eu.mais todas as gerações dos anos 70 80 e 90. Adoro vcs e indico como referência de tudo de bom...
@deonal7 жыл бұрын
Steve's guitar is paralyzingly sweet!
@bigal-pp6ym5 жыл бұрын
Please release the entire " Sessions at W54th "performance as an album. Blew my hair back when I first saw it , & I still consider it one of the best live performances I've ever seen .
@skrat515 жыл бұрын
*Goosebumps*
@yarbles6717 жыл бұрын
great song. i could imagine Cash doing this song because it paints such a vivid picture.
@paulhancock7670 Жыл бұрын
Stunning performance and stunning song.
@45200658 жыл бұрын
Love this and Billy Austin. Jonathon's song also. Prison planet.
@jerandamanda13 жыл бұрын
this is one of the best songs ever!!!!so unknown and needs way more views
@elliswyatt835010 жыл бұрын
Ellis I Unit housed the men's Death Row in Texas between 1965 and 1999. It was moved to the Polunsky Unit after an escape attempt by size men in November, 1998.
@nilradem13 жыл бұрын
@danocable Not sure what you mean by your comment, but Steve is explicit in interviews that this is about the conscience of a prison guard on Texas's death row (Ellis Unit One) and what the death penalty does to all of us. Steve is strongly against the death penalty, and has written essays about it, in addition to songs.
@garyrobertmihelic6 жыл бұрын
The song, like the film (Dead Man Walking), is supposed to make you think: there are no easy answers - redemption and forgiveness; the rights of the aggrieved and their families (survivors).
@staterepresentativerennycu1395 жыл бұрын
Powerful
@mikemoore13009 жыл бұрын
was fresh out of the service It was back in '82 I raised some Cain when I come back to town I left to be all I could be Come home without a clue Now, I married Dawn and had to settle down So I hired on at the prison Guess I always knew I would Just like my dad and both my uncles done And I worked on every cell block Now, things're goin' good But then they transferred me to Ellis Unit One Swing low Swing low Swing low and carry me home Well, my daddy used to talk about them long nights at the walls And how they used to strap 'em in the chair The kids down from the college and they'd bring their beer 'n all 'N when the lights went out, a cheer rose in the air Well, folks just got too civilized Sparky's gatherin' dust 'Cause no one wants to touch a smokin' gun And since they got the injection They don't mind as much, I guess They just put 'em down at Ellis Unit One Swing low Swing low Swing low and carry me home Well, I've seen 'em fight like lions, boys I've seen 'em go like lambs And I've helped to drag 'em when they could not stand And I've heard their mamas cryin' when they heard that big door slam And I've seen the victim's family holdin' hands Last night I dreamed that I woke up with straps across my chest And something cold and black pullin' through my lungs 'N even Jesus couldn't save me though I know he did his best But he don't live on Ellis Unit One Swing low Swing low Swing low and carry me home Swing low Don't let go Swing low and carry me home
@patkiernan55566 жыл бұрын
Mike Moore great stuff Mike
@imaleprechaun20093 жыл бұрын
A very pertinent song today!!
@subterranean4715 жыл бұрын
beautiful song original genius
@frankcorrenti59412 жыл бұрын
I just have to add some more to what has already been said. Steve Earle walks the walk; he don't drink, he is an anti-death penalty advocate who has an unabashed history of working in the most extreme prison, Ellis Unit One, and he writes about this eloquently. We could not ask for better witness testimony. So please listen t o him here and elsewhere.
@darlincommitme15 жыл бұрын
You are thinking of Jonathan's Song, which is about Steve's friend Jonathan Nobles. Ellis Unit 1 was written before Noble's execution for the Dead Man Walkin sound track. He decided to write a song from the perspective of theorrection officer after watching a scene from the movie.
@RandyStrubleBackingTracks11 жыл бұрын
Interesting story, enjoyed listenin'!!
@HurricaneGroovy11 жыл бұрын
simply greatful !!!
@murmac6113 жыл бұрын
Steve has grown so much as a songwriter---although when you look at some of his earlier stuff--EXIT 0 for example--he always was great---he is just so much better now--
@bvallier10014 жыл бұрын
I'm reading comments that Steve is one of 3 best song writers around. While I'm a huge Earle fan, some of the people out there are forgetting Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, just to name two.
@darlincommitme15 жыл бұрын
Definitely a reference to the spititual "Swing Low Sweet Chariot," and going home to heaven.
@heatherc1636 жыл бұрын
8 in Arkansas. No modern country has the death penalty. America and its flags. Pity. Thank you for posting this.
@ThePunisherdesign14 жыл бұрын
@electraluxx I have to agree with your synopsis of this song. I had to think about the lyrics, but once I read your post, I can see what your saying. This is certainly backed up by the words. Thank you.
@joannehack7588 Жыл бұрын
🎆
@rfelton7712 жыл бұрын
great summary.
@rafhenlow11 жыл бұрын
Jesus is the only one who can save us. Accept his sacrifice, then get on with your life as best you can, remembering who died for you, if you accept!
@princessofhesse17 жыл бұрын
yeah, maybe, but you won't convince Steve Earle of that....i'm torn myself....but, regardlesss, he is an incredible singer/songwriter....my favorite from way back....
@joannehack7588 Жыл бұрын
Amen
@Devi1sBackboneTavern11 жыл бұрын
again i see this as different. mankind never asked to be born or to be here. it is our situation. realize that we are in charge of our lives, but not in charge of anything else. no human understands what is happening. what are you going to do? we feel abandoned or accidental. life is terrifying. swing low, swing low and carry me home. rough quote: "tiger gotta hunt, bird gotta fly, man gotta ask why? why? why?! tiger got to sleep, bird gotta land, man gotta tell himself he understand"
@Fijnenvent14 жыл бұрын
A great cover of this song is on a record full with songs at the tipping point of death,life, reason, madness and injustice: Mark Erelli and Jeffrey Foucault - Black Curses I personally think it's a great song that leaves the verdict about the death penalty just in the middle ground. To me the protagonist takes no sides and just tells it like it is. It makes you think, and that's the first step to stopping the death penalty.
@ruthdixon7807 Жыл бұрын
written for tim robbin's death-row movie - "even jesus couldn't save me, though I know he did his best..."
@johnpiccirello36779 жыл бұрын
I just did 12 years in TDCJ, 5 of them at the Walls Unit in Huntsville where all executions take place and we usually got a brief synopsis of the crime before the execution took place; I'm a Calif. guy and used to be anti-death penalty, called it state sponsored murder, but some of those dudes that were killed at the Walls really had it coming. Their crimes were beyond sick, depravity at it's best; why keep some of those evil sonsofbitches alive? Really people, if you were hip to what the vast majority of those animals actually did and the victim was kin, wouldn't you want justice meted out properly? Enough said.......
@jmvlock19299 жыл бұрын
I definitely see your point. I just personally don't want the state killing anyone in my name, especially Texas, which is fairly notorious for its assembly-line attitude to the process. Have there been people who I think deserved to die for what they did? Absolutely. I also know that a number of people have been executed in my lifetime who were entirely innocent. That in itself is enough to do away with capital punishment, in my eyes.
@knifelyfe6565 Жыл бұрын
@@jmvlock1929 Here in Texas, we have an Express Lane.They just need to know what you want your ass put in...paper or plastic? If you did the cold blooded crime, you deserved to be hooked up.
@knifelyfe6565 Жыл бұрын
The Dairy Queen in Huntsville across the street has great burgers.Good place to stop after a visit to one of my Brothers
@KLucasYork12 жыл бұрын
It's actually up to 140 now. I know, it's hard to keep up with the number of exonerees since the number keeps climbing :-)
@joannehack75883 жыл бұрын
Such a
@joannehack75883 жыл бұрын
Sorry , I didn’t get to finish my message. I ‘m new at this texting stuff. What I wanted to say was what a beautiful lament this is.
@joannehack7588 Жыл бұрын
Sorry, I was too tongue -tied from this to finish my comment. If I had to say my favorite Steve Earle song, it would have to be this
@MrRazorblade99912 жыл бұрын
Can't believe a "civilized" country as USA still has death penalty. Here in Europe it's abolished thank god.
@shannonquinlan9192 Жыл бұрын
Svelte earle LOVE you TOO MUCH ShannonMarieQuinlan 🐅🦘🤡🐰💘💞🐺🐯🦁🦔🐆🐧🐥🐤🐣❣😃🦒💄🐕😘🤱🦃🙋♀️🐸🐔🤩🐘
@molanlabexm1514 жыл бұрын
Me too.
@dinnerbucket916 жыл бұрын
Great song.....but you miss everything he said? If you take the long ride with Steve Earle you come to undestand he is an outlaw because he loves justice before ordinary violence as retribution. The sorrow in his voice comes from knowing that people like you will never understand.
@danielcropp85537 жыл бұрын
Reminds me of "The River" by Bruce Springsteen.
@x123Scandalx11 жыл бұрын
does this remind anyone else of swing low,sweet chariot, coming forth to carry me home....no?
@4thandinches15 жыл бұрын
I love Steve Earle's rendition of Springsteen's Nebraska, but I can't find it on KZbin. It is a live recording that only seems to be found on 1 of his double albums. Limewire had the song, but that site seems to be a virus waiting to happen on my computer so I ditched it years ago.
@mattgraham6231 Жыл бұрын
a little late I know but here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmiqm554htF8a9E&ab_channel=SteveEarle-Topic
@rufufus15 жыл бұрын
he wrote the song for a cd of songs inspired by Tim Robbins' movie Dead Man Walking
@rafhenlow11 жыл бұрын
'abolished in Europe thank god'. We have just had a convicted murderer let out on release murder another person within days of release. So you go tell that persons relatives how great the 'justice' system is.
@rickheddle14 жыл бұрын
. A good Steve story.........., Steve played a solo gig, in my hometown. Well. of course, right in front of the stage, was a table full of these vacant bimbo's and yeah, they were celebrating the age of being legal. Man, were they noisy!!! Steve suffered this for about 20 minutes. Finally he asks," Pne of y'all havin' a birthday?" They all start squealing and making a spectacle, Steve looks at them and says, " That's alright darlin', I remember when i had my 1st beer too!!'
@buelroberts37596 жыл бұрын
Long nights at the Walls.
@nilradem12 жыл бұрын
We will have to disagree on the definition of justice... But I do know the research. Recidivism is quite low for older men who have been incarcerated for long sentences, though abolishing the death penalty doesn't necessarily imply parole. Also, statistics show that states with the death penalty have higher or at least similar rates of violent crime as those without. Same goes for countries.
@joannehack75886 ай бұрын
Swing low. Just don’t let go
@darlincommitme14 жыл бұрын
@ThePunisherdesign I would add two points: 1- support for the death penalty is certainly not limited to Christian right wingers and 2 - the opposition to the death penalty in the US includes many Christians, on right and left wings. (Conservative Catholics, for instance, would hold both abortion and death penalty to be wrong, and some evangelicals agree, especially after the Karla Faye Tucker case.) I don't think this is aimed specifically at Christians.
@enricovankeeken95033 жыл бұрын
*x*
@darlincommitme11 жыл бұрын
Pretty sure Earle intends for the song to make people think. Analytics are perfectly appropriate.
@dissimulate66614 жыл бұрын
Earle is opposed to the death penalty. He explains his position in remarks made right before this song, which are, unfortunately, missing in this video. He is opposed to the death penalty because it doesn't heal anything. He's right. He also notes that it's racist and classist. He's right about these problems, too.
@darlincommitme12 жыл бұрын
What a radical thought! Maybe we could even commit resosurces to address the issues of poverty and despair that tend to foster crime.
@fouldsie111 жыл бұрын
Strangely enough, it does ! How weird ! Could be something to do with the fact that Steve uses part of the lyric from 'Swing Low' at the end of every verse...what do you reckon? Could that be it ?
@GuitarDudeXXX15 жыл бұрын
Does anyone know if this episode of "Sessions @ 54th" available on DVD?
@ColinPGrove13 жыл бұрын
@electraluxx - what are collage boys? Is it like a club of young males who do scrapbooking and things of that nature?
@x123Scandalx11 жыл бұрын
and he says "and carry me home"...coincidence?or not?
@texpenn112 жыл бұрын
Steve has TDC prison butt. Its part of the TDC experience. BBQ neck bone cassarol!!!!
@domcplnc12 жыл бұрын
This is why I'm against lethal injection.
@Fijnenvent14 жыл бұрын
Ah, the album's name is Seven Curses not Black Curses
@drunknstuck12 жыл бұрын
Struggles from both sides of the BARS'.. ..
@loneranger71113 жыл бұрын
we are troy davis.
@MrRazorblade99912 жыл бұрын
@cmay52 It's about legal security. Too many death sentences have with new evidence been proven wrong.
@mumfordist12 жыл бұрын
What if our "corrections" system actually "corrected". Wouldn't that be something...
@ThePunisherdesign14 жыл бұрын
@Anttikarppinen1. It isn't exactly about the Christian right wingers. It is about the prospect about murdering criminals, and certainly more instinctively the internal conflict of the executioner as stated in the song, and the movement to more conventional means of execution. The executioner dreams that it is them strapped in the chair. Earle is against the death penalty, as you may know, and wrote this for a movie "Dead Man Walking." Anyone feel free to interject their opinion.
@jeremymashaw8019 жыл бұрын
This question is for Steve and/or is PR folks... My mother was good friends with Larry Robison, I'd like to know if this song was for him? I know Steve was in Huntsville for Larrys execution, so I was just wondering if this was for him. Also I believe the executions take place in ferguson now... Correct?
@thyamelate9 жыл бұрын
+Jeremy Mashaw From what I understand, Tim Robbins asked him to write a song for a film called "Dead Man Walking." However, if you get an answer to your question, I sure would like to know what it is.
@Devi1sBackboneTavern11 жыл бұрын
fine then, i disagree with the analysis. i think its about the fall of man. man is evil, but not purely evil. jesus cannot save us though he did his best. we rationalize our evil, we sequester our evil, we hide our evil, but we are all evil. the only thing we can ask for is forgiveness. but we dont even know whom to ask, we just feel guilty for our mistakes. we really need to forgive ourselves, and stop committing sins. easier said than done. or: that leaves only me to blame cuz mama tried.
@Devi1sBackboneTavern12 жыл бұрын
skip all the analytics. this song is chilling.
@anarchistns114 жыл бұрын
@bvallier100 Exactly. One of the 3 best AROUND. Woody is dead. Earle, Springsteen, and Tom Russell blow Dylan right out of the water. Besides, Townes is better than all of them combined
@bigbadnewman15 жыл бұрын
Interesting fact: Under Jewish law, a judge who sentences an innocent man to death is guilty of murder. I guess they'd think twice before handing a death sentence down.
@darlincommitme12 жыл бұрын
oops - my fingers got excited resources not resosurces
@TooSox2 жыл бұрын
Beautiful and profound, but the final verse is wrong. Ellis Unit One is exactly where Jesus lives. Christ Himself was a "dead man walking."
@rafhenlow11 жыл бұрын
Sorry,'coward'?, where does that come from? Also, where in the above do I mention the word CHRIST. The correct title, I believe, is Jesus, the Christ. Let's not split hairs though. I reiterate what I wrote, Jesus sacrifice for us is all that saves us, IF we accept!!
@johnferrell385610 жыл бұрын
I am like Steve sings......... I think if they are going to continue executions....Bring back the barbecues...... ol smokey is still waiting.. No more going to sleep..... sit on smokey and face your maker after what you've done.......
@Vladdrrick10 жыл бұрын
I think you completely missed the point of the song.
@wb7ptr9 жыл бұрын
Georg Monssen I agree. He should listen to "Mercy Now" and "Karla Faye" by Mary Gauthier as well ...
@darlincommitme9 жыл бұрын
I KNOW you completely missed the point of the song. Steve is against the death penalty and always has been. This was written for the soundtrack of "Dead Man Walking," which was an anti-death penalty film, and is about how a guard is affected by working on death row. The guard wonders, but in the end he wakes up and realizes the reality of what he does. Earle has two other songs against the death penalty: "Billy Austin" and "Over Yonder."
@markcox55356 жыл бұрын
Fuck off John.
@DanDDirges11 жыл бұрын
Raised some cain? You mean murdered some one in cold blood right? Great song but I have no sympathy for serial killers. We need more Ellis Unit Ones in America.