The Butcher Boy - Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

[@joef279]

A sparkling lyrical and vocal gem

[@edejan]

I'll never forget the first time I heard Tommy Makem sing this song. His voice was so mellow and beautiful and his delivery perfect. I'm glad to see it stands up to time. God Bless Tommy Makem and all the Clancy's

[@patsyod]

God bless you Tommy, what a voice, there must be some choir in Heaven now!

[@goofy79248]

Great remark Pat !!

[@foggydew3614]

@@goofy79248 mate Tommy's voice's just perfect like an angel's voice....

[@goofy79248]

i agree very much! Thanks Foggy!

[@hueyavery9738]

My gran heard this song when she married my grandad in 66, she seen them do it on the TV, it could of been this performance for all I know, my grandad is Irish and she was Mancunian, he knew the song but when she walked in and seen them play it she was an emotional wreck by the end of it , the most beautifully sad song

[@ghostofireland-anbard4279]

It should be noticed the care in which Tommy Makem put his banjo to rest, carefully and with tenderness.

[@ervswervmclaw1542]

The vibrato is striking in Tommy's voice. I wish I had one like that. :(

[@kesslerwatson4085]

Practice

[@robertflint2549]

A great baritone voice, a magical song and an excellent guitar accompaniment. This is what real music is all about, folks. Forget all this machine driven thump-thump that currently dominates the airwaves and bombards us relentlessly...

[@nicholasdinius6570]

I may be young and unlearned, but you sir are wrong in your approach.

[@robertflint2549]

@@nicholasdinius6570 There's nothing wrong about my approach, pal. I'm just saying it like it is, and saying things that need to be said.

[@kevinwallace962]

@@robertflint2549 Agreed mate i listen this often it is real music indeed ..Tommy Makem great voice !

[@robertflint2549]

@@kevinwallace962 Sounds like your taste in music is as good as mine there, Kev!

[@jasonmccain9544]

Definetly, i am very young compared to the regular audience of these musical artists, i will not say my exact age but i was not old enough to remember anything when tommy died, i remember one time i was listening to my google home playing some playlist, and the song "queen of all argyle" by silly wizard came on and my mother (who dislikes folk in general) made a comment that it had more "substance" than my music usually does, meaning different instruments playing along with the artist, i am perfectly fine with just listening to a singer with no accompaniment, so i was like, really?

[@trevormccabe8320]

Magic ❤❤❤🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@problematic7993]

keep coming back to this...

[@leslie2149]

My Mother used to sing this song all the time. It was a little different but still the same song. This is the closest version to hers that I've found.

[@denisey4287]

Mine used to sing it to me as well

[@jennifershelley6938]

Tommy Makem had such a beautiful voice!

[@reddwing4368]

Damn he sings this like he s gotta group of players In his voice Brutal vibrato Not an easy trick

[@maximem1033]

I just heard this song for the first time, i still have shivers ! Tommy's voice, the guitar, I'm moved to tears.. Those guys were true magicians with words and feelings ❤ Love and respect from France 🇨🇮❤🇨🇵

[@debrahamann3131]

What a marvelous tone to his voice.....Pure magic!

[@janetaylor5500]

Or pure sheep. (: But my dad loves the song so...

[@loveanimals969]

Beautiful voice, and a sad, emotional song.

[@maryw8696]

I learnt that in Ireland as a child , however it started off ‘In Dublin City ………the lyrics were different but it’s basically the same song

[@MrEdkern]

TOMMY MAKEM was BOB DYLAN'S Favorite singer and this was DYLAN'S favorite song. GOD BLESS you BOB.

[@CRyan71]

No I think he said Liam Clancy had the best ballad voice.

[@MrEdkern]

Nope. Tommy

[@CRyan71]

@@MrEdkern no wrong. Look up Bob Dylan/Clancy brothers Slane 1984. He says quote "I never heard a singer as good as Liam Clancy. He was just about the best ballad singer he ever heard in his life".

[@MrEdkern]

You watch NO DIRECTION HOME. DYLAN SAID THAT IN THE INTERVIEW.

[@MrEdkern]

Knowing dylan he changes every minute.

[@botmahoni3114]

I listen to this and sing along when i am sad. Such a beautiful song, Tommy sings it so so perfect. Another song i listen to when sad is the live version of wild mountain thyme from the folks.

[@kesslerwatson4085]

This is such a beautiful song. Tommy is an amazing musician. Pete is great also. What legends, all of them.

[@NataliaYukiMiku]

I know this song thanks to The Butcher Boy book... It's so touching

[@kasilav]

Who's the author of the book?

[@connieclancy2176]

tears from my eyes fell to floor powerful song strong Clancy brothers tommy

[@mollymcnerney6668]

In London city, where I did dwell, a butcher boy I loved right well. He courted me, my life away, but now with me, he will not stay. I wish, I wish, I wish in vain. I wish I was a maid again. A maid again, I ne’er will be ‘til cherries grow on an ivy tree. I wish my baby, it was born and smiling on its daddies knee. And me poor girl, to be dead and gone with the long, green grass growed over me. She went upstairs to go to bed. And calling to her mother, said, “Give me a chair ‘til I sit down, and a pen and ink ‘til I write down.” And every word, she dropped a tear And every line cried “Willie, dear, oh, what a foolish girl was I to be led astray by a butcher boy.” He went upstairs, and the door he broke, he found her hanging from a rope. He took his knife and he cut her down, and in her pocket, these words he found: “Oh, make my grave large, wide and deep. Put a marble stone at my head and feet, and in the middle, a turtle dove, that the world may know that I died for love.”

[@mikefinnegan8381]

Brings a tear to the eye of everybody with a heart and a hate of the church

[@denisey4287]

My mom used to sing this to me as a child

[@Linusolas]

Hey, that's Pete Seeger hosting. I just love how Tommy just stashes his banjo under the table and busts out with one of my fave trad songs. I must recommend a Detroit/Michigan artist who does this song justice... Jo Serrapere/Uncle Earl.. although they call it 'Snow white Dove'...

[@jeremybds1901]

Possibly the most beautiful song ever sung

[@d.a.tsun5104]

It's been years since I heard this song for the first time and even now, I still feel this is the most hauntingly sad and tragic song.

[@lillyswift42]

I'm so glad I found this gem

[@gorgoths_ethos]

Beautiful

[@liamnugent1104]

Wat a voice it vibrates listening to it epic

[@richardmulkeen4167]

What idiot could possibly have given this masterpiece a thumbs down ? Incomprehensible.

[@EllenSweeney-nm3kc]

True

[@alangolias7496]

Absolutly Beautiful......Beautiful

[@lafleurR1ddl3]

Tears. Just tears every time I hear it.

[@NataliaYukiMiku]

What a wonderful voice he had

[@johnoconnor4623]

Great singing of a very poignant song. The song and sentiments are so true today too.

[@connieclancy2176]

tears to my eyes broken heart sad to say I love this song but how it make u think about life and mothers😢😢

[@dhutch71]

My 4X Great Grandparents were from Keady, County Armagh, Northern Ireland - where Tommy Makem was born and bred.

[@Cybernetic800]

I live about 30 minutes away from there 🙂

[@joe56474]

Good Lord, Tommy could sing.

[@jamesprice1801]

this is what music is missing today heart soul and emotions not money and looks wish I had a time machine think I was born in the wrong erea

[@foggydew3614]

You are't alone...i agree with you mate

[@annimerethenilsen8888]

Yes, theese voices are seldom heard today!!

[@jessemartin3125]

Beautiful singing and expression of feeling.

[@Tessietots]

Oh my! what a voice. Tommy sure could sing:D Love him and the Clancy Brothers:D

[@normatimmons2674]

: I love these old Irish songs.

[@alexander6399]

Norma Timmons it’s not Irish, it’s English.

[@JasonX2]

@@alexander6399 This song is American, it was adapted from another song.

[@alexander6399]

Pilkie101 They even mention it’s an English song at the beginning. Don’t believe everything Wikipedia tells you, the first person to pen it doesn’t mean it’s theirs. Many old folk songs have been sung for hundreds of years.

[@leftyspade]

Priceless!

[@talory]

Very nice, Tommy.

[@LenKenny]

Great post. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@FreeRadical7118]

I just heard this for the first time today, closing episode two of the British "The Tunnel" series, and it took me several minutes to stop and start the video to capture enough words to do a web search. The lyrics were adapted ever so slightly, and the female vocalist had such a winsome, melancholy voice, I was mesmerized. Been a long time since a piece of music drove me to such an obsession, but finding this version was worth it all! Thanks so much for this upload! I love this song.

[@cccustard]

You could have just checked the credits.

[@FreeRadical7118]

cccustard LOL, I don't sit through the credits, but maybe I'll go back and watch episode two, or at least the final minutes of it.

[@beldengi]

A short clip of this is found on "No Direction Home" the bio of Bob Dylan. Like you I have not known where to find this until I saw the fuller version on episode 2 of "The Tunnel".

[@redrowan-yp4fh]

God bless them all.

[@patriciathewisher2315]

I sang this when young. A bit feckin sad for a kid.

[@MickTheQuickk]

RIP Pete Seeger (who hosted this show back in 1965-66).

[@lillybishop3335]

I love this song

[@mquirk00]

This must be where Patrick McCabe came up with the title of his first novel. Great author. The Dead School is my favorite novels of all.

[@JasonX2]

Yes indeed, the song features in the story too

[@matthewmccarthy5159]

This song is about me!!! Love it.

[@boatman6865]

Great rendition

[@margaretmitchell662]

Awesome! Always will be 💗💗

[@seanpages__]

How far we have strayed.

[@AmethystRaven]

There’s a similar song sung by Isla Cameron called I died for love but I love this version so much. His voices conveys so much emotion so beautiful

[@danielredmond6101]

Man, Tommy was such a handsome devil

[@carmellynch3744]

great stuff

[@mastercarles5889]

i can loop this song 5 times staright like a fkg mantra

[@yasamindev]

Just listened to this, for the butcher boy book which is inspired by this very song.

[@mrsinn2642]

Best Version

[@Fabzil]

That's some very nice singing skills at work here !

[@2308609]

nice to see this back on u -tube good on yea

[@phus2001]

Great Version

[@ginagillen5422]

I love this

[@b54oramaster]

Well laddies: things that make me cry; this song; this book; this movie. I aren't shamed, It makes me human.

[@Hollyrock712]

One of favorites

[@joeholman3703]

Excellent

[@karmenjazbec7743]

i live not die because of love tommy

[@martboogie]

Geeezzuuusss if that doesn’t move you check your pulse

[@margaretryan6653]

Lovely old song

[@Fabzil]

I can now sing this song by heart, and it almost sound good. Them' twinsting of words at the end of lines, and the tremolo... That shit is real' hard to sing!

[@mastercarles5889]

amazing

[@michaelkinsella9054]

brilliant

[@karmenjazbec7743]

yes my mama and i was her second buster with difrent father never wabšnted me wish i was born dead and made my life cruel

[@MattHibbard1993]

beautiful

[@bettyspearns8341]

Memories!

[@binderfan436]

This is excellent. Try the version by David Peterson and 1946. It's great too.

[@memriloc]

Love the song. Can't stantmd his vibrato.

[@clarebannerman]

Love this song...and miss Tommy like it was yesterday..Go hiontach ar fad...

[@stacyblue1980]

Tommy🙏🌹

[@savoirgai]

Sublime

[@bouse23]

the bard of keady RIP.

[@lillybishop3335]

This song is sad to

[@Fabzil]

Beautifull ^^

[@johnoconnor4623]

Apart from singing, Tommy Makem could do lovely banjo tunes too.

[@Fabzil]

Very nice Tommy lol he fucking nailed it

[@karmenjazbec7743]

let us go rumbling

[@bluegrassfan23]

There's another song much like this titled "Bury Me Beneath the Willows.

[@asma_comics]

Who's here for the book "the butcher boy"?

[@williamheyman5439]

I thought it was "Borstal Boy" after a reformatory for young men, but changed to "Butcher Boy," because no one on this side of the pond would know the reference. It works, in either case. Just a small note. And I do not remember where I heard that, so maybe I'm wrong.

[@karmenjazbec7743]

yes boys

[@billbulpitt2414]

Saddest song I have ever heard - first leaned of it from Scorsese film about Dylan. Puts Georgie Jones in the back seat...

[@karmenjazbec7743]

what sad ssssstory.

[@seangrogan3622]

I always thought this was an Irish song, now I think it's become an Irish song

[@jeanneobrien7381]

I'm surprised Joan Baez never recorded this song.

[@jimkiely2121]

She did but it was called Railroad Boy.

[@karmenjazbec7743]

yeah

[@charlottecolohan4527]

Best version of this song was done by Tommy X

[@handymacservices204]

I would love to find an instrumental version of this song with violin as lead and guitar as accompaniment. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[@seamusocathail4927]

Is that Peter Seeger with his back to camera ?

[@karmenjazbec7743]

my mama

[@loujaynsomrani5715]

I came from the book

[@annyoleks8143]

Is that book is about the Baudelaire orphans?