The Folksmen - Blood on the Coals (MadTV)

[@fisheloph]

I would argue that this is real folk music. These guys may have done this whole act as a gag, but they put a lot of heart into it.

[@tpitman]

It's frightening how good they are.

[@zak-a-roo264]

II was raised in the 70s folk scene ,it's the weirdest thing , if you try to fake folk music , you just end up with folk music , it is it's own spoof.

[@assmane999]

Just like with Spinal Tap, they are a legit band

[@DashCat9]

Everything they do together is amazing. They're legends. Whether the characters in the band are fictional or not, the music is real.

[@anonb4632]

Most American "folk music" is nothing such.

[@johnplovanich9564]

Anyone still watching in 2023?

[@haraldisdead]

2024

[@Picklesnot-co3k]

March 2024 ● Hello there. 👋

[@davidsthubbins176]

It’s 2024, and I’m loving the Folksmen as much as ever!

[@haraldisdead]

@@davidsthubbins176 same. And mitch and mickey. The New main Street singers can go to hell lol

[@MikeBeatty-xt3kn]

yes

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I love the way they teased the folk scene, which was completely ridiculous in many respects - but NEVER did this movie mock or ridicule the music. Fantastic.

[@NxDoyle]

These three guys, individually and together are phenomenally talented.

[@Aaecus]

They once opened for themselves and got booed of the stage.

[@danalexander2149]

Aaecus - No shit?

[@the-chillian]

@@danalexander2149 Opening for themselves as Spinal Tap, yeah.

[@butcherboy2008]

They opened as The Folksmen for Spinal Tap. People came to see Spinal Tap.

[@anonb4632]

@@butcherboy2008 I prefer Tap TBH, much funnier. I am actually a bit of a folkie, but this doesn't do much for me

[@SurreyMan0409]

I think it was at the Royal Albert Hall. But it’s true - no one realised that The Folksmen are closely related to Spinal Tap...

[@pretorious700]

I don't think people appreciate how brilliantly close to real folk these songs are.

[@padistedor457]

Saw them live, spoke with all of them after the show, got all their signatures on my mighty wind dvd. I'll never forget it.

[@NathanHassall]

I saw them live too and then we hung out after the show (got signatures) and then I was invited to a barbecue the next day! We still regularly speak and hang out when we are all in the same city. Did you get the bbq and friends for life too?

[@brendansutton5030]

@@NathanHassall LOL way to one up the dude. Geeeeez

[@johncmiles1]

@@brendansutton5030 I once shot pool with some guy and,well I guess that has nothing to do with this,but hey,at least it really happened.

[@redwatch.]

I once shared a yogurt with Jamie Lee Curtis.

[@thexalon]

Did they also sign Smell the Glove for you?

[@AlanCanon2222]

I showed A Mighty Wind to my elderly parents (who had brought me up on just this sort of music), and they got the joke IMMEDIATELY and loved the film, even listening to the songs in the closing credits, one of which was nominated for an Oscar.

[@mikeb1039]

closing song was written by Annette O'Toole and husband Michael McKean

[@erinfilbert9462]

I watch this every year instead of The Oscars, and that was the first time I'd heard the song. It was so good, so perfect, and so perfectly explained the movie. Everything a "Best Song" should be, and not a tack-on mood piece for a Lord of the Rings movie.

[@bluecollarstudio8513]

I know its supposed to be a joke, but the songs and musicianship are top notch.

[@jlobiafra]

I saw the Folksmen play at the Isle of Lucy festival with Spinal Tap and it was one of the best concerts ive ever seen.

[@MrTruckerf]

Was Desi Arnez the MC?

[@garysuarez9614]

Was Stumpy Joe Peeps the drummer at the time?

[@Joe-q8t4o]

No. Peter James Bond.

[@danebarrett237]

Not only hilarious, but amazingly good musicians.

[@peacefuljeffrey]

These guys are each FILLED with amazing talent.

[@pfightingpolish]

The progression of this video is really very cool. First off, during the intro and whatnot, everyone realizes how lucky they are to get to see what appears to be the newest incarnation of Spinal Tap. They're probably expecting to see something really funny, and the intro mostly delivers. But after one verse, specifically when the clapping drops out, you get the feeling folks are actually being pulled in. And by the end, after you've heard the harmonies, the guitar train horn, the crescendos, the smooth ending, you realize ... this was actually a really good musical performance and these guys really nailed it in yet another genre. I keep coming back to this video every so often. Just like Spinal Tap, The Folksmen so delicately walked the line between "it's a gag" and "it's a real group" that you sometimes can't decide if they're one or the other. And, really, they are both.

[@jesusthroughmary]

Michael McKean is killing it on this song. Such a beast.

[@assmane999]

Amazing musician and comedian

[@HumansFreshlyBorn]

Mans a great comedian, great musician and fantastic dramatic actor in Better Call Saul

[@SingularlyNaked]

@@HumansFreshlyBorn I first realized his acting range when he guest starred as an evil brain-clown on Star Trek: Voyager.

[@theseeingeye454]

@@HumansFreshlyBorn I don't watch much TV so never heard of M.M. until I binged on B.C.S. "What a great actor " I thought, displaying such intelligence and believability in his roll as Chuck the electrophobic brother of Saul. I was mind boggled when my younger sister pointed out he was Lenny in "Lenny and Squiggy" and never making the connection that it was him in "Spinal Tap" and "A Mighty Wind" An amazing talent !

[@fernando.tomina]

"don't let it happen to you"gets me everytime

[@masnip9838]

I dunno, as an old folk music enthusiast, this is a pretty good parody. Additionally, Mark Twain would have adored it. He loved bad poetry about disasters.

[@Ramubay]

I love how Michael McKean's LENNY AND THE SQUIGTONES come up in the related videos who actually were a real music duo performing under that name prior to starring in those roles on the TV show LAVERNE & SHIRLEY (1979 - 1984). Harry Shearer played with the group prior to the show and Christopher Guest played on the 1979 album LENNY AND THE SQUIGTONES credited as Nigel Tufnel, the character Guest would play in THIS IS SPINAL TAP in 1984.

[@itoaraziofficial5048]

These three are nothing short of absolute geniuses.

[@AcmeRacing]

Just came across this years later, but it was still fun to watch. Whether they're the Folksmen or Derek Smalls, David St Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel in Spinal Tap, these guys are talented musicians as well as funny men.

[@juliaranz4349]

In agreeing I inadvertently took your likes to 11.

[@-Thunder]

I replayed this more times than I will ever confess to.

[@kassemir]

"Combines the three into one fast moving diddy", LOL that's so funny, I love their work, both as Spinal Tap and as The Folksmen, they're brilliant.

[@davidallen5535]

The Folksmen once opened for Spinal Tap and got booed off the stage. The audience didn't realize it was them.

[@oldcougar65]

the thing about "A Mighty Wind" --- these guys coulda gone through a time warp to 1961 and appeared at Folk City and no one would have blinked. The song and the singing are both top notch.

[@louistracy6964]

Naa. They would have been too freaked by neing passed through a time warp.

[@user-wi9hv2pb2q]

I think it helped most of them lived it themselves. they just had to remember.

[@hellomcflyy]

but they would have their Spinal Tap outfits on .....and they would be like.......crap....we need to do a quick wardrobe change......heh heh

[@muopos]

Old 97 went in the wrong hole… sure…

[@beanwave]

I think the closest approximation is the Kingston Trio--I think that group was the main inspiration for this group in 'A Mighty Wind'. What a great movie!

[@AlanCanon2222]

Kingston Trio and Peter Paul and Mary (Alan Barrows = Peter Yarrow)

[@lifesoundtrack8272]

I CAN'T WATCH THE FOLKSMEN WITHOUT SMILING THE WHOLE TIME. TALENTED, FUNNY...GEEZ!!

[@deltabilly1]

I went to a couple folk music conferences in the past- their act is so accurate it’s almost hard to tell it’s satire.

[@Johnnybananass-_]

there comedians and still can play their instruments , half the modern music industry fake their live shows , shows the madness we live in

[@andyinoregon]

Hard to believe that bassist Harry Shearer turns 80 in December 2023. His acting credits as a child start in 1956. Appeared on "Leave It To Beaver" when he was just 13.

[@lincarrey]

Awesome actors, singers, songwritters, musicians. Wow, those guys are awesome.

[@meredythwithay5187]

I don't even care that this is one big innuendo. This is a great song.

[@stourleykracklite7663]

Come again? Did you just say " in yer end-o?"

[@puggzdeathmarch2414]

Spinal Tap still rocking it.

[@LuckyLokiLuko]

Heard this on the car radio ages ago, and it game me chills. Remembered the lyrics "i'll stop that iron horse" out of the blue today and googled it, so glad to finally know the name of the song and the band.

[@davidwilson4331]

Kind of a subtle funny moment at 1:32...When the bassist says "pick it" the audience thinks he is going to launch into a blazing banjo solo but it ends up being pretty slow and remedial. This video is the gift that keeps on giving.

[@MsMrBigglesworth]

Every time I listen to the Folksmen, and though they are a comedic team, my God are their songs good! I mean like seriously good. Even with all the sarcasms and in-house jokes, these songs are just as good as the “serious” folk songs (some are even better than the real songs). Just so talented and amazing!

[@ImZiraTheFirst]

I was lucky enough to see them as Spinal Tap when they toured their album “Break Like The Wind” and they were amazing! I loved the fact that a puppet show opened for them. Three brilliant and amazing artists!

[@vimfuego8827]

Great musicians and actors !

[@artsnjunk]

These guys and Spinal Tap should go back on tour

[@echowit]

Two years gone by no joint tour - given the rumors of intense rivalry there never will be.

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

@@echowit I heard this all started when they found out that Alan Barrows and Nigel Tufnel accidentally married the same woman. That's some twisted business there, only in the music industry I guess.

[@newellbate]

Peace. This is so great.

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

What makes this work, and I mean the whole Spinal Tap and Mighty Wind bit is that they actually care about, and like the music. They might be playing characters, but the music isn't an act. They know how it works. That makes all the difference.

[@JIGGLYPUFFLICIOUS]

Song absolutely slaps.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

I always imagined Johnny Cash covering this song if he were alive then.

[@HADJEE]

At a slower tempo.

[@tortron]

You could run it through AI now and get cash to sing it

[@TheLucasViews]

Perfect send-up. Amazing that these are are songs written for the film by Guest-McKean-Shearer, et al. Brilliant, whether you love or despise folk music.

[@mikesonneson2824]

Masterpiece of songwriting and performance.

[@MasterPhilbo]

"i'll stop that iron harse" love it

[@whitelotus1991]

Thank you!!!!!

[@ungerbn]

Fantastic! I have been looking for this song all over the Internet ever since seeing it on MAD TV. Thank you.

[@namafarm]

Don't let it happen to You.

[@mheeney19]

The bassist IS infact Harry Shearer, right?

[@morvorify]

Nah, it's Seymour Skinner

[@tek6423]

No, it’s Harold Balczak.

[@davemis40]

I thought it was Jefferson “Hairy” Sprouts

[@ababbas]

Dereck Smalls

[@GMANKOOL23]

Yezzir

[@EricJurkovich-js9kc]

More talent than what we're living with know

[@AndrewBHolland]

Original and fresh...even after 20+ years since 'Tap

[@andynicholas1728]

The Folksmen or Spinal Tap? Either way comedy genius aided by wonderfully skilful and intelligently composed music with sharp, whitty lyrics. FANTASTIC.

[@robertbishop5357]

These guys were true musical geniuses. Forget Hendrix, Page,Van Halen, Jeff Beck, Mickey Dolenze.......these guys are the real deal. Spinal Tap and the Folksmen should be in the Rock n Roll hof.....posthumously.....so to speak. 4:16

[@robkunkel8833]

“Old 97 got in the wrong hole” ... priceless.

[@MrJimmyTide]

That’s what she said.

[@VoidMaid]

Michael McKean is amazing

[@adamgardiner5869]

Man I saw these guys at Woodstock, if it wasn't for the beige acid I took I'd remember if they were good or not.

[@ungerbn]

I love how they lead into their performance with a sense of lighthearted, almost nerdy irony, and then end up performing an intensely somber folk melody. The audience is transformed from a mental state of petty bathos to respectful state of introspective contemplation. Shakespeare was right, "life is a stage."

[@The_Kirk_Lazarus]

The song is about sodomy.

[@MitchellMaichak-ze7mr]

And ALL the people are ( baked ) hams !!!

[@kionmahuermicio9860]

OMG Chuck, that electric guitar, and the mic...

[@ddruxman3579]

Yup, they amped it up to 11.

[@ticticboom]

yes. and in spinal tap as well.

[@pablojose4890]

This is almost as good as a Gordon Lightfoot song.

[@stourleykracklite7663]

Or vice versa.

[@TonyValdivieso]

I will never understand how that happened... each group rocks so much...

[@CaptTerrific]

A terrible time, indeed! Talk about understatement

[@swingtheleadpipe]

Awesome.

[@mopfautneddy9007]

Outstanding -

[@johnmondejar3739]

Great use of double entendre :). when ole' 97 went in the wrong hole, that pretty much gave it away.

[@BraniusBalki]

Awesome

[@thoughtsurferzone5012]

Good, old-time, rabble-rousing, pinko, labor song.

[@murphraven]

It would stand to reason that he would, since he IS the voice of Principal Skinner

[@kkoegler]

The Folksmen kick ass.

[@ScylockeX]

I had no idea people of this caliber would also be doing something like this... so cool.

[@Slashkamr]

Shows how much the audience appreciated these guys... not a peep during the song

[@theothertroll]

they were horrified ~

[@TimothySharma]

three improv giants walk into an improv show and the audience is impressed.

[@ronschaffer5959]

Shannon....is that you?

[@alextirrellRI]

I noticed there came a point from where they were clapping along at the beginning to actually listen to the lyrics and story.

[@JoeServo]

Awesome song!

[@jameswhite6388]

At the end, Mark Shubb advises, "Blood on the coal... don't let it happen to you."

[@humblehombre9904]

Why was there blood on Nichole? Is she okay? These guys are EXCELLENT! I wonder if they did more tunes….I love this!

[@kathd630]

A Mighty Wind is the movie this comes from, so yes. There is also a 2 1/2 hr video of Spinal Tap Unplugged out there, which is awesome and features Folksmen songs as well. Get it if you can find it! ❤

[@elayan333]

Watched the movie again last week and can't seem to get their songs out of my head ever since. I just can't possibly think this is a parody band.

[@earldarnell5221]

Mohammad Elayan I rented the movie ONLY because of them.

[@bellakatherman1477]

I’ve had Old Joe’s Place stuck in my head all afternoon

[@TheFrugalVideoGamer]

The best parody bands are indistinguishable from the real thing.

[@multi-florum]

Just keep in mind this song is actually about doing it in the butt until your anus bleeds.

[@YoTengoCorazon]

Folk music is broad enough to include satires of itself. Yes, the Folksmen are singing folk music, and doing it well! The Folksmen are hardly the first people to use folk music to parody folk music, especially many of the overly serious, self-important "protest" songs of that 1960s.. Back in the '60s, Tom Lehrer wrote and sang a number of satirical songs about folk music that are now classics.

[@OpenDoerr]

Brilliant.

[@sussussussus]

They're almost unrecognizable when their in character!

[@The_Kirk_Lazarus]

*They're

[@haraldisdead]

I work at a Railroad Museum, and it can be hard to remember it's not a mining museum, the two are so intertwined.

[@swingtheleadpipe]

Fricking awesome.

[@steveconn]

They filmed a cut scene for A Mighty Wind outside my apartment building in the West Village in 2002; I got all their autographs on a Mojo magazine (wish I could find it).

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

Lol, this is like every tragic Nova Scotian folk song combined into one.

[@robertarisz8464]

Goddamn them all!

[@judewakefield7213]

3:41 He was really feeling that "good Kentucky coal" line. I cant blame him, it goes fairly hard.

[@stephdeferie5662]

love this song!

[@markgarin6355]

They are no spinal tap.

[@mpzhank]

that's him alright. Harry Shearer..man of a 1000 voices.. does a lot of voice on Simpsons besides Skinner.

[@WorkFromYourLaptop]

My dad died in that coal mining accident. RIP father

[@DeafFret]

The Folksmen rock!

[@MrKaywyn]

A very good live version.

[@UnholyWeaponMaster]

@tiggerfan1968 You're awesome! Thanks so much! Been listening to this song all week and wanted to know that.

[@jordonvazquez7620]

Harry Shearer has such a cool voice

[@sethkallin2932]

You can almost hear him doing Principal Skinner in the beginning.

[@MaarthyL]

Guest is the best!

[@thebayoubear]

@terrorseed Peter, Paul, & Mary and The Kingston trio are a couple of my favs.

[@hamsandwichson]

I love that the "men" busted out the deep cuts!

[@the-chillian]

"Old 97 got in the wrong hole." Yeah, there's usually a bit of trouble when that happens.

[@ceciliafreeburn7560]

Oh dear god no

[@gtbones]

....now there's blood on the coal......

[@waltonsimons12]

@@gtbones ...blood on the coal...

[@keef71]

a mile below the surface in the warm kentucky sun! hahaha

[@MAC-the-KNIFE]

The Folksmen - Blood on the Coal Lyrics Artist: The Folksmen Album: A Mighty Wind Heyo! SONGLYRICS just got interactive. Highlight. Review: RIFF-it. RIFF-it good. It was April 27 in the year of 91 Bout a mile below the surface and the warm kentucky sun The late shift was ending and the early shift was late. The foreman ate his dinner on a dirty tin plate (Chorus:) Blood on the tracks, blood in the mine, Brothers and sisters what a terrible time. Ole 97 went in the wrong hole, Now my number 60 has blood on the coal, Blood on the coal, blood on the coal. The slag pits were steamin' it was 7: 25, Every miner worked the coal face, Every one of them alive The train came round the corner, You could hear the tressel groan, But the switcher wasn't listnin' so he left the switch alone! (Chorus) The walls began to tremble and the men began to yell, You could hear that lonesome whistle like an echo out... well They dropped their picks and shovels and to safety they did run, For to stay among the living in the year of 91! (Chorus) An Irishman named Murphy said "I'll stop that iron horse!" And he stood to thrwart it's passage, And it crushed him dead of course. And I hope he hears the irony when e're this tale is told, The train that took his life was burning good Kentucky coal, Hey! (Chorus) Unfortunately we're not authorized to show these lyrics.

[@davidpage3893]

But…you did.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

I have to admit, I am still bitter when I hear the Folksmen play. I was arrested at one of their first concerts for cooking bacon on a wood burning pot belly stove I smuggled into the arena. I would have shared, but they tackled me too quickly.

[@johnlovrien6333]

im a true fan

[@glenbard657]

Did you know that Christopher Guest's Nigel Tufnel character pre-dates Spinal Tap? If you look at the record sleeve for Lenny & the Squigtones' album, you'll see Guest in the band picture as Nigel Tufnel, although this Tufnel doesn't look like the one in Spinal Tap.

[@garysmith9823]

I know this is a joke, but it's better than most of the stuff from the folk boom.

[@Pboy7272]

7-5-22 CLASSIC!

[@thejeeper72]

The Original Mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap" still tracks today. 🤘

[@ValseInstrumentalist]

They're kind of derivative of the early folk work of Spinal Tap.

[@saturdaymorning329]

Good God I love spinal tap.