The Lakes of Pontchartrain - Paul Brady 1977

[@sumnermatteson7590]

Just heard Paul Brady tonight for the first time ever on Wisconsin Public Radio. What rock have I been living under all these years? Simply one of the finest folk voices ever.

[@69tomasito]

great song and artist

[@deathmagneto-soy]

Better late than never, brother.

[@johnkiernan287]

@@sumnermatteson7590 ye and they all mostly rave about Christy Moore, which I’m not a fan of 😂 Paul’s forgotten more that that bloke will ever know, top musician Brady also is 👍

[@maggiestanfield9039]

I was there. Paul Brady had and has a truly unique talent and voice. Oddly enough, he felt quite insecure that evening. I was working with the BBC's Tony McAuley and the concert was being recorded live. Paul was quite nervous, which i couldn't understand at all, but hey, even the most gifted have their insecurities.

[@mixerD1-]

You lucky lucky lady.

[@PMoan-tv1jn]

Interesting observation. Thanks for passing it on Maggie.

[@wotzupdoc1]

Bad Hair Day.

[@janhart1592]

How wonderful to have been there!!!

[@stevenharpold2562]

Great story Maggie.

[@lyndaoshea4059]

I was married to an irishman who introduced me to irish folk music sadly i have l lost him now but his music will always be with me love you mcflute x

[@pablodevesey3143]

Mc Flute? Muah-ha-ha! Pair of legends.

[@rateyesmertz3785]

I befriended an Irishman that introduced me to drink.

[@ewaldseiland8558]

@@rateyesmertz3785 And he was called McWhiskey?

[@paulkielty3800]

Lynda where ever you are I hope you are safe and you made me laugh.

[@thomassmith1823]

You saw your opportunity and seized it, respect

[@willcrawford7896]

As a native Louisianan, I just adore this song. And it’s nice having an Irish folk tune about this place. Special special

[@Vigilante311]

Pretty sure it's actually an American song, I'm not 100% on that but it's American according to Wikipedia,

[@st3altypandas63]

IIRC he found a poem by the same name in an unpublished book in someone's house and reordered it/made some slight changes. I'd pay anything to have gotten to listen to him play

[@lynncai587]

as someone from New Orleans I never expected a song about Lake Pontchartrain from an Irish singer! It's special indeed.

[@Vigilante311]

@@musashidanmcgrath that's very interesting thanks man

[@andrewcalhoun7214]

​@@st3altypandas63He lives and gigs to this day.

[@greatspottedwoodpeck]

Absolutely brilliant performance by Paul Brady, delivering the definitive version of Lakes of Pontchartrain. And doing it live. Absolutely brilliant. What an amazing talent.

[@slaphappyjap]

Im a 43 year old man listening to this for the first time...why am I crying right now?

[@cardboardsports999]

Its an emotional song to listen too.

[@darrenwalsh6242]

Please don't cry, just enjoy the song, but I sincerely hope you're life hasn't got bad enough circumstance's for you to be sad.

[@kevlally]

In the same way as a duck flaps its wings but does not take off, to release trapped energy... It is a very healthy and wise for humans to cry or play sports maybe scream at the top of our lungs in a forest to also release built up trauma. This world is not an easy one. Trapped trauma can manifest as disease in the body later on over time.

[@ProfDavo3000]

Because you are a human being.

[@Meauss]

Because Paul Brady's voice speaks for our hearts

[@alisonnields6200]

What Paul Brady does with his voice just isn't taught. That's something you're born with and my god Paul was born with the most magical voice 💚☘️

[@philomenamuinzer4805]

He's just like a blackbird.

[@davidbutler8279]

@@philomenamuinzer4805 Yep - a red-winged black bird.

[@acadams5]

This still gives me chills. I think it's the best performance of this song ever, surpassing even Paul Brady's other recorded versions. Something was different that night in 1977. Simply amazing.

[@Whatzzzz999]

ditto on the chills. a confluence of two great talents, in the moment, a live, high wire performance with no safety net. it's stunning.

[@MarisaDwyer]

Yes, this is special magic. It's haunting in an indescribable way.

[@PercussusResurgo]

Could not agree more

[@sinbadmcbasterpolish]

I first heard this song on the radio while in the car. It was so captivating, I had to pull over. I sat in the car, just listening til the song was over. That was three years ago. How wonderful to find it again.

[@hermitagegreen]

they could never have known that 35 years later we'd still be sitting here loving this

[@wytrabbyt]

Its 43 years now

[@beastinthesky6774]

Make that 43 years :)

[@garrettcoughlan3186]

Who indeed ?

[@bjornengqvist9629]

Kept coming back to it for several years now. Irresistible.

[@furymittens1910]

43. Ditto.

[@nbenefiel]

I lived in Ireland from 71 to 78 a magic time for traditional music

[@gipsydavy1490]

Traditional American .

[@LordHalloran]

+Happy plucker Traditional Ignorance.

[@radwizard]

Pretty much one in the same. Irish and Scots-Irish and the Scots brought music to America, and it evolved into Modern Music we hear today.

[@porterhall27]

no such thing..America was populated by immigrants who brought their music with them, Scots, Irish, Welsh, English, African..unless you mean the music of the Native Americans?

[@anihtgenga4096]

Lucky spud!

[@kathyryder9157]

That is so stunning, Paul Brady voice is amazing, his guitar playing as well as Andy Irvine's bouzouki playing is exquisite. How lucky we are to be able to enjoy it still.

[@RunningRugby4]

No shade, but give giorgos zambetas a listen if you wanna hear some otherworldy bouzouki playing

[@trainmaster1665]

I spent my 30th birthday in Doon Ireland last year and I and the bar patrons took turns singing favorite songs. A priest who was home from his work in Argentina played guitar and sang this song which I had never heard before. I was FLOORED! What a song.

[@NickleJ]

Listening to this at my home on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain :)

[@jakmak1199]

Any nice Creole girls there ? 😊

[@1blastman]

Listening on the North Shore here.

[@Johnnyfive55]

Is there even any alligators in the woods:)

[@NickleJ]

@@Johnnyfive55 yup. But theyre friendly little creatures :)

[@Johnnyfive55]

@@NickleJ I'll take your word on that. Great cover from Brady?. Check out "Arthur McBride" from the the same concert. Another definitive cover from Brady. All the best, from the banks of the Blackwater, Cork.

[@margmckay3257]

What a singer as powerful in 2022 as it was back in the day. Those were the days for Irish traditional singers . Brilliant🧤👏

[@jeffng6172]

I lived in Ireland from 1996 to 2005. Played music there all those years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m now back in Singapore with my family.. our hearts are still there. Left behind many great memories and friends. Up Ireland!

[@1blastman]

@candom rommenter Amen. They need to be put in their place. Too many "progressives" are owned by Chinese money. But that's a political rant that I'll save for another time. Enjoy this wonderful song again and again........

[@tomgreene2282]

Where did you play and what instrument?

[@jeffng6172]

Hi Tom, I played the guitar. Had an uilleann piper, percussion and flute player in our group. Played around Garykennedy, Co. Tipperary and Co. Clare. Had a blast of a time all those years.

[@tomgreene2282]

@@jeffng6172 thanks for reply...used to play a bit in O'Donoughe's in Dublin around those years.

[@Landauh]

This song is about the US, nothing to do with Ireland bar Brady being Irish.

[@clairemi100]

This is what you call proper music, im 24 and grew up listening to all these songs, Paul Brady is just amazing, his voice is a gift..

[@patriciathewisher2315]

A guy called Paul Charles who comes from my neck of the woods once told me that he once met Bob Dylan who barely spoke to him because at the time Paul Brady was teaching Bob how to play The Lakes of Pontchartrain.

[@davidbwoo]

EVERY time KZbin brings this -- and Arthur McBride -- back up as a suggestion, I am grateful. And I listen.

[@tyarymynydd]

Find the Tiernan McBride’s film of Arthur McBride. Paul Brady sings. You always wanted a video for a folk song. Brilliant.

[@linneasaoirse]

The most beautiful voice in folk music. Unbelievable. This version is the best of them all❤

[@TheATeam71.i]

As an Irish man, you listen to music today, there is no comparison to this music, this is music, as an Irish man I am proud

[@lambhdeargh]

I played this song once while on holiday in Italy and I ended up with more people watching than I started with. Even the Germans liked it and they previously complained about me playing the guitar late at night.

[@waltertanner7982]

yeah, we are a strange pack, but sometimes we can be converted by really high quality!

[@LeeSwim09]

im 18 years old and love to listen to drum and bass, dubstep, trance, dance and hip-hop - this is my favourite song of all time.

[@lisasture4523]

Yes, it is so beautiful! It always makes my heart ache - not in a bad way - in a special way

[@GavNic71]

27 now. I wonder what you're listening to now. And are you still loving this song?

[@jameskelly6117]

I met an Irish girl this year. She took me back to her home in Cork and introduced me to her family and this incredible music. We are no longer together but part of my soul will always stay with her

[@wideawakenow007]

James Kelly, I am so sad that you are no longer together. What a loss.

[@wideawakenow007]

James Kelly, you absolutely have to get yourself back to Ireland and meet another Irish lady.

[@PaulGoodeK]

Lovely story, James. I’ll drink s Guinness to the two of you when I’m there this summer. Best wishes.

[@maryoreilly4160]

James Kelly ❤️❤️

[@PaulGoodeK]

@jeflynnenut Thanks! We had a wonderful time -- mostly around Westport and North Mayo. We were able to drive through the Burren, and even saw Christy Moore in Athlone. As beautiful as Ireland is -- and it is beautiful -- the Irish people are just as lovely, and half the reason to go!

[@gazloader]

Was there ever another song that fills your heart with love, heartbreak and desire as much as this? Paul Brady was born to sing this song. A true calling if i ever heard one!

[@Folk-rock]

this song is full of heartbreak and beauty

[@clairecadoux471]

Watched and heard the Great Paul Brady sing this in Perth Concert Hall 2 weeks ago. Luck got me there. A chance sighting of an article in a paper. 4 x legends doing possibly their last concert. This was their final piece after an awesome evening and unforgiving standing ovation. This was their pin-drop moment. Paul's voice is unchanged imo. We had Donnal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Paul Brady (all had been in Planxty) and Ken Burke (Bothy Band). Thought my heart was going to burst.

[@waltertanner7982]

My goodness, how lucky you are! Unfortunately, they have not come to Germany…

[@jplmedley]

Wow Claire - thanks for sharing about that. Sounds unbelievably precious.

[@deejaykay1975]

Love it...

[@medb8882]

is there any videos of this?

[@LiamConnell-ks4ce]

I think you mean KEVIN Burke. I met him last year at a dinner in Scotland without knowing who he was. I was so impressed by his conversation and weird Irish/Cockney accent. When I realized who was (he played and sang for us) I was amazed by his humility and grace.

[@socratesgoulas9036]

Simply masterpiece!!! Excellent bouzouki playing! Greetings from Hellas!

[@brunocarlos802]

I’ve listened to this song for the first time in Grafton Street, Dublin City. Some buskers were playing at night. I could just memorize some verses and then I found the song here. Amazing!

[@Paddyy2012]

I play this song on grafton street. Say hello next time bro!

[@Zezezeze69]

@@Paddyy2012 class

[@balsham137]

And throw a pound into the hat

[@fino2604]

Had the pleasure to play with and listen to paddy2012 on a session in Dublin last Wednesday. It was sublime.

[@gambetti100]

I am 54 years old now. Live here in Germany and heard this song for the 1st. time on British Radio 30 years ago. This is the best song i have ever heard in my Life !!!

[@SpotlessLeopard]

This reintroduced me to emotions I forgot had existed.

[@johnleboeuf4089]

The setting for this song is the place where I was raised. It has always filled me with sweet sorrows as oil refineries and "development" has destroyed the magic that once was.

[@curleyteeth]

It sounds such a beautiful place in this song John.Jim.Liverpool.

[@galwayvintagecollection3401]

Apart from the love in my dogs eyes when I tell him genuinely he's a good boy I cant compare anything to my hearts joy unless listening to PB. Purebloods listening to PB again and again. ❤ it.

[@galwayvintagecollection3401]

Swiss Shepherd and Truth cousins keep it on track.

[@adoyle7443]

T'was on one bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu And I took the rode to Jackson town, me fortune to renew I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain Which filled me heart with longin' for the Lakes of Pontchartain. I stepped on board of a railroad car beneath the morning sun And I rode the roads 'til evening and I laid me down again All strangers here, no friends to me 'til a dark girl towards me came And I fell in love with a Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain. I said my pretty Creole girl, me money here's no good If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood You're welcome here kind stranger, our house it's very plain But we never turn a stranger out at the Lakes of Pontchartrain. She took me to her mummy's house and she treated me quite well The hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell To try and paint her beauty I'm sure t'would be in vain So handsome was my Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain. I asked her if she'd marry me, she'd said it could never be For she had got another and he was far at sea She said that she would wait for him and true she would remain 'Til he returned for his Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain. So fair thee well me bonny o' girl I never see no more But I'll ne'er forget your kindness and the cottage by the shore And at each social gathering a flowin' glass I'll raise And drink a health to me Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain.

[@waynebutfoy3759]

Fantastic lyrics heard it the first time last night in my Bar here in Valencia,Spain ,an Irish boy sung it brilliantly,,,God bless

[@georgethompson9396]

There was a period in my youth when this was my favorite song by my favorite singer. Many many years later I met a lifelong friend of his and had the chance to play it for her. Special for me.

[@JeanneDenny]

I knew these amazing singers and musicians so many years ago and had Planxty at my folk club in Blackpool England. I’m still playing and listening and enjoying the wonderful music they gave us. 🥰

[@cworkmon]

To have missed this song all my life blows me away. Never too old for Revelation!! Beautiful Beautiful ❤

[@Whatzzzz999]

'Never too old for a revelation'... I love it! I'm gonna get me a tee shirt!! Cheers buddy.

[@andaimhineach4131]

Cead míle fáilte!

[@martifingers]

I trust you now have caught up with Paul's version of Arthur McBride!

[@whhswhhs]

You wonder...did Paul Brady know when he was singing this particular version how powerful and lovely his interpretation was? Could there be a better way to sing this song than the way he sings it here? Thank you Mick Connell for uploading this gem.

[@Nachtuil36]

I completely agree with your comment. I saw and heard him back then at a local festival here in Flanders. Still am thrilled by his version.

[@stephenhandy4950]

Martin Taylor

[@smokiethemightydog8902]

Irish tenor

[@danielmclaughlin2695]

Martin Taylor 100 % right , in my opinion no version of this song comes close to this one .

[@davescott5328]

Strangely, I think there is. RTE (Irish TV) did an anthology of Paul's output in the very early '90's called "Echoes & Abstracts". On that he's on his own, in the corner of a recently built industrial bay, basic rig. And absolutely nails it. Never seen a better version, other than Aoife O'Donovan's which comes close, I'll admit.

[@canesacahar]

Listening December 2024. My late brother sang this song so listening with a heavy heart ♥ but I love the song.

[@pmathews109]

Wow! What a voice and what playing, while accompanied by another of the Kings of Irish music Andy Irvine!

[@jamesbolger413]

Andy Irvine is beautiful player. Don't get much better than this.

[@frankbolger3969]

Greetings, my fellow yellow-belly!

[@twl107]

I’m a 24 yr old that isn’t in touch with today’s music. This is real music. Every one my age is missing out !

[@samuellong895]

YES

[@martinhanley9524]

Sure is - this is poetry that moves the soul

[@sarahcohen3844]

Every generation feels out of touch with the next generation's music. But there doesn't seem to be music in today's music. It's empty of everything but electronics.

[@kathleenferguson3296]

I'm 70, and hosted a 15 year old Paul Brady in NYC for Schanchie Records. I was 25 then. Kept him from the lads and thebdrink, made sue he called home. He was very sweet.

[@damianboyle2376]

It's true I have a son 25 and he sing this song he loves it

[@conbaz106]

Paul's singing and playing had an effortless sweetness and softness back then.

[@johnruaneanalysis5220]

Not alone is Ireland the home of country and western music, and Irish traditional music, it's also the real home of Folk music and it should be promoted as such worldwide. I mean what other country has so many brilliant folk singers like Paul Brady and I'm delighted to see the huge folk revival sweeping the country again, and isn't it part of who we are.

[@GerryMATW]

I'm utterly dismayed! I'm in Glasgow and I didn't know he was playing otherwise I'd have been there. He's one of the best artists I've ever seen - a genius.

[@johnaylald9964]

I absolutely am in love with Paul singing one of my most beloved songs.

[@MultiGeraghty]

I have long admired Paul's use of "open tuning" and his perfection of same! And how qabout that great accoustic sound using only a microphone and no built in graphic equalizer etc!

[@Geedo777]

+KyranI an Geraghty those mics pick up a much warmer sound eh? Plus those Yam FG 180's kick out a beautiful bassy tone which helps ;)

[@enilegnave21]

1,000,000 yrs ago, in L.A., my boyfriend & Michelle Shocked & her husband, Bart's were bestfriends. Went to their wedding, hung out on their houseboats, took care of their sweet old cat when they were on the road. One night, 12+ years ago, after Michelle's birthday dinner, we went w/ the Hothouse Flowers & jammed to the wee hours. They played this... plaintively & mournfully: sweet voices, guitar & pennywhistle. My heart has longed, since then, to hear them play this again. This will do ;-)

[@johnmccann8319]

The most beautiful love song ever.💚

[@grahamadamson5933]

I first heard Paul Brady singing with the Johnstons at the Aldermaston folk club in the 60's ..... a great voice in a harmony of great voices ...... their music still thrills me .

[@olderbutfitter-dl6hk]

Still loving this in 2024.❤❤❤

[@ArjunLSen]

there is no better interpretation possible.

[@wingandaprayer]

Saw him and Andy Irvine play this and many others at recreation of their 1976 album...Celtic Connections in Glasgow last week.. It was even better!!

[@Scotsgrey13]

There are many several good covers of this song, but Brady's is the ultimate. And, just a great song to begin with.

[@johncronin517]

I love it! Irvine looks like he's laying back having a cappuccino in his local coffee shop, Brady is on auto pilot with a marvelous rendition of "the Lakes". Fantastic to be able to see live what has been unavailable for years. God Bless KZbin! (and the posters)

[@youtareatube]

My Irish niece, now living in the carolinas with an american husband just loves this song, as i love her

[@GravityBoy72]

I saw Andy and Donal live two years ago. Then Christy a few months later. Never seen Paul (sadly). And Liam is gone but not forgotten. Such amazing musicians... up the with the best.

[@petermullen7037]

Their likes will not be seen again.

[@martinplaysmartin]

I am so fascinated, this is probably the best version I ever heard!

[@paul29671]

Andy Irvine on bouzouki- another legend.

[@steffigavin9152]

This just grabs my heart. So beautiful.

[@levinton1]

I heard Paul Brady sing this as a much older man (2011 I think) in The City Winery in New York City. Every bit as beautiful and haunting as he was as a young red-haired boy in the 70s. This song is authentically American but its origins are obscure, maybe recalling the War of 1812 (no foreign money suggests multiple currencies, maybe French). But the theme is timeless and Brady and his lovely guitar playing is so perfect. Yes, the song is not Irish, but maybe Brady's version has made it so.

[@KevinDardis]

It still amazes me after all these years how easy he makes singing and playing these songs look. Second nature to him. Wonderful.

[@StephenDouthart]

I was still at primary school when my brother bought Planxty's Cold Blow and the Rainy Night. It was just sublime. Brady does it well too. I love his song The Island 👌

[@patrickryan1821]

Wow, what sound of nostalgia and longing, this song gets me every time.

[@rocketpost1]

I've always loved this gorgeous song. I'm more used to Christy Moore singing it but there's something in Paul's voice that is so poignant. It just tugs at the heart-strings.

[@brentcouncil1489]

43 years later and we are in lockdown. This song made me cry, it's a timeless song about heartbreak. Please God forgive me but I think that I broke a lot of hearts :(

[@hamburgerdan101]

“I broke a lot of hearts” ass no you didn’t you stupid and ugly

[@Alan-tr4eq]

I was born heartbroken

[@jmmacb03]

I don't think it was heartbreak. Truth hurt him. And he respected her enough to raise a glass. And now America is so very, very lost. Cheers, from Toronto.

[@geraldneary1948]

Are you gay or something.

[@tomsampson8084]

I never thought I would say this but I actually miss the '70's.

[@winterishere9828]

We'd all like to be over 40 years younger again!

[@tomsampson8084]

@@winterishere9828 I guess that is true to a point.

[@jackarcher7495]

The music, yes. Definitely. The rest of it not so much.

[@zangdopalri]

it's a joy to hear this song again with Brady and Irvine. It always was a stand-out track for me, since first hearing it in the 1970's. The yearning expressed in both the melody and Brady's singing of it is both heart-tugging and 'haunting.' What I notice on rehearing is the courage of both players to take it slowly and reflectively. Incomparable, imo. Thank you for sharing it.

[@airyfairycelt]

Still just as heart catching as many yesterdays

[@nickydelaney6675]

such a great song always reminds me off a special girl who is always on my mind and she introduced me to this song on a great day out ❤

[@eamonogrady2606]

Ah, Friels in Miltown Malbay what days, the pub is still there but the soul is fading! Bring back the 70s they were simpler times with a guitar, large bottle of Guinness and a packet of large size rizzla!

[@michaelcushing430]

Lucky you're in the company of Guinness, I travel 1000s miles to get a real Guinness!

[@wrathofme03]

what's rizzla?

[@airyfairycelt]

michael cushing 😊

[@alexwilson3739]

hello the answer to yer question is that Rizzla is a brand of cigarette papers popular in all the Keltic countries. .. including england . from a fella forty years behind the,"roll up" Slante'

[@francesoregan394]

Up the Banner

[@blackmonarch1]

Wish I could shake this mans hand before our time on earth ends... Beautifully sung ✌

[@Susq15]

I just never get tired of this...nor of Arthur MacBride. True classics.

[@gabridelux453]

that is my life forever and ever, thank you god and thank you paul, Irvine and craig

[@gconnolly648]

A most beautiful thing. Young master Brady looks like he has just left the harry potter set.

[@KenCarpenter-videos]

A pure voice

[@cazkelly]

The original Weasley

[@juliosalazar3997]

Once the expellarmus is learned the alligators in the wood will be no problem

[@marykyle8072]

A long day of work ahead, and this marvelous artist is helping me. Beautifully done. Such ease. Such skill. Thank god for this medium. Now if all that happens on the internet were at this level, what a world we would have.

[@philliphutson7250]

That's why I stopped Facebook and now only listen to music on KZbin. Songs like this make me know I made the correct choice.

[@brendavisceglia9034]

I'm singing this tomorrow at a session and I'm completely nervous. I don't have all the ornaments but I'll add those in as I go along so that it sounds natural. I think this is his definitive performance regardless of how nervous he was. Simply brilliant. Someone has asked me to revise the song as a non-generic which I won't be singing tomorrow but I'm going to send it to him and run it by him. Very difficult to change millions of songs and take away the "he" and "she" but it is an exercise. I also have been bothered it says "Lakes" when there are none so maybe changing it to "Banks". It is a perfect song but when you sing for a younger crowd...they are very picky about this stuff! Again, this is brilliant beyond belief and with Andy Irvine playing with him just takes it out of the universe.

[@darkbluemullet]

How did it go? :)

[@brendavisceglia9034]

@@darkbluemullet trying again tonight. Nobody knew how to play it at the session!!!!!!!! they do now!

[@pmathews109]

There are no “Lakes” of Ponchartrain.

[@billneylon594]

@@pmathews109 well, there is Lake Ponchartrain, which is the main body of water in a connected basin (also called Ponchartrain) that also includes two other lakes, Maurepas and Borgne. Since we're not in the habit of naming things next to each other the same thing, I'd say that's about as close to there being "Lakes" of Ponchartrain as can be reasonably expected from a folk song. If you must be pedantic about something, Lake Ponchartrain is technically an estuary, go with that.

[@eretic57]

this was 40 years ago and we're enjoying this 40 years ago, people could not enjoy what their ancients did 40 years before ... how many treasures like this from "baladins" and singers have been lost in time ! (.heuumm .. uderstandable ? )

[@musettediato]

Yes - perfection. And I have no idea why the beauty of it chokes me up.

[@00100000station]

Does it, Can it get any better than this? I would love it to bear witness to whatever that thing is because THIS is astounding.

[@torvilasulvstle362]

Actually, I think Dylan makes it better!

[@johnmcgrath6192]

I love this song. Beautiful heartfelt young love. i always think of my Irish grandfather and his 2 brothers seeking their fortunes in the 1800s US mid-west. My grandfather had to return to Ireland but as a US citizen not obliged to take loyalty oath to the British crown. The brothers who stayed became wealthy through forestry and real estate,, When I wandered the US west there were many kind women ready to take in a good man. I think it must have been the same for my great uncles. P.S..Back in Ireland/England marrying people from Africa met at uni is a normal thing among my relatives.

[@lambhdeargh]

I suppose it does not matter who's version is better, it is one of the finest folk songs ever written. Haunting and beautiful and guaranteed to make anyone sit in contemplation long after the song has finished.

[@voxpopuli348]

An Irish Band played this at my request, at a pub on St. Patrick's Day, 1997, in Dublin, Ireland. I will never forget it. ❤ Erin Go Bragh!

[@brookebowers3529]

My song! I was engaged to and called to sing in my locals.....tis my love song....

[@Whatzzzz999]

what a voice. the subtlety of a piper or a flautist/whistle player. Incredible. I've listened to this song via various recordings since the late 70s. This is the one without a doubt. And just the best bouzouki playing, never intrusive, always completely beautiful. Thanks!

[@smiffy8364]

Breathtaking perfection from the pair of them. Paul has a hauntingly beautiful voice and is a superb guitar player.

[@davidbrennan3613]

I've seen paul in concert in nyc 6 times,he is a fantastic musican

[@tommymorgan73]

What a truly wonderful wonderful artist!! Only just discovering Paul Brady!

[@philipcleary6951]

Paul Brady is an absolute genius the best ever folk singer and songwriter or Ireland has ever produced that's a fact not fiction

[@ThePhiloaussie08]

I just love to listen to Paul from when I was a young girl living in Ireland many years ago......Thanks for sharing

[@bs5750]

I think youtube is so powerful, it connects people with similar musical tastes, so, once again, hello Argentina!

[@SmittenKitten.]

You posted your comment 13 years ago... I hope you're doing incredibly well today, these 13 years later.

[@thomassmith1823]

13 years later still connect people :)

[@berkeleybernie]

I knew this arrangement as played by the group Trapezoid. Never knew they had picked it up from Brady. I've only discovered Brady recently via his wonderful Arthur McBride.

[@elliehjemmet]

I spent months looking for the singer of "Arthur McBride" --had been sent on a cassette with no atribution. Now I've worn out Paul Brady's DVD with all of his fine songs,. I'm a fan.

[@Tambov40]

I remember owning his tape "Welcome Here, Kind Stranger" (whose title comes from the lyrics of this song)in the mid-1980s. I think inside there was a folded up sheet of paper that had information about the song. I forget most of it, but the song is set in the post Civil War South. At the beginning, the song's character is referring to the fact that the Confederate money is now worthless: "I cursed all foreign money / No credit could I gain."

[@johncronin517]

Duh! Lakes of Ponchatrain! - LA

[@jamescharles9615]

@@johncronin517 www.google.com/search?q=Ponchatrain&oq=Ponchatrain&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.4406j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[@michaelrickard9890]

Superb string playing from both musician, Andy Irving on bouzouki and paul playing in dropped tuning. Wonderful sound and song.

[@richmerne4269]

Paul Brady was like a baby when he sang this all those years ago, so if he had this tallent then !!!. - its still so fresh and what about the attentive audience - they came to listen and love , not to shout and roar and listen to themselves - this was what sessions were like then - I know, I followed them.

[@arthursmith4954]

Wonderful musician!

[@Sportymike]

Paul Brady is one of the most respected musicians in Ireland and this is, by far, the best and the most version of this song!

[@epiphone06]

played this version at a gig for the first time and the crowd loved it. beautiful song.

[@michaelshortall9179]

A beautiful set of lyrics and a humane message of love.

[@Kavycat]

Just listening to this (again) and a few others for good measure as I whet my appetite for tonight's gig in Vicar St. (DUB). To say I'm looking forward to this reunion would be the understatement of my year.

[@patriciagrace6729]

such a Pleasure to hear this wonderful mans voice.