The Last Waltz (1978) - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Scene (5/7) | Movieclips

The Last Waltz - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down: Levon Helm leads The Band through a passionate take of the Civil War-inspired song, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down".
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Watch the best The Last Waltz scenes & clips:
• The Last Waltz (1978) ...
FILM DESCRIPTION:
Seventeen years after joining forces as the backing band for rockabilly cult hero Ronnie Hawkins, Canadian roots rockers The Band call it quits with a lavish farewell show at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom on Nov. 25, 1976. Filmed by Martin Scorsese, this documentary features standout performances by rock legends such as Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell and Muddy Waters, as well as interviews tracing the group's history and discussing road life.
CREDITS:
TM & © MGM (1978)
Cast: Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson
Director: Martin Scorsese
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[@stevieb89]

This whole concert is easily one of the greatest live performances in the history of music

[@dspf68]

Joni doing "Coyote" with the guys was soooooo next level!

[@hardtoimaginable]

Without question.

[@paulmclean2116]

Changed my whole life watching the last waltz fell in love with music

[@lisamoroney3036]

Definitely

[@ericjohnson-vm7rt]

He was wasted that night.. lol

[@drricksjoquist4358]

One of the best performances by a drummer ever--period. Levon sang his heart out in this ballad and it showed.

[@colonelreb1014]

And did it effortlessly. A true legend

[@davidoneill4859]

The best. Could listen to Levon sing this all night long

[@junereyes191]

Excellent

[@kadh100]

I cant judge that. What do u look at?

[@murphymoe753]

It's a pity he turned sour at the end

[@lars277]

The passionate soulful voice of Levon Helm. One of a kind.

[@richardleewagner3939]

Passionate voice of Mavis Staples

[@tsully4368]

Nobody sang this like Levon. Nobody. Magical.

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

Tsully Joan Baez

[@guckingfuy1]

Levon was a beast. I have it on dvd, can't skip a single song when I put it on.

[@jenflynn2]

If you haven’t already, do read Levon’s autobiography, This Wheel’s on Fire.

[@dougmasters2264]

No doubt about that

[@kennigrimmelmann4364]

Noboby.🤩

[@KarlKrogmann]

Levon Helm is the voice of America. No other vocalist in history captures this country's earthiness, complexity and ambiguity like he did. God bless him.

[@seansmith6745]

True. But Doug Sahm comes close.

[@louistrudeau767]

Well Said !!!

[@michaelclark9762]

J.R. Cash would look a word with you. No other voice looms over the entire American experience the way Cash's immense body of work does. Paupers and prisoners to Presidents, the downtrodden to the Masters of the Universe on Wall Street in downtown NYC, simple common folk to celebrities and heroes: they all hear themselves and their stories in his songs. Red and yellow, black and white, they all accept him as one of their own. From "Hey Porter" to "Hurt", over six decades he constantly pushed the boundaries of multiple genres of American music. No other artist is a member of the Country Music HOF, the Rock & Roll HOF, and the Songwriter's HOF. Levon is head and shoulders above the vast majority of the cream of the crop of American musicians, but Cash will always be not only The Man in Black, he's The Man. Even Dylan was in awe of Cash the first time they met at Newport in the early 1960s. Kristofferson, probably the most literary songwriter to ever work in Nashville, considered Cash his mentor and equal. No one, not even Elvis Presley or Aretha Franklin or Sinatra or Brother Ray filled a room with his mere presence the way Cash did. All it took was for him to step up to a microphone and say, "Hello... I'm Johnny Cash" and the air was charged with an electricity⚡in a way no other could bring show after show after show for sixty years.

[@raylauletti2004]

Absolutely, but how the hell does a Canadian write a song like this? RR captures more deep emotion in three stanzas than some historians achieved in three volumes. "You can't raise a Cain back up when he's in defeat...."

[@KarlKrogmann]

@@raylauletti2004 Watch "NOT IN IT FOR MY HEALTH" and you'll have your answer.

[@cherylsurwillo914]

Never saw a drummer pour out heart and soul the way Levon did here. Incredible performance.

[@SilentKnight43]

We lost Robbie Robertson today - RIP Robbie. Canadian legend and icon.

[@TonerLow]

RIP Robbie Robertson. This was probably one of the best songs he wrote.

[@keithm9337]

He says he wrote it, but I have a hard time believing he wrote this song all on his own. A guy from Canada wrote this? yea right. He stole writing credits from the other band members.

[@vicarofleng23]

​@@keithm9337 What a weird and ignorant accusation

[@owendunham2672]

@@keithm9337the whole band said he wrote it😅

[@brandonluft5153]

@@keithm9337man this is a dumb comment

[@keithm9337]

@@brandonluft5153 The dumb comment is the one from the person (you) who isn't capable of adding anything intelligent to the conversation other than name calling. My wife's third grade class does that same thing.

[@travelingwilbury1]

I can honestly say that The Last Waltz changed my life. When I first saw it, I came out of the theatre a different person. All these years later the music is still as relevant as it was then. I recently read Robbie Robertson's book, Testimony. One of the best, if not the best Rock n Roll autobiographies of all time. What an adventure!! I learned of Robbie's passing today and it has shocked and saddened me greatly. Another of my true heroes gone from this human journey of ours. Go in peace friend and may your spirit continue to travel.

[@thomasclark6232]

Moving tribute, this is!😢❤😢

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

Ruined my life also!! LOL In a really great way

[@TonyBurke-nq5ib]

I'm an old man and it breaks my heart to see my heroes slowly dying away.

[@ALCE52]

​@@TonyBurke-nq5ibmy brother I feel the same way, I get emotional hearing these beautiful renditions of songs of our youth. I just turned 71, and I'm awful sad . Peace and love be with you. ❤

[@adeline-music]

I'm 21 years old and just watched it for the first time a month ago, it also changed my life. I've known of the band since I was born essentially but now that I'm actually listening to them there's no going back for me. I'm currently reading Testimony, Robbie's become a huge inspiration of mine. I hope him and the rest of the boys are jamming somewhere in the beyond.

[@alexp7421]

I can't listen to the studio version anymore after hearing this.

[@aryastark772]

Me neither!

[@caitydoran4866]

Alex P same! This is so powerful.

[@mikebowman1043]

I agree. The same with The Weight.

[@seanmoyer6500]

Amen to that

[@finlaybalfour1064]

I feel the same way about all the songs in this film

[@simonsays100]

Amazing, can't even describe in words... Rest in peace Robbie.

[@melissazawodny8965]

I still get chills when I hear them RIP my beautiful voices can’t wait to see you all jam again in Heaven I know you all are there🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@urbanlumberjack]

Screw Robbie

[@timdungan-levant7640]

Respect to Robbie Robertson, passed on at 80 years of age -- composer of many classic tunes (like this one), performed beautifully by he and the rest of the boys in The Band.

[@edcaples5731]

From a unique place, Robbie is simply a genius for putting this together in the perspective that is totally unbiased, and from the "common" mans perspective after every war and the heart wrenching emotional evocation is absolutely unmatched.

[@Statalyzer]

"they should never have taken the very best..."

[@annestanford1888]

I saw this in the theater in 1978; I was 16. This has influenced my musical taste my entire life. I was impressed then, and I still get chills when Levon sings.

[@susanryan2451]

I'm so jealous. I've loved The Band all these years, and I do indeed own the DVD, but Damn I wish I had seen this when it came out ✌🏼

[@Liquidmice9]

I saw it on cable a couple years later on when I was about 10 or 11. Same with me. This one always stuck with me.

[@susanryan2451]

@@Liquidmice9 hug yourself 🤗 and know how lucky you were ❤️

[@craigm1954]

Same with me, same age, saw it at a small college theater. It took many years to appreciate it all, but the Weight, Caravan, even Mystery Train were etched on my mind forever.

[@susanryan2451]

@@craigm1954 amazing isn't it, decades go by and these songs remain, and with KZbin's help, they'll never die ❤️

[@timarnold2136]

One of the greatest songs ever written and performed.

[@timmcgrath9472]

great tune ...the p c mob are a bunch of fuckwits

[@mattadler4378]

Weren't they just the best ever? I have been on a binge since hearing about Robbie and it is amazing how the songs hold up. Sheer timeless artistry.

[@kevincharles4505]

Critic John Carrol wrote that "Levon Helm is the ONLY drummer that can make you cry." How true. RIP

[@ericsinger7393]

Robbie Robertson said this is the best he ever saw Levon Helms ever perform this. Leon had told him he'd bring his A game and boy did he ever!!!

[@tmeau]

You get the feeling that it is the last time they are ever going to play it and they better make it count.

[@johnwoolsey9879]

Levon is the best drummer/vocalist ever. Don Henley wishes he could do both as well as Levon

[@JumpCutThis]

And he could act, as well. Loved his brief stint in Coal Miners Daughter.

[@oldgreentop]

Levon Helm sang and played with honesty and conviction. What a talent. "The Band" forever.

[@jimhirsch4482]

You bet!! He also was cast in The Right Stuff and was that film's narrator.

[@tabathastaples7884]

Shepherd's Chapel Network !!!!!!! Have you obtained your free CD / The Mark of the Beast ???????

[@doughesson]

@@jimhirsch4482 His brief appearance in The Shooter was the best part of the movie.

[@saggitarius6155]

Levon Helm... You will live on! You were not just a drummer... You were an angel! May you rest in peace!

[@spiritgover4223]

This should have about a billion views by now. Essential to any living being. Definition of vocal authenticity right here. Take note, young lads.

[@janecarbone1504]

It's 2023, and I still can't think of any other movie that was so classic about any band, especially, The Band in The Last Waltz.

[@marshalkrieg2664]

This song feels so much like it is a passed down from father to son, a real life experience, it oozes authentic history.

[@tlockerk]

No doubt it will be forbidden soon. It is so personal it seems the 'ordinary folk' experience of a tragic war.

[@henrikelmelund2965]

This voice and Levons passion is just unbelievable.

[@richardfweeler2939]

That line "he was just 18 proud and brave but a..Yankie laid him in his grave" .....gets me every time

[@DonVal86]

That is musical writing at its finest. Very melodic but the words come through like poetry.

[@copperspartan1643]

Yes, also "... But they should never / Have taken the very best", which could be applied to most wars.

[@paigecat9104]

@@copperspartan1643 And they wonder why in the South for generations even up to this day have suspicion regarding Yankees.

[@thejackel1844]

A "Blue Belly" at that ...

[@kaizermonkeys]

@@free322001 Then why are Yankees so obsessed with trying to ban anything related to the Confederacy: statues, monuments, flags If they really didn't care then how do you explain these actions which have been increasing since 2015

[@amandacourtenay9539]

Loved your work, Robbie. If there's a rock and roll heaven, it's your turn for a solo. Try not to fight with Levon.

[@dmackmatt]

Elton John once said a drummer should never sing unless his name is Levon Helm !!!

[@fernandes5986]

And wrote song about that called Levon.

[@dnmurphy48]

he may have but Phil Collins did as well, as does the Corr sister (Caroline) and both do very well.

[@joshblackwell8588]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@allie811.]

David McKee, He really said that?

[@BRStormysea]

I thought Topper Headon had said this.

[@bigcomcast]

People would chop wood for steamboats Leave it on the shores and a steamboat would come by and take the wood to burn in their boiler to power their engine. They would leave money for the wood on the wood pile not a lot of money as this song say's. The Robert E Lee was a famous steamboat that won a race against another famous steamboat The Natchez in New Orleans. Robbie dug up this history and added it to this great song genius. RIP Robbie.

[@markcourson3151]

Wow, thanks for that info!!!

[@bigcomcast]

@@none7114 Well I got the info from Wikipedia But the song kind of say's it There goes "the" Robert E Lee not there goes Robert E Lee?

[@RetrnRetrn]

Thanks for that info, I used to belt that song out when I was a little girl in Ireland, and I didn’t know what that meant regarding ‘ chopping wood’ now I know. Great band, real music💙

[@helenhess1603]

These are five musicians that just made magic and nobody could ever duplicate it they were the Band!!!!

[@martinmolloy5876]

The single best individual performance by any drummer. The passion in that song is on a different level. I adore it. Levon's best performance. He gave everything for us in that song

[@stevethrendyle8406]

That military style drumming near the end, where he's pounding away in double time as if in some parade... it just slays me every time.

[@kengrubb]

This is the best performance of any song ever in my view. I think some neither understand nor listen to the lyrics. They just hear Richmond, Lee, and Yankee then conclude it's pro slavery, which it's not. It's an anti war ballad told from the perspective of a vanquished people. This version brings me to tears.

[@vangroover1903]

It's also nice how it commemorates General Stoneman. He was a hammer on the rebel filth and their twisted, evil cause.

[@frogdog97]

I think this the best live performance I've ever seen.

[@47Brenda47]

I so agree! It's a song of loss, that cuts all the way through the soul. It's not pro anything. Just loss.

[@mr47murph86]

@@vangroover1903 what's wrong van you're chief sell your ancestors for babbles and trinkets cheer up mate you talk like no slavery in the north 🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏🏻🙏🏻🍉🍉🐖🐖🍌🍌🍌💚💚💚

[@jamessquair6829]

interestingly, written by a Canadian

[@benleblanc6133]

Another masterpiece from the best band ever, Robbie is a generational musical icon, jamming with Levon in rock heaven.

[@dnasty312]

Richard and Rick, as well

[@Alex-ej4wm]

I'm a Pennsylvania man but this song rips emotion out of me. Doesn't matter what war it is the poor always go and fight for their homelands and politics mean nothing.

[@plumlogan]

Because they have nothing else. All they ask for is a place, and they'll kill for it.

[@Alex-ej4wm]

@googleisorwellian Understood. We could debate why the war was started but I think the song is from the perspective of an average southern farmer. Not a plantation owner or of the upper class.

[@coachhannah2403]

@googleisorwellian - How did the "North pick [ed] a fight?" 🍿

[@court1827]

Perfectly put.

[@user-go6hs1dp4z]

戦争をしてはいけない

[@cunn9305]

Civil War historians were amazed at the level of detail and passion Robbie Robertson put into this song .. almost like he had been there before. It's a big reason why it touches so many still to this day. We will never experience such talent and grace again. RIP Robbie, Levon and all ..

[@EyeLean5280]

I'm a history teacher and I usually include this song in my section on the civil war. It's so touching and really makes the human experience of collective defeat accessible to kids, even when they're unsympathetic to the Southern cause.

[@klebersernik4141]

One error though: Richmond fell in April.

[@lostinclownworld]

@@klebersernik4141 still technically by May 10th

[@klebersernik4141]

@@lostinclownworld On May 10th Davis was captured in Georgia. The city of Richmond fell on the 3rd of April. Those are the facts.

[@kevdogrudi7260]

Lemon Helms voice is what makes this song so great

[@motioninmind6015]

Good god, what a song and what a voice! We'll never hear music as good as this again.

[@shankster3578]

So true brother, I remember this when it came out, I was in high school. The saddest thing about being a millennial is their complete lack of good music.

[@BishopsDoom]

@@shankster3578 You have never heard Quevo then I take it.

[@BishopsDoom]

Just trollin. lol

[@mitchellpierce1816]

great job

[@Blackhole6800]

Came here to listen because Robbie Robertson died. What a classic, memorable song. I wish I could have seen them live.

[@gergie4955]

My GOD what a powerful song and performance!!!

[@shawnsharkey5528]

I am a Yankee, 49 years old and I am recently thinking this is one of the best songs I ever heard! Levon Helm, you are amazi ng and I am so sad we lost you too young.

[@davebowden4010]

Say what you want about Levon...when he sat down behind that drum kit, he was in a league of his own. RIP Robbie Robertson. Its another sad day for music

[@romancandle416]

So soulful that even the Yankees are weeping.

[@benhenderson3947]

Amen from this Yankee, brother

[@buckdraper303]

I guess black folks aren't weeping.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

This is Levon's song, I agree with that. However, Rick can still be heard harmonizing, his voice is so unique. Just love him.

[@andyh2408]

It doesn't matter where tf you're from. This song is quite possibly one of the best songs: lyrically, melodically, instrumentally, every performed

[@jennlynnechancey]

I have heard this so many times and I still get the chills! Levon sang his whole heart out!❤❤

[@brianisaksen3180]

me too

[@leelauder4411]

That song makes me cry every Damn time!!! That's why the WHOLE WORLD LOVES this band!! Pure as the day is long!! Peace brother

[@gulfgypsy]

RIP Robbie -----Thank you for the music and memories.

[@nathaliekrauze-bojman6715]

Since my eighteen I see this concert every 10 years! I'm 58 and I love Robie as yesterday!! Thank you The Band, see you over the rainbow...

[@Oallright]

I can't look at Danko without getting sad. Such a sweet soul.

[@fernandes5986]

I cry when I hear his voice, and Levon's too.

[@Angelrider65]

i love him when he spazzes with his own style on the weight.. :) i just got into the band and didn't know he passed too.. so sad...

[@murphymoe753]

Never had an argument not like other bands

[@gesundheit602]

The is absolutely my favorite version of the song. It’s incredible. Levon never sang it better.

[@wolfwilliams]

And never sang it again. The story of this performance is one of rock's saddest but most genuine episodes.

[@paulgurnett6818]

This song never ceases to make the hairs on my neck stand on end. Extraordinary!!

[@thomaswengler4261]

This would be the concert I would have wanted to see above any.

[@piratecheese13]

For me it’s this or Stop Making Sense

[@Gabagool93]

With Bob Dylan and Dr. John too. Insane.

[@HamiltonRb]

Braden White And Ronnie Hawkins for good measure

[@noahwoodward4916]

HamiltonRb hey man don’t forget Neil young

[@haw_n_thorne]

Joni and Van the Man;)

[@deborahhatcher186]

THIS IS GREATNESS!

[@cliffcox7643]

I don't know why this brings a tear to my eye. I always remember this song and growing up in central Texas.

[@Alex-ej4wm]

Oddly enough I just discovered this song and even though I'm from Pennsylvania it does the same for me. I commented earlier that it "rips" emotion out of me.

[@caliscribe2120]

Same for me growing up in SoCal in the 70s.

[@stevethrendyle8406]

It brings a tear to your eye because you are a human being who recognizes when genius cuts to your soul.

[@Diogenes_Parrhesiastes]

Robbie's greatness will live forever among us.

[@harmonydaniels964]

This song is like a story, I can picture it in my mind. IT always gives me the chills. ❤

[@stedegrissom5788]

There are very few singers that can reach down and make you feel their song. This is one of the great ones that can do just that. His music reaches down to your core and you feel everything he puts in his songs. So glad he is back making great music.

[@RSVPini]

He died in 2012.

[@michaelward2295]

Levon once sat in with a band I used to be in. We stood in a circle before the encore and he handed us all Levon Helm guitar picks and said "easy money. Easy money now." Magical. The guy was awesome.

[@granthouston5977]

God bless The Band. One of the greatest performance groups to have ever existed!

[@markschisler7874]

BEST LIVE RECORDING OF AN AMERICAN CLASSIC EVER. GOD BLESSED US ALL WITH "THE BAND"

[@robertdahlqvist5402]

OMG I'm miss Music being made, wrote, performed and sang like this 🥲

[@TheKyPerson]

This is one of the most beautiful evocative songs of a time in history. Levon Helm's voice is perfect for it. Robbie Robertson, a Canadian wrote this masterpiece. Thanks Robbie.

[@namenotavailable11]

Levon Helm was the only American in the Band. They were all Canadian. It's sort of ironic that arguably their biggest hit was about the American civil war.

[@sleydersfruyioc8081]

THIS IS...........HOLY SHIT............FANTASTIC!!!!!!

[@trevmac8362]

*YEP*

[@brando787]

Ya

[@kerrienoble5887]

Robbie and Levon are now reunited.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

Robbie learned in the flash of light that he couldn’t take that royalty money with him. RIP

[@colinperry1011]

As a proud Canadian who has lived in the US the past 25 years, I have always been awed and grateful for what The Band gave us all those years ago....and having Levon Helm in the mix was the missing ingredient. With all apologies to Don Henley and maybe Phil Collins, this is the single greatest drummer/vocalist performance in history. It is so obvious from the film that he poured everything he had into this performance, and we are all the beneficiaries. I hope that future generations can appreciate the effect that this band had on the musical landscape...so sad there's only Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson left. Levon was the linchpin and voice that impressed and enthralled us all those years ago...and in my mind, nothing has changed. Thank you The Band members, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorsese, and especially Levon Helm. I will never forget you, this song (among many others), or the impact your music had on our lives. As Elton John sang, "and he shall be Levon, and he shall be a good man." 'Nuff said, I guess.

[@sunroy1]

Who got to see this performance live? I saw the movie while visiting Chicago in ‘78. Probably the best rockin roll movie ever made, bar none.

[@dww2002]

for this performance alone, levon helm has earned a place in my heart forever.

[@MercyFlush]

This is so great that I get goosebumps all over my body

[@NorthWriter]

Every. Time.

[@brianreinhardt3169]

Ditto. Amazing.

[@tomhoffmann6442]

Got it!

[@trevmac8362]

Richard Manuel ignored in the back ground..... love him and of course *Rick Danko*

[@GD20254]

All premature deaths are sad but Richard Manuel's is especially heartbreaking. Alcoholism and addiction and suicide sucks

[@hannejeppesen1809]

Not sure he was ignored as such. Might have been he was stoned or drunk as much as I love this singing he had serious alochol and drug problems. They all did drugs, including Robbie, which he is very open about in this book Testimony, but Richard was a serious addict, just couldn't stop or moderate.

[@tonyc4776]

I would like to thank my Dad for introducing me to the Band! The only way to play their music is LOUD!!

[@detestor420]

Tony C it’s my step fathers favorite band .. took me years to appreciate how amazing they were.

[@larryr5725]

My dad...Vietnam vet from Kentucky MADE me watch this when I was 12...thought he was drunk and crazy....44 now still here

[@jp5617]

Well you’re not alone

[@sarahpalmer2212]

My dad too!

[@spookedhorse]

I really miss Levon. Guy was so genuine. True original spirit and talent.

[@noahwoodward4916]

Robbie’s Strat was something else man. Incredible.

[@dennisadorno6721]

I can only hope for that people that attended The Last Waltz they realized they saw history, for the rest of us we will enjoy and appreciate this stellar performance by some of the finest musicians of our time.

[@charlesbyrd6055]

We always knew back then late 60s and early 70s that Levon Helm really personified our particular region with that voice....and his Canadian brothers were non too shabby. I’m glad it was a soundtrack to my youth ...thank you

[@mikefowler2417]

One of the greatest American songs written by a Canadian.

[@robertpetrie6847]

one of the greatest concerts

[@gordonm7038]

Robert Petrie A great double bill is The Last Waltz then Spinal Tap! Then Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps if you are still conscious!

[@sianchetty1361]

Gordon: I have seen all three vids, in one night, and totally agree with you.

[@paulpetrie2791]

My favourite song by The Band.

[@hamishmunroe9906]

Pouring his heart into the vocals and playing the drums on auto pilot. Insane talent

[@sadhvacman7238]

I was 25/26yrs old, year was 2000-2001; a young piano player and singer that was obsessed with The Allman brothers Fillmore album and the blues when I first heard The Band. It sounds trite to say but even so, they changed my life. They are without a doubt the quintessential masters of less is more. It’s not the notes played but the silence between the notes. I can’t say how much I love Richard, Rick and Levon.

[@MychalGendron]

I got to see them perform in the early 70s - best live band I ever saw, no nonsense, barely spoke to the audience, just one great song after another.

[@Angelrider65]

i'm so jealous that i missed all the great concerts...now a days i have no desire to spend the $$$ to see anyone...last concerts i saw were John Mellancamp Scarecrow tour and way before that Van Halen Diver down...i missed the 70's..i was in elementary school :(

[@47Brenda47]

No other song has ever moved the soul so deeply, or so completely!

[@lorimooney2427]

My mother lit candles when this album dropped and glassy eyes all around, the toll that war took on our ancestral family was terrible, cousins on either side, 4 in one battle against each other. Robbie was a master at songcraft. An evocative ballad that could be a contemporary dirge of those days. We have not forgotten their sacrifices, neither did The Band. Single Released 50 yrs ago 29 Nov 1969

[@texasjr1804]

Lori Mooney Southern Born here. I grew up on the old stories and moved North where I became a Yankee. I first heard this song live at a Joan Baez concert in 1974. Nothing Ive ever heard evokes the complicated history of that war. The feeling of pride for taking a Rebel Stand and the loss of a brother and ultimately a way of life. As a Southern Man I hate the Evil Institution behind the war. I am horrified to read the accounts of the Slave boats and the flesh markets. Despite that, My southern heritage is a part of me. It feels like Levon is singing and playing his heart out for me.

[@joeoverstreet9357]

Obviously slavery wasnt the main cause of the war lincoln said in a speech that he would do anything to save the union wether it be freeing slaves or keeping them in bondage, tyrants, taxes, and the defense of your home state was the reason most folks went to fight

[@AneHoward]

Levon Helm forever.

[@kathleensnow9836]

And now Garth Hudson is the only one left...a truly great Band....

[@cybolton302]

I was taking care of my 80-year dad in his last days and this concert was on PBS. This song was playing when he woke up from a snooze. I asked him if he wanted to watch something else, sitcom, Turner Classic... whatever. Never forget his reply: "Oh no. I like this. This is good music. Reminds me of growing up". He was born in 1921 in rural East Texas. No band could create rock Americana like The Band and no one could sing it like Levon.

[@beansbeans4551]

Sure do miss that guy. Levon was epic.

[@donalddonn3853]

they can not show-play this enough... tis a Clasicc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mrsavoy66]

Always loved my southern brothers 1 nation 1 blood i would die for you

[@alternatingcurrent8030]

He sings the hell out of this. Hats off...

[@johnnywindsor183]

Absolutely masterpiece, I love the band, and such a sad story for all of them apart from Robbie, fair play to him also. He was the genius behind most of the songs, but always look at LH as the best performer RIP the lost members of possibly the most underrated band in history

[@strangetwang3269]

That's just the narrative RR put it. He who lives controls the narrative. The truth is the Band wrote all the songs together, and Robbie just went behind their backs to get publishing credits and all the royalties. Although he was talented, he is also a thief, a liar, a backstabber, and of poor character.

[@StanleyGoldbrik]

Underrated? I think you're right, considering their contribution as a whole. 1994 Hall of Fame inductees.

[@andrewclifton9772]

@@strangetwang3269 Why this hatred of Robbie? Every band has their Lennon/McCartney or Jagger/Richards, and every good songwriter gets input from their bandmates. Do you think Slash had no part in the shaping of November Rain as it was finally released? "I can do this here" or "Let's add a solo here" or whatever. The point about a band is that when the whole is more than the sum of their parts, magic can happen. Robbie was the songwriter/guitarist just as Levon was the drummer/vocalist and Danko was the bassist/vocalist. All played their parts very well. Ask Garth Hudson about it all.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

No one in The Band claim the all wrote the songs together. Some did some writing, but it was Robbie who wrote the majority of the songs. Rick, Levon and especially Richard were to strung out on heroin and other drugs to be able to concentrate. I'm not making a judgement, and Robbie did drugs too, but not heroin.

[@davidedwards8365]

Levon Feckin’ Helm Give respect to his name

[@mickberry164]

Check out Levon's triplets with both hands together in every chorus (visually you can see it at :50. Effortless, clean, in the pocket). And he's not just singing in tune while doing it; he's giving it all of his soul. Levon Helm, my favorite singing drummer bar none.

[@redneckfantasyguy1696]

In the winter of 65 we were hungry, just barely alive ... a time I remember oh so well

[@user-hj8mz3hp3s]

Union did ethnic cleansing over south

[@DawgsGoneWild]

1865

[@seanmoyer6500]

@Djordje N.Zrnic The Union was up against an enemy that was fighting to the death to preserve an archaic institution. It was all horrible, but still a necessary, justifiable fight. As a southerner, I’ve always anguished for the poor southern man that was tossed into the breach at Antietam, Gettysburg, and countless other horrendous battles. But, he couldn’t pay his way out of military service like the aristocracy of the South. Those well to do cowards that owned humans like cattle and then, when they’re economic system was in peril, sent poor white southerners to die in vain on the battlefield.

[@crosstimbers2]

@@user-hj8mz3hp3s More Union troops were killed than Confederates ;)

[@user-hj8mz3hp3s]

@@crosstimbers2 union is communist compare russian civil war with usa s lincoln was under influence of marx i know this because i m from serbia and communist destroyed my country we have similarities communists and yankess held inustrial zones confederates cossacs and chetnics rural btw north had much more people than south and it was more developed

[@kevincosta9228]

And all the people were sangin... I can't watch Levon these days without a tear in my eye. The band was superb but Levon was the best singing drummer ever.

[@KenR1952]

Doesn't get any better. This is like a fine wine, gets better and better. These guys were amazing

[@christinesullivan1229]

Just love this, this classic story, the feel, and the build to chorus..I've fallen to my knees x

[@tomhoffmann6442]

Christine you are very humble!

[@michaelworse6034]

Rest easy my hero . Godspeed Robbie , farewell

[@Minutemanly]

Rip Levon, one of the Greatest of all time ❤

[@APoxOnNordStream]

I'm a European, can't honestly get into the politics of it, or the poetic licence in the lyrics, whatever... But the unbelievable delivery, the soul, the passion, the control, precision, in this performance is truly astonishing. Breathtaking.

[@dandejong5218]

honestly these guys have sych good harmony levon helms is just so good

[@sartainja]

Lets us hope that in 500 years that if mankind has not destoried itself that it will still be listening to the music of The Band.