The Well Below The Valley: Pol McAdam and Sean Mackin

An Irish Traditional. To share with my Bodhran playing friends.
It is the opening scene from the movie Magdalene Sisters
www.imdb.com/ti...
The singer is Pol McAdam. The priest playing the bodhrán is Sean Mackin.
www.imdb.com/na...

[@Yorosero]

Probably one of the greatest openings to a movie ever.

[@HARROWSKI]

Whats the name of the film?

[@dschroeder7354]

@@HARROWSKI “The Magdalene Sister” (2002)

[@christinamarrocco414]

What a powerful song to choose at this moment in the film, as you see the camera scan the women at the wedding, all potential victims of the judgement and danger of rape and incest, and then the camera stops on the girl and her soon to be assailant cousin. The hell is about to be unleashed. This song of incest, infanticide, and shaming is the perfect choice and functions as a indictment of the powers that were.

[@rustinstardust2094]

I didn't realize when I watched the film years ago that the song's lyrics foretold the context of the film. I'm glad this video cuts out right when it did. Going from this powerful and moving performance to the next scene was very emotional. I wanted to see the performance again but not what came after.

[@kinsley7777]

Like you read my mind ! ...

[@angemaidment5640]

Just the kind of song to celebrate a wedding...

[@karolinaahlstrommickel7104]

Spot on, i knew this movie was about "maggies" and that first scene made me wonder who would end up at with the nuns. Where can I find this movie in English or with English subtitles?

[@onlinedramastudio4612]

@@karolinaahlstrommickel7104 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2rblmx9iLelfqM

[@mikeboyle4611]

This was an intense movie.

[@ollywilliam1206]

What is the movie?

[@mikeboyle4611]

@@ollywilliam1206 the Magdalene sisters. It’s about a group of girls at the Magdalene laundries in 60s Ireland. They were kept in inhumane conditions and abused very harshly and cruelly. Very hard to watch but definitely rewarding.

[@ollywilliam1206]

@@mikeboyle4611 thank you

[@wolftal1178]

Although it’s a horrific sad film, I can’t help but love this opening song!

[@HARROWSKI]

Whats the name of the film?

[@wolftal1178]

@@HARROWSKI the magdalene sisters. But it’s not a very happy film. It’s quite horrific in some ways, and true story unfortunately. 😔

[@charlamiller3900]

Yeeeessss! The director did a fabulous job, weaving the growing intensity of the music with the rising fear of rape... I don't like rape. I'm just saying it was an incredible scene. The fact that her cousin took advantage; of her of course, but also knowing the music would be so thundering and loud his crime would easily be committed. And the twist of fate, she ends up being sent away- committed. A tainted woman. Tragic story. Terrible history. Fabulous movie. 5 stars.

[@wolftal1178]

@@charlamiller3900 I know, but she was the victim so I don’t see why she had to be punished. It’s not as if she wanted it to happen!

[@charlamiller3900]

@wolftal1178 EXACTLY! It was, and is such an awful twist to an already terrible experience. Same for many women, all over the world and all through history. . Report the rape, but the victim is interrogated. Sometimes people don't believe victim was truly a victim because "she was asking for it by the way she was dressed" etc. Awful. Ever heard of the program "I Survived"? People tell their harrowing stories of all kinds of debauchery, attacks, etc. One woman was married to an awful man. She was terrified to leave cuz he'd "kill her if she ever tried to". She decided to get evidence, for court someday, or to prove it was him who murdered her, if. Anyway, she ended up having a voice recording of him forcing her to s×#k his, um, you know wut. He was an a-hole the while time. Making her gag, and struggle to breath. When he tired of brutalized her that way, he raped her. She tried to fight him off. She pleaded, she cried etc. Exhausted, eventually she became a quiet, limp victim. There was a horrific nightmare of a last night being his punching bag, but she did get away. Years later in court, the jury did not find him guilty of the charge of rape, because, (drum roll, please) "she didn't try to fight him off long enough". Her exhaustion and resulting silence during the rape meant it was not actually rape, not to the jury. Still makes me sick to my stomach. When she was recounting this, and she spoke these words, her face and mouth contorted with her still raw frustration and anger. Such an F'd up point of view. That jury should have had to have an eye opening educational crash course; all about coercion, bullying, and how survivors often survive because they quickly assessed the situation- the twisted thinking of their rapist, and they accommodated the rapist, in order to live. There are several "I survived" stories told by women who lived through an ordeal that involved a second rape victim who did not survive. The women who survived had adapted their behavior, realized their survival depended on being cooperative. They quickly learned how they had to behave, but they also witnessed the rape and murder of another victim who did not. One such rape victim had to play along like the man was a good lover. It was not an easy sort of lie for her to go long with, but the alternative behavior, to not play along, quickly ended the life of the second victim. When he wanted to rape her roommate she gently woke the woman and stated, "this nice man is going to rape you for a while now". The roommate freaked out- of course. She also suffered a very violent rape and was brutally murdered. So, anyway, my point was yeeeaaashh that sh#@ is F'd up, how the young girl in the Magdaline sisters movie was punished because her friend told her mom, who told the raped girls' parents that her cousin (?) had raped her!! Why was she was blamed? Well, obviously, she was overly sexual. She had "asked" for it. It's a sick attitude and belief held by sick men, played out in all sorts of sick situations, all over the world. I've already gotten started, but don't get me started on this topic. I could write a masters thesis on women being persecuted and punished after she was rapes. Yeah, it was awful that the young girl was punished for being the victim of rape. The movie is based on a true story. I believe there is a KZbin video of an interview of a woman who had been a young girl who had been sent away like the girls in the movie were. There were many reasons a young girl was sent away, not only girls raped by a cousin. Great movie, dark subject. Wonderful tune that plays throughout the openning scene of the movie.

[@rootsm3]

A very dark song to open a serious film. Beautiful bodhran playing.

[@erinbuckley1170]

This really is the best version of this song still 2022

[@PinkFlyBoat]

I love the way he sings the line"the lord above he saved me soul. From all this hell" haunting tune!

[@grandduchesssh2406]

When I watched the film I found this a really striking and usual opening.

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

Saime Higson perfect though, in a weird way

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

Saime Higson the song is very fitting for the movie’s theme, sadly. The song is about a woman being responsible for her own rape. The upbeat tempo detracts from the impact. I think it was perfect for this movie.

[@sheilaclemett4353]

What is the likelihood of this actually being performed at a wedding reception? This makes me very glad not to be Catholic.

[@munsteerarla6585]

@@sheilaclemett4353 Piss of prod

[@ollywilliam1206]

@@janeadelaidelennox7193 what’s the movie called?

[@celandineflower]

I think that it was Irish tradition for cautionary songs to be sung at weddings, so the couple would be reminded to be true to their marriage vows. Plus the song's theme of a woman doing penance whilst the men get away with their sins suits the film.

[@johnmcnoon8296]

I play some great music with Sean Mackin a few years ago now, but still very memorable. A fantastic musician singer and song writer, his presence in performing is incredible as we see from this clip. But first and foremost a real nice guy.

[@liegan5271]

Where can we see/ hear more of his work?

[@KH-eo6lg]

Impressive. Watched it three times in a row and still not tired of it. The priest is quite attractive, too. Love the accent. Such passion.

[@JanTetteroo]

Glad you enjoy it. It's a great song.

[@caoimherush4488]

I liked this version over the Christy Moore version. This provided a sense of eeriness and deception of what these poor women are about to endure. It's a haunting and chilling opening, when I watched this intro the first time I was like how unusual...

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

I love how you can see the two musicians in this opening scene. The one who is all zen and lost in the music and the other who is smiling and is all like "Wow buddy, I love it." Watch their faces. Holy fuck.

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

I play the bodhran. It’s a zen fucking instrument man

[@josephsmeall4745]

This is such an eerie movie opening.

[@poshgypsy]

+Joseph Smeall Agree, very powerful though

[@tobydunn568]

help me, I'm trapped inside the computer and I can only communicate through youtube comments. Send help.

[@relaxnation1773]

@@tobydunn568 escape.exe try this

[@bobgunter9608]

I remember watching this in Irish culture class and I thought it was weird they were saying such a dark song during a wedding but it’s foreshadowing for the actual film

[@kieranp2039]

I never noticed this was at the beginning of the film, talk about foreshadowing.

[@nadinebrown7644]

kieran p this is what drew Enon to the movie. Best opening scene ever.

[@tomhead2767]

Best version of this song I've heard

[@deusexrockina]

Amazing movie. Best version of the song I've ever heard. Touches the soul the only way Irish music can. 🇨🇮

[@Trund27]

Totally - it's beautiful but sinister and sets up the horrors to come.

[@cmcg3290]

i never noticed that till there now, it foreshadows everything

[@angemaidment5640]

I can’t help but look at him and wonder what’s behind those eyes...

[@TomokoAbe_]

I love his singing.

[@lloossaaww]

ABSOLUTELY MY FAVE VERSION took so long to find, caps are needed! lol

[@dexterpaula]

He is so passionate singing this song.....

[@AdIgnorantiam]

The singer is Pol McAdam. The guy playing the bodhrán next to him is Sean Mackin.

[@boxingfit]

The best version of this song by far thats on youtube

[@boxingfit]

@Francie Stokes yeah its really good... You must like Christy alot yeah?

[@mclagan1036]

I could watch this film all day ❤️

[@matthieubollea2216]

Long live sacred Ireland ❤ Amazing people, great beers, tough whiskeys and feisty women 🙏

[@vermarsan]

i love this song first time i heard it i was watching magdalane sisters and this song just got stuck in my head

[@manxmade69]

I went to see the film recently, found it difficult and had to leave at the hanging scene. However, thought this was one of the most powerful opening sequences I have ever seen in a film. Thanks for posting it, I didn't think I would find it!

[@sriramveeraraghavan3112]

Completely unusual rhythm and feel got from this song. Nice and different to hear...

[@smorgi]

Such a beautiful opening

[@Iujjdjcbjrujgsm]

irish culture is so beautiful, i love the song

[@wubster103]

I love this song so much.

[@JohnDoe-th1qn]

The singer is Sean Mackin.

[@MichaelCollins1922]

I love my Irish heritage, but there was much dark history as well. This movie showed some of that.

[@whittenoval]

Its an english ballad.

[@johnmccourt9464]

Persecution starvation doesn't bring out the best in people. always be proud.

[@yoyoholck]

Catholic church

[@paulmcmonagle3956]

I love this movies and I love learning about nuns and I’m Irish 🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮

[@JanTetteroo]

It is the opening scene from the movie "The Magdalene Sisters" Great movie BTW.

[@ZZZLover]

Haunting song. Indelible. Sang beautifully.

[@kishanabear]

wow, great scene! great playing!

[@dlonoe6261]

great Film and great song

[@jcw001]

many thanks for posting this' a very powerful opening to the film

[@spartacusthegreat8520]

This is the best version.

[@schiavolini]

wonderful musician

[@elin6240]

Great music, wonderful Bodhran playing

[@hamedarib4591]

Respect from algeria

[@smerilla]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@jaydotkay]

Nach diesem Lied hatte ich gesucht. Thanks for Uploading! Der Text leider so traurig wie der Film.

[@zauberlehrling5515]

Gibts auch in einer Version von Omnia :D

[@BeckBeckGo]

Best part of this clip is watching sean smiling at how immersed in the music pol got. Sean broke character there, I think. They both did. And it didn't even matter. Because this scene deserves transcendence. Especially since everything that followed this in the film was straight fucked.

[@mickdukes]

Awesome-looking bodhrán!

[@superpixiewoo]

beautiful!

[@vahe7883]

Amazing song amazing movie !!!

[@daverigby23]

I hears this sung last night. It is actually the oldest written song in English. It was banned during Cromwells time, because it's a song about incest. Funny that it should be chosen for a film, where it is sung by a priest

[@josemanuelmascarenas9149]

Catchy song

[@debwalls9405]

Absolutely beautiful performance, thankyou for sharing the names of the performers.🥰🥰

[@zoyablake9538]

Amazing! Thank you!

[@ZabuKz]

finaly... i saw this short episode on TV for a few secs and i didnt know the name of the movie, or anything. this is so good. finaly i found it ! yay!

[@Magick099]

Part of this song is missing. When she is asking the angel who fathered her children, he tells her.. her brother, uncle and father. That was the reason she killed her children and possibly herself. This is Irish catholic and it's about arriving in purgatory. That is what these convents were partially about. They believed it was the church's job to punish and help cleanse them. Of course that is not true.

[@manchesterblue2007]

+Tami Walker christy moores version is much more explanatory..... and much more graphic and unforgiving....Im guessing because this rendition was by a priest that the reality was covered up...... as is the catholic way Im also guessing that the movies editors had a lot to do with it for fear of repurcussions

[@Magick099]

I like the version from Omnia also. Christy Moore's version is also very good. I had never heard the song before the movie. I liked the beat of it and thought it was a Irish drinking song. After listening to it a few times, I realized it was a story about being in purgatory in the eyes of Irish catholic. 3/4 of me is Irish and I was raised with Irish Catholic teachings. I am not catholic today... but the thought of purgatory still scares me.

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

Yeah I know. But I have to say, you'll never find a better version than this.. This breaks my heart every time I hear it.

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

They believed, my hind foot! They were in this to make money. This was a HUGE cash cow for the church for years.

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

+manchesterblue2007 +manchesterblue2007 haha yup probably except that I'll say now, Peter Mullan had absolutely ZERO fear of reprecussions. He was angry and wanted everybody to know. Not that this should affect your opinion of this movie in any way. But he was one pissed off guy.

[@davidbrennan3613]

Absolutely brilliant

[@ivorhandful]

@AdIgnorantiam No, The singer/Bodhran player (priest) is Sean Mackin.

[@geoff3103]

Great song...tough movie to watch

[@dinaa1980]

I'm very glad discovering the name of this wonderful ballad and the name of the singer and the palyer. i?ve found the text in Child's Ballads's Book, that is not edited in Italy but I've found some textes on the web. The movie is one of my favourite

[@therealconniefrancis]

the movie was nasty and in my mind the song is ruined

[@jel517]

+Matina TheArtOfRolling If you look up the words, and read about its meaning you'll find its very appropriate for the movie. Sad and regretful yes, but it is history that should NOT be repeated

[@janeadelaidelennox7193]

+Matina TheArtOfRolling The movie was nasty? THANK YOU. That is the point of the movie. These places existed and I'm glad it makes you uncomfortable. Discomfort with this kind of horrible shit is what keeps it from happening again.

[@jaysonwilliams3938]

I further suggest my Irish cousins also listen to the John Byrne Band - Paddy's Lament - its well done and complete and includes this song!

[@ruairimonophthalmos5458]

Anyone know of any more recordings of Sean Mackin (who plays this priest)? Have always loved this performance.

[@LoliNana]

beautiful song.

[@mimmina90]

meravigliosa!!!

[@scarecrow7313]

Yes! I love the Jesus image!

[@Fionnuala1969]

This song is called 'Well Below the Valley'. There are other versions out here that have all of the lyrics. I'm sure, due to the nature of the lyrics, they couldn't include them all for this movie. I recommend Terence O'Flaherty's version. I just love the bodhran playing in this. This is amazing to watch and listen to!!

[@joaopinaud]

Thanks for this! 🧡

[@shellyomahony3304]

Sean .contact us down in Cork ... we would love to see you...

[@RightInMyLeftEye]

The undertones of rape doesn't take away from the majesty of this tune..

[@rowdyreidgirl]

I can't wait to learn to play the bodhrain

[@staceghostc2c]

Creepy to be havin him play a priest, especially at the end when he seems to be working himself up playing the bodhran. Very effective scene to be sure.

[@mmmdanish8635]

It's a bodhrán, an irish frame drum, traditionally made from goatskin.

[@user-om4vn5sh1h]

Very good song i like song

[@tennesseecraig]

...This entire movie is on You Tube --- title is "The Magdalene Sisters"...!!!

[@dleigh112]

I think this song is a variant of Child Ballad 21 The Maid and the Palmer, where the maid carries a hazel wand and has borne 9 'children'. The theme of penitence suggests its origins are in the Magdalene ballads.

[@jezebellebooth1291]

Thanks! I love it, it has a powerful, resonating sound. It looks so simple to play, but sounds as if it takes a lot of skill.

[@louisemclean2973]

I watched this film earlier 😭

[@carameloasakura]

Awesome! Thanks :)

[@franciestokes5472]

That song was sung by a Irish traveller John Jacko Reilly

[@jaysonwilliams3938]

sounds a little like Paddy's Lamentation - if you like this song, I suggest this folk song from the Civil War of how the Irish ran from the Potato famine right into Lincoln's Union Civil War ....the Irish....the Irish

[@maliclasxvaoun1749]

lourd frère. Flow/sensibilité/instru lourd

[@thatskyfriend9395]

Creepy cousin at 1:50

[@rustinstardust2094]

Was so glad this video cut out right when it did. That was an awful scene.

[@tainahollo]

Derick Shamblin, it is actually vice versa! And his name is Pól Mac Adaim.

[@tainahollo]

+Sean Mackin Of course you are right :) - but did you read Derick Shamblins message before replying to me? My message was for him, because I wanted to correct his information! He wrote (4 years ago): "The singer is Pol McAdam. The guy playing the bodhrán next to him is Sean Mackin."

[@rustinstardust2094]

Love this scene so much. I've read a few different versions of the lyrics and here's my question: considering the era in which it was written, is the song meant to condemn the girl for "letting it happen" as blaming the woman was the norm for so long? Or is it actually addressing the circumstances as crimes committed against her?

[@haleypolk8827]

I believe it blames her. There was a reason this song was chosen for this film given the horrors to come and the strong theme of punishing women.

[@shanequinlan9774]

I thought the picture on the bodhrán of Christ being condemned by the crowd was a nice touch.

[@iriseng5149]

People talk about a movie and a film. What are they referring to with this? Quite enjoyed this song!

[@iriseng5149]

@@JanTetteroo Thank YOU so much. I have been invited to be the pen pal of a retired man who played Bodhran. I think not only would I enjoy this, I believe he would as well.

[@JanTetteroo]

The Magdelene Sisters. www.imdb.com/title/tt0318411/

[@bugniabricco]

AMAZING

[@KA-ky9nb]

I think I'm responsible for 30 views.. .

[@Kiyoko504]

Ding, Ding, Ding tell um what hes won Jerry

[@Koppse]

@jtet2000 it is Well Below the Valley

[@wfcoaker1398]

Lord God, and he a priest, too! There’s a reason God called you.

[@JanTetteroo]

The well below the valley

[@rowdyreidgirl]

The movie The Magdalene Sisters really upset me after a bit - those were our girls, our daughters, our sisters, violated, scared, pregnant, accused of loose morals. I think we all need to watch this even in 2023, to keep our girls safe from harm at the hands of those who swear to protect them.

[@muzica8486]

For me, this song is that kind of song that remains and sometimes it just pops in my head. The same happend to me with jarousky cum dederit.

[@dinkinishoconnor3432]

Amazing. The drumming feels African.

[@yannickmagee]

its kinda in the title of the video?? beautiful song

[@luciewinborne2929]

Seemed like an odd song to sing at a wedding. Can anyone explain?

[@MlleBrandt]

Lucie Winborne in the context of a wedding it's a bit weird, but I think as a preface to the themes in the movie (salvation, lost/murdered children, penance, etc) it makes sense. Maybe the people who made the film chose it because it was suitably dark and foreshadow-y.

[@luciewinborne2929]

MlleBrandt Makes sense. Thank you!

[@bareakon]

Lucie Winborne Well, in some traditional Irish weddings, a morality song would be sung, as is often the case with just about any Irish Catholic life event. And obviously, it fits pretty well with the themes of the film

[@jel517]

+James Richards Exactly James you must have looked up its meaning. A sad commentary, dark history. You cant go on just looking at the bright side of things in life

[@spectatape]

It was probably chosen for that reason!

[@manzaniitha30]

en el nombre de dios

[@jamiegalloway94]

Its called bordhran pronounced bore-on