Tiernan McBride's film of Paul Brady's 'Arthur McBride'.mpg

Long gathering dust on a shelf this is Tiernan McBride's 1977 film of Paul Brady's song 'Arthur McBride'. A wonderful document of a wonderful song.

[@Andrewaitchison1]

This song means so much to me, not only is it my favourite song my uncle is the actor who plays Arthur mcbride in this video :)

[@Shawhir]

He looks a character :)

[@paulpost9737]

Great acting all round! Unimaginably difficult to convey the meaning in what is, from the actor's point of view, is essentially a silent movie -- but with the pace, speaking, and gestures needing be timed to match the musical progression of the song. Now, try all that some time!! Everything has to be done with the facial expressions and body language. So much close in head shots. And, your uncle was paired up with one great English actor, Geoffrey Quigley!, who is actually of Irish paternity, born in Palestine. What a face!, as the Sergeant. Wonderful cinematography cutting back and forth between the two men.

[@shontellerogers5448]

@@paulpost9737 The same thoughts struck me, as well! I liked the bows and his wink at the end :o) The little drummer was so adorable that it was sad to see his rowdy-dow-dow punctured, lol. By the way, I am always deeply impressed with the historical accuracy of the clothing styles portrayed in British media. Good work all around here!

[@paulpost9737]

@@shontellerogers5448 Aye, that is so. Some of the BBC /PBS series are nothing BUT costume dramas, but they do such a great job on those costumes! It is also interesting to see how the clothing and its quality have always been deeply associated with class, status, power and respectability with the English -- the livery and dress of the house service personnel, and in this case, how the uniform when donned, transformed the low class person to a higher place of authority and respect, and imposed on that person also different sets of personal standards of conduct and loyalty. Likewise, with their police dramas. The English truly ruled the world for several centuries less with physical force, than by imposing the superiority of their clothes & style, and the sheer assumption that they would make of their innate superiority to lesser beings. As in some ways they still do in fashion and culture today! And, here's winking at you, lass.

[@TolkienStudy]

No way

[@sliotharball]

I did an Ad. with the late Tiernan McBride many years ago....the son of Seán McBride..."Seán McBride first became involved in politics during the 1918 Irish general election in which he was active for Sinn Féin. The following year in 1919, aged 15, he lied about his age to join the Irish Volunteers, which fought as part of the Irish Republican Army, and took part in the Irish War of Independence. He opposed the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty and was imprisoned by the Irish Free State during the Irish Civil War."

[@davidtallon1]

So good to see this song visualised.

[@alanoneill3065]

Merry Christmas 2023

[@josephcavanagh1706]

Paul brady is one of irelands greatest musicians,and this is my favorite rebel song of all time,by now,I can almost sing it word for word(after forty years)

[@CianMcCarthyMusic]

Watching this on Christmas Day 2020.

[@kennylamanceylon6023]

You too, eh?

[@pookamcphellimy8540]

Ireland needs more men like these now in these crazy times...and fast!!!

[@relapsepictures6756]

Well, that clears the 'Rowdy Dow Dow' thing up for me. I've had many sleepless nights wondering what it was.

[@GoldinDr]

Supposedly onomatopoetic: it represents the sound of a drum.

[@stonedtommy403]

Me to, and I always thought they killed them

[@chrisreed3022]

@@stonedtommy403 I wondered about that. In this version kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOqnJuGrZplb8k he leads in with reference to 'their bloody backs', then at about 5:40 he sings that they 'left them for dead in the morning'. This makes sense as if they left them alive they would be identified by the recruiters, but dead there is no witness. As for the drummer boys rowdy dow doo as a football..... The recruiter's drum was a call to join up as were the words spoken by the recruiters.

[@stonedtommy403]

@@chrisreed3022 Bloody backs is what they called the British army, cos of their red tunics. They go on to sign up. Hiding in plain sight,s'pose.

[@chrisbarron2295]

God! Same!!

[@YakupDav]

This not a sad song: so why do my eyes fill with tears when I play it?

[@andyfarnan6]

DNA

[@RosssRoyce]

Probably reminds you of olden days of comradeship, humour, courage and humanity..

[@13thfloorelevators]

Tears of joy it's a marvellous song

[@gerrybowen3531]

2.30 in the AM Christmas 2021 what a bloody great tune, good man Paul.

[@MrCrispian]

The sergeant was in the Stanly Kubrick film Barry Lyndon.........so he was...so he was...

[@garethglitter5932]

Kiss me...me boy.....for we'll never meet again.....

[@zardozfrance]

Patrick Magee ?

[@zardozfrance]

Sorry, Godfrey Quigley, also in A clockwork orange.

[@lars526]

WOAH

[@eamontrolleybus1289]

To be sure

[@streetcop157]

My favorite christmas carol

[@TheAmbulatoryAnarchist]

Hear hear

[@Torgo1969]

Nice!

[@StuartMartz]

Wow. I am an Irish musician by trade so may I say that this version of the song has always been Iconic. Sometimes I work as an actor and other things in film. These actors are astonishing, as is the director. It really brings more to the iconic recording. I love it.

[@eoghancasserly3626]

The wink at the end makes me smile from ear to ear every time

[@StuartMartz]

@@eoghancasserly3626 brilliant

[@reganheavey3195]

The director was Michael Colbert - sadly rip - and producer Tiernan McBride also rip - a beautiful heartfelt tribute for those times here - and Paul Brady's song-writing and musicianship is outstanding and unforgettable ~

[@nbenefiel]

I think this film was made back in the 70’s, when I was living in Dublin. Neil Jordan was one of the guys in the crowd I hung with, and Des Hogan, the writer. I once found a book of modern Irish literature and I knew everyone who had something in it. Talk about feeling like a failure.

[@stevenwatson4101]

Balls

[@neohip489]

The main "Irishman" looked so very much like Donovan, that I find it hard to believe that they are not related!

[@brendanlaird4620]

Donovan lookalike is actor Paul Bennett.

[@nbenefiel]

I so love this film. It’s the wink at the end that gets me every time.

[@nbenefiel]

I was a kid in grad school in Dublin when this was made. We’d used to go see Paul Brady, Planxty, Clannad, the Chieftains, the Bothy Band and DeDannan all the time. That was over 50 years ago. I still have a thing for the guy playing Arthur McBride.

[@JohnJoeMack]

Well, actually this video is beautifully as anyone who really knows the business can tell. The characterisations are just brilliant led by Godfrey Quigley as the bold Sergeant and Godfrey needs no lessons from anyone. It deserves to be watched a couple of times to get the nuances for it is well balanced and aligned with the song lyrics. St Paddy's Day, a glass of Guinness in hand and a couple of ruffians on hand who know how we reached this stage in our development. Sláinte......Just beautiful !

[@richardwyse7817]

nicely said!

[@feargach2107]

It's still a mighty video. The actors manage to convey the changing mood of the encounter without dialogue which must have been difficult but it works great. And the music's not bad either.

[@oblux]

I think the director must have recently watched the film adaptation of Barry Lyndon by Stanley Kubrick - very reminiscent of Kubricks rich style. A beautiful adaptation of the song and really tells an entertaining story.

[@BottomOfTheBarrelProductions]

Sure the guy who played the sergeant in this plays a British captain in Barry Lyndon

[@bboorideau5253]

I can never get enough of this sublime short film! Great acting,actually perfect acting! Nothing could surpass this.

[@colinvalley4446]

That's a firesome work of art on many levels that never fails to gift tears. Thank you and much appreciation to all involved. Class.

[@paulbradyvideos]

Yes it was, Axel...on Gormanstown beach north of Dublin. I was there!

[@jonathanryan4497]

The unmistakable Godfrey 'Dear Heart' Quigley .....

[@squamish4244]

One of the first antiwar songs. Beat the 1960s by 150 years!

[@FintanR]

I wonder if the song more anti-war or more anti-being patronised because you're poor. It ends with smashing people's heads in with fighting sticks (Rocky Road to Dublin has a similar fun ending). Not that I have a problem with smashing people's head in, just that it's not exactly Give Peace a Chance.

[@zymelin21]

join the british army. learn to handle a gun. get demobbed. join the IRA (around 1918) Erin go bragh!!

[@WhollyMowly]

Anti-war? They kill the soldiers in the real song. They 'paid them off in cracks and paid no respect to their two bloody backs'. For whatever reason this video removes that aspect of the song. But the song is most certainly not anti-war.

[@zymelin21]

@@WhollyMowly they kill the british soldiers which were until 1919 or 1920 an occupacion force, and they did not want to join the british army. erin go bragh!

[@hanoitripper1809]

Just leave the lil drummer alone

[@michaeljamestalbot5264]

I enjoyed this film in addition to the legendary song by Paul Brady.

[@4EyedAnimation]

Very well done...in fact better than the last Star Wars

[@wadefite]

hard to beat the quality of the guitar and pauls mellow clear voice.

[@Ineedasourcecode]

This film is brilliant! It's so gleefully waggish and technically well done, considering when it was made.

[@stevemuldoon9451]

Our local listener sponsored radio station, KPFA in Berkeley, usually plays this around Christmas. Still relevant. We have a "poverty draft" in America, recruiting people to fight in foreign wars for oil and empire.

[@emmetdeegan4220]

Your welcome! Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride As we went a walking down by the seaside Now, mark what followed and what did betide For it being on Christmas morning Out for recreation, we went on a tramp And we met Sergeant Napper and Corporal Vamp And a little wee drummer, intending to camp For the day being pleasant and charming "Good morning, good morning" the sergeant did cry "And the same to you gentlemen" we did reply Intending no harm but meant to pass by For it being on Christmas morning But says he, "My fine fellows if you will enlist It's ten guineas in gold I will slip in your fist And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust And drink the King's health in the morning" "For a soldier he leads a very fine life And he always is blessed with a charming young wife And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife And always lives pleasant and charming" "And a soldier he always is decent and clean In the finest of clothing he's constantly seen While other poor fellows go dirty and mean And sup on thin gruel in the morning" But, says Arthur, "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes For you've only the lend of them as I suppose And you dare not change them one night, for you know If you do you'll be flogged in the morning" "And although that we are single and free We take great delight in our own company And we have no desire strange faces to see Although that your offers are charming" "And we have no desire to take your advance All hazards and dangers we barter on chance For you would have no scruples for to send us to France Where we would get shot without warning " "Oh now!", says the sergeant, I'll have no such chat And I neither will take it from spalpeen or brat For if you insult me with one other word I'll cut off your heads in the morning And then Arthur and I we soon drew our hods And we scarce gave them time for to draw their own blades When a trusty shillelagh came over their heads And bade them take that as fair warning And their old rusty rapiers that hung by their side We flung them as far as we could in the tide "Now take them out, Devils", cried Arthur McBride "And temper their edge in the morning" And the little wee drummer we flattened his pow And we made a football of his rowdeydowdow Threw it in the tide for to rock and to row And bade it a tedious returning And we having no money, paid them off in cracks And we paid no respect to their two bloody backs For we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks And left them for dead in the morning And so to conclude and to finish disputes We obligingly asked if they wanted recruits For we were the lads who would give them hard clouts And bid them look sharp in the morning Oh me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride As we went a walkin' down by the seaside Now mark what followed and what did betide For it being on Christmas morning

[@tommyvolinchak5518]

Here I sit at 2 45 AM in "me" studio listening to cats I wish I was playing with right now, as I type. Slovenian music, Ukrainian music and now, as I lay down to sleep a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. I chimed in a wee bit with an accordion, and ended a beautiful day. Nice music.

[@Endremael]

what ukrainian/slovenian music would you recommend? cheers.

[@faded_ink3545]

Merry Christmas

[@shlamimk4664]

This makes me laugh and cry at the same time. Its just so good.

[@GuyRogersMusic]

Glad it's not just me :-D :-(

[@carolineainenibhreithimh7652]

How many times iv listened to this song I know it off by heart ❤ now only seeing this gem of a video

[@owenmurraytv5548]

Amazing

[@michaelvonderelbe3286]

So great! Cannot stop watching it. So important song and very good film!

[@alisonreilly1]

BRAVO!👏

[@JUSTAME1975]

i love this song, and i have sang it loads of times, its one of my favourites, until you see this film i never seems as good, the video does it justice, just amazing

[@MarkKelly2262]

wonderfull film, I just love the song.I have played it myself a 100 times but paul's version just makes you feel more irish. Anyone who has spent a long time away from ireland knows exactly what i mean.Another song of paul's that does strange things to you when abroad is anaothing but the same old story.......Thanks Paul..............

[@avigold3622]

love this!! great acting and costumes

[@dantruitt1138]

12/25/21 I've been playing this on Christmas morning for years...

[@noelegan1208]

Never knew this existed! Love the acting.

[@darnick54]

Priceless. Loved it

[@BillyTreacyMusic]

Great movie. It's just as I pictured it in me head for years listening to the song.

[@bmrti]

That's right, Billy. Same for me.

[@mobrosch9154]

I’ve recently started following Paul Brady and just realised he is the voice behind this wonderful rendition.#whoknew 💕#favoritesong

[@niallgraham628]

Absolutely super video.

[@johndunne9673]

Gods bless the McBride's

[@brennenfitzgerald]

Had a Jersey girl sing this in a castle in Ireland for my birthday. Ah, Catie, if you come across this comment, let it be known that Alex is one amazingly lucky man. And yes, what you’ve all been praying for?……….. Her name is Amy :’)

[@FionnCr]

Bless our parents and families to give us this privilege and the freedoms we take for granted.

[@alanoneill3065]

"Arthur McBride is a traditional song that first was collected in Ireland by Patrick Joyce in 1840. It was also collected in Donegal by George Petrie. McBride was a popular name in Donegal and many researchers believe that was probably where the song originated.However, McBride is also a common Scottish name and there are many references to the song in Scotland. There are also references to it in England in the 19th century where it was published several times as a broadside ballad.

[@martinamanecke3622]

There's a video clip on youtube where Paul Brady explains how and where he found the old notes of this song and brought it back to life. I cannot stop to thank him for that, great singer and musician that he is.

[@basilmiller3401]

Thanks, Paul, for putting this up here. We play Arthur McBride every Xmas Day, as one our special Christmas songs, and I have long regretted that I never could find Tiernan's movie ever since I first saw it way back in the day. Wonderful, I love it, despite agreeing with the critics who wish it was the complet version of the song with a bit more 'leathering' of the redcoats! Still remember you playing this in the back lounge of some pub on Dorset Street way back in the 80s. Your performance raised the hair on my head! All the best!

[@ConorLawlor]

Great ballad - timeless.

[@johnwhelan4004]

Conor Lawlor Ye totally agree

[@Boveyphil]

Brilliant - have known & played the song for years but never seen this film before. And the recruiting process still goes on in the provinces.................

[@aprilmuller3585]

Thanks to youtube I found your1977 performance singing Arthur McBride live, and just found this delightfully poignant and well-made film. Amazing. I see you're coming to San Fran in November, looking forward to seeing you live. My mother (seen in my profile pic) is all Irish and we grew up in the 60s listening to traditional music. Proud to to have Irish roots:YES!

[@matthewbottler]

Goosebumps

[@Givingitashot]

Beautiful film to a perfect song.

[@patrickroohan7633]

Loved it, and it is a little different from the first time I heard it in about 1976 from a guy called, I think Denis Tracey from Canberra, Australia. Love the look on the face of the Corporal, who appears in an episode of Father Ted about 20 years later

[@bboorideau5253]

Sheer perfection!

[@shaunmoss502]

I have loved this song for more than four decades, since I first heard it on the Planxty black album in the early 70s, and have often thought that it would make a great short film. So, it was with great interest that I happened upon this film. The experience was a bit like reading a book, then seeing the film some time later. The location doesn't look like I had imagined (in my mind's eye, I saw scenery like that of the Dingle Peninsula in "Ryan's Daughter")

[@petehunt4534]

One fine example of the songwriter's art ... thanks

[@123ubuntu666]

Egads. Is that the mighty Godfrey Quigley, who played the role of Prison Chaplain in 'Clockwork Orange' in '71, six years previous? Another Kubrick reference. Eh? Then again, he did play Captain Grogan in 'Barry Lyndon' in '75. And he was in 'Get Carter'. "What's it going to be then, eh?"

[@alanoneill3065]

woah..good call!

[@dpludd]

Great storytelling.

[@californiadreamin8423]

I’m back to the folk scene of the 70’s as I listen to this great song.

[@droogie911]

Just watched Paul Brady play this at the Celtic Club in Melbourne. Brilliant. Unforgettable...

[@Vahmrick60]

Beautiful song and lovely film. Well shot and edited, my guess is 16mm. Looks like BBC/PBS type stuff I would've seen on TV during the time. It looks familiar. I might have seen it run late one night on PBS.

[@Booker950]

A bit of brilliant bothering here. A grand song with a fine film to represent it.

[@manekiserxu3024]

Happy Christmas morning for all those that only want to live in peace! Sainte!! 🎄

[@StuartMartz]

Oh I forgot to mention the DP. The cinematography, blocking, everything....works so beautifully.

[@vercingetorix3414]

Arthur McBride is one of my two favorite songs, along with (coincidentally) Willie McBride.

[@ewaldseiland8558]

I'd never thought I'd feel sorry for a press-gang but there we go

[@pmcg97]

Thank you Paul, have not heard this for a very long time. Wonderful song, wonderful video, takes me back to the folk days in Belfast.

[@carffmann1]

I think its rather sad that most folks do not realize that the real intense quality of this film or Kubrick's Barry Lyndon is rarely seen today. That is no mistake.

[@hodd_me]

Wow. Yep that put a massive smile on my face this morning! Amazing.

[@micheldarribehaude83]

Love this version - and Planxty's too! 😉

[@benheal9086]

Thank goodness for that. I had always misinterpreted the lyrics as meaning they killed the drummer boy. See only a film of the lyrics could tell me that

[@friendlybanjoatheist5464]

great voice and guitar playing. And lovely film. thanks for posting.

[@lsdmadman]

great way to start a better day..thanks for this

[@bboorideau5253]

Sheer perfection,many thanks!

[@000000AEA000000]

I love how merry they play it

[@peggygrennan148]

Yes, exactly!

[@000000AEA000000]

Peggy Grennan It is contagious. There is something very uplifting about the Irish folk and music. I suppose it is a certain altitude. youve had it all, and there is still a cheer somewhere under it. You Irish are beautiful folks haha. Keep your heads up! greetings from a German

[@peggygrennan148]

Well I'm Irish American in NYC, so I haven't paid the full price of being Irish, but I guess I qualify. Sending thx to you in Germany!

[@blahblahblah85]

000000AEA000000 ..a certain attitude to fight for anyone as long as you get money :P

[@Endremael]

blahblahblah85 dude, people dying of hunger will do anything for money. welcome to reality.

[@lexxstarr5788]

Listening to this and missing the lush green hills of home :)

[@RyanDunnemusic]

Whoa, this really impressed me, they got really good actors!

[@TheAmbulatoryAnarchist]

I've loved this song for years, and I thank you deeply for posting this video. It's really tickled me this christmas time! :D

[@dubblwide]

This is absolutely delightful!

[@peterjodonovan2025]

Superb

[@HEADSUPBERKELEY]

great film great song thanks for the post

[@TheoTheTimeTravelingMagician]

I love this song quite dearly and I think it’s one of the best and most beautiful ever written. I love this video, too. but as a fashion historian, the clothing isn’t quite right for 1805. I’d say they’re more c. 1820s - early 1830s. Nonetheless, this video perfectly captures the feel of the song and the actors look exactly like what I imagined the characters to look like. A beautiful song and a beautiful video. Bravo!

[@SantjagoRamirez]

Thanks for this beautiful song of freedom:)

[@denismack2374]

I just love the comments here. For the love of Mike, it is not an Irish anti-miltary song. It was an Irish anti-conscription ballad when it was composed. The Irish have a tremendous respect for the brave men and women of our nation's defence forces, who have served with great bravery and distinction as UN peacekeepers in some of the most dangerous places throughout the world, such as Cyprus, the Congo, Lebanon, Kosovo, etc., for decades. It was written as an anti-conscription ballad against the British Army, which was occupying Ireland, and wanted the Irish to join and "serve the King and Empire," and many did. Only to die by the tens of thousands in the First World War. As for the digs at the American military here , the ones I met in Kosovo were all very decent and friendly, very quick to share food and candy with the locals, provide medical attention to any and all in need, donate footballs to the kiddies, not bad at all. Met a hell of a lot of Irish-Americans who were serving their armed forces, and they knew many of our songs that I grew up with. F@ck sake, why can't we just listen to a decent song without the usual vitriol and nasty diatribes...

[@emiliodibenedetto4654]

This was brilliantly done!

[@buellosaurusrex]

This little film is exactly the way I envisioned the song! Thanks so much for posting it!

[@alanmoore9920]

This film is perfection. A great song enhanced with this wonderful film. be lovely to see in remade with latest technology.

[@roflmows]

Holy crap it's that guy from Barry Lyndon 😵

[@AlanFreshwater]

Merry Christmas, and a Peaceful New Year.

[@sallygreenwood1570]

Wonderful! 👍🥰🥰

[@paradise8876]

An Irishman is a proud man .... and dont ever forget it.

[@polarityrecords]

There's a half a verse left out, though! It's the really violent part where Arthur and his cousin really kick the soldier's asses! Here it is: And we having no money, paid them off in cracks And we paid no respect to their two bloody backs For we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks And left them for dead in the morning.

[@TheAmbulatoryAnarchist]

Spot on fella, I was so engrossed in the hilarious video, I'd completely missed the greatest verse in the song! :D

[@alexsala1416]

To get along with racists like yourself is a task indeed.

[@sirvidia]

yes, exactly. Bit of censorship by the director?

[@Farfromhere001]

twas the damn brits who were so offended that they didn't want to join their stupid army that they threatened to kill them

[@TolkienStudy]

It's on the Dylan version

[@niallcarr9253]

A long time favourite

[@alanoneill3065]

Merry Christmas 2021

[@banjoman44]

I am English to the core..but that was fantastic. Paul's guitar is just awesome, I am learning the Lakes Of Pontchartrain. Check out Paul playing this.

[@TonyWebb56]

This is magnificent--really superb!!

[@davo171]

I love it. Different just a bit from what I always pictured in my head.

[@derekmulraney]

brilliant stuff!

[@rapr439]

An excellent song and video