Tom Paxton. last thing on my mind

[@georgecuster7905]

We played this song at my father's funeral in 1967 per my Mom's request. And we played it at my wife's funeral in 2018. One of my all time favorite songs, but it always brings tears to my eyes when I hear it.

[@elainemartin7141]

yes, tears

[@CharlesDrf]

Tears too. Magnifique.

[@atthewhiskey]

Rest in heaven to both of them

[@daichinishibe8940]

it brings me tears .. god bless you george.

[@maffstenning9627]

A beautifully moving song indeed, even without such huge personal attachment. So sorry for your losses mate. 👊♥️👊

[@rgsrobertg]

Her name was Judy and she left me after three years way back in 1967. Hearing this song made me feel the sting from so long ago. I'm happily married for 42 years with 2 adult daughters. Sometimes the past just reaches out and grabs you.

[@ayo0o0o0o0]

Love never dies my friend. I still think about my "Judy" as well.

[@judythompson8227]

You never really outlive your past, do you. It's something that trails along behind like a lost puppy and now and then takes a bit of a nip. Been there too, more than once.

[@youngkeiffy]

If only the artists of today were so humble and unassuming. Wonderful.

[@bonnieblu313]

i am 61 yrs old and always loved this song but as they say you learn something new everyday and i never knew tom paxton wrote it ,,great song and beautifully played,,

[@dean5220]

Hello Bonnie, How are you doing?

[@goth1945]

i found a tape of his songs years ago, paid a buck for it at a yard sale. When I brought it home and played it, I was blown away. Could not get enough. I still have the tape...

[@TheIsreal0312]

You have to give Tom Paxton credit, he never had a hit single or hit album in his solo career, but he never sold out. Alot of great singers appreciated his talent as a songsmith and recorded his music.

[@judythompson8227]

they may never have been hits in the commercial sense, but he had the kind of voice that made you think, 'wait a minute, I KNOW that voice" every time you listened. It just digs right in and stays there.

[@rowlanddavies2843]

I heard a girl busker sing this is Cardiff today and it was nothing short of staggering. A beautiful voice and a really good guitar player. Made my day!

[@AnMadreMor]

used to listen to this constantly after my wife left me...still brings back memories...I bear her no grudge and I hope things went well for her..even after 40 years

[@symphomia]

Unpretentious, honest and just plain good music and lyrics. A timeless classic of this genre.

[@caroltubeyou]

one of the world's greatest songwriters, and one of the world's greatest songs. still brings a tear to the eye. Tom could write songs that would have us rolling in the aisles, or growling about injustice... or sighing over lost love. Bravo!

[@kabirsuman1]

In the wink of an eye my soul is turning in your hand... Goodness, what a line! What a singer! What a songwriter! I lower my head. It's a blessing this song. Thanks.

[@bs08oc]

I am 24 years old and i love tom paxton, bob dylan, woddie gunthrie, phil ochs and others so dont panic i cant be the only one.

[@deirdreroot4281]

Lord, 55 years later and this man is still the master. I love seeing him in person, but I never did get to see him in his youth.

[@charlessica7289]

I saw him in Chicago in 1966. May have seen him in the village but I don't recall.

[@terrellprice8013]

I have been without her for 11 years. The times together was immensely significant to my life. God blessed me with her presence now only the memories remain.

[@warrenparkinson6330]

I will always remember hearing Tom sing this at folk concert many years ago. He seemed such a decent sincere young man. We were a small minority against the Viet Nam war and were right.

[@e.georgeschaeffer7312]

You are right about Paxton but wrong about the Vietnam War. It actually was a righteous and reasonable war to wage.

[@AnnieAnnie-qn2ot]

@@e.georgeschaeffer7312 You are absolutely correct.

[@VintageLady1980]

Tom is an amazing singer and songwriter and this is one of his best songs. I wish I could see him live!! :)

[@comedywriter8408]

As a young teenager I saw him in concert in 1972, and still a huge fan 49 years later.

[@ronninj]

Some tunes still touch the heart after so many years

[@katherinecollingwood7303]

One of the greatest songs ever written 🌻

[@thomasfisher5742]

a BIG STATEMENT Katherine.....i"d like to disagree...but if so ..why do i keep coming back and o enjoying it soooo much lol

[@hermanbotha1444]

This guy really had a most remarkably smooth excellent voice Pity he had to age like the rest of us, but he sang this many years later with a friend and it was equally enjoyable even with his older voice. I'm 75 now. I missed him 50 years ago and was glad to find him now in 2023!

[@jaia1996]

I saw him with john mcCutcheon a couple of weeks ago. Wonderful

[@FredB-ug8wr]

I'm 77 and just starting to enjoy him

[@JudithPartridge]

This song is from my teenage years. Having not been encouraged to sing it became my mantra. Still love it over 50 yrs later.

[@dean5220]

Hello Judith, How are you doing?

[@peterf5896]

I first heard this song in the early 60's when it was a standard in the folk clubs I had started to go to. Shortly afterwards I bought my first Paxton album and that was when Tom's music became a companion for life. And when I met him I found to my delight the man I met was the man I’d imagined him to be. He certainly influence me because even now as soon as I see a jogger I start singing the chorus of his Hand me down my jogging shoes.

[@lynneburridge9082]

My ex husband's favourite band n watched their movie. He was in his prime than. Now he is resting in Peace. Thanks for the memories despite our marital issues n bitter divorce we still cared about each other.n treasured memories n dating marrying young having two beautiful children n now grand father n grand mother.

[@youngkeiffy]

If only the artists of today were so humble and unassuming. Wonderful. It's also a shame that there are no showcases with simple production values such as this anymore. The perfect antithesis to X-Factor's empty grandeur.

[@TonyShelley60]

One of the all time great folk singers, a giant for my generation. Just brilliant

[@TheChicagoCourier]

First heard this song sung by Townes Van Zandt, and I fell in love with it. This original song is absolutely fantastic.

[@jimtownsend7899]

My late friend Hardy was a folkie from back in the 60s, and he got to meet and talk with one of his heroes, Tom Paxton. It was at the Philly Folk Festival, probably a dozen years back now. It was a tender but awkward moment, as Hardy was a Southern Gentleman and retired Navy Captain, and he was a bit embarrassed to be starstruck. And bless Mr. Paxton, for he was, in spite of his long and storied career, just as uncomfortable with the praise. Truly a humble, gentle man, and I understood why he had been a favorite of Hardy all those years. In our many jam sessions over the years, and in a loose-knit group of musicians and singers known as the Campfire Singers in Columbia, SC, Hardy could always be relied upon to do some Paxton songs, including this one. It has a special meaning to me now, as I reminisce about him. Lord, I miss that guy. Sure hope he’s with you. Amen.

[@trooper44069]

The older you get, the more you look back, I remember this & other songs from my youth, fantastic

[@juanitodelacruz100]

Pete, I'm 83 and I'm still looking fiorward too.

[@jukeboxeddie1]

I used to play this song on my 6 and 12-string guitars in the mid-'60's. I haven't played them in almost 50 years. I am having both restored to brand new condition now by one of the best guitar restorers in the world and then intend to play them again until I die. I might have to learn all over again but it will be worthg it to resurrect such incredible fond memories. Thank you for posting this incredible video.

[@MyRammstein1995]

Nice song

[@geevid]

Ed Liss Me also Ed, I was in the audience for that concert, still remember it, and the song set to this day. How did your restoration project go?

[@jukeboxeddie1]

Robert Woodrough

[@keithclark486]

@@jukeboxeddie1 Did you get it done ?

[@paddybrogan1851]

Fantastic song by a fantastic artist!

[@harryrambler]

One of the best love songs ever.

[@elizabethguerre3154]

I loved this song sung by Jose Feliciano in the 1960s. All the decades later, I still think it is the most beautiful sad emotional song sung with deep feeling. Still brings me to tears, but live hearing it sung. Can relate to so many goodbyes.

[@dean5220]

Hello Elizabeth, How are you doing?

[@TonyLovell]

Tom performed at my high school graduation ceremony in 1982 (his daughter was in the class). I knew nothing of him, and just today idly googled his songs. I know this one, of course. It is good to close these open circuits of awareness.

[@juanitodelacruz100]

Tom can't be beaten with this, though I'll never forget the rather untidy girl at our pub who played it and sung in a frutiy Cockney accent; she made everyone fall in love with her before she vanished from our lives.

+juanitodelacruz100 An angel lost to time my friend, just here... then gone forever. An unremitting tragedy of unfinished business, of unrequited love. The heart can be so damaged.

[@Ruthybette]

If it counts, I'm 32 and adore Tom. I was brought up on his music, we spent countless journeys in my parent's car singing along to all the songs from the 'In the orchard' album. I find myself singing Bottle of wine when I'm washing up :) My kids love him too and they are 12, 10 and 4 :D x

[@simbatj]

Don't hear them like this anymore. Classic, brilliant, and mesmerizing! I'll take a pure performance like this any day.

[@Hjaltland2]

Saw Tom live for the first time in '67 at the Music Hall in Aberdeen, Scotland when I was 18 (or so) and was blown away by both his singing voice, his songs and his fingerpicking style - something I'd never seen before. The concert was electrifying - you could have heard a pin drop... totally agree with previous posts... a very gifted man.

[@simbatj]

This is a tune that stays in your mind for hours. That I could sing and play like this! The "old" performers could teach the younger generation a few things about making beautiful sounding music without electronic crutches, but rather with the pure talent given by the Creator and hard work. I feel gifted that I can appreciate a simple acoustical melody like this. I hope we have not lost that in this culture.

[@copernicus633]

Unfortunately we have mostly lost it, if observable popular tastes are the criterion.

[@oswaldwellman7806]

I haven't heard this song or Tom Paxton for many years, and it was a great pleasure to stumble on it again. Always loved it, and I'm pleased I am moved even more now, than as a youth .What a lovely gentle voice he had, perfect for this sad love song, which I associate with the best of an era that now seems to have bred most of the famous folk singer/writers.

[@martincotterell2216]

Yes and he's still writing and performing great stuff into his 70's. Check out the album "Comedians and Angels" if you can get it.

[@geevid]

oswald wellman I was in the audience for that concert at the BBC Oswald. Fantastic performance, great memories.

[@oswaldwellman7806]

Robert Woodrough Thanks. I can imagine it to be memorable. I guess I'm lucky to hear his recordings.

[@TonyTheDriver100]

oswald wellman I've been a Tom Paxton fan since 1970 when I saw him in Southampton Civic Centre. It was snowing like mad and only a few folk made it to the venue. So, he called us all down to the front few rows and did a truly wonder and intimate performance. I've been performing his songs since then........and one day I'll get them right.

[@oswaldwellman7806]

The Glastonbury Ferryman Must have been great. Bad weather can sometimes be lucky for those who brave it.

[@covkid52]

One of the greatest songs ever written.A great performer. I hitch-hiked to IOW in 1969 to see him (not Dylan).

[@godot-whatyouvebeenwaitingfor]

Not Jennifer's bloody rabbits then?

[@xine9997]

Beautiful, restrained, rendition. The very quietness compels

[@jeanpi314159]

I discovered Tom Paxton almost by chance , looking for a record by Woody Guthrie . He becames one of my favorites artists , both for how he sings , he plays the guitar and because the lyrics are true funny and political . Here in France he is not well knowned , although he stays one the greatest folk singer .

[@bikerbp]

this bloke is one of the best solo folk singers I have seen live,just him and a guitar absolutly brilliant.

[@matthiasdegroot8098]

Im only 15 years old and my math teacher played this song in class. I really liked it the first time i heard it and now im listening to it almost 5 times an hour :)

[@ajung5892]

My parents always sang this. They've both passed away. I was singing the chorus in my dream last night so tried to find it today as I couldn't remember it all. So happy to find it and have been playing it all morning ❤️

[@davidbradshaw1200]

Amazing !! They don, t write songs like this any more. So pure and gentle.

[@suemajor6511]

Beautiful ❤️ I saw him live in concert in UK and will never forget it. I've played and sung this song since then. His voice is so ....... Indescribable x

[@pauldg837]

I saw him perform this live in Glasgow, Scotland in 1972. He was playing at the Glasgow University Student's Union. I was still at high school, but our school folk club had managed to get 20 tickets for his concert. It was such a memorable evening being up close to the folk music legend, whose songs we all knew and sang.

[@aileenlightbody91]

Beautiful song, beautifully sung. Shame they aren't like that nowadays.

[@TheEdgydogs]

There are you just have to look harder for them. I was lucky born in 1955 I grew up with them.

[@lenahjonsson]

This song has always found its way right into my heart, and I really like this. soft and gentle version!

[@jeffschroeder357]

Love his voice here. Just a great full natural voice. I also love the Seekers cover from 1966. They are both treasures.

[@glnelson1956]

It is very interesting to listen to the interpretations of this song by various artists over the years. I think the best solo version remains Tom Paxton's even after all these years. The best version other than Tom Paxton's is the by The Seekers. The Seekers' version is true to the sentiment expressed in Paxton's, and is superbly performed with the incredible instrumentals and harmonies the Seekers are still renowned for.

[@candymike5045]

This is the one I learned from: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5eWaKKfd76dgac

[@gwmacdonald]

This song is an absolute classic, one of the best ever .

[@thomasdistefano7655]

one of the most beautiful songs ever!

[@gillwilkinsongw]

I saw Tom at the Norwich Theatre Royal, and he was awesome,such a lovely kind generous nature. We all sang together, the whole audience, all knowing the words for over 40 years. He then stayed on after the show to chat and sign his book 'The Marvelous Toy'. He is a real joy. Thank you Tom for a memorable evening. Many more please!

[@GwladYrHaf]

Beautiful song

[@ItSpeaks]

Saw him around then with my father at Carnegie Hall. Just my dad and I. One of the great memories of my childhood. Thanks for posting this.

[@rrobert5361]

This beautiful song, along with You were always on my mind, to me hit the spot precisely: the feelings are there, you somehow think they know this without question, but they don't.People need constant assurance that they are loved and wanted and needed.

[@banjoist123]

A good measure of a song's worth is how many genres it gets covered in. If that's the case, this is one of the best. Covered in country, pop, folk, bluegrass. A true classic.

[@bassiehd]

There's also a great reggae version by Delroy Wilson! Look it up!

[@colinatyeo]

So sincere, so meaningful. If you have someone good please look after her always.

[@phatmanwc]

I'm 28. This song touches my soul, like nothing else does these days. Now that Laura's gone, it resonates more than ever.

[@SergeantTiki]

I'm 18 years old and the Folk genre is my favorite type. I really enjoy Peter Paul and Mary and John Denver. I honestly wish my peers were the same.

[@joshuapshelton]

Wow- I previously had only heard the Tony Rice version from his record "Church Street Blues," which is terrific as well. But this- WOW- That's the kind of folk transparency and honesty that is so beautiful and so frightening at the same time. As my mother once said of another great songwriter, Greg Brown, he's committed to tape the things most of us won't even admit to ourselves. Beautiful. Thanks.

[@petervanmuylder3112]

Listen to the Neil Diamond version on his Stones album......even better than this jewel!!!

[@mpredwing]

Tom is one of the all time greats along with Pete Seeger, Woodie Guthrie and Joan Collins. We are privileged to live in their era.

[@richardcrossgrove9072]

Ahhhh, a microphone an acoustic guitar and an immense talent, what could be better?

[@kpzcbttp]

The very best version I have ever heard. Thank you for posing. Greetings from Scotland.

[@marcustate3513]

So many good covers of this tune but it’s great to hear the original. Nice voice and some sweet fingerpicking:)

[@charlesdespres]

Incredibly beautiful song! Great performance!

[@pcgamimg5]

I'm speechless I can't Express the feeling in words

[@jevpots]

Wow - reliving the 60's here and all the times I saw Tom in little rooms all over London. Made my eyes well up - very emotional. Many thanks for this

[@lynnroman3105]

This song, continually song beautifully by Tom in concerts today, still goes right to the heart!

[@10081945]

What a clear and beautiful voice.

[@AngelBug514]

Nothing like hearing a song sung by the songwriter....went back and listened to some of the covers....not even close!!!

[@clarebannerman]

I love this song and Tom brings happy memories flooding back to me. Thanks for posting.

[@kenthompson4540]

out of this world beautifully written and sung has me mesmerised thommo Australia

[@SaraAppletonwastheQWERTYmail]

I say this to my ol‘ guy friend every day also he‘s always been the first thing on my mind. 🙏💚❤️

[@AnneHeaton]

I love this performance and you're still doing it Tom, thank you!

[@MatzeNeu74]

This song stirs me up... Three months ago, my Judy left me... Hope, one day I will be able to bear this sorrow... I'm broken.

[@kieranosullivan4966]

Paxton is grate he is still going. He has a grate story on his web site of doing a gig for Kentucky miners where they were picketed and he and Phil Ochs went down to the picketers and tried to engage them. This took serious courage. There are so few singers like Paxton or Ochs for that matter. My mother sometimes sings this song.

[@seankennedy5074]

Interesting story. So why were the miners being picketed?

[@lasinmt106]

Like so many fans of this song it brings tears to my eyes. I find it brings different feelings depending on where I am in my life. When this was recorded I used to rock a sad little abandoned and neglected and ill kitty in my arms. We named her Snarl because she snarled a lot. But when I'd pick her up and rock her gently to this song she'd relax in my arms and that was the only time she would. So I'd replay it over and over. Often when I got home from work it was one of the first things I'd do. Pick up this beautiful little sad kitty and play the song for her. Something in the tune and his voice across all the recordings Tom Paxton has made of this song always touches notes in us and yes even a little kitty. (Snarl passed away within a year of kitty leukemia and FIP she had when we took her in. We have no idea why neighbors neglected this beautiful little kitten but another neglected cat we took in actually slowly coaxed Snarl to trust us. They both died of the same diseases in the 80's. My heart breaks when I hear this song. But sometimes it's a huge comfort too. Some songs have the ability to always reach our souls and touch off emotions we've been needing to feel or express or release. This is one of the top songs will do that. But Tom's voice is an essential element and cadence with the guitar too. I don't know why just is.

[@judythompson8227]

this may seem like a small thing, but this lovely man and his songs are in a key I can hum along to. Too many artists are way out of my range, and while I love them, it seems so much more fun to be able to sing along...

[@perryropata2105]

Great to hear music like this from time to time

[@AirGunVic]

Introspective poetry -- They just don't write songs like this anymore! Great song! We all love, and we all make mistakes. It's part of life.

[@ChrisJKing-se4dp]

brilliant.singer songwriter big influence on me as a young man without tom paxton i would have never composed original material

[@oldwhippersnapper3]

You have left this songfor the ages, Tom. Thank you

[@gingoke]

I'm japanese. I listened this song on japanese radio at today's morning. How beautiful song! Many Japnese artists play this song in japanese.

[@arpee915]

I love this song and this man is great.

[@michaelcave3031]

Still the best version ever. Beautiful song.

[@marymckenna466]

love this rendition!

[@janetbalbierz4942]

Beautiful. Needed in these very trying times.

[@joeped4316]

Tom and I performed at a coffee house in Joliet. The year was 1965 and I was a junior at Lewis College, in Lockport, IL. My brother Jim, Howie Schneider, my roommate and I were the Talismen. His song then was Stewball. Great artist that I have learned a lot from.

[@ToddSF]

Very nice baritone voice -- so pleasant to listen to. Great song, too.

[@seankennedy5074]

Is this baritone? So that must mean I am a baritone, this song suits my voice perfectly. Thanks.

[@bobstine3785]

My wife died a year ago, and I tear up every time I hear this. "I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind..."

[@SAF57]

I recently bought the Chris de Burgh album Footsteps and heard this song again, which I hadn't heard for years. So, thanks to KZbin, I could listen to the composer's own version - which is still the best of them all. Have his autograph, though unfortunately never met him in person... Beautiful song!

[@sidensvans67]

Excellent lyrics and perfect picking...

[@quakewabbit]

His voice is truly amaizing!. 1 of my top 5 most beloved songs PERIOD. I hope this version can be found somewhere. The spotify version aint half as good as this one. Gogo Tom!

[@gillinghammushroom]

Obviously this is am incredible song, from a very talented man, and it is pure joy to hear sincerity in music and lyrics such as these. But I find that little bit at the beginning really fun too!

[@johnathanryan2117]

Beautiful. God bless you Tom Paxton. Best of luck from England

[@HankBLS]

This is a youtube gem if ever was one. Thank you.

[@joedavis4150]

Thank you!... One of the most beautiful love songs ever written...