Why We Build the Wall - Anaïs Mitchell | Live from Here with Chris Thile

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Anaïs Mitchell (with Chris Thile and The First-Call Radio Players - Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Sarah Jarosz, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor) sings "Why We Build The Wall" from Hadestown on our October 22, 2016 broadcast.
Website: www.anaismitchell.com/
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Live From Here with Chris Thile is the modern variety show, broadcast on public radio stations across the country. Each week, you’ll hear the best in music, comedy, theatre and more. With a world-class house band and fantastic special guests - from longtime favorites to exciting new voices - it’s something you just have to see for yourself!
#AnaisMitchell #Hadestown #LivefromHere

[@mypanoramiclife]

It's insane that she wrote this almost 10 years ago, the song's relevance now.......chills.......

[@clarinamascarenhas7499]

It wasn't meant to be literal. People are just bastards.

[@Yusuf-fs4fn]

Kind of the story of human history and literary archetypes. Doesn't even apply to Trump well.

[@totlyepic]

She wrote it in 2006, actually. She said so in the Tiny Desk that recently aired.

[@frbe0101]

SCARY AS FUCK!

[@azaleajanemusic]

Thank you Olly Thorn (Philosophy Tube) for exposing me to this song! Thank you Anaïs Mitchell for writing it! I really legitimately want this to be an antifascist anthem now. It's so good.

[@bengrillet]

Trouble is, those who would most benefit from an understanding of the irony in these lyrics, it simply flies over their heads - whoosh! I witnessed a tragic comment exchange elsewhere below a performance of this song, and this guy was raving about how right it was, and how that's exactly why we need to build the wall, to keep our the poor who want our stuff, etc. People tried to explain but it was no use. Just makes you want to weep.

[@cjhunt9532]

same

[@wdirtymonkey]

Most people get it though. Surely..

[@alangivre2474]

@@bengrillet my racist aunt grandma thought it was serious :S

[@kilimenjiro3753]

@@bengrillet I just saw the show on Broadway and some folks walked out of the theater after this song.

[@jrwasco1978]

Eerily contemporary for an anti-propaganda satire written about 7 years ago

[@adamp3223]

Art is never about the present.

[@KingoftheJuice18]

Prescient.

[@tmarritt]

Still relevant, sorry to say. English boy here from Billy brag

[@Yusuf-fs4fn]

@@tmarritt it will always be relevant

[@99meimnot]

Hello from the future.

[@TrollCatcher2010]

Made me cry this time. This is THE protest song. Accidental. Written before the wall was even an idea. Exceedingly prescient. Anais Mitchell is a genius. Come play in London??

[@Sam-qf5pq]

TrollCatcher2010 its in london right now!! (with probably the best cast ever haha)

[@Aresftfun]

the ruling class will always use nationalism to build more walls. walls between neighbors and walls of the mind and walls of the price of rent. It's all walls

[@charaboehm9214]

I don't believe this protest song was accidental. Even if the writing pre-dates the current situation, societies and despots who have more have long created "walls" to keep people with less out - and control the people within.

[@QuikVidGuy]

it was written in 2009. The Wall has been an idea for decades.

[@robertarisz8464]

Chinese wall, Hadrian's wall, Berlin wall... The idea and practice of walls have been around for a looooooooong time. But leave it to pumpkin head to come up with ancient solutions for current problems.

[@Ring0fSaturn]

This song is so poetically powerful and beautifully sad. Thank you Chris Thile for inviting Anaïs Mitchell to lead this fine performance.

[@gharcourt1]

Anais is maybe the most under-appreciated face on the contemporary music scene. She is a real treasure!~

[@comradegarrett1202]

who's here from p-tube

[@AbMaSync]

Present, wait, you're not taking attendance are you?

[@comradegarrett1202]

@@AbMaSync nah just vying for internet points really

[@CaptainHoers]

don't play with matches

[@WarMomPT]

YOU'RE NOT JUST DEALING WITH A NORMAL FASCIST KAKAROT I HAVE REALISED THE LEGEND

[@TheGoblinoid]

Concerns have been raised

[@sleeping885]

As a German, this is so reminiscent of the way the "neccesity" of the Berlin wall / hard border between East and West Germany was justified by the GDR government. Mesmerizing.

[@Rackergen]

Is especially how the border around Europe is justified by roundabout every politician.

[@chriss780]

to be fair any excuse to shoot random Germans is funny though, you guys really did have it coming.

[@SuperBSmeter]

You had me at "Sung by Hades of the underworld and Cerberus..."

[@IanAlmond]

Saw her for the first time in Nottingham the night after Trump was elected and she played this song. A mesmeric performer - she connected instantly with the audience and every song is played with genuine feeling and that twitchy energy she exudes.

[@vicredshaw1155]

damn , how come I keep missing great gigs like this in Nottingham ?

[@chelseapoet3664]

I've only just discovered her and this may sound audacious but to me this song is on a level with some of Dylan's best protest songs.

[@kenb521]

OMG! Congratulations on winning the Tony Award for Best Original Score - Music and Lyrics for Hadestown. I'd mostly knew you for your folk music years, being an old folky from the sixties. I'm stunned to see you so sophisticated and professional. How wonderful someone so lovely and so talented as you should make it all the way to the top!!!

[@faucetsrunning]

The female vocal on this is so fresh and sour!

[@MobiusHighway]

This gave me serious goosebumps about twenty hours ago. One of the most perfect things I've ever heard.

[@wupeide]

eh... not that great... were you smoking at the time ;)

[@MobiusHighway]

I don't think I could handle watching PHC if I was toasted. I'd be so mellow I'd die.

[@robtherub]

Harley T. Johnson proper songwriting, fairly rare these days

[@felixeisenmenger1914]

Im listening to this high and you are not far off.

[@TheWildheartmuse]

Hadestown is amazing. The more I listen the more I love it. I want everyone to hear it! Thank you!

[@em5522]

Lesli D A cover for it just randomly showed on my recommended lists. I've never heard of it before and now I'm hooked :D

[@trebor3377]

I remember reading a review of the Hadestown record which referred to Greg Brown's "subterranean" vocals as Hades. He knocks this song out of the park on the record for anyone who hasn't heard it. Greg was such a big part of PHC, hearing this wonderful performance brought this back to mind.

[@wdirtymonkey]

Just listened to it. Chills.

[@avvvqvvv99]

Anaïs is the best, Hadestown is the album of our times.

[@southamericanredneck9471]

This song gives me the chills, so spookily prophetic....

[@carolinaarroyo9117]

I wish Leonard Cohen had recorded the Hades part in this song, it would fit his voice.

[@freejulianassange3143]

I wish Mitchell and Cohen had met.

[@sonmihae-joo6286]

Thank you so much for using this great song Olly, so glad I know it now. To anyone wondering why this comment section is suddenly full of people mentioning Philosophy Tube, go check out his latest video on Steve Bannon, it is bonkers !

[@mclmrtn]

She seems lovely

[@frankrusselldesign7563]

I came here after hearing Billy Bragg's version. This is awesome.

[@MsPammyhammy]

Amazing piece. And props to Chris. He just slides into everything like he's played it 1000 times.

[@bryntendo]

This song never fails to give me goosebumps

[@filiptomic8531]

How do I keep accidentally coming across Chris Thile. First Punch Brothers, then with Vulpeck, now with Anais Mitchell

[@paperclover]

This is so different from the Broadway recording, I love both though

[@schr4nz]

In a way, to me, it's kind of funny reading comments saying "wow, it's almost she predicted this..." ... guys, this separation of humanity is as old as time itself, it goes back to the early days of civilisation, and pre-civilisation when we lived in tribes, if anything, the way we behave in a modern political context only shows how far we haven't come, how much we haven't achieved, and how far we have to go...

[@lilfoward1832]

u sound fash

[@OliviasHands]

I can’t stop hearing this now that I have.

[@joshtimmons7332]

Sarah Jarosz on backup vocals. She is another great artist

[@lauratude5132]

This sounds so beautiful in a lower tone. Chills.

[@ChristiRich]

I'm still tuning in and enjoying these shows each weekend. It seems like Chris Thile is imitating Garrison Keillor's vocal style and character, and I hope that he eventually finds his own voice for the show.

[@Liero1234]

Sort of sounds like it's Persephone singing instead of Hades, and her view on it. More sympathetic and more of a kind and peaceful communal indoctrination.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

I was JUST thinking that!

[@85sparrowhawk]

She clearly stated at the beginning that this song is sung by Hades of the underworld and his minions.

[@MemTMCR]

I love how this entire video is a second shorter than what seems to be the official version of the song

[@dodt14]

a song written before its time and so relevant today!

[@jacquelinecadwgan4633]

I only heard this song first time today - chills me to the bone

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

I'm just blown away by this. It's so well put and so painfully true.

[@ramonselby]

What a wonderful piece of music. Wonderful band, too.

[@kelgrrl]

Love her. Love this.

[@pseudop0d]

This song is so good I had to look it up. I guess I wasn't the only one.

[@kezman74]

so glad you posted this, it was my favourite of the night.

[@garychap8384]

Now THAT was amazing! I don't want to hear it sung by anyone else... perfect as it is ; )

[@emgee44]

I've watched various versions of this song: NPR Tiny Desk, her solo performance on a couch in a field, the cast version sung in a studio, even Billy Bragg. No matter how many times I hear it, its still just as powerful.

[@alexhenry9256]

Jaysus, I'm gonna have to start listening to PHC again. These guests (and the house band) are basically my playlists and pandora stations. Great job so far!

[@jganske9720]

Chris u are so crazy, and I love it. jack white and your music, I love I love! thank u!

[@wdchrismon]

So apt.

[@lorinafshun6961]

LOVE!

[@cindypeterson227]

Amazing!!!

[@bobbailey5072]

Amazing.

[@MattRosemier1]

WOW! You rock!

[@aureateblues]

I. Love. This video.

[@SusanGarriques]

Excellent!!! WooHoo!!!

[@iamhayes9317]

what a great song!

[@brianbailey7128]

Deep lyrics here. I had heard the version that you spoke of - with the lower voice. Thanks for sharing.

[@maggyfoster8699]

I got chills

[@Scribblerjohnny]

Ive been looking for this!

[@sparkizoidful]

Saw her last night - she's great!!

[@lukusr]

You go cousin!

[@abbanjo13]

Philosophy tube sent me here.

[@wdirtymonkey]

I listened to the whole Hadestown album last night, it's beautiful, especially Wedding Song at the beginning - and of course this one.

[@abbanjo13]

@@wdirtymonkey I'll have to check it out. I have yet to listen to it.

[@sjk7467]

Yeah he just played a short snippet but I knew instantly I had to hear the whole thing

[@stephanmichaels7215]

Brilliant. So prescient.

[@talkingalltimechina9678]

To work to your hearts content in utter insanity while possessing such skill. If that is all you want. So shall you recieve.

[@rath60]

Here because of olly from philosophy tube.

[@robertbristow-johnson6362]

prophetic

[@v.b.vallennes2928]

CHILLS

[@Mike-ms6he]

simply stunning

[@roodsandreeds2015]

Such a great song, heard it first as a cover by Billy Bragg on a German music festival and was touched at once, but Anais's own version is even better!

[@shnootch]

I know she's not dolly, but this song and her singing have me thinking of 'joleene'. love dolly, btw...

[@ryno4ever433]

Noone would have thought that the wall would become a literal threat

[@ukeinfused]

Just heard this on a re-run of PHC, had to come find it. SO GOOD. Is the NY show still playing?

[@RickReiley]

Such a fine, fine piece of work! Thanks!

[@kaethanaalba]

Гениальная песня.

[@stevencorley3296]

music starts at 1:10

[@wyrm1899]

greg brown is phenomenal but this really has a whole other vibe that im really digging..

[@JustJoeT]

On my first hearing of this awesome anthem, it's sung by Greg Brown ... with whom I glommed on it

[@fataldawg]

Trumpers listening to this song right now punching the air!!!!!

[@BruceKaplan]

Most of us didn't see it coming - Anais Mitchell sure did! What a prescient song that connects Orwell and Trump in one straight line!

[@kilimenjiro3753]

People in this comments section who can't seem to handle the fact that a) the song is not about Trump and in fact pre-dates him a good ten years and b) the song is satirical and as written and performed is literally sung by the God of the Underworld and therefore should not be taken as serious recommendation of policy are really, really stupid.

[@scottmarsh2991]

Song starts around 1:09

[@terrykrall]

Chris Thile is to the mandolin what Jimi Hendrix was to the Electric Guitar

[@typingnoises]

Who's here from hadestown?

[@redd9493]

music starts at 1:10!

[@royeh893]

[@harleydoge310]

Anyone got a match?

[@lksings5378]

I have a burning need for a woman to play Hades now.

[@Yusuf-fs4fn]

I hope not. Kind of destroys the story and vocals.

[@astolat2262]

@@Yusuf-fs4fn idk I'm into it

[@CaitlinGilliganMusic]

Fucking glorious

[@axelhalbardier8874]

Propriety is steal!

[@joshtimmons7332]

who is the other female vocalist ?

[@Ozarkmadness56]

Sarah Jarosz

[@execrewrites]

The King of Hades sounds a hell of a lot like DJT.

[@ayoungethan]

The King of Hades is much more intelligent and articulate and cunning and Machiavellian. More like Putin vs the immature entitled oafy impetulance of DJT

[@sunspotdawn1261]

The enemy is poverty.

[@ayoungethan]

A euphemism for classist/racist fear of "poor" people, "because they want what we have got"

[@abbab2038]

Dedicating this song to Mr. Trump. I'm sure he can relate.

[@susanh986]

True, it is not about Trump's wall, and she wrote it some 10 years ago, but can you not see the parallels? I get where My Daddy is coming from. The lyrics are hauntingly prescient for the current situation.

[@markbosy2065]

Thanks for that April x

[@michaelpierce9076]

I find the song very relevant. The enemy is poverty. Our country has never been more inundated by foreigners with their hands out. Our boarders are such that calling them boarders is an incorrect definition. So they come and keep coming, while our own government turns its back on the people whom are supposed to be here and sees to the needs of those whom aren't supposed to be here. Every word of this song is true.

[@MumbledDaydreams]

hi michael i realise i'm writing this two months after the fact, but have you ever thought critically about anything in your entire life?

[@badmudda]

Mumbled he is right though. If you come to a country illegally, take money and send it back to your home, have no plans of assimilating, then you should not be suprised when you are targeted as a contributing factor to weakening the nation, because that's what you are doing. I support keeping a sense of cultural identity, but at the end of the day, if you come to a country with plans of living there, you abide by there laws and moral principles. It's the equivalent of moving to japan to wear a cowboy hat and shout 'merica #1everywhere. It makes no sense to be overly proud of a country you left and shit on the one thats feeding you now.

[@andrewmills6347]

In the UK we have brexit...

[@dougie8747]

Billy Bragg sent me here.

[@dougie8747]

Billy Bragg brought me here.

[@timothyLucasJaeger]

important premable and song starts @kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnOqhqSDrt6ppKs

[@fustigate314159]

She's a cross between Joanna Newsom and David Crosby.

[@edwardshea5084]

it is strange to see the people sing

[@Keatosis_Quohotos]

I miss the old host

[@robtherub]

excellent mandolin solo. trump can make this number one. this is the best version - biglove to all the protestors from London sound peace not war revolutionation suggest non oppositional revolutionary philosophy and technique STRICTLY FLUFFY ACTION I recommend rolling soundsystems check my channel but these days a big blue tooth pack better and you need the right tunes. this is one. (much better than fox playing you shouting virtue signaling spur of the moment stuff too easy to pick out bits make you look bad lockup reclaim the streets UK 90's preceded antiglobalisation movement its all about soundsystems trust me)

[@alooooni]

did she predict trump?

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

*Reads title* Oh... Oh no...

[@Mars_555.]

Dont worry this was written 10 years ago and is the most anti trump song in a musical I've seen

[@petergreen2552]

57 dislikes from MAGA hat wearers

[@Yusuf-fs4fn]

Big difference between borders and what Hades wanted to do.

[@paulsmith6182]

My children ,my children, such irony, such irony. There's always two sides of a coin e.g. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2OyfmiYmbZnhJY