Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss - The Wexford Carol (Video)

[@stardust5379]

What a voice. No shouting , no intrusive loud instruments and one voice. Perfection of a wonderful carol.

[@sujolly4233]

yes - reminds me much of Judy Collins.

[@Ody-up6kg]

Agreed. One beautiful voice and a tasteful accompaniment of instruments.

[@Zofmui]

Yes, she is a good singer

[@vgil1278]

@Cletus Anfernee Jackson You know he didn't mean that. Where did you come on this information?

@V Gil Krauss is of Jewish descent x google away )

[@j-clauderobertelias5547]

Very, very, very few voices on Earth deserve the adjective "heavenly". Alison Krauss is one of them.

[@larrycourtney5638]

I totally agree, she is on a different level.

[@SiusaidhMac]

OH! I couldn't agree more!

[@janamcbride]

Angelic

[@MyHopeInChrist]

Most lovely voice. Most haunting tune. Most meaningful song. Most beautiful Savior.

[@jeannine1739]

Amen!

[@downbntout]

❤️

[@elainepotts8453]

Absolutely beautiful 🌹

[@LovesLakes]

Most poetic review. ❤

[@osakarose5612]

Gorgeous rendition of this carol. Allison's voice is so sweet and pure. Those bagpipes were perfection!

[@LovesLakes]

I love the bagpipes, but I was so concentrated on her voice, and to Ma, the first time I listened that I missed the pipes entirely! ( I also had my eyes closed so missed that clue.

[@DeborahCook-c4n]

She has an incredible voice and does this song beautifully. The accompaniment of Yo-yo Ma adds so much depth. Together - they are amazing!

[@cherylt-sun1528]

And Canadian Natalie McMaster on the fiddle! 🇨🇦

[@silverdub2545]

This is an ancient Irish carol and has been covered by dozens, if not hundreds of singers over the years, both from Ireland and elsewhere. It is a very distinctively Celtic air, and it is an amazing achievement by Alison Krauss and a tribute to her versatility that this appears to now be the most popular version on Irish radio over the Christmas season. Well done to all involved.

[@mssrus]

Much of mountain music was from Scotland and Ireland. You can hear similarities in voices from each area, as well as shared songs. Eerie and beautiful!

[@mattinsley1721]

@@mssrus You are so correct. Blue grass has it's roots in Scottish and Irish immigration to the Smokey Mountains.

[@mssrus]

@@mattinsley1721 And the Appalachians!

[@soccerchamp0511]

@@mssrus the Smokey Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain Range.

[@mssrus]

@@soccerchamp0511 ...and Allison Kraus isn't from the Smoky mountains, or even that region. She did manage to learn the music styles (singing and fiddling) very well, tho.

[@geraldosborn6365]

Amongst the purest female voices alive. Brings me to tears.

[@susanwilson2297]

Being Celt as I am Irish/Scottish....I too am tearing up indeed. Cheers🙌😊

[@udsmall7306]

same. 🫠🎙️😍😞

[@jonmills6927]

I have heard and even performed that song in choir many times and I believe this is the best version I have ever heard. Allison is truly an angel.

[@mwebb3014]

Dearest Alison Krauss, may God bless you for choosing to share your voice with all of creation. 🙏🏻❤️

[@Chuckt961]

This hits harder this Christmas.

[@amycoffin826]

Amen!!!!

[@gezortenplotz]

Chuck Berry ok any other year. Not this one. This music and Robert Shaw chorus from 1957.

[@mikefinucane6687]

My home town. I grew up with this.

[@artysanmobile]

Alison Krauss is a gift to the musical world.

[@davidgalan8165]

Love he

[@doUcare4music]

She is a natural genius .. The voice of an Angel.

[@dennisfitzgerald7338]

She's a gift to the world, in general.

[@inesdeerausquin5658]

Amen.

[@jeromep.morgan564]

Print

[@marianquirk6542]

This could not be more beautiful

[@MW-bv3wu]

When Yo-Yo Ma plays backup for you, you know you're doing something right.

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

As a Wexford native I approve 😊

[@paulwhite5840]

It's official. That is the most beautiful Christmas Carol I've heard in my 60 years of Christmas.

[@artgraham606]

It's an old Irish Christamas Carol from our sunny south east corner ( County Wexford 😎 )

[@OkieJammer2736]

I absolutely agree. 🎄

[@lostbooks2918]

I'm sure the angels sing along with her

[@bradjohnson9671]

Alison Krauss - as mentioned elsewhere, hers is the voice you hear when passing through the gates of heaven. I've never heard the words to this song, I've only played it in my brass quintet, I could not have found a better rendition that this one to hear the words the first time. Wow. No autotune, no over singing just pure natural talent backed by world class musicians playing real music on real instruments. We need MORE of this!

[@NCinNYC]

This is one of THE most beautiful, most haunting arrangements of any Christmas songs I've ever heard. I would never have thought to put the consort of instruments together to play this song, yet--listen to it: it is magnificent. I love the mysticism, the slightly country/Irish feel to the arrangement. Alison Krauss's voice is perfect for this arrangement. I can think of no singer who could have sung it more exquisitely than she does. What a gift of music into the world for my weary American soul this Christmas of 2020. Phew. I needed that.

[@derekgoins6547]

Chill phil

[@karencat6350]

Agreed.

[@cliffcarter6261]

Wow

[@lahitt34]

I feel exactly the same.

[@adairmooresattely1946]

so true; expressed perfectly Phil

[@Joe_J-MT_Boy]

I had not seen this until this Christmas of 2020. It is a soothing balm at the end of a horrific year. Alison Krauss and You-Yo Ma... two of our national treasures.

[@josephryan9230]

Praying to the Lord for a better 2021 . . .

[@arianebrendaalberskristian5866]

Horrific is having an atomic bomb dropped on your city.🤷‍♀️😳

[@JustWriter]

National Treasures?

[@TheDivayenta]

@@arianebrendaalberskristian5866 it’s not a contest. A lot of people lost their jobs and homes in 2020. 750,000 lost their lives to Covid in America alone and many never got to say goodbye to their loved ones.

[@arianebrendaalberskristian5866]

@@TheDivayenta Huh? We're all still here on KZbin, griping. "Bad" is a 1930's era depression...

[@pamelad2403]

Most beautiful and absolutely haunting version of this carol I’ve ever heard. I never tire of listening to it.

[@donaldwalker318]

I never hear Alison sing and not leave feeling better for it. She literally moves me to tears. The instrumentals here are spare and perfect.

[@mloftin6472]

I love to hear her her sing Down to the River, and actually anything she has sung over the past 30 years.

[@barrychattillion1705]

Not many better

[@andrewpetik2034]

I was in tears from almost the first note...

[@richardlesh393]

@@mloftin6472 in 68 .has she aged at all been listening for years truly Angelic

[@richardlesh393]

@@andrewpetik2034 CK Angelina Jordan yellow brick road 👍🎶🎹🎵😊

[@jasonfowler2949]

Heard this carol for the first time in my life this week (Dec 2022) and I'm nearly 50 years old and have Irish roots on my mother's side.. I don't know why this song is never played anywhere. What a melody from centuries past!

[@wolfeinthewilderness7232]

You and me both! Nollaig shona dhuit!

[@TheJohn93226]

The tune apparently dates to the 12th century, of The Old World, although the lyrics may have been written later, and the Irish-language version was written later still. The composer, author and translator (from the original English to Irish) are unknown.

[@riverstun]

I sung this as a child, in Enniscorthy (It is the Enniscorthy Carol, and was long before anyone else got on the bandwagon. It sounds like nothing else, not even any other Irish tune (apart from the three repeated tonic notes at the end of each verse). Word has it that a parish priest heard a farmer singing it, and he wrote it down.

[@flashbazbo3932]

Pat Benatar said once in an interview that while examining her vocal chords, her doctor said, "This is why I believe in God. Your vocal chords look just like everyone else's..."

[@jjalbers2715]

😂😂😂 I guess it’s what we do with them.

[@billmcdowell5159]

What insight!

[@HairHoFla]

Pat and I share a birthday 😎

[@isaacimages]

Voice of a haunted angel

[@mikefitzpatrick1213]

I've seen her live 3 times and I get goosebumps every time I hear her sing.

[@Banjobomber]

That's the lovely and amazing Natalie MacMaster on the fiddle - as big a star in her own musical world as the other two.

[@quiltfreak64]

Allison’s voice is hauntingly beautiful

[@handful65]

This is still my favorite. It just rings peace to my soul when I listen to it ❤️

[@marchuvfulz]

The instrumental arrangement is the perfect complement to Alison's singing. Wonderful listen.

[@adude394]

Sometimes the most simple arrangement is the most meaningful. Just stunningly beautiful.

[@joelspears3106]

Appalachian music stands on ancient history like this and moves with the wind.

[@stevestandefer2700]

The wild goose...

[@damselflyaway]

Appalachian music has it's roots in Irish and Bristish Isle immigrants who emigrated there.

[@Tphilpott1]

It might have ended up in Appalacia, but it started out in Ireland. If you want to go ancient, go to Wexford.

[@jesseboden5116]

Well said, many of us share that Ireland/British Isles to Appalachia heritage, and nothing satisfies so completely as the haunting music that immigrated with us. It touches me, that's for sure.

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Great comment bro!

[@gerardnolan2939]

So proud to be from wexford at Christmas 🎄

[@advedan]

I've heard this with Allison Krause and YoYo Ma a thousand times and I'm still spell-bound!!

[@ermengard6960]

I come back to this every year. It's surpassingly fine.

[@rebekkad.2092]

She has such perfect control of every note and pitch. Simply amazing.

[@tconnolly9820]

This has to be the most perfect and beautiful rendition of The Wexford Carol I have ever heard. Congratulations to all of the assembled and amazing talent in that room. 👏👏👏❤️❤️

[@edwardheins2930]

i was just reading Psalms 46 and i end up here moved to tears . Thank you Jesus for this morning and your children who shall preavail ! Selah

[@donnariley2831]

I guess they got it on the first pass!😊 Many thanks to Allison, Yo Yo Ma, and the other artists for this heavenly carol, and ALL THANKS to GOD for sending the Messiah about Whom the carol was written.🙏🏻☝️❤😊

[@CorpseBride64]

No auto tuning here. A genuine talent & blessing to our world.

[@tommaloney3938]

this is real Christmas music. about a supernatural event that changed the world. when I hear this my heart explodes with love for our Lord Jesus and my eyes tear up for this unsaved world. such is the power of music.

[@robinholland1574]

Every song she sings has a poignant autheniticty that bleeds through in the lyrics. When she is paired up with msical masters such as here it's an amazing marriage.

[@deannamunro8148]

yes and yes and yes!

[@sinuhe0171]

The Cold Mountain soundtrack: God, thank you for your God's voice - A.K.!!!!! LOVE FROM POLAND ❤

[@mariawitzersdorfer7704]

2w26

[@kimberlyolson6779]

She really does have the voice of an Angel.

[@mikegross6107]

And the face of an angel!

[@chrismoffitt]

Alison Krause continues to amaze me with her versatility and talent !! Wow ! However Yo-Yo Ma is, has long been and I hope shall be for many years, my MOST favorite instrumentalist. Never have I seen him upstage another artist. Even with his incredible talent, he remains humble, funny, gracious and willing to lend his talent wherever it takes him. I am a number one fan!!!!! Thank you for the music and joy you bring to my life!

[@chrismoffitt]

Sorry. I spelled her name correctly: Krauss, and spell checker switched it....

[@tombstone3354]

Shame you can't spell her name right - just sayin'

[@derekhyde1]

YoYo Ma certainly deserves a mention. As you say not interfering but with value ever present.

[@guinnberger9356]

A great musician needs to have a great ear for music, and therefore _always_ knows exactly where and how to play his notes. Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, _et al,_ are great musicians.

[@roblindauer6521]

@@tombstone3354 Shame you didn't read Christin's comment, posted one year before yours. Just sayin'.

[@willcweedon]

NEVER get tired of hearing this fabulous setting!

[@maggiesue4825]

I always loved this carol, but this version - these folks - have done it as no other can.

[@chrisschultz8598]

I spent some time in Champaign-Urbana, and Allison was the pride of that community, and deservedly so.

[@Birdieheart]

Her voice is like none other...just heavenly.

[@tamathalamb9193]

I do believe this is the most beautiful song i have ever heard.

[@TinaMatheny-o9m]

She has such a large range of abilities and genres. Love everything she sings.

[@crystalhowley4259]

May God’s light shine on this dark world and melt the hardened hearts among us. Christus Vincit!

[@zuzuspetals8323]

Amen!

[@wendyjensenmusic]

I listen to this every November-December. It's so beautiul. Listening again in 2024 to the troll below.

[@davidwright8665]

😊 every year on hearing this arrangement makes my Christmas

[@SuperKasper333]

The collaboration of two icons. Exquisite. Thank you.

[@eba44]

Haunting beauty. So glad to have 'found' it on this Christmas Eve during the plague.

[@paulsurbitonryan9632]

Sometimes an American will play the ‘celtic’ card just to add kudos to their talent. No matter how rooted they may be in this culture by ancestry it is upbringing that shapes the Western child. With my eyes shut and no previous knowledge of who is singing, however, I could swear that this is an authentic British singer. Thank you Alison…

[@onii12]

The most beautiful and under-rated Christmas song ever!!

[@philippaul2270]

That and the Wendake Carol.

[@juliebiddle1636]

@@philippaul2270 I always loved that carol's tune but the words bother me.

[@bartwilliams2417]

It’s the first time I have understood the lyrics and it is now my favorite Christmas song !!!

[@jaycee314]

@@juliebiddle1636 It´s a Christmas carol. The words are beautiful because the events it speaks of are beautiful.

[@Kelarae1981]

Haunting, ethereal, echoing in my soul, resonating in my heart, love this

[@joelspears3106]

I was also think how ancient and full of reverence this version is. Amazing.

[@osutuba]

Her voice has a unique resonance all its own. And she pulls off all of the traditional Irish/Celtic vocal ornamentations beautifully!

[@Insane4Twain]

"Ethereal" is the best word for it.

[@ritterlott9914]

The vibrations to our soul

[@schammond8993]

Allison's voice is unique and timeless. Her sound puts you in a time long ago. Beautiful Allison. Thank you for your gift.

[@susanbrown822]

Despite having never heard the song before, I found it incredibly moving. Alison Krauss continues to have the voice of an angel and whoever put this project together is inspired. Happy holiday to all!

[@Kitiwake]

Welcome to Irish culture, Susan. (even if it's in English this case)

[@TRHARTAmericanArtist]

Could not be better. Pure perfection!

[@dallisb1047]

I believe that I just was soothed by the voice of an angel.

[@alorr5751]

Exactly so

[@larryganschow437]

...So refreshing hearing an artist willing to praise Jesus Christ.

[@lifetools-help8017]

Thank you Alison, Yo Yo Ma and all for this Heavenly gift! Merry Christmas, may our Lord continue to bless you all!

[@tineb.5403]

Ich höre mir das jetzt zum gefühlt fünfzigsten Mal an, und es wird jedesmal schöner! Magisch!

[@zrebron]

Beautiful. Being an old Irish hymn, the bagpipe compliments Yo Yo Ma's cello work perfectly, and Alison Krauss...no better voice. I got goosebumps.

[@reginaweiner3817]

God, what a haunting sound those pipes made! This video is a n amazing work of both visual and audio art.

[@ralphyboy25]

That is the fine piper from Galicia Spain, Cristina Pato. She has collaborated with Yo-Yo on several occasions. It really fills out the song beautifully

[@michaelmccotter4293]

Amazing gifts God gave these folks. Yo Yo Ma and Allison Krause? Come on! Amazing!!

[@brucehalen1453]

performed with the simplicity and naturalness of the message.

[@TheScunneredMan]

Regardless if you are religious or not, this is a wonderful performance of this carol. 10/10.

[@jas026able]

And if you are not religious, you have to wonder, don't you?

[@twboegel2918]

Religion is of man's creation for nefarious purposes. Spiritual is something entirely different and the two are not synonymous ... this was Spiritual.

[@countrypaul]

Not religious, but enraptured by the music and the musicians.

[@afterlate8866]

@@twboegel2918 All people are religious, even atheists.

[@gcujimmy]

Instant goosebumps. absolutely divine.

[@marybrewer2203]

Blessed Holy times, you bringers of music. Created instruments.

[@steadyarm]

The artists reflected the respect that God deserves, well done.

[@debrahouston2884]

Amen...

[@gsmilton8]

@iconoclast lighten up, man. save your cartesian mechanics for office hours. merry christmas !

[@deckiedeckie]

This woman is so unique...her voice is ....heavenly.....if the angels sing....

[@cindydowning2141]

They do!

[@fadmacat]

So timeless…the voice, the song, the Gospel message.

[@deborahburns424]

Yo-Yo Ma, the bagpipe player, Alison krauss and all the others made this beautiful music! I listen to it over and over

[@phyllisbuchanan6035]

Alison's beautiful flawless singing with this amazing carol.

[@ossian7]

Just beautiful. It's what you get when you put a real singer in a studio with real musicians.

[@waynemoores]

+ossian7 sadly, that, is a rare thing these days.

[@susanoanderson]

Alison is an accomplished musician as well; she plays violin, piano, and mandolin. :-)

[@darkenergyhotep5793]

Perhaps the definitive version. So hauntingly beautiful. So effortless. Understated yet powerfully rendered.

[@jonthebru]

Humanity needs more of this kind of finesse.

[@ritamanley2301]

thank you for respecting the Word with beautiful music

[@kathyflorcruz552]

How beautiful. 🛐 Alyson's voice of an angel & Yo Yo Ma & the wonderful celtic music too. 🌟

[@daviddowsland1425]

Magnificent. From the UK.

[@downhill240]

This....is Music! All my respect to these wonderful artists!

[@careaboutnature]

I have not felt the Christmas spirit this year. This beautiful song and music and then adding Alison's angelical voice just filled me with Christmas spirit. Thank you to all.

[@debrahouston2884]

So true...It harkens the soul to reverence...

[@ladyalaina42]

Me either, then I accidentally found this looking at Yo Yo' s offereings. Now I send it to everyone I know to share in this Christmas!!

[@donsharp9350]

from the time I first heard her sing, to now, and hopefully from now on, I never tire of hearing hear her sing, anything!

[@josephbarnes2681]

Yep. First Christmas carol I've listened to this year, and I'm already well into Christmas day. Any others that I thought of were a little too merry for me this time. Grateful there's one I finally could ease into Christmas with.

[@teresapack4788]

Her voice is perfection.

[@seangage9088]

Incredibly beautful........yet haunting at the same time......and what an incredible fusion of musical talents......

[@stevenbrrtt]

Everytime I listen to this hymn, it becomes that much more manifest to express my everlasting humble gratitude as an American of Irish descent for the sublime beauty Alison Krause and Yo Yo Ma have given to it in this particular recording. I'm 68 years old, seen and experienced much, been blessed with a wonderful wife, four adult children and three grandchildren. One would think I might've gotten most of my tears of sentiment out by now; No, never. Because one can never NOT be moved to tears while listening to this recording of an already lovely Irish hymn. While my paternal grandmother, Marie Keane, as a child teenaged child with her sister Bridget, as they left their native town of Belmullet way up in Mayo to head south on a donkey cart towards (then Queenstown, not far from Wexford) to board a ship to take them to the New World. Every time I hear this, I can't help but thinking of them as well as Mary, pondering, ever pondering . . .

[@Mark-pp7jy]

"No, never". Amen sir. Being moved to tears is a blessing! 🇮🇪

[@SkullPts]

Queenstown is now known as Cobh (pronounced Cove) in Cork Harbour - it is a fair distance from Wexford (~100miles) .... major departing point for Irish Emigrants

[@TheJohn93226]

This Christmas carol is also known as The Enniscorthy Carol or Carúl Inis Córthaidh (Irish gaelic).

[@pioneercynthia1]

What "The Wexford Carol" lacks in typical jolliness is more than made up for with its beautiful depth of theology. A lovely performance.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Interesting concept- "theology". How do you study what cannot be studied? Back to the plain truth.

[@elenikiroy]

I wouldn't think of putting the word 'lacks' in the same sentence as this beautiful traditional melody.

[@StevenTorrey]

@@jacquesblaque7728 i attend Bible class; trust me IT CAN BE STUDIED. Only a person with a 3rd grade understanding of religion would conclude that theology cannot be studied.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Sorry bud, but in fact you're quite ignorant, delusional, and presumptuous. Toss in arrogant, too. Only one such could boast of studying what cannot be studied, and blather proudly about it. As an exercise, THINK about it. TTFN.

[@StevenTorrey]

@@jacquesblaque7728 So why did you even show up here knowing she was going to sing a spiritual song? What you wrote was the equivalent of drawing a swastika on a synagogue--STUPID & THOUGHTLESS!

[@rhhamlin08]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whosoever believes in Him has everlasting life. John 3:16. My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me. - Jesus.

[@katebc9148]

Beautiful rendition of this Celtic carol. Beautiful work by all involved.

[@linda6987]

Absolutely beautiful! Allison - the voice of an angel! Yo Yo Ma, you know all the notes! Thank you for the share! ♥️

[@johnmartin4650]

AK ……you are amazing…..thank you so much ……nothing like Christmas .

[@lawriefoster5587]

Hauntingly glorious on this Christmas Eve of 2021..

[@ychaps]

I honestly dot thik I've heard this before, but Allison's voice is sublime...she just captivates the whole mood of the carol ...

[@torontocookie]

Yeah, I've been listening to this version several years ago. A beautiful rendition for sure!!!

[@eire1334]

Such a lovely version of our (we Irish) glorious Christmas song! Once again Maestro Yo-Yo Ma demonstrates he is the greatest 20th/21st century cellist!

[@marymadelynevangelista9799]

WOW! Chills thru out me. A unified performance of purity. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath. . . Thank you.

[@DWinthekeys]

I’ve seen this video many times. Definitely one of the most haunting Christmas carole melodies.

[@anjou6497]

She really does have the voice of an angel, pure as can be. Yo Yo Ma is a wonderful, sensitive musician too. ❄️ 🌲🎆

[@udsmall7306]

and yet that countrified husky alto speaking voice- _"mayybe whea'll getit on tha firrst payass..."_ ugh..lol..amazing! 🤔🎼🎙️😍🫠

[@maldagg1104]

There is no doubt about it...she has a gift from God

[@garymoore4485]

Great tone, great enunciation. Hard to imagine a better performance.