This is a brilliant lesson in understatement. I wish that more performers understood that sometimes less is more. One of most haunting songs I have ever heard.
Superb - I had the good fortune to see June and Martin perform as a duo at a local folk club some decades ago (most likely when the album this song came from was released). Needless to say it was a masterclass in how an accompanist enriches a spellbinding vocalist.
I can't think of anyone past or present in the folk genre who interprets songs better than the wonderful June Tabor... Her depth of feeling is extraordinary..
I discovered June Tabor many years ago and have a number of her recordings, however this is going to become my favorite. She just keeps getting better. There is an edge in her singing that makes her stand alone. Thank you so much for posting this! I will return to it frequently!
Geez, I've LOVED this song for more years than I'd care to stop & count. How wonderful to finally see it performed live, with all due somberness & musical perfection. Thanks so much for posting this.
This is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard. An' yes I know that Lal Waterson wrote it, I happen to much prefer this version. June Tabor has a most hauntin' voice. This rarely leaves me without a tear in my eye. Martin Simpson an' Tim Harries work on here is excellent.
that's because the people who hate you/us pump out high octane rap and other vile poisons to dull hearts and minds in the cradle so they grow stunted and malleable to thier desires.
Wish Id paid attention to this lady when I first heard of her. Years of enjoyment missed. Apart from the original this is the best. But wow, is she not a fantastic singer!
went to see her a couple of years back all stoned and on my lonesome brilliant she was she even did a couple of little jigs while the double bassist and fiddler played an instrumental brilliant she was
There are many great female vocalists out there but if you're looking to hear a true artist -- look to June Tabor. Spare instrumentation, no laser beams, no special effects and I find myself riveted to the voice and musicianship. She has been quoted as saying she never had voice lessons -- if this is true, she is an even more gifted artist. Her imperfections are shallow compared to many other singers. Takes guts to sing this naked.
Her delivery reminds me so much of how Francis Elder performs a song, meditative, slow, making every phrase meaningful. 10/10 to June but If he did this song ... that really would be something.
@rmwhee im from Reading! Live in the USA now, how is dear old Bracknell?, ( I used to go to the pubs there)..if you like June thougn, try madddy prior,and sandy denny..warms regards Steve St Louis Missouri USA!)
Verse 2 an obvious lynching, with brilliant though grisly image of the snapping up of the head, and it's removal by the force of the dropped weight. There is great sadness in the woman's view of man in verse one. She recognizes the weakness and mortality of her mate and man generally. Verse three drips with irony. She is disillusioned by the evil of men, and angry with herself at her predicament as willing mate to such a one.
I believe it’s more a vision of a pagan ritual infant sacrifice to assure a good harvest, somehow conjured by the sight of the scarecrow, but that’s the beauty of art requiring interpretation.
This is nothing more than ok. A slick, processed version. Listen to the lal waterson 1971 demo version. Its the raw northern edge that makes this song work so beautifully. This version is not the best, it scratches the surface.
Martin Simpson raises the bar for all accompanists... rarely takes his eyes off her. Dynamically the guitar and voice are completely complimentary.
This is a brilliant lesson in understatement. I wish that more performers understood that sometimes less is more. One of most haunting songs I have ever heard.
Superb - I had the good fortune to see June and Martin perform as a duo at a local folk club some decades ago (most likely when the album this song came from was released). Needless to say it was a masterclass in how an accompanist enriches a spellbinding vocalist.
I can't think of anyone past or present in the folk genre who interprets songs better than the wonderful June Tabor... Her depth of feeling is extraordinary..
June Tabor. DEEP. PROFOUND 💜💜💜💜🦋
I love this woman so much!
Absolutely one of a kind, very distinctive voice! As for Martin Simpson!!, probably one of the last of the English players from that golden period.
I discovered June Tabor many years ago and have a number of her recordings, however this is going to become my favorite. She just keeps getting better. There is an edge in her singing that makes her stand alone. Thank you so much for posting this! I will return to it frequently!
Geez, I've LOVED this song for more years than I'd care to stop & count. How wonderful to finally see it performed live, with all due somberness & musical perfection. Thanks so much for posting this.
It’s JUNE TABOR who we thank for giving this song 🪽 Wings
totaly brilliant , this music never dies , it grows and flows through time.....forever
This is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard. An' yes I know that Lal Waterson wrote it, I happen to much prefer this version. June Tabor has a most hauntin' voice. This rarely leaves me without a tear in my eye. Martin Simpson an' Tim Harries work on here is excellent.
beautiful,,thanky, this song has haunted me for decades
Would bring a tear to a glass eye xx
nice one
Shivers... everytime 💜 for Sally, who shed her coil for finer things
Wonderful. Tabor and Simpson together - the best.
This is truly stunning. June's voice is amazing and I could listen to that beautiful guitar and bass all day long.
Beautifully sung ..Lal is sorely missed ...
I know that people who know of her respect June's work, but it's surprising how few people seem to know. A significant artist.
that's because the people who hate you/us pump out high octane rap and other vile poisons to dull hearts and minds in the cradle so they grow stunted and malleable to thier desires.
We are the few, the proud. Especially here in the US where she is pretty much unknown...
RIP Lal. Gorgeous.
Absolutely incredible! What a voice.
With MS fab as usual - my only acoustic guitar hero thankfully still with us.
And no one knows what it means!
never known or heard anyone like her, but that is the beauty of art and performance, is it not??
somehow more wonderful stark and moving than the studio version many decades ago...thanky bigtime
A wonderful voice and a wonderful trio
Wish Id paid attention to this lady when I first heard of her. Years of enjoyment missed. Apart from the original this is the best. But wow, is she not a fantastic singer!
One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and I never get sick of hearing it. Incredible!
went to see her a couple of years back all stoned and on my lonesome
brilliant she was
she even did a couple of little jigs while the double bassist and fiddler played an instrumental
brilliant she was
She has such a beautiful voice and an even more beautiful soul.
Hauntingly beautiful
Whooooah ! where have I been ? Iv'e never heard this beeeeautiful song bird sing before .... could hear a pin ....drop , those lyrics WOW
Haven't heard of June Tabor? Legendary folk singer.. One of the very best..
Gorgeously Haunting!!! ❤
Beyond wonderful!
Wow I couldn't stop listening.
I admire her above all other singers.
appallingly loverly...Fiesty thinks June has an intense stage presence...beautiful
There are many great female vocalists out there but if you're looking to hear a true artist -- look to June Tabor. Spare instrumentation, no laser beams, no special effects and I find myself riveted to the voice and musicianship. She has been quoted as saying she never had voice lessons -- if this is true, she is an even more gifted artist. Her imperfections are shallow compared to many other singers. Takes guts to sing this naked.
Fantastic song and a great performance
Seni keşfetmiş olnak ne güzel! What a lovely thing to explore you!
Fantastic - one of my very favourite songs of all - dragged it out and was playing it last night - and thought, could it be on youtube?
Very lovely..
love June and Martin to bits. One day I'll post our version learned before we ever heard this version - even more spooky!
Stunning!
Beauty
The best version of this song bar the original Waterson version. in fact this can hang in there with that version. Excellence!!!!
She recorded this on her album Abyssinians, her version haunted mw for decades before I finally heard Mike Waterson's original Scarecrow.
Love June Tabor
@CityzenJane Hey, lovely to see you here. Amazing piece isn't it.
dios mio...only my favorite vid on this shebang...thanky...
Sublime ❤❤❤❤❤
Beautiful. They should have got married andhad children. Imagine how talented the offspring would be. Class. Pure class.
brilliant!
@TheraminTrees phenomenal - i love her, have for a long long time...
Her delivery reminds me so much of how Francis Elder performs a song, meditative, slow, making every phrase meaningful. 10/10 to June but If he did this song ... that really would be something.
So beautiful.Reminds me autumn New England.
deep spirituality of the lady
@rmwhee im from Reading! Live in the USA now, how is dear old Bracknell?, ( I used to go to the pubs there)..if you like June thougn, try madddy prior,and sandy denny..warms regards Steve St Louis Missouri USA!)
lal and mike waterson
Verse 2 an obvious lynching, with brilliant though grisly image of the snapping up of the head, and it's removal by the force of the dropped weight. There is great sadness in the woman's view of man in verse one. She recognizes the weakness and mortality of her mate and man generally. Verse three drips with irony. She is disillusioned by the evil of men, and angry with herself at her predicament as willing mate to such a one.
I believe it’s more a vision of a pagan ritual infant sacrifice to assure a good harvest, somehow conjured by the sight of the scarecrow, but that’s the beauty of art requiring interpretation.
That's Martin Simpson playing with her.
This is nothing more than ok. A slick, processed version. Listen to the lal waterson 1971 demo version. Its the raw northern edge that makes this song work so beautifully. This version is not the best, it scratches the surface.
I disagree also. I'm moved by this rendition every single time I hear it. Long live June!
i'm verklempt ...uh i gotta go
Chords anyone x
@robibm2003 Have to disagree.
Martin needs more ear rings
National Anthem after Brexit!! hee-hee!
the guitar is a little tidy for my taste
Really flat interpretationwise. Even someone as great as June is has their off moments. Oh well.