I just played the green fields of france and then I found this one. I never get tired of listening to the old songs . Thank you Eric. I'm going to learn this one so I can play it on the street if I am ever allowed to play on the street again. Church Street, Burlington Vermont I believe but there is a war against the poor going on right now in our United States of America. People say: "oh ,it has always been this way... As if that will make it okay. Thank God for the ones who have the courage To shine the light on the darkness of War. I want to be in that number. Let us all have the courage to sing the song of Peace.
Even now, thirty years or so after my husband I sat transfixed and listened to Eric sing this song here in Atlanta, in a wonderful, small listening room, it still makes me cry buckets. He can't hit most of the high notes any more, but it's still one of the best anti-war songs I've ever heard. Actually, just one of the best SONGS I've ever heard, anti-war or not. And you can keep your historical precision, or stick it somewhere. This is perfection. Bless you, Eric Bogle.
Absolutely fantastic , I'm ashamed to say I am a 55 year old Scot who had never heard of Eric Bogle til recently , his work is magnificent , god bless the fallen of all wars , Thanx for great Vid !!
I have played this to a few friends over the last few days. I have also sent it all over the world. Many fine artists have recorded this song, but this (the original) is my favorite. How can you not cry to these inspired lyrics. I will watch the March tomorrow in Ballina, NSW and maybe I will hear this played in the pub later on. Lest We Forget.
My dad served from 1939 to 1945. He lost 6 years of his youth and suffered for the rest of his life as did his family.Awesome song sitting here listening with tears in my eyes. Damn war. Damn, damn. But these men were bloody heroes everyone. phil
What a wonderful tribute to our brave forefathers. I have so much respect for those who fought for our freedom. Eric has recognised our heros in a lasting way - through song.
I've seen the Rolling Stones, Hollies, Kinks, Bread, Joe Cocker, Elton John and many other concerts over many years, but none impacted me, as did with the pure pleasure of Eric and John entertaining probably less than 100 people in a small Goolwa club a few years ago. That was one magic night I'll never forget.
I remember where I was when I first heard this song: sitting on the grass at the Canmore Folk Festival in Alberta, in 1979. It was sung there by Paul Hann, "the Cockney Cowbow." A couple of years ago I hosted Eric for his first concert here in St. John's, Newfoundland. He was surprised that so many people knew the words to his songs and sang along, even though it was his first time there. But how can you ever forget a song with this much power and truth in it?
Beautiful....there are no words...Eric has said it all...RIP to the fallen, maimed physically and mentally in all wars...we are so grateful for your sacrifice...Thank you....seem so inadequate somehow....
I know how you feel. My late wife's Grandfather fought for Canada in the trenches and I thought it an honor to know him. My Great Uncle never returned and is buried in France near Vimy Ridge. They will forever be in my heart and mind.
So much respect. We owe so much to those who never said a word in an effort to protect us. Cant imagine how much we owe to our fore fathers. Thank Christ indeed...
Came from Halk Arenasi presented by Ugur Dundar (Turkish TV Programmer) shown on Halk TV dated March 23rd 2018... He talked about Eric Bogle and asked the audience to go to UA-cam and search for this video. Here I am...
i hope there isnt any pro war songs? yes this is anti war, if any diggers were alive today they would tell us why war is an evil thing but god bless them for fighting for us.
I came across this again on my ITunes this morning and it again brought a tear to my eye. Probably the best song about Australia ever recorded. Thanks Eric
Wonderful! I was at this concert. There must have been close on 1000 people in the audience, and you could have heard a pin drop during this song. A magical moment!
I've heard many versions of this song and all I can say is that others murder it. This performance by the song's writer captures the emotion without the theatrical drama that often spoils the sentiment and meaning when others try to imitate the definitive version that this is. Beautifully sung, I listen to this often.
The song has mellowed and grown sadder over the years. Less larikan in his delivery, now. It's a long, emotional song and he is the only person who pulls it off. He is a master!
This is a most beautiful yet sad song that says to me that you, Eric, have a most understanding heart as well as a great talent for lyrics & songwriting. I love all the renditions of this as well! John McDermott & Joan Baez particularly and of course yours as a young man! sincerely, joy
They're all gone now. Eric Bogle says everything that needs to be said. "And the young people ask what are they marching, and I ask meself the same question ... someday no one will march there at all. "
Absolute Legend. Emailed me back after I got in touch and made my mother's day, Hello Morrison Many thanks for your e-mail, good to know that some of my songs evoke some fond memories. But that’s what music does of course, my CD collection is like some time tunnel to the past in many ways, as well as occasionally a wee beacon pointing to the future…….. I used to own a Ford escort away back in the distant past in Peebles, it was originally racing green as well (weren’t they all?) but when I owned it the body was more filler and rust than actual paint….I had some good times in it though, it only cost me 30 quid at the time, and it died on me completely after only 5 months or so of ownership, but they were a good 5 months, and they’ll never come again….. Don’t know if your mum is still going strong or still likes my music, but if so, my best wishes to you both Regards Eric Credit where it's due, the man knows how to make you think about things greater than yourself. It's actually quite humbling.
Our great great uncle, whose name I share, was at Gallipoli from day 1, 25 April 1915 until October, less the time he spent on the island of Lemnos in the militaryhospital recovering from wounds, then on the Western Front at Pozieres. He survived all this only to die in yet another hospital in England, not from wounds, but of a fractured skull from a fall on an icy road while on a day out with some of his digger mates. In the words of Ned Kelly " such is life ". And death. RIP Gerald, and thank you Eric Bogle.
+Gerrry Ryan my father wAS A SCOTS Guard in ww2, when I asked him who were the best fighters, expecting my dad to say the Scots, he said, the Ausies.....my dad was Thomas Caroll. I miss him
+Susan Littlejohn Thanks for that Susan, I don't know if they were the best but I do know they all tried their best, and 60,000 of them paid the ultimate price. It is only in the last 15 years or so that I have come to appreciate the debt we & our grandchildren owe them and all the others who served from the Boer War to Iraq. My fathers' g/father served in the Royal Victorian Volunteer Rifles, so before there was Australia the country.
Home to forget the pain greef and loss of War. The smell no leg and the missing stays with you every second minute hour day every day. The things you can't see of War the nightmares are all you see. 🏴
In complete awe of this genius...I'm ashamed to say that I didn't realise until now who actually wrote this song. One of the most amazing songs ever written - Shane McGowan has done it justice - its wobbled me many times - esp after a few beers!! None of us will ever see those horrors - but for a few minutes of hearing this , its like I was there.. Thanks Eric for reminding me how lucky I am that I wasn't.
Possibly one of the most moving songs I have heard. What a great version by the guy who wrote it. If you really want to get depressed about the "Great War" read the poetry of Wilfred Owen, too!
The greatest song ever written! I have been lucky enough to meet Eric 3 times and drank whiskey with him for 3 hours in wee Toms pub Ballycastle (the House of McDonnell) I also pointed out the wee mistake he made when writing the lyrics but that is another story and you can see if you can hear it yourself! Sadly he's only going to tour in Oz and NZ from now on but he remains one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time-should have been as famous as Paul Simon or Bob Dylan.
"....and we started all over again...." The sacrifice, will we ever stop this futile war? I hope this Anzac day we do ask the question, why are we marching?" Truly it is a brilliant anti-war song, and so incredibly performed, Thank you Eric!
The war is to be commemorated, not celebrated. There is an important distinction. As an example, this song is a commemoration of those who suffered and died, not a celebration of war. Lest we forget.
In 1970 I signed a 3 year contract with Uncle Sam--US Army, Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division. One day I was sent to downtown Fayetteville to round up my lads who were trying to score smack to feed the habits they brought back from Vietnam. I saw the day's headlines--4 DEAD IN OHIO...and I knew I was wearing the wrong uniform again...wouldn't it be wonderful if no young person ever had to wear the wrong uniform again.
Vietnam was rough because the boys mostly didn't volunteer and this new drug addiction to escape the horrors and trauma wiped out that generation of young men forced to an awful war
One of best songs ever written - makes me bawl with a broken heart. One of saddest songs in the world. The saddest is another Vogle song about soldiers in WWI shooting each others horses because they were not allowed to bring them home, called "It's as if he knew".
This great song shows the futility of war - everyone needs to listen to this - especially those who send men off to fight a war that was not of their making!
Well it is ANZAC Day again with the new Royal's parading. Well 103 years ago my Uncle Dick was wounded at Galipoli, and my Dad had just been pulled out of Yperes. My cousin says that wound saved his Grandfathers life. What a choice! Such an emotive piece of singing. As a runner it reminds me of the final scenes from the film. Stops me in my tracks. Joe
I am an old man who never was in a war and was not "anti-war": it seems inevitable. But this song is one of the most emotionally powerful arguments that I have ever found about the futility of war on a personal level, no matter how necessary it may be collectively. Better a fighting war than unopposed butchery or slavery.
I just played the green fields of france and then I found this one. I never get tired of listening to the old songs . Thank you Eric. I'm going to learn this one so I can play it on the street if I am ever allowed to play on the street again. Church Street, Burlington Vermont I believe but there is a war against the poor going on right now in our United States of America. People say: "oh ,it has always been this way... As if that will make it okay.
Thank God for the ones who have the courage To shine the light on the darkness of War. I want to be in that number. Let us all have the courage to sing the song of Peace.
Even now, thirty years or so after my husband I sat transfixed and listened to Eric sing this song here in Atlanta, in a wonderful, small listening room, it still makes me cry buckets. He can't hit most of the high notes any more, but it's still one of the best anti-war songs I've ever heard. Actually, just one of the best SONGS I've ever heard, anti-war or not. And you can keep your historical precision, or stick it somewhere. This is perfection. Bless you, Eric Bogle.
Thank you, Mr. Bogle, for this precious gift.
I blast this song as loud as I can every Anzac Day wanting the whole world to listen to you. Thank you Eric
It doesn't matter how many times i listen to this song the tears still flow. A wonderful tribute Eric..!!
Absolutely fantastic , I'm ashamed to say I am a 55 year old Scot who had never heard of Eric Bogle til recently , his work is magnificent , god bless the fallen of all wars , Thanx for great Vid !!
Beautiful song but it always brings tears to my eyes. Yet I keep listening!
Ditto, any version must move you if you have a heart, sing or listen to it every day.
I have played this to a few friends over the last few days. I have also sent it all over the world. Many fine artists have recorded this song, but this (the original) is my favorite. How can you not cry to these inspired lyrics. I will watch the March tomorrow in Ballina, NSW and maybe I will hear this played in the pub later on. Lest We Forget.
My dad served from 1939 to 1945. He lost 6 years of his youth and suffered for the rest of his life as did his family.Awesome song sitting here listening with tears in my eyes. Damn war. Damn, damn. But these men were bloody heroes everyone. phil
Vietnam was no different for my brother, yes damn war and the perpetrators.
And me, Bryan. War....what is it good for? I listen to Bogle often. The tears make me feel better. Weird.
sO did my late dad very lucky to live tail gunner on bombers
There is nothing one can write to do justice to this deeply moving song, and performance.
What a fantastic songwriter that man is. There are two songs guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye - and he wrote both of them.
This man is a genius
He has a unique way of expressing how most people feel about war,but in a personal way that makes them think deeper
Which is the other one? I'm curious
Probably Green Fields of France
Prob green fields of France
Scottish born. Wonderful Australian. Wonderful Human.
🏴🇦🇺🙏✝️
What a wonderful tribute to our brave forefathers. I have so much respect for those who fought for our freedom. Eric has recognised our heros in a lasting way - through song.
I've seen the Rolling Stones, Hollies, Kinks, Bread, Joe Cocker, Elton John and many other concerts over many years, but none impacted me, as did with the pure pleasure of Eric and John entertaining probably less than 100 people in a small Goolwa club a few years ago. That was one magic night I'll never forget.
stevo53
Must have been Goolwa's greatest moment closely followed by the wooden boat days.
I remember where I was when I first heard this song: sitting on the grass at the Canmore Folk Festival in Alberta, in 1979. It was sung there by Paul Hann, "the Cockney Cowbow." A couple of years ago I hosted Eric for his first concert here in St. John's, Newfoundland. He was surprised that so many people knew the words to his songs and sang along, even though it was his first time there. But how can you ever forget a song with this much power and truth in it?
Songwriting and singing don't get any better than this! An amazing rendition of a brilliantly written song.
Beautiful....there are no words...Eric has said it all...RIP to the fallen, maimed physically and mentally in all wars...we are so grateful for your sacrifice...Thank you....seem so inadequate somehow....
Very well said
Simply an amazing song. Thank you Eric.
One of the best songs ever
Brilliant song,great songwriter and singer,cheers Eric🍺and also RIP John,the 2 of you were great together!🇮🇪🍀
So much feel. Such a poigniency. I the world need more songs like this. and yes we need more Eric Bogles :)
This is the BEST VERSION of this song and nobody can do it better. On tha Scots!
Such a powerful song... WOW
I know how you feel. My late wife's Grandfather fought for Canada in the trenches and I thought it an honor to know him. My Great Uncle never returned and is buried in France near Vimy Ridge. They will forever be in my heart and mind.
So much respect. We owe so much to those who never said a word in an effort to protect us. Cant imagine how much we owe to our fore fathers. Thank Christ indeed...
I was singing along with this earlier today and I just choked up. That's never happened to me before,very emotional song!!
Came from Halk Arenasi presented by Ugur Dundar (Turkish TV Programmer) shown on Halk TV dated March 23rd 2018... He talked about Eric Bogle and asked the audience to go to UA-cam and search for this video. Here I am...
Sad but what a great song one of my favourites, i love singing and playing it especially with my daughter. Ritchie
Difficult not to have a tear in the eye listening to this.
I'm in tears. Very moving.
May we never forget.
the best anti-war song ever written and no one performs it better than the man who wrote it, Eric Bogle.
+Wolff Bachner This. Best anti-war song. Along with the book All Quiet On The Western Front.
+Wolff Bachner Very well said, this is a very powerful song.
+Ian Graham
I have no Great Grand Fathers , or Great uncles from WW 1 , and served my country in Angola , never again .
i hope there isnt any pro war songs? yes this is anti war, if any diggers were alive today they would tell us why war is an evil thing but god bless them for fighting for us.
I think, "Green Fields of France" is equal, Wolff.
I came across this again on my ITunes this morning and it again brought a tear to my eye.
Probably the best song about Australia ever recorded.
Thanks Eric
Wonderful! I was at this concert. There must have been close on 1000 people in the audience, and you could have heard a pin drop during this song. A magical moment!
so beautiful and powerful, one of my favourite folks songs and with a strong and ever relavant message too
Love Eric and his wicked sense of humour!!He sure knows how to put on a good show and write an awesome song!!!!
I've heard many versions of this song and all I can say is that others murder it. This performance by the song's writer captures the emotion without the theatrical drama that often spoils the sentiment and meaning when others try to imitate the definitive version that this is. Beautifully sung, I listen to this often.
I'd never heard his version of his own song before. It's excellent. Thanks for posting.
The song has mellowed and grown sadder over the years. Less larikan in his delivery, now. It's a long, emotional song and he is the only person who pulls it off. He is a master!
Listening again and the tears are welling again.
This is a most beautiful yet sad song that says to me that you, Eric, have a most understanding heart as well as a great talent for lyrics & songwriting. I love all the renditions of this as well! John McDermott & Joan Baez particularly and of course yours as a young man! sincerely, joy
Wow. Thank You. After all the times he's sung this he can still sing it from the bottom of his heart.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much. A heartfelt appreciation.
Absolutely awesome and very well done!!❤️❤️👏👏👍👍👍✝️✝️✝️✝️🌹🌹🌹🌹🇱🇷🇱🇷💕💓💗
They're all gone now. Eric Bogle says everything that needs to be said.
"And the young people ask what are they marching, and I ask meself the same question ... someday no one will march there at all. "
The scots have made a huge contribution to humanity in many ways thank you Eric!
Lest we forget. Respect.
New to this performer. Love him. Just discovered The Dubliners, also.
+mallducklard this man wrote this song....
Absolute Legend.
Emailed me back after I got in touch and made my mother's day,
Hello Morrison
Many thanks for your e-mail, good to know that some of my songs evoke some fond memories. But that’s what music does of course, my CD collection is like some time tunnel to the past in many ways, as well as occasionally a wee beacon pointing to the future……..
I used to own a Ford escort away back in the distant past in Peebles, it was originally racing green as well (weren’t they all?) but when I owned it the body was more filler and rust than actual paint….I had some good times in it though, it only cost me 30 quid at the time, and it died on me completely after only 5 months or so of ownership, but they were a good 5 months, and they’ll never come again…..
Don’t know if your mum is still going strong or still likes my music, but if so, my best wishes to you both
Regards
Eric
Credit where it's due, the man knows how to make you think about things greater than yourself. It's actually quite humbling.
Our great great uncle, whose name I share, was at Gallipoli from day 1, 25 April 1915 until October, less the time he spent on the island of Lemnos in the militaryhospital recovering from wounds, then on the Western Front at Pozieres. He survived all this only to die in yet another hospital in England, not from wounds, but of a fractured skull from a fall on an icy road while on a day out with some of his digger mates. In the words of Ned Kelly " such is life ". And death. RIP Gerald, and thank you Eric Bogle.
+Gerrry Ryan my father wAS A SCOTS Guard in ww2, when I asked him who were the best fighters, expecting my dad to say the Scots, he said, the Ausies.....my dad was Thomas Caroll. I miss him
+Susan Littlejohn Thanks for that Susan, I don't know if they were the best but I do know they all tried their best, and 60,000 of them paid the ultimate price. It is only in the last 15 years or so that I have come to appreciate the debt we & our grandchildren owe them and all the others who served from the Boer War to Iraq. My fathers' g/father served in the Royal Victorian Volunteer Rifles, so before there was Australia the country.
Tears to all of us ..... thanks for the superb song of all times. Amen to our troops who fight and fought for us all.
Home to forget the pain greef and loss of War. The smell no leg and the missing stays with you every second minute hour day every day.
The things you can't see of War the nightmares are all you see. 🏴
Only heard this with The Dubliners before, but this is goosebumps for real!
And the Dubliners did a great job with it. But Eric puts more emotion into it. And that's the difference.
@@steamer66 Agree
There are no words to say how good this is, sure you'll find fancier versions but this is from the gut thank you
In complete awe of this genius...I'm ashamed to say that I didn't realise until now who actually wrote this song. One of the most amazing songs ever written - Shane McGowan has done it justice - its wobbled me many times - esp after a few beers!! None of us will ever see those horrors - but for a few minutes of hearing this , its like I was there..
Thanks Eric for reminding me how lucky I am that I wasn't.
what a singer wow
Absolutely wonderful
Simply awesome.
Possibly one of the most moving songs I have heard. What a great version by the guy who wrote it. If you really want to get depressed about the "Great War" read the poetry of Wilfred Owen, too!
The greatest song ever written!
I have been lucky enough to meet Eric 3 times and drank whiskey with him for 3 hours in wee Toms pub Ballycastle (the House of McDonnell)
I also pointed out the wee mistake he made when writing the lyrics but that is another story and you can see if you can hear it yourself!
Sadly he's only going to tour in Oz and NZ from now on but he remains one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time-should have been as famous as Paul Simon or Bob Dylan.
Wonderful Eric Bogle, such a poet, such a great person. Thanks for posting!
FANTASTIC SONG. GOOD VOICE. I ENJOYED. HE NEVER LEFT HIS MATILDA. CHEERS
The most powerful lyric "I never knew there were worse things than dying"
ICONIC....Never Forgotten
Truly amazing!
Thanks for sharing this beautifully crafted, and executed song.
I love it.
Great thanks for posting.
Hermosa canción, beatifull song,
This is Great. I have translated this song in finnish. This anti-war song is really powerful all over the world.
Wow. Great, man. Could I ask you to post or send me/us your translation?
Wonderful,Emotional, Brilliant.
Australia, Australia, forever.Why can't we be all alike and love each other.
Better yet, why can't we all be different and still love each other?
Ever TM
I am sure the Turks didn't hate us or even know from where we came,
they were only protecting there's .
What a great song. There is nothing to say more maby still:: "awesome"
Thnks a lot for this song.
speechless, every time I hear this ...I cry actually..
Eric used to come to NewOrleans. Sorry he stopped touring. Great artist,and a nice man.
Eric and John are incredible performers together.
Eric's singing to John Munro's sensitive, skilled guitar accompaniment makes the most moving version of Eric's powerful song.
A superb song... All is said, exact, terrible... From France.
Who else but Eric to sing this amazing song.
"....and we started all over again...." The sacrifice, will we ever stop this futile war?
I hope this Anzac day we do ask the question, why are we marching?"
Truly it is a brilliant anti-war song, and so incredibly performed, Thank you Eric!
Tears but what a wonderful song!
The war is to be commemorated, not celebrated. There is an important distinction. As an example, this song is a commemoration of those who suffered and died, not a celebration of war. Lest we forget.
Thank you, Mr. Fogle.
Lest we forget...
Best song ever.
Such a moving performance. I'm amazed that anyone can give this the thumbs down.
+John Smith Bieber fans...
Fair play Eric, fantastic anti-war song, wish that those in power would listen to this!
I still have a hard time getting through this song after all the years when I sing it and people can't understand it ! :-(
Beautiful lament.
Unreal performance
💞
In 1970 I signed a 3 year contract with Uncle Sam--US Army, Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division. One day I was sent to downtown Fayetteville to round up my lads who were trying to score smack to feed the habits they brought back from Vietnam. I saw the day's headlines--4 DEAD IN OHIO...and I knew I was wearing the wrong uniform again...wouldn't it be wonderful if no young person ever had to wear the wrong uniform again.
broke my heart mate
Donald Spaeth Wow!. That's very powerful. and unfortunately it seems so accurate.
prayers and peace be with you :)
We came back with a too true reality of war and were greeted with a the All Americal fantasy of war .... "only the dead have seen the end of war"
So simply spoken and so eloquent, big brother. My heart breaks, again.
Vietnam was rough because the boys mostly didn't volunteer and this new drug addiction to escape the horrors and trauma wiped out that generation of young men forced to an awful war
wonderful!!!
One of best songs ever written - makes me bawl with a broken heart. One of saddest songs in the world. The saddest is another Vogle song about soldiers in WWI shooting each others horses because they were not allowed to bring them home, called "It's as if he knew".
Its just a shame that Eric is not better known here in Scotland....we can and should all be very proud of him
Fantastic rendition of this song,iplay this every time I play " the green fields of France"
Amazing .It's a long song to do alone and at his age. He is better now cause he sounds like a real old aussie digger. He took Australia to his heart.
this man is a poet of the 20t century
This great song shows the futility of war - everyone needs to listen to this - especially those who send men off to fight a war that was not of their making!
Well it is ANZAC Day again with the new Royal's parading. Well 103 years ago my Uncle Dick was wounded at Galipoli, and my Dad had just been pulled out of Yperes. My cousin says that wound saved his Grandfathers life. What a choice! Such an emotive piece of singing. As a runner it reminds me of the final scenes from the film. Stops me in my tracks. Joe
War is hell. And as the old pass away, the world slowly forgets. It's never ending.
That's why history has a bad habit of repeating itself.
I am an old man who never was in a war and was not "anti-war": it seems inevitable. But this song is one of the most emotionally powerful arguments that I have ever found about the futility of war on a personal level, no matter how necessary it may be collectively. Better a fighting war than unopposed butchery or slavery.
Love it..
A devastating critique of war. Music and song carry more impact than the histories.
Great Song