One of the most touching and sweet songs ever written. It touched my heart the first time I heard it, and it still sends chills all over me to hear it. Thanks to Ralph McTell.
Saw Ralph in Hull last year, he wished my wife Karen a happy birthday. Brought a tear when he then sang First Song! One of Karens favourite Ralph tunes. Thanks again Ralph 👍
I have loved this song since the first time I heard it on the radio. I went right out and bought the album and played it probably hundreds of times. Thank you for many happy moments, fantasies of the farm, and young love.
Ralph says there's a big difference between poetry and songwriting - but in as much as poetry is about imagery and rhythm the two come pretty close in this beautiful song. Essentially a happy song which ends with the successful harvest - "She was safely gathered in my arms..." - but I never fail to cry when I listen to this. One of our best songwriters ever.
Very nice indeed...the connection with Fairport is interesting too... I'll be performing this song at a gig tomorrow... Thanks Ralph for decades of top musicianship....!!
Saw Ralph last night in Coventry, he performed this as a request towards the end of his show. I was the only one that shouted out for it, he probably was going to perform it anyway, but it seemed very special for me at the time!
@@williamcole9040 I can only imagine the energy in the room as he plays. I went with friends to see hank williams 3 play. You could feel that energy controlling everyone. It is an awesome feeling. Some people have it, some don't.
At the age of 18 I bought your album 'Easy'. I put down my electric guitar and bought an acoustic. It's been that way ever since! Wonderful song, awesome delivery..
If I remember, this was On the Album 'Bridge of Sighs' , one my friends had it and I never ever found. It is as scarce as hen's teeth and yet has some of Ralph's most magical songs. Oh bugga !
I once heard somebody do a cover of this in a folk club who for perhaps reasons of modesty couldn’t bring himself to say ‘placed them on her breast’ and substituted ‘breast’ for ‘vest’. It had nowhere like the same level of romance ! What a beautiful beautiful song Ralph is a master of distilling emotion with a real economy of words. A masterpiece.
HiRalph Am an old man now but in an earlier time I was a friend of Kieran Burke and Seamus Ennis. Seamus recited a a recitation called The Hiring Fair. I think it was on he programme A Job of journeywork. He gave me the words but i lost them. Mabye you would remember them. This is a long shot. brian Rutledge
This is a musical take on Thomas Hardy's world. Totally beautiful song from a master of his craft and a lovely guy with same sure touch and great voice as when we saw him in his early days at the two Brewers in Salford. Streets of London was new then, and Spiral Staircase, wonderful ragtime guitar of that.
Even his poor songs are great -- this is undoubtedly one of his best, though -- up there with the likes of Naomi, Michael in the Garden and, of course Streets...
Has someone really put a thumbs down above ...wow!! Must of been trying to find that sort of talentless music that all the sheep follow ...what is it called ...ermmm pop music ....
Ralph will always be remembered for Streets of London, but Girl from the Hiring Fair and Red and Gold are right up there with it. Just magnificent.
This man is a national treasure
"THE" national treasure
One of the most touching and sweet songs ever written. It touched my heart the first time I heard it, and it still sends chills all over me to hear it. Thanks to Ralph McTell.
No fancy video just sitting down round the kitchen table with a fixed camera,,thats talent for you..just real music played by a Folk Legend
WHAT....................................no Auto-tune? lol
The absolutely most romantic song ever written (and it is best sung by Ralph McTell).
They say a picture paints a thousand words. Ralph can paint a picture with a single sentence. Magical.
He inspired me to take up the guitar 50 years ago
words can't describe the fine words and music that he created
Beautiful. His voice is ageless. I have been a fan since the 70s and this just takes me back.
What a great songwriter love Ralph never wrote a bad song. This us a classic.
Ralph you are the reason I play guitar since 1980 you are a legend
Saw Ralph in Hull last year, he wished my wife Karen a happy birthday. Brought a tear when he then sang First Song! One of Karens favourite Ralph tunes. Thanks again Ralph 👍
Thank you Ralph for inspiring my 59 years of guitar playing , without your wonderful songs and playing it would have been impossible
had the pleasure of interviewing Ralph McTell many years ago, a real gent. This is my favourite of all his songs.
What a memory always sounds better every I hear it. First saw him do it with Fairport at that annual shindig they have. Smashing
Heard it again at Bush Hall 12/2/17 . Never tire of this beautiful song. Thanks Ralph.
I have loved this song since the first time I heard it on the radio. I went right out and bought the album and played it probably hundreds of times. Thank you for many happy moments, fantasies of the farm, and young love.
Wonderful inspirational song.
This song inspired me to go "acoustic"
I now play it at the folk clubs.
Thank you Ralph, for changing my life!
Ralph says there's a big difference between poetry and songwriting - but in as much as poetry is about imagery and rhythm the two come pretty close in this beautiful song. Essentially a happy song which ends with the successful harvest - "She was safely gathered in my arms..." - but I never fail to cry when I listen to this. One of our best songwriters ever.
Very nice indeed...the connection with Fairport is interesting too...
I'll be performing this song at a gig tomorrow...
Thanks Ralph for decades of top musicianship....!!
Love this man's folk music style and songs!
Saw Ralph last night in Coventry, he performed this as a request towards the end of his show.
I was the only one that shouted out for it, he probably was going to perform it anyway, but it seemed
very special for me at the time!
Love you Ralphy - had pleasure to meet you - thanks for your wonderful songs xx
Ralph McTell is for me one off the best fine Guitarre Player and a Great Songwriter.
Really nice to read comments that are written by people who love the music. Mr Nicol does do a good job of it too.
Gorgeous song and rendition.
I love his music. Very Awesome. I really wish I could hear him play live.
I waited 50 years to see him…this week. So worth the wait. You really ought to try the experience. A musical genius.
@@williamcole9040 I can only imagine the energy in the room as he plays.
I went with friends to see hank williams 3 play. You could feel that energy controlling everyone. It is an awesome feeling. Some people have it, some don't.
Chills every time! Gotta learn this one! Thanks Ralph
What a fantastic folk song must buy some of his albums.
Lovely collection of kettles too!
Brilliant, I have loved this song for a very long time and have now added it to my set as an all time favourite of mine. Brilliant again and thanks
A very beautiful ballad--certainly one of the most romantic ever written.
I love this song. A friend in Bristol used to sing it but sadly he has passed. Lovely to hear it.
Truly wonderful. I've been following your music and playing since the 1970s . Thank you for making the guitar a part of my life as well
Beautiful song Ralph,love it.
love this, so deep.
The lyrics of this tune are utterly brilliant!!
Lovely man, subtle expressive voice, great picking, tunes that move.
Maybe that describes perfection, or as close as it gets.
At the age of 18 I bought your album 'Easy'. I put down my electric guitar and bought an acoustic.
It's been that way ever since!
Wonderful song, awesome delivery..
I also changed from electric guitar to acoustic for the love of fingerstyle folk music forever!
This song is riveting. Gorgeous, poetic, romantic. Someones needs to make a glorious video to go with it. (Altho' we love watching you too, Ralph!)
This a true masterpiece! Well done sir.
story time, love it, but these things did happen in a harder time but Ralph must have lived it, he knows how it feels
Just beautiful!
If I remember, this was On the Album 'Bridge of Sighs' , one my friends had it and I never ever found. It is as scarce as hen's teeth and yet has some of Ralph's most magical songs. Oh bugga !
Amazing tune, I love Ralphs style 🎸🎶
I adore this song
I cannot thank you enough for posting this!
One of my favourite songs by Ralph, pat
I once heard somebody do a cover of this in a folk club who for perhaps reasons of modesty couldn’t bring himself to say ‘placed them on her breast’ and substituted ‘breast’ for ‘vest’. It had nowhere like the same level of romance ! What a beautiful beautiful song Ralph is a master of distilling emotion with a real economy of words. A masterpiece.
Lovely, lovely song . And made better by being done so simply
.
Never give up Ralph . From Clare to here .great to hear your still going after all those year's.
.
This is amazing! nice one Ralph
Just a lovely thank you Ralph May
Ralph still has it !
HiRalph
Am an old man now but in an earlier time I was a friend of Kieran Burke and Seamus Ennis. Seamus recited a a recitation called The Hiring Fair. I think it was on he programme A Job of journeywork. He gave me the words but i lost them. Mabye you would remember them. This is a long shot. brian Rutledge
Absolutely superb what more can I say
say no more...... thats how to play and writ songs....cheers ralph hope you can make fairport this year god bless x
Hallo Maggie,
Very nice post. I like the song. Please my best regards to Ralph. THUMBS UP!!
Thank you.
Best regards,
Dedstar
Ralph makes me think of my late dad singing is irish songs very emotional love them both ,
😑
Wonderful song!
I first heard this from Stan Rogers. I just assumed he wrote it. It's such a gorgeous song!!! Thank you for it.
What a nice song ...
love this song its bin part of me life and helpd me escape many times thankyou muchly : )
A gorgeous song.
Beautiful!
You really should tour the U.S.A., y'know.
I mean, summer's coming!
Fantastic live performance
Great stuff soothes the mind and soul
A National Treasure !!!!!
This is perfection to me
That's beautiful. thanks :)
Stunning
Best song writer in the UK
Incredible.
delightful stuff
Christy Moore brought me here. Great stuff!
This is a musical take on Thomas Hardy's world. Totally beautiful song from a master of his craft and a lovely guy with same sure touch and great voice as when we saw him in his early days at the two Brewers in Salford. Streets of London was new then, and Spiral Staircase, wonderful ragtime guitar of that.
Incredibly romantic...
Guitarist extraordinaire superb stuff
beautiful!
J adore
Awesome!
beautiful..always
Wonderful.
Even his poor songs are great -- this is undoubtedly one of his best, though -- up there with the likes of Naomi, Michael in the Garden and, of course Streets...
Love Love Love Love Love |Lov e
bravo!
beauty
Nice.
This song was inspired by the book, Children of the Dead End by Patrick MacGill.
Has someone really put a thumbs down above ...wow!! Must of been trying to find that sort of talentless music that all the sheep follow ...what is it called ...ermmm pop music ....
champion
Great song . . .but why look everywhere but at the camera ?
Ralph Laurent? :-/
This guy is fantastic but tbh I much prefer Ralph McTell's version.
LOL - He is Ralph McTell! ;-)
+Bjowolf2 haha
+Nick Kirby Yeah, but I still say that Ralph McTell is better.
J adore