The Dutchman - by Michael Smith (Music Video)
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- Опубліковано 8 січ 2013
- Music video of "The Dutchman" , a beautiful poignant song, Chicago folk musician Michael Peter Smith gave to the world in 1968 and which was popularized by Steve Goodman who had a recording hit with this song. Michael passes away on August 3 2020 at age 78. He had been staying at the home of his longtime collaborator, manager and devoted friend Jamie O’Reilly and died in his own apartment cared for by his three sisters. Shortly before his death, he spoke to O’Reilly, assessing his life. She wrote down what he said. What he said was, "I realize my life was totally complete and everything I asked for in my life was there. Was there for me. And I felt so grateful. I felt so grateful. I had a wonderful true-life adventure."
Rolling Stone magazine once called him “the greatest songwriter in the English language”. The American Songwriter online magazine fairly compared him to the recently deceased John Prine, writing that both men “imbued their songs with heartfelt, sentimental tenderness. Each of them wrote lyrics of unforced grace and elegance, using language wistful and concise to create genuinely poignant songs.”
Read his obituary by Mark Guarino:
www.chicagoreader.com/chicago...
The song is about an elderly couple living in Amsterdam, Margaret and the title character. The unnamed Dutchman is senile, and Margaret cares for him with a sadness over what has happened to him over the years. It's a story of unconditional love. At the time Smith wrote the song, he had never visited the Netherlands.
The Dutchman's not the kind of man
Who keeps his thumb jammed in the dam
That holds his dreams in
But that's a secret that only Margaret knows
When Amsterdam is golden in the morning
Margaret brings him breakfast
She believes him
He thinks the tulips bloom beneath the snow
He`s mad as he can be but Margaret only sees that sometimes
Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes
Chorus:
Let us go to the banks of the ocean
Where the walls rise above the Zuiderzee
Long ago, I used to be a young man
And dear Margaret remembers that for me
The Dutchman still wears wooden shoes
His cap and coat are patched with the love
That Margaret sewed in
Sometimes he thinks he's still in Rotterdam
He watches tug boats down canals
And calls out to them when he thinks he knows the Captain
'Til Margaret comes to take him home again
Through unforgiving streets
That trip him though she holds his arm
Sometimes he thinks that he's alone and calls her name
The windmills whirl the winter in
She winds his muffler tighter,
They sit in the kitchen
Some tea with whiskey keeps away the dew
He sees her for a moment, calls her name
She makes the bed up humming some old love song
A song Margaret learned when the tune was very new
He hums a line or two, they hum together in the night
The Dutchman falls asleep and Margaret blows the candle out.
Such a beautiful sentiment, so rare here in America. But I do remember walking in Central Park in hard ol' New York and walking behind an old couple slowly shuffling along, small and bent, with their arms intertwined. I remember elderly couples sitting out there on the benches along a walkway. I always thought it was touching and hoped that someday I'd have that too after years of working on a marriage, going through all the ups and downs, all the anger and joys.
I loved Michael Peter Smith when we were High School teens together in Little Falls New Jersey. He was sensitive and a fine songwriter. I grieve his death. My young love, my puppy love forever.
One of the best-written songs of all time. One for the ages. I was privileged to hear him perform it on many occasions, each one a blessing. RIP, Michael...
I agree and I too was blessed with hearing him sing it live. He autographed my cd
I was at the concert when Mike Smith performed this, the 1985 memorial concert for Steve Goodman at the Airie Crown Theater in Chicago. Steve had always sung "The Dutchman" as a rousing sing-along, and it was obvious that the crowd wanted to sing, but Mike's approach was so different -- pensive and almost prayer-like -- that we were apprehensive. Then he invited us to join in and we did, albeit quietly. It was a soul-stirring experience. It's not until the bursts into applause at the end of the song that you realize there were 4,000 people in the audience. Thank you very much for posting this. It is one of my favorite songs.
I’ve always loved this song and Ive always considered Michael P Smith, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot and David Ackles, though his career was short, to be the four best storytellers I’ve ever listened to.
That was past Wonderful by a thousand miles !!!
A life changing ballad. First heard it a lifetime ago, and its still with me now. Thank you for the expression of love that has quietly played in the background of my life
“Nothing is more beautiful than the love that has weathered the storms of life. The love of the young for the young, that is the beginning of life. But the love of the old for the old, that is the beginning of things longer.” Jerome K. Jerome
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Amen, Will
A song that is truly beloved by all who know it on both sides of the Atlantic, it has been my good fortune to have it part of my “life’s soundtrack” for fifty years. I hope the next generation of folk singers continue to perform it, introducing it, like Steve did, simply as “this is a song by Mike Smith”. Then he, as well as the song, will be immortal.
I met Michael Smith at a dinner theatre in Detroit back in the very early 70’s. The show, Personals, had songs written by him. I wound up sitting next to him and we talked for an hour or so. I still have some of his early LPs.
Very moving song... I had the pleasure of working with Michael in 1981 as his Drummer on the JET record.What an amazing talent. I still remember rehearsals in Milwaukee. He would bring in these beautiful melodies along with descriptive lyrics. I feel very fortunate to have played on one of his records. I learned a lot about writing . Thank you Michael !
Was watching Michael Smith at the Shawano Wi folk fest. At the time i didn't know of him or the song. While I was sitting in the audience I noticed a lady a few rows down and I could see her tears flowing down her cheecks. Then I started listening closer to the words and realized the song was so powerful. I have loved this song all these years and the memory brings me back to the fest. Thank you Michael Smith. I now enjoy all his songs and this year he is back at the Shawano Fest. I can't wait. The dates are August 12,13 and 14 2017. Go and enjoy all the players like Anne Hills and many others. It is a low key well down friendly fest.
Thanks for sharing this Philip and I hope you enjoy the fest.
“True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It's always equal and pure. Without violent demonstrations: It is seen with white hairs and is always young at heart.” ― Honore de Balzac
"Love is the longing for the half of ourselves we have lost." -Milan Kundera
RIP, Michael.
AM 66, AND SEEN SEVERAL FREINDS SLIP AWAY INTO THAT WORLD, SEEMINGLY LOST. BUT I KNOW IN THE GREAT MORNING TO COME, WE WILL MEET AND GREET AGAIN LIKE OLD TIMES PAST.
To Robert dHond thanks for posting your beautiful video to go along with this song. Lovely.
Beautiful song 💛⚘
Some complain that the geography in the song is all wrong. Yes, Michael was never in The Netherlands. I was his love, his close friend, in high school, in Little Falls NJ. His father committed suicide and the whole student body of our Passaic Valley High School chipped in to buy Mike a guitar. We felt sorry for Mike and bought him a guitar to ease the suicide of his father when he was a mere 16 or 17 yrs. That guitar saved him and his father's suicide made him sensitive and he became a good song writer. I think the song was a wish that his parents could have lovingly stayed together in their old age. He had two sisters and a little brother and was the oldest son. It was so hard on him. There was no money to speak of. The song was all a poetic stretch and it's not wrong to point out the geographical mistakes. Yet, the song works because of the love story in it. We all wish we could grow old with a lover who cares gently for us and that is why the song is so appealing, even though the geography is wrong. The song wins over the geographical mistakes. I feel that Michael wrote others songs as good e.g. I Brought My father with Me Because I Couldn't Say Goodbye, Sister Clarissa, Demon Lover, We Become Birds When We die, etc., that don't have geographical mistakes. This was actually an early song of his that took off and made him the most money. The success of this song probably saved his life. It has a lovely melody and chorus that is easy to sing along.
Many thanks for your personal comment on this Daniela.
I grew up in Holland as a small child, and I don't mind the geographical "license" taken here one bit. I learned of this song from John Gorka's wonderful rendition of it. It's one of the most touching, poignant lyrics I've ever laid my ears on. Hard to listen without crying cathartic tears really. Thank you for the biographical background you shared, and I'm so sorry for your loss of your dear old friend.
@@markw4206 I agree. The geography doesn't matter. The song is poignant and lovely and it was Mike's MOST POPULAR song. He made the most royalties through the years on The Dutchman and many recording artists sang it, also. There are many renditions. I loved Micheal P. Smith, my first true love, and he can do no wrong in my eyes.
@@danielagioseffi579 Thank you Daniela for your wonderful and loving posts about Michael. I only got to see him play once in Eau Claire, Wisconsin around 1987. I got to meet him briefly. I love a bunch of his songs. When I first heard "We Become Birds" I listened to it over and over again about 30 times. So moving, so sublime. My other favorites are "Elizabeth Dark", which evokes the beatnik era so beautifully. "Lee Remick" is also wonderful and shows that his guitar work is brilliant. He was such a profoundly deep soul and it came out in his music.
@@williamgreenfield9991 Thanks for sharing these feelings about Michael Peter Smith's songs. He was a great folk and folk rock songwriter. The Dutchman made him the most royalities in his lifetime, and it was recorded by many other musician singers. His audio recordings are better than his UA-cam appearances from his older years, when his voice was more pliant. It became deeper as did mine. I love the songs you mention, also. He was a sensitive soul and that is why we bonded as poets in High School in The Pasaic River Valley of NJ. I've written and published many books of poetry since then and did some professional singing, and Michael moved to Chicago where he joined in he music circles there. Last time I saw him was when he came to my town NY City on Broadway with the Chicago Steppenwolf Theater production of Grapes of Wrath for which he supplied the musical score, and even played it with his guitar. I feel so sad not to have seen him in later years, so sharing with you HELPS. Thanks. RIP Michael, my High School Sweetheart. We kept in touch a bit by email.
'An old man in love is like a flower in winter".― Old World Proverb
“Love and relationships are truly one of the most paradoxical aspects of being human. For it is in love that we find the greatest of strengths and the deepest of sorrows. Love can seem to be so fleeting and unachievable, yet it remains well within our reach if we only learn how to embrace its power. To experience true love, we must be willing to open ourselves up and sacrifice part of our heart and part of our soul. We must be willing to give of ourselves freely, and we must be willing to suffer. It is only when we expose our inner selves to the white-hot flame of rejection, that love can burn so brightly as to join two souls, melding the two into one, creating a bond that joins forever. It is from this bond that we draw strength eternal and power everlasting. It is in this thing that we call love that we find the means to achieve greatness, both in ourselves and in our lives.” ~ Anonymous
"Love is a gift of one's inner most soul to another so both can be whole." -Buddha
Thank you for sharing this - great visuals as well. Thank you.
I miss you Steve
Thanks Psalm34
Beautiful rendition - but I still think Liam Clancy brings out all the love that's in this moving love song
Could we get a "LOVE" button on UA-cam? This is Mona Lisa walking down the street.
This song you played for me to fall in love with you. It worked...and I'll love you forever,the GOOD. You susituted my name,yes I'll remember the good gye,the one who I slept with the candle on,HOLDING HANDS..I'll never forget ever
“Love is the self-revelation of two souls. Sometimes it comes in a blinding moment in only one day, sometimes after a slow awakening of eleven years. God takes no cognizance of the timetable.” -
James A. Michener
Boop, Thank You for Loving Me!... Your broken toy, Will
“The stars are brilliant at this time of night
and I wander these streets like a ritual I don’t dare to break
for darling, the times are quite glorious.
I left him by the water’s edge,
still waving long after the ship was gone
and if someone would have screamed my name, I wouldn’t have heard for I’ve said goodbye so many times in my short life that farewells are a muscular task and I’ve taught them well.
There’s a place by the side of the railway near the lake where I grew up and I used to go there to burry things and start anew.
I used to go there to say goodbye.
I was young and did not know many people but I had hidden things inside that I never dared to show and in silence I tried to kill them,
one way or the other,
leaving sin on my body
scrubbing tears off with salt
and I built my rituals in farewells.
Endings I still cling to.
So I go to the ocean to say goodbye.
He left that morning, the last words still echoing in my head
and though he said he’d come back one day I know a broken promise from a right one
for I have used them myself and there is no coming back.
Minds like ours are can’t be tamed and the price for freedom is the price we pay.
I turned away from the ocean
as not to fall for its plea
for it used to seduce and consume me
and there was this one night
a few years back and I was not yet accustomed to farewells
and just like now I stood waving long after the ship was gone.
But I was younger then and easily fooled
and the ocean was deep and dark and blue
and I took my shoes off to let the water freeze my bones.
I waded until I could no longer walk and it was too cold to swim but still I kept on walking at the bottom of the sea for I could not tell the difference between the ocean and the lack of someone I loved and I had not yet learned how the task of moving on is as necessary as survival.
Then days passed by and I spent them with my work
and now I’m writing letters I will never dare to send.
But there is this one day every year or so
when the burden gets too heavy
and I collect my belongings I no longer need
and make my way to the ocean to burn and drown and start anew
and it is quite wonderful, setting fire to my chains and flames on written words
and I stand there, starring deep into the heat until they’re all gone.
Nothing left to hold me back.
You kissed me that morning as if you’d never done it before and never would again and now, I write another letter that I will never dare to send, collecting memories of loss
like chains wrapped around my veins,
and if you see a fire from the shore tonight
it’s my chains going up in flames.
The time of moon i quite glorious.
We could have been so glorious.” ― Charlotte Eriksson
“I loved her, not for the way She danced with my Angels...
But for the way the sound of her name could silence my Demons.”
Christopher Poindexter
Amen, Will
Narvel Felts does a great cover of this
A river, or creek, or stream have "banks"...not an ocean. Oceans have "shores." His way with words is still much better than most.
Beautiful song but obviously with mistakes made by someone who was never in The Netherlands. We don't have an ocean and Rotterdam doesn't really have canals. I don't know when this song 'plays' but the Zuiderzee is gone sinds 1932...
dumb remark. learn to live and listen between the lines rather than fussing over the facts (in your opinion). There is so much more out there in the world than you can know. Do you know how many influences were passed on through families in New Jersey (New York) that were related and connected to The Netherlands. I am sure you don't. Start reading up your history and begin to wonder and respect the way of singer song writing and please refrain from commenting from your petty little world egotistically believing you 'know' something.
*checks map* You don't have an ocean in the Netherlands? Ah yes, clearly every map ever printed of your landlocked country is a fake.
@@LukeMaynard hhahhahahahaha. our country only lies beneath sea (ocean) level for like 50 % or so. absolutely fake maps. hahahhaha actually could be true as we pinch the oceans back and make our land grow that way. :)
25 years ago or so I was working on my boat on a Saturday morning, and heard an interview with Michael Smith. He told the origin story of this song: he was a teenager whose sister was dating a Dutch young man. From this he wrote the song. I has always astonished me that he could have imagined these scenes as such a young person, and seen so far into a future that has now begun to happen in my life. I can't listen to this song without crying. Yes, I love Steve's version, but Michael's is so soulful and, as someone above said, prayer-like.
Yes, Michael was never in The Netherlands. I was his love in high school, in Little Falls NJ. His father committed suicide and the whole student body of our Passaic Valley Hight School felt sorry for Mike and bought him a guitar to ease the suicide of his father when he was a mere 16 or 17 yrs. That guitar saved him and his father's suicide made him sensitive and he became a song writer. I think the song was a wish that his parents could have lovingly stayed together in their old age. He had two sisters and a little brother and was the oldest son. It was so hard on him. There was no money to speak of. The song was all a poetic stretch and it's not wrong to point out the geographical mistakes. Yet, the song works because of the love story in it. We all wish we could grow old with a lover who cares gently for us and that is why the song is so appealing, even though the geography is wrong. But, it's not stupid of you to point it out. Thanks, but the song wins over the geographical mistakes. I feel that Michael wrote others songs as good that don't have geographical mistakes. This was actually an early song of his that took of and made him the most money.