This man gets tons and truckloads of respect from me and every other person that ever heard him sing his songs or playing live on stage , Hey Joe, you are the man
I raised a grey rooster I named Gallo 'de cielo " the rooster from heaven" and he didn't lose for a long while except to a intruder a dog.. he lost to the dog.. my heart was broken but he was still the rooster from heaven!!!
lived in the shoes of carlos my whole life , living for the next score. now with a couple years of cancer battle under my belt I can relate to the glory of the fight and the next one because I'll win until life drives me into the sand
Heard this on knon 89.3 Dallas TX my grandparents fled from villa and although I am vehemently against cockfighting this beautiful song makes my imagination run wild
The Mighty NON... It used to be the only place to get Our Kind of Music in DFW back in the 90's. Friday nights with Little John and Boone were a treat.
Listened to this song on road trips with my dad when I was a kid. Brings back a lot of good memories. Beautifully written song that I appreciate even more now as an adult.
The best Cockfighting song that you will ever hear. I always recall Joe playing this song live on stage in the later 1970s. Now as I drive by “Kentucky fried chicken takeaway shops I drive by at full speed, yet I hear them fighting roosters crowing
I’m no fan of cockfighting. Nor dog fighting, or bear-baiting, for that matter. I have no desire to watch animals maim or kill each other solely for sport. I am, however, exceedingly fond of a good old-fashioned folk tale; especially when the yarn is spun by a master troubadour, in the form of a traditional ballad. Such was the way legends were born, in the days of the bards, as history was delineated in melody & rhyme, from generation to generation, and embellished along the way for good measure. Although not from his own pen, “Gallo del Cielo” is expertly rendered in this recording from dexterous balladeer, Joe Ely, as the self proclaimed Panhandle Rambler transports listeners through the cockfighting dens of the Southwest, and up into Northern California. Kick off your boots, sit back and enjoy the fabled journey of the “Rooster of Heaven”.
I hunted as a kid, and let me tell you, there is nothing more exciting than seeing 2 bucks fight in nature...i agree its fucked up to MAKE animals fight, but seeing it in person is exhilarating, i cant lie
I don't care for any animal abuse, but....what a story. A great dream that comes crashing down. A great story has a great hero and a great villain. Gallo del Cielo is a true hero, taking on all comers and winning but the fighting takes a toll. He fights valiantly but his wounds are too deep and even though he's the better fighter, he crashes to the sand, never to rise again. The villain is Carlos and like great villains he believes what he does is the right thing. But he loses everything and must fade away in disgrace. A great story and Joe brings it to life better than anyone. Every time I hear it, the tears come.
I live this life! It is so sad and so true! Rooster of Heaven!!! This is so triste!!!! How can we Viva in la vida with this triste!!! Gallo de Cielo Rooster of Heaven! The curse upon the bones of Pancho Villa!!!
Only Joe could sing this tune believably! Great tune, typical cowboy prose, nutty and super-dramatic with a rooster as the hero ha ha! And no.....he didn't EAT the rooster, for those of you who take everything literally. Nobody eats a rooster EVER!
I'd point out that the lyrics don't say, literally, that he ate the chicken. But "I buried it last evening with the *bones* of my beloved Del Cielo" certainly hints that the rooster's bones were all that was left. Roosters are chickens. People eat chicken. _Carlos ate that chicken_.
I'm going to have to agree with you here, since he had no money you probably had to eat the chicken for food. There is one other possibility though. What if he buried the rooster first and then buried the locket sometime later after the rooster and turned into a skeleton.
I haven't had games for over twenty five years, still remember almost every pitting of all my fine feathered friends. Their is a place in heaven for all, warriors included. Nothing more proud then a true game bird,,, Joe Ely does good in his tribute.
I always feel so sorry for the rooster with the broken beak. It it weren't for this ,Carlos would have won the money, or would this captor still continue to gamble ? Probably so. Sounded like a loser from the start. But this all adds to the ambiance of this great song.
I guess that it's all in how you want to interpret the song. I like to think of Saragosa as a man who had nothing, and who devised an impossible scheme to achieve an impossible dream. Of course he failed. He was trying to do something that couldn't be done. A romantic hero in the most tragic sense.
The rooster is symbolic of Carlos, who risked everything to overcome what his family suffered. The savagery of the cockfight reflects the brutality of the Saragosa family circumstances in Casas Grandes.
My favorite part of this song (when I first heard it, I burst out laughing): "I buried it last evening with the bones of my beloved del Cielo..." Of course, he ate the chicken. What else could he do, after losing all his money?
In Philippines (jungle justice) it’s punishable by death in some cases depending who is the sabangero victim of theft and where it was stolen. Especially stealing a legendary one eyed prize fight chicken as wicked as Gallo Del Cielo…. Carlos got off easy. Karma’s a bitch but that picture framed in gold was good luck after all
JENNY COOPER clearly you don’t listen to Marty Robbins much, Marty has always had a ton of Tex-Mex influence in his music like El Paso, El Paso city, and Felina all three about the same song the later two were after the original El Paso. But that’s just my opinion. I like this version better than most of the others. Haven’t heard of the one by the guy you mentioned but I will look it up. Who knows you may have led me to a new artist!
I think Ian Siegal sings it too fast, It is a Tom Russel song and I like his version as well as Joe's. Tom Russel sings it more like a Mexican Corrido.
Comparing the two versions everyone is doing here, I will have to say that this version is much more real for me. The Spanish and the other one isn't right which detracts from the song. And the Tex-Mex celebration feel is just wrong for that song.
Listen to the Canadian original and you might get an understanding of the song. With respect Joe Ely is a hack and this is like hearing Perry Como sing Hotel California. Tom Russell (with feeling!)
I kind of disagree. As a lifelong Boland fan, maybe my favorite red dirt artist of all time, I've heard him lkay this solo many times but when introduced to Joe's version it blew me away. Much better than Boland's but thats just an opinion. Love them all
Only a legend can have 3 generations listening to music introduced to me by my grandmother. And now my children listen to him.
I fully agree with you
Another gem. This man deserves more respect. John Hiatt and Joe Ely tell you stories. Lost art.
Absolutely correct
I'd also include Guy and Townes on your list.
This man gets tons and truckloads of respect from me and every other person that ever heard him sing his songs or playing live on stage , Hey Joe, you are the man
@@jamesbradshaw3389 don't get it twisted.As great as Ely is this isn't his tune.Its a Tom Russell cover.
AINT IT FUN BEING FROM TEXAS!
I raised a grey rooster I named Gallo 'de cielo " the rooster from heaven" and he didn't lose for a long while except to a intruder a dog.. he lost to the dog.. my heart was broken but he was still the rooster from heaven!!!
Them grey's. Are hard to beat.
Mean, bad dog, why did you kill the great grey fighting rooster who was king of the world in his town
lived in the shoes of carlos my whole life , living for the next score. now with a couple years of cancer battle under my belt I can relate to the glory of the fight and the next one because I'll win until life drives me into the sand
Heard this on knon 89.3 Dallas TX my grandparents fled from villa and although I am vehemently against cockfighting this beautiful song makes my imagination run wild
The Mighty NON... It used to be the only place to get Our Kind of Music in DFW back in the 90's. Friday nights with Little John and Boone were a treat.
KNON - Voice Of The People ! Making the world a better place to live one song at a time !!!!!
One of the best story tellers out there. Him and John Haitt take you right along with them.
Ely does a great job on this Tom Russell cover.
AINT IT FUN BEING FROM TEXAS.
Listened to this song on road trips with my dad when I was a kid. Brings back a lot of good memories. Beautifully written song that I appreciate even more now as an adult.
Did we have the same father..?
Same here.
Must be triplets
Great song! This song has it all, desperation, suspense and failure in the fear of it. What a story song I love story songs.
This song is art and this version is quite magnificent. A masterpiece.
A travesty that so few people have heard this.
Them's the breaks.......
I'm sharing the recording on my Facebook page because I agree with you, that more folks need to hear this.
Us Texans know who wrote it and all the folks in Texas who covered it.
Joe, I moved to south Florida for love. Listening to you sure makes
me feel less homesick for Texas.
You should move you and your love back here to the great state of Texas!
i miss texas also
You made the right decision. Don't fret.
I LOVE HIS POETRY AN MUSIC AN ITS A BEAUTIFUL SONG PROUD VERY FINE
Love this! Absolute best song story teller!
Tom Russell wrote this and his version is donee more Tex-Mex Border style.
AINT IT FUN BEING FROM TEXAS!
Man, you are absolutely stunning too! If your not from the Lonestar State you should be.
Willis Alan Ramsey
"Northeast Texas Women"
HAPPY LISTENING!
Saddest song that I have ever heard and I'm 68. I play this upon my spanish guitar, but I cry as I play and cannot speak, let alone sing it.
This sing makes my heart sing.The very best song I've heard in yeeeaaarrrsss !!
Thank You !! Rosie
we are doing poetry in my english class and im turning this in as extra credit
i hope it was an english class in TEXAS!!!!!!!
Haha California my dude. I was born in texas tho
So , how did you do ?
Six years ago they would have suffered the death of a chicken for art .
Now ?
Jason Boland and the Stragglers covered this song very well.
This song is a masterpiece.
I'm still on the hunt for the best version of Gallo Del Cielo.
For my money Jason Boland's version is the bet to date.
The best Cockfighting song that you will ever hear. I always recall Joe playing this song live on stage in the later 1970s. Now as I drive by
“Kentucky fried chicken takeaway shops I drive by at full speed, yet I hear them fighting roosters crowing
Glad to call Joe a friend.
I’m no fan of cockfighting. Nor dog fighting, or bear-baiting, for that matter. I have no desire to watch animals maim or kill each other solely for sport. I am, however, exceedingly fond of a good old-fashioned folk tale; especially when the yarn is spun by a master troubadour, in the form of a traditional ballad. Such was the way legends were born, in the days of the bards, as history was delineated in melody & rhyme, from generation to generation, and embellished along the way for good measure.
Although not from his own pen, “Gallo del Cielo” is expertly rendered in this recording from dexterous balladeer, Joe Ely, as the self proclaimed Panhandle Rambler transports listeners through the cockfighting dens of the Southwest, and up into Northern California. Kick off your boots, sit back and enjoy the fabled journey of the “Rooster of Heaven”.
WHY YOU GET YOUR SPIRITS MIXED UP IN A CULTURE THATS NOT FOR YOU BENDICIONES I PRAY FOR YOU
I hunted as a kid, and let me tell you, there is nothing more exciting than seeing 2 bucks fight in nature...i agree its fucked up to MAKE animals fight, but seeing it in person is exhilarating, i cant lie
My favorite version of a Tom Russell classic, viva la ranchera
How I love Joe Ely's songs and his wonderful renditions.
I don't care for any animal abuse, but....what a story. A great dream that comes crashing down. A great story has a great hero and a great villain. Gallo del Cielo is a true hero, taking on all comers and winning but the fighting takes a toll. He fights valiantly but his wounds are too deep and even though he's the better fighter, he crashes to the sand, never to rise again. The villain is Carlos and like great villains he believes what he does is the right thing. But he loses everything and must fade away in disgrace. A great story and Joe brings it to life better than anyone. Every time I hear it, the tears come.
Beautiful story telling words, and great music to go along with this exciting tale of a rooster.
I live this life! It is so sad and so true! Rooster of Heaven!!! This is so triste!!!! How can we Viva in la vida with this triste!!! Gallo de Cielo Rooster of Heaven! The curse upon the bones of Pancho Villa!!!
I saw them do this at Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara. Unforgettable!!!
Here is my favorite song!
a great album/cd masterpiece
Saw Joe and the amazing Tye play this live in NYC in 1995. Unforgettable and sensational.
One of my favorite story songs
Love his music. Genius
Happy birthday to the great Joe Ely!
Love this guy and this song.
Wow....no words..
Great song! Great performance!
Damn Joe. Heck of a song. Masterpiece
Until today I had only heard Ian Tyson sing this song but have to admit this too is brilliant. Great song with great lyrics
finally on youtube, wonderful song. Thanks for posting.
I put it all on the "Spurs of Gallo del Cielo"
Only Joe could sing this tune believably! Great tune, typical cowboy prose, nutty and super-dramatic with a rooster as the hero ha ha! And no.....he didn't EAT the rooster, for those of you who take everything literally. Nobody eats a rooster EVER!
I'd point out that the lyrics don't say, literally, that he ate the chicken. But "I buried it last evening with the *bones* of my beloved Del Cielo" certainly hints that the rooster's bones were all that was left. Roosters are chickens. People eat chicken. _Carlos ate that chicken_.
I'm going to have to agree with you here, since he had no money you probably had to eat the chicken for food. There is one other possibility though. What if he buried the rooster first and then buried the locket sometime later after the rooster and turned into a skeleton.
I eat rooster and I ain't broke.
Ever!
They do in the Philippines...chop up a Lechon so you can't see the wounds
I subbed!❤️ awesome story teller I can’t wait to hear them all! You got me hooked!!!!❤️❤️❤️
Epic perfromance from an Epic entertainer! (and his band)
awesome tune ,
Does the scar upon my brother's face turn red when he hears mention of my name?
From embarrassment
@@MasterWayfinder or anger - or both!!!
I haven't had games for over twenty five years, still remember almost every pitting of all my fine feathered friends.
Their is a place in heaven for all, warriors included.
Nothing more proud then a true game bird,,,
Joe Ely does good in his tribute.
masterpiece
I remember staying at his ranch in oak hill..whatta a cool place and cool guy
ciello was 1brave rooster thanks joe
Nice song
my life as it were
I have been at many rooster fights in NM and Mexico.
Love it, far better than the Tom Russell version.
No toms is better but his is awesome
Best chicken song ever.
I guess
Chicken town by jon , sorry forgot surname. Is a good chicken song
I always feel so sorry for the rooster with the broken beak. It it weren't for this ,Carlos would have won the money, or would this captor still continue to gamble ? Probably so. Sounded like a loser from the start. But this all adds to the ambiance of this great song.
I guess that it's all in how you want to interpret the song. I like to think of Saragosa as a man who had nothing, and who devised an impossible scheme to achieve an impossible dream. Of course he failed. He was trying to do something that couldn't be done. A romantic hero in the most tragic sense.
A classic element of tragedy that all heroes have their "Achilles heel".
The rooster is symbolic of Carlos, who risked everything to overcome what his family suffered. The savagery of the cockfight reflects the brutality of the Saragosa family circumstances in Casas Grandes.
Excellente' SENIOR.
+Ax Player Senor maybe?????
Teye is who makes this version classic!
Everyone is thinking it but nobody is saying it....
Yeeeebaaaa, Yeeeebaaaa, Yeeeebaaaa!!!
The roosters give me money, but, the women take it away!!!
DemigodZera 😂
sirvame otro trago,cantinera!!
My favorite part of this song (when I first heard it, I burst out laughing):
"I buried it last evening with the bones of my beloved del Cielo..."
Of course, he ate the chicken. What else could he do, after losing all his money?
You couldn't make gravy out of that bird.
There's no way he ate his bird man he had way too much respect for it. Burying the bones is just an expression for burying something.
This is a way of life like playing baseball between two towns roosters live to fight !!!!!!!
In Philippines (jungle justice) it’s punishable by death in some cases depending who is the sabangero victim of theft and where it was stolen. Especially stealing a legendary one eyed prize fight chicken as wicked as Gallo Del Cielo…. Carlos got off easy. Karma’s a bitch but that picture framed in gold was good luck after all
very very willy deville
+claudiotheram rather pure Joe Ely
❤️🐔
only ian siegal can sing this song with any conviction this sounds like marty robbins gone tex mex
JENNY COOPER clearly you don’t listen to Marty Robbins much, Marty has always had a ton of Tex-Mex influence in his music like El Paso, El Paso city, and Felina all three about the same song the later two were after the original El Paso. But that’s just my opinion. I like this version better than most of the others. Haven’t heard of the one by the guy you mentioned but I will look it up. Who knows you may have led me to a new artist!
morgan marty robbins was a lot of things but not tex mex hope you liked ian siegal its prenouced seagull
I think Ian Siegal sings it too fast, It is a Tom Russel song and I like his version as well as Joe's. Tom Russel sings it more like a Mexican Corrido.
Great song, but every time I listen I get annoyed that he buried his sister’s locket instead of sending it back to her.
Yes you make a good point in your comment, Hello Irene how are you doing 👋👋👋
Song reminds me of Bernie Sanders.
Walter Williams hell no you ruined it
Comparing the two versions everyone is doing here, I will have to say that this version is much more real for me. The Spanish and the other one isn't right which detracts from the song. And the Tex-Mex celebration feel is just wrong for that song.
I curse Zorro!
Team nato rule the British Isles
I eat roosters
Listen to the Canadian original and you might get an understanding of the song. With respect Joe Ely is a hack and this is like hearing Perry Como sing Hotel California. Tom Russell (with feeling!)
Johnny Bitter joe ely a hack! At least we have heard of him
Nigga this rick dunham song
jason boland did it a little better but this is definitely great
I kind of disagree. As a lifelong Boland fan, maybe my favorite red dirt artist of all time, I've heard him lkay this solo many times but when introduced to Joe's version it blew me away. Much better than Boland's but thats just an opinion. Love them all
Please listen to the original. This version is horrible.
You’re a bitch
Ya