Warren Zevon- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner (cover by Lauren O'Connell)
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- Written by Warren Zevon and David Lindell
Arranged/performed/produced by Lauren O'Connell
New album (including this song) available here: laurenoconnell....
Or get all of my music here: ow.ly/f4jIn
Also on iTunes, Amazon, and other places.
Published in 2013 but now everyone is seeing it because of the Mercs in the Congo. This is why the internet is still great.
I got me a tattoo of Roland and got mad respect abroad from the natives. I am not sure if I ever saw Mercs in the Congo but I have seen clips of 5 Kommando and read Mercenary by Hoarse.
Where can I watch the documentary this was in?
@@Dingoman013 The Guns for Hire - Mercenaries in the Congo, its a youtube video
@@Dingoman013 ua-cam.com/video/jDGDw4GWcf4/v-deo.html
@@Dingoman013 the full documentary is called "africa addio", italian documentary from the 60's
I was on a US merchant ship in 1976. I went up the Congo river. There were mercenaries everywhere. It was like the bar in Star Wars. Every type of person was a mercenary.
Sounds like an interesting time to have visited africa with all that going on
When Call of Duty wasn't invented yet but you just needed that thrill
Joke aside, may the memory of the brave and the fallen never waver. For every Warrior, no matter the side they fought for, is still human.
@BANG BANG BANANAPANTS BANANA-PANTS should have tried Central America in the 80s now the term is Contractor
@@christopheclugston Free lance soldier. Self-employed gunman. Gunslinger LLC.
@@wbwilhite not in Central America, those terms weren't used. Merc, hired gun that was used
I see we've meet here all together by MajorSamm.
I am totally guilty, but how does that make her feel? I mean, i would be happy that my song reaches a bigger audience that way.
But i can also imagine that this isnt what she anticipated and is not really happy with everything people writing here.
My friends declare me as a fruitcare for being fascinated by mercenaries.
@@juliusraben3526 Yes
Yes, from 🇧🇪
Thanks for him
@@juliusraben3526 I understand but I mean. She made a great cover of the official Mercenary song.
My grandad was an Irish soldier who served in the Congo in the 60s. He's long dead now and my dad just passed too. This song reminds me of them.
May they rest in peace
@@fgordon5575 I see that you are a self sufficient citizen that eats his own shit.
@@fgordon5575 the IRA would like to know where you parked your car
Fair winds and following seas
Respect to your grandad and all the Irish peace keepers who served in the Congo. I highly recommend the film The Siege of Jadotville to anyone who wants to learn more about these soldiers. I'm an Irishman and very proud of the fact that the Irish Army are only in other people's countries as peacekeepers.
Thank you MajorSamm for using this song and thank you Lauren for singing it!
Heard this song from watching the documentary of Mercs in the Congo and I just had to find out who sang it. Simply amazing talent!
Me too. This is a better version that Warren Zevon. Much better even tho i like Warren Zevon.
Me too, ahahahhahaha, incredible xD
Russians did it!
what documentary, I would like to see that
odin vik , the guns for hire, mercenaires in the congo.
Story behind the song:
Zevon met co-writer Lindell in Spain, where the latter was running a bar after a stint working as a mercenary in Africa.[3] Always interested in the darker side of life, Zevon decided to collaborate with Lindell on a song about a mercenary.
The fictional character Roland is a Norwegian who becomes embroiled in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War and Congo Crisis of the 1960s-the lyrics mention the years 1966 and 1967, which correspond to the mercenary-led Kisangani Mutinies after the Congo Crisis. He earns a reputation as the greatest Thompson gunner, a reputation that attracts the attention of the CIA. Roland is betrayed and murdered by a fellow mercenary, Van Owen, who blows off his head. Roland becomes the phantom "headless Thompson gunner" and eventually has his revenge, when he catches Van Owen in a Mombasa bar and guns him down. Afterward, he continues "wandering through the night". Other violent conflicts of the succeeding decade are said to be haunted by Roland, including Ireland, Lebanon, Palestine, and Berkeley, California. At the end of the song, Patty Hearst, and her stint as Tania of the Symbionese Liberation Army (as memorialized by several photos published nationally of Hearst holding an automatic weapon) is said to have "heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun and bought it."
Thanks for the backstory on this song
ty
Fucking genius . Like the song didn’t say exactly that
You just rewrote the lyrics...
‘The Wikipedia’ is strong in this one....
The contrast of your gentle voice and what the song decribes.....
Malyssa Martin been to Africa four times in the military. Can be like the other UA-cam video that uses her cover.
ua-cam.com/video/jDGDw4GWcf4/v-deo.html
I know, right? That counterpoint is what makes it so compelling
@Dopa Hkiin And you sir, have completely missed the point with your romanticisation of war and its atrocities, well done.
Then again, whoever uses "maiden" unironically is so stuck up the past stories' arse that there is no hope of dislodging them anymore.
I fought alongside the Kurds in the YPG to help them fight ISIS. I'm not a combat junkie, I'm not a psychopath or a killer even though I had no issues killing the evil men who were trying to kill me and my brothers. War is one of the most aesthetically pleasing things I have ever experienced..there's beauty in the chaos...nothing makes me more proud than when I look back and think about the impossible situations we ended up and looking around at my guys, the western volunteers,.there.was a group of us from.America and Canada that spoke english on a unit together and we spent our entire time.over there in the same unit together, we were attached to another SDF unit that were all Arab. I think back to a situation where we were.surrounded and in serious danger of having our position overrun, the local Arab milita guys got scared, some fled, some froze in fear and sat in the stairwell praying, or so stricken by fear they were almost catatonic and unresponsive, but my self and my guys still had our guns up.fighting and bringing it to the enemy, and i.remember being so proud of.my.guys and coulsnt also.help to.think of how cool.these guys were. We were in life or death situation and these guys operated like.professionals,.no ones freaking out, we are.all.calm and shooting and communicating. And the beautiful.thing.about.this situation that brings me to.tears is that we werent.fighting to.save ourselves. we were.fighting to save each other. I was fighting and would of fought to.my.last.bullet and willing to die fighting to keep my brothers alive, and my boys were doing the same. We were all willing to fight until our last bullet and we were willing to give our lives to save the guys to the right and left of us. That's love.
Your voice is haunting and beautiful. Your rendition of this ballad is unique and worthy of acclaim. I know Warren hears it in heaven and stands applauding you. From and old professional soldier and an even older Warren Zevon fan, thank you!
_"Haunting"_ is a good description!
English is not my native language _(nor have I ever been to an English speaking country)._ So I missed a words to perfectly describe her voice.
By _"haunting"_ you nailed it!
I think her cover is by far superior to the original. Music wise.
But of course the great lyrics _(although I don't think "helping out the Congolese was a true intention)_ were written by Warren and without him this version wouldn't even exist.
Do you know the clip were someone pieced scenes of the documentary_"Africa Addio",_ that covered the topic of mercenaries in the Congo, together and made this cover here the soundtrack?
It just fits perfectly!
Here:
ua-cam.com/video/jDGDw4GWcf4/v-deo.htmlsi=QxZ_uzCfV5aZvYn7
You have to click through around five warnings, before you can finally watch the clip.
The original Italian documentary _"Africa Addio"_ is also worth a watch. I think it's available here on UA-cam.
She is a fraud. She is doing playback!
old FMF Corpsman and older Zevon fan concurrs
Hardly anyone covers "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner". Hell, hardly anyone even knows it. I asked a fellow Warren Zevon fan, (who's almost as old as I am,) if he'd heard other covers and he replied, "Nope, and - having heard this one - I reckon all other covers are superfluous." He's dead right. All power to your elbow miss, you've absolutely nailed it !
For the record- I love this cover. I bet that Warren Zevon would be proud of this one
Yea, he was an unhappy alcoholic ass. I doubt anything made him happy.
I saw a solo Warren Zevon show in the mid 1990's. A guy was downtown handing out free tickets so the next night a group of friends and I went to see him. It was all acoustic with Zevon playing piano, guitar and the small crowd standing within arms reach of him up on stage. It made me a true fan of his music when I really hadn't been one before.
He was a brilliant performer, and an even more brilliant songwriter.
Such a shame that most people know him only for "Werewolves," when there are so many other tracks that leave that one (fun, clever, and catchy as it is) in the dust.
Tip a drink out for him every now and again; we owe him.
You are a very fortunate person. 👍👍🙏🙏
Rest in peace, Roland, you glorious bastard!
for the record, I watch this at least once a month. for the past 6 years.
Doesn’t happen very often, but once in a while you hear a song that you just never want to end. I think this cover is much better than the original, which is pretty rare. Nobody really makes lyrics like this anymore either. Great work!
Honestly it is SO much better than the original. In my opinion this is the only version that truly conveys the spirit of the story.
@@diogeneslantern18 Warren was a genius.
@@diogeneslantern18 I prefer this version too, however can't ignore Zevon for writing it in the first place..
I liked the original better it felt more guttural
WOW!!! That’s one helluva statement bro, you sure you’re ok ?
Haunting rendition of a haunting song.
"Haunting" is a good word for both.
You said it perfectly, bro ...
Young lady, you are as good as anyone heard on the radio today. Or better. Much better!
totally agree. Talent
Holy Jesus! She is way more better!
Considering the 'audio vomit' we're enduring as 'top 10' here in the 20's, this is MAGNIFICENT !!!!!!!!!!!
♥ your work Miss L !!!!!!!!!
Simp
The only thing wrong with this performance is the lyrics need to be sung by someone with low voice. Like Warren Zevon, for instance. Still, she gives it a good try.
ive been listening to this version for like 3 years. has anyone told you its better then the original? because i think so
Me too.
When I was growing up I'd swipe my older brothers copies of Soldier of Fortune magazine, mid 70's issues. They still had advertisements for mercenaries in them. I've always been fascinated by 'guns for hire' and the conflicts in Africa involving mercenaries. Tales of treasure, glory and fame. This cover is haunting, excellent rendition.
This song will be forever in my heart, reminds me a lot of my time in the French Foreign Legion. This is a beautiful cover, very nicely done
U still celebrate Camaroon Day Legionaire?
Well done Legionnaire I support the veterans
this is a pretty special rendition. Goes so well with old archive footage from the 70´s.
This song deserves way more views!
Ikr
Screw the critics. I loved it. I've listened three times today.
Probably the single greatest cover of the Thomspon Gunner ever produced. Thankyou.
You took at masterpice and made it even better. Huge respect from Denmark Lauren 🇩🇰
Hilsner fra sønderjylland
My Dad was a combat Veteran in Veitnam. In 66 - 67 ..with the 11th Cavalry. Same years those men fought in the Congo War. You have a beautiful Voice your rendition of this tune is fantastic.
I'm part of the 11th cav today, its cake today man , cant imagine what those dudes went through.
I was also 11th ACR, the dudes from 'nam I met at the blackhorse reunion were pretty rad
Your dad was a veteran, but now he’s a legend. Thank God for men like him.
Love the original but I actually rate this cover higher.
She's very talented.
Yes, I like this version better as well.
This is great!
which documentary?
@@chavzone probably "mercenaries in the Congo" or a similar one
I know you uploaded this video 5 years ago, but I found it today and holy smokes this is amazing. Thank you for this amazing cover of an amazing song.
Young lady, this is so excellent, in so many ways....
I bought this Zevon album when it came out, a few years before I joined the Corps. It's nice to see another generation enjoy his music. Some of which was very strange lol.
Even better when it's performed so well.
Thank you.
SomeJarhead
Her voice is perfect for this song.
I came across this song by accident but since I found it, I listen to it daily. I like it better than the original. It offers me a lighter way to think of dark incidents.
Thank you.
My friend there is no light way to think of dark things. War is war and the first rule of war is that people die, right or wrong it doesnt matter. All that matters is you survive, and make the other guy doesnt. Mercs are soldiers that fight for the highest bidder
What problems do you have that the Biafran war makes them ligher? Please, do share.
I love Warren's version. But this is unbelievable! Wow! So good!
The original is better it’s classic zevon
@Tyler Lee
Same here, I found it and love it.
I'm usually not much for UA-cam covers, and this is one of my favorite Warren Zevon songs of all time. But you have done him justice and created such a beautiful and powerful arrangement. I can never look at the original the same way again. You are truly talented, thank you for sharing that talent and this contribution to real music. God bless.
Well said, bro ; couldn't say better...
@@Gilou seconded 😍
What a strange song to cover, I don't know what made you decide to do it but I'm glad you did.
Probably because it's an incredible song.
@@Farmer_Maggot yeah like all Zevon songs, my favorite is desperados under the eaves check it out if you didn't already knew it
Cuz it is a great song.
This is the greatest version of this song I think can ever be. I cry deeply, richly, heartfelt... every. single. time. I can't tell you how impressed I am with your performance and desire to cover this and unabashedly spread the word of the horror of war. Your ear and your delivery on this is one for the ages. Thank you.
The voice matches the eerie lyrics perfectly. It makes me happy to hear the beauty, and at the same time sad knowing all the pain this song represents.
I listen to this at least once a week. When a cover is better than the original, you know you are listening to someone special.
This version is better than the original - her gentle voice is in perfect stark contrast to the subject at hand! This will go down in history as one of the greatest folk performances of all time! Thank you Lauren O'Connell!
Its so good. I think you are right on.
Perfect stark contrast.
She's fantastic, but not better than the original.
perfect hu , heard a lot of music in my time , this is very good
She's great, but please, nothing tops the original
Thank you for remembering the "Old Guard" that, like the Wild Geese, fought for whoever would have them. when soldiering was a profession. For some of us, it still is and always will be. Semper Fi.
Saw Roland in Kharkiv - he was bloodied.
This might be the best cover of a track I've ever heard
Warren Zevon wrote the right lyrics but sang them wrong. The way you sing it you can actually imagine the deep jungles of Congo and the pressing heat. Thank you for making the song the way the song should have been
Johnny Terror Congo is a bloody miserable place to be mate
Send lawyers guns and money. There's no doubt Waren knew the way of the world.
Amen!
Ahem you need to be cultured
I don't what makes a song a hit, but I sure do know a hit when I hear one.
This is such a song
Talent. Don't let jealous trolls get you down. You got the talent.
Really loved your cover.
Here here, beautifully done Lauren!
Bold song choice. I'd never before heard a credible cover, but you really nailed it. You hit the sweet spot that nearly all covers miss--keeping enough of the original in place to create a steady link back to the original, yet injecting enough of your own vision to make it fascinating. Awesome job!
Hello I am forever grateful to have heard this song my great grandfather was a merc in the Congo from 1963-68 thank you for making this beautiful song
Best Cover of this song.
This is one of my favorite songs, and this is the only cover I will ever approve of, it's truly incredible. And you served as your own band, you're a badass.
Such a beautiful version.
Thank you Lauren O’Connell.
God I miss Warren Zevon.....
A moment of appreciation for MAJORSAMM for bringing such an incredible story and time to light for so many people
60s was a golden age for mercenaries, warriors can find their fortune on exotic battlefield.
Endless conflict
s in third world countries backed by capitalism and communism powers.
exactly. what a time to be a mercenary that was
@@schurup2994 yayyy a decent salary and a ton of trauma!
@@manfrombritain6816 you could avoid the vietnam war though, and considering how brutal that war was, being a mercenary sounds more appealing
@@sumvs5992 The pay for mercs was a lot better.
@@schurup2994 Ex SADF and Rhodies still worked as mercs for Sierra leone , liberia and Now Nigeria.
I CAN'T FUUCKING GET ENOUGH OF THIS SONG
Have you listened to the original
wonder if he has gotten enough of the song by now yet
This is on my morning music playlist. I look forward to it popping up every time. Great take on this classic. You’re awesome, I hope you are well and know you are appreciated. Likewise to all you in the comments who associate this song with time in the service, thanks for who you are and all you have done. Prayers for you and all who worked so hard for this great republic.
I like the song, and this version also, but I can't imagine waking to it every day.
Can't help but think about my time in the Legion, this song awakens the memory of living as a Merc. If only I could turn back the hands of time...
Foreign legion?
Siegfried Müller?
The song gives me the chills for some reason the voice pierces my mind in an unique way a great song keep it up respect from Scotland 🏴
"He didn't say a word" .. because he had no head.
*black man taps own head smiling*
Oh shit Sherlock!
astute observation, friendo.
@@jefrywashere8755 you forgot a comma
Warren wrote songs that really had a unique character, they had a lot of beauty and timelessness in them; almost mythic. I'm happy to see that people are still interested in him and making covers. He should not be forgotten, way to underrated.
great song,, only song ever done about the congo war of 56- 60,, have loved this song ever since I heard it as a kid
i heard this version and i had to find where it came from, ive listened to this so many times i love it
Thank Majorsamm for my being here.
I keep coming back, I can't get enough of this song
both beautiful and talented! ..i listened this girl long before majorsamm
I don't know if anyone is still hear, but a fun story for you guys. The producers of Jurrasic Park 2 were fans of the song and made a character named Van Owen, who removed the shells of another characters gun, who was named Roland. Roland himself was from Mombasa
I read about this trivia somewhere too. Didn't remember that detail about the shells. Cool fact.
wow thats a neat bit of Trivia.
This song just give me chills, thinking about my millitary service, everything just comes back, the bad, but mostly my commarades and the good parts, even though I was no mercenary. Amazing talent how you made this song be grim and joyful at the same time.
I was fortunate enough to see him and meet him live in three tiny venues. In my top ten 1970's artists and arguably the greatest singer songwriter of all time. This young lady does this song and Warren justice.
They have the voice of an Angel.
Awesome. Greetings from Norway
Are you headless by any chance? And coincidentally own a "Thompson"?
Ha det bra!
@@conradscroggins2841 Hei hei
🇧🇻
I love your voice. I feel like you draw out the darkness of the song more directly, whereas Warren sort of highlights it with the juxtaposition of the song's dark tone and his own manic energy
You should try doing a cover of I Was Only 19.
Yess
Fuck me boyo, I had this exact thought.
Agreed.
AGREED
That'd be haunting
Your cover of this song captures the eternal gost warior spirit with perfection.
A great rendition of this timeless song, it speaks to the all soldiers out there, missing their friends who didn't make it.
Holy moses! I think this beats even Zevon!
SgtKashim blasphemy
whu whu whauat? nah fam
It's pure autotune trash.
@@Gaaxure what? You have no clue what autotune is. Her voice is layered in it at least twice with the reverb kicked up.
Her haunting voice gives the story an eerie effect. It really is good.
Came here from a documentary about the 5 Commando in the Congo. Amazing song, great talent! The part at 1:40 is mesmerizing
A huge Zevon fan and this version is amazing. Thanks.
this song broke tears,, greetings from Denmark
my best friend used to play this frequently, recently he said he wants nothing to do with me.
So long and godspeed my friend!
I was on a Zevon kick and came across this cover. I subscribed within seconds. What a dazzling rendition, I love the arrangement, harmonies and you performed it with a lot of emotional depth with is rare. Amazing job!
Nicely Done. You do the song well. From a former Thompson Gunner....Drive On.
ilnodon where did you fight?
"Drive on" You must be an Irish Thompson Gunner?😂
No Name "Drive on" was a common saying among U.S. troops during the Vietnam war.
@@MrEpeeFencer It's also a common saying among the Irish, many of which were mercenaries during these times.
Tom Jones I suspect the saying existed in one form or another in most English speaking militaries at the time.
It's amazing to me that this one song can make you one of my favorite musicians, but it's true. Love from PDX.
Warren Zevon......god bless his soul
Roland the headless Thompson gunner......
Send lawyers, guns and money
The shit has hit the fan
Just came from Major Sam and had to see who sang this beautifull cover song. Well done.
I wouldn't think that someone could have changed the sound of that song as much as you did and make it sound so beautiful. It's just as good in its own right as Warren Zevons version.
Jesus girl, how can you sing so eloquently my fucked up head ❤
I got fkd up in 2005 but my head hasn't stopped fighting.
My step father fought through Rhodesia in the late 70's and early 80's I hated him but he made me the man who fought through the FRY or Balkans conflict and Kuwait and Iraq eventually disabled out in 05 after an effective ticket and mortar attack.
My body stopped being able to fight long before my mind.
This song brings me to tears almost every time I hear it.... genuinely.
We are meant to die, like Roland, not live to be old (55) men.
If you ain't been there trust me you'll never understand the true value of this song.
From the song I found the old film about the mercenaries, I was professional all the way, but my step father and his friends fought these wars throughout the 70 's and 80s, tough men, like you'd never believe, their stories made me prepared for what I witnessed and, and what I did.......
Thank you for making the madness make sense for 3 minutes and 43 seconds
Peace
Charlie 🇬🇧
Salutes to you fellow warrior bother.
Incredible cover - my favourite version by far! Thanks for all the work you put into this.
This song made me look into where all of this came from. This is a brilliant tribute.. to all.
Such an awesome song and so aptly used in the tribute to the South African boys in brown, I was one of them Thank you
This is simply amazing! Your voice just gives me chills (and I was a former military contractor, so I relate deeply to the song).
Are you also a vindictive wronged spirit?
"I got better" - Monty Python
Now this is going to be stuck in my head the whole time I'm in the bush battling the Bantu to their knees, raw talent right here, better than the original
This is the best rendition of this song. So soft but raw.
They don't come along often, but every once in a while, the cover rocks your world!
Amazing!!
My favorite song...
Wish I could go back to Congo.
In what BF or CoD was there ever a mission in Congo? Or are you referring to Metal Gear Solid ?
Don’t be so ignorant, it’s not funny, it’s just disrespectful. Judging by his picture and what he has said, it seems he may of actually been there. If indeed, it is the truth, I hope you have found your peace. From what I’ve seen of that conflict in documentaries, it looks horrendous.
@@pmolqrcd3370 maybe he went there on for a holiday
@@Vara91391 You shouldn't just assume everyone on youtube is a 12 year old, theres no age limit to using youtube.
He's taking the piss
7 CIA Operatives listened to this song....
Allegedly
I have no independent recollection of what you say...
They glow in the dark.
glowies
rolland wants too know there location
Majorsamm sent me. great stuff
How come this song is not a world big one ! ?
The last song Zevon ever performed. A song of dying but somehow still living. A song of immortality. Last tv appearance on Letterman is on YT. This cover is very good.
That Congo video with this song is amazing!!!
This is amazing. I had never heard of this song until recently hearing this version in the Congo Mercenary video. I then went and listened to the original but I wouldn't give it a second listen. This version has been on repeat for weeks though.
Major Samm brought me here. I came, I saw, I liked...
This song reminds me of my friend Linley Van Vuren. From South Africa. How are you chap? So many scars and sleepless days and nights. Brings me inspiration as well as terror. That's all i can muster right now.
Amazing. And of course it was MajorSamm that brought me here. The last of the hard men being sung about. But this song made it bring a tear to my eye. My father and two uncles fought in WW2 and father in Korea as well. So when I watch video like that it reminds me of him and my uncles. Many of those men were in WW2 and still fighting in the 60s. Talk about being gristled. Ya just don't see that in today's weaterners. I'm not sure that's a good thing. Sometimes men need a little grit.
I heard this song in that video about the mercenaries in the Congo. It is very beautiful. I am blown away to find out that you play all of the parts Lauren! So good!