I have to say, I love Jennifer's version best. She IS one of the cowriters of this beautiful song, and the writer usually sings their own songs better then any cover artist. That said, Judy can do no wrong! This is beautiful.
Song of Bernadette - Leonard Cohen/Jennifer Warnes/Judy Collins (lyrics) There was a child named Bernadette I heard the story long ago She saw the Queen of Heaven once And kept the vision in her soul No one believed what she had seen No one believed what she heard But there were sorrows to be here And mercy, mercy in this world So many hearts I find, broke like yours and mine Torn by what we've done and can't undo I just wanna hold you, come on let me hold you Like Bernadette would do We've been around, we fall, we fly We mostly fall, we mostly run And every now and then we try To mend the damage that we've done Tonight, tonight I just can't rest I've got this joy inside my breast To think that I did not forget that child That song of Bernadette So many hearts I find, broke like yours and mine Torn by what we've done and can't undo I just wanna hold you, won't let me hold you Like Bernadette would do I just wanna hold you, come on let me hold you Like Bernadette would do
Robert Rooij, For the record, Judy Collins, who in my opinion, does the best vocal of this , did not write the lyrics. Leonard Cohen also gets a lot of credit, although he only wrote the first two lines when with Jennifer Warren, who wrote all of the rest of the lyrics. (Not too surprisingly, Leonard Cohen has never recorded or sung this). And Bill Elliot is the composer of the song who often goes uncredited (even by Judy here).
Just a note - the lyric "She saw the Queen of Heaven once" isn't accurate. Bernadette saw Our Lady a total of 18 times. Not true either, that "no one believed" what Bernadette saw and heard. Many did, and followed her every time she went to the Grotto, to pray , and be in the presence of the Lady, and Bernadette. Finally, Bernadette was an incredibly shy, reserved girl ... the lyric "I just want to hold you, as Bernadette would do" is not at all accurate. This song, beautiful as it is, gets Bernadette's story wrong on more than one point.
@@republimom You are right. There is an old beautiful picture from the famous book by Franz Werfel : ua-cam.com/video/6hLd8X5hiBs/v-deo.html I saw it as a child so many years ago ... I do not know if it is accurate but it is beautiful. All the best
When I was very young (pre-teen) our family went to Lourdes (from Ireland) It was a wonderful experience and I’ve always wanted to return. I remember every second of the visit.
LOVE this song. I do it acapella on my page. Wish I had music to go along with it. Judy Collins does it so beautifully as she does everything. LOVE her!!!!!
FROM mindheartspeak: Sung like an angel. magical! Quite moving! I love it :-) FROM monicasuetannehill: This voice makes me cry - and i don't even understand why. god, so beautiful. FROM johnandrew002: Heart wrenchingly beautiful. FROM c6h12b26: Hoping they know this song in Lourdes where lived Bernadette. Great, wonderful Judy, great song. Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes (who sings this song too) wrote a wonderful song.
FROM om92555: No one sings a Leonard Cohen song like Judy does. I love Bette Midler's version but this is beautiful. Especially the last note. Thanks. FROM folkfanforever: WOW! Thank you for sharing this with us. I had to wait a while until the tears stopped to write a comment. It is one of the best songs ever written being sung here by one of the most gifted vocalists ever. Thank you,=! Dave in SF, CA, USA
You can interpret it that way, of course. It can also be said that it's a song about compassion and generosity of spirit. In other words, there's something for secular audience's too.
For a better picture, watch the video in "High Quality." Click on the HQ box at the bottom of the viewing screen. Greetings from Beta-HiFi. Glad you are watching!
The source of this wonderful song is of course the Franz Werfel's book (a great picture was done from it after) written in German and translated in so many languages. Franz Werfel made a wish in Lourdes and as it was accomplished he kept his word and wrote the book as soon as he reached the USA. So the song of Bernadette being, " epic canto " written by Franz Werfel was not sung until Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes did it so wonderfully. Great thanks again for providing this great Judy Collins' interpretation which I love, too.
FROM gregorvonkallahan: This is a remarkable interpretation. Judy performed this song live in a concert I attended back in the mid 90s. I was stunned. More recently I've come to love Jennifer Warnes version(s). Both are remarkably subtle singers. It's probably futile and foolish to speak in terms of "the definitive version." Each artist worthy of the name will bring something different to the table--that's what makes it such a feast.
a favorite song, beautifully sung and played by Judy. For those who feel the need to compare with Jennifer Warnes' beautifully sung original version, the only problem with that one is there isn't a decent (tech) quality version of it on youtube. just a vhs transfer of her late 80s debut of it on the second Smother Bros tv show and sorta scratchy recording of the vinyl. Both artists do it wonderfully and one of them co-wrote it/ the primary songwriter. imho
@@marcusconeys thanks. There’s also now a better video of Jennifer singing it live on tv in 1988 or 89. It’s still a vhs transfer but it’s cleaner and more watchable imho. I saw that late 80s telecast when it was first broadcast and immediately fell in love with this special song, rushed out and bought her Famous Blue Raincoat album
There's a lot of stiff competition in the field of covering Leonard Cohen, and Judy has never been bettered. (Then again neither has Jennifer Warnes.) But Judy also excels in the more densely populated arena of interpreters of Bob Dylan's songs - with brilliant versions of Mr. Tambourine Man, Bob Dylan's Dream and Dark Eyes to name but three.
Brendan Barry That's what was so disappointing about Odetta's tribute to Mr Dylan. Voice, talent and remarkable skills on the guitar and somehow the disc wasn't up there with Ms Collins's and Ms Baez's. I have a feeling that had she recorded it while she was still at Vanguard rather than RCA Victor Maynard Solomon would have done what Jerry Wexler did with Aretha--left her alone to sing.
Not really a Leonard Cohen song, he apparently helped Jennifer with the first 2 lines as she wrote the lyrics in a tourbus as they went through the south of France in 1979. Bill Elliot wrote the music. I’m glad having Leonard’s name attached to it perhaps has helped Song of Bernadette get more recognition and listens. It’s been one of my very favorite songs since I first heard Jennifer sing it on tv in 1988 or 89.
I think Judy has a much better voice than Jennifer. I love both versions of this song. However, rightly or wrongly I felt that Jennifer actually was believing what she was singing and that is why I am more moved by Jennifer's version.
FROM taddyd1: Anne Murray and Composer Jennifer Warnes also sing beautiful versions but JC's is my favorite. FROM dagga36: I know its all subjective, but Jennifer Warnes version is THE version for me ;) FROM: allieokley: That may be - but nobody can touch Judy's version of priests and most importantly her triumph - joan of arc.
She screwed up the lyrics: 'We mostly FALL, we mostly run', and 'That child, that SONG of Bernadette'. It's called, 'Song of Bernadette. Why do singers do that? Do they think they cna write better lyrics than the original??
Judy has a crystalline voice but she can't interpret the lyrics as composer Jennifer can for it's her story. Too bad Judy didn't honor Jennifer in her introduction as a singer songwriter rather than "a woman".
February 11, 1858...the Song of Bernadette lives on...
I have to say, I love Jennifer's version best. She IS one of the cowriters of this beautiful song, and the writer usually sings their own songs better then any cover artist. That said, Judy can do no wrong! This is beautiful.
So moving, I love you!!
Judy makes ya love her. Never tire of hearing this voice and her musicality.
So touching song & am crying 😭just known how good Judy Collins sing her voice wow as in wow
What a rendition.Fantastic.
I was just commenting on Jennifer Warnes version of the song that she sounded like Judy Collins - perfect for Judy, glad I got to hear her rendition
A beautiful voice and a perfect song. Judy Collins is the best.
Song of Bernadette - Leonard Cohen/Jennifer Warnes/Judy Collins (lyrics)
There was a child named Bernadette
I heard the story long ago
She saw the Queen of Heaven once
And kept the vision in her soul
No one believed what she had seen
No one believed what she heard
But there were sorrows to be here
And mercy, mercy in this world
So many hearts I find, broke like yours and mine
Torn by what we've done and can't undo
I just wanna hold you, come on let me hold you
Like Bernadette would do
We've been around, we fall, we fly
We mostly fall, we mostly run
And every now and then we try
To mend the damage that we've done
Tonight, tonight I just can't rest
I've got this joy inside my breast
To think that I did not forget that child
That song of Bernadette
So many hearts I find, broke like yours and mine
Torn by what we've done and can't undo
I just wanna hold you, won't let me hold you
Like Bernadette would do
I just wanna hold you, come on let me hold you
Like Bernadette would do
Robert Rooij, For the record, Judy Collins, who in my opinion, does the best vocal of this , did not write the lyrics. Leonard Cohen also gets a lot of credit, although he only wrote the first two lines when with Jennifer Warren, who wrote all of the rest of the lyrics. (Not too surprisingly, Leonard Cohen has never recorded or sung this). And Bill Elliot is the composer of the song who often goes uncredited (even by Judy here).
Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville do a lovely duet, too. Great song.
Alas this song is still unknown in Lourdes where lives Bernadette ! Excellent ! Great thanks !
Just a note - the lyric "She saw the Queen of Heaven once" isn't accurate.
Bernadette saw Our Lady a total of 18 times. Not true either, that "no one believed" what Bernadette saw and heard. Many did, and followed her every time she went to the Grotto, to pray , and be in the presence of the Lady, and Bernadette.
Finally, Bernadette was an incredibly shy, reserved girl ... the lyric "I just want to hold you, as Bernadette would do" is not at all accurate.
This song, beautiful as it is, gets Bernadette's story wrong on more than one point.
@@republimom You are right. There is an old beautiful picture from the famous book by Franz Werfel :
ua-cam.com/video/6hLd8X5hiBs/v-deo.html
I saw it as a child so many years ago ... I do not know if it is accurate but it is beautiful.
All the best
When I was very young (pre-teen) our family went to Lourdes (from Ireland) It was a wonderful experience and I’ve always wanted to return. I remember every second of the visit.
LOVE this song. I do it acapella on my page. Wish I had music to go along with it. Judy Collins does it so beautifully as she does everything. LOVE her!!!!!
FROM mindheartspeak: Sung like an angel. magical! Quite moving! I love it :-)
FROM monicasuetannehill: This voice makes me cry - and i don't even understand why. god, so beautiful.
FROM johnandrew002: Heart wrenchingly beautiful.
FROM c6h12b26:
Hoping they know this song in Lourdes where lived Bernadette. Great, wonderful Judy, great song. Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes (who sings this song too) wrote a wonderful song.
beautiful post !
Not seen this before. Really beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Please listen to " It's not too late the writers". Thank you.
Wow. Jennifer Warnes owns this but this is so close. Stunningly beautiful.
FROM om92555:
No one sings a Leonard Cohen song like Judy does. I love Bette Midler's version but this is beautiful. Especially the last note. Thanks.
FROM folkfanforever: WOW! Thank you for sharing this with us. I had to wait a while until the tears stopped to write a comment. It is one of the best songs ever written being sung here by one of the most gifted vocalists ever. Thank you,=! Dave in SF, CA, USA
Beta Hi-Fi Archive
Judy is great, but Jennifer Warnes' version is very good too.
Nice to see an artist from back when singing a song about a Saint and Faith..We don't dare see this anymore!!!
You can interpret it that way, of course. It can also be said that it's a song about compassion and generosity of spirit. In other words, there's something for secular audience's too.
For a better picture, watch the video in "High Quality." Click on the HQ box at the bottom of the viewing screen.
Greetings from Beta-HiFi. Glad you are watching!
The source of this wonderful song is of course the Franz Werfel's book (a great picture was done from it after) written in German and translated in so many languages. Franz Werfel made a wish in Lourdes and as it was accomplished he kept his word and wrote the book as soon as he reached the USA. So the song of Bernadette being, " epic canto " written by Franz Werfel was not sung until Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes did it so wonderfully. Great thanks again for providing this great Judy Collins' interpretation which I love, too.
Thank you for this story - I didn't know this before.
Thank you, sir, for this background information - peace
FROM gregorvonkallahan: This is a remarkable interpretation. Judy performed this song live in a concert I attended back in the mid 90s. I was stunned. More recently I've come to love Jennifer Warnes version(s). Both are remarkably subtle singers. It's probably futile and foolish to speak in terms of "the definitive version." Each artist worthy of the name will bring something different to the table--that's what makes it such a feast.
Both versions are amazing. Thanks C6H12B26. I didn't know about Franz Werfer's book.
a favorite song, beautifully sung and played by Judy. For those who feel the need to compare with Jennifer Warnes' beautifully sung original version, the only problem with that one is there isn't a decent (tech) quality version of it on youtube. just a vhs transfer of her late 80s debut of it on the second Smother Bros tv show and sorta scratchy recording of the vinyl. Both artists do it wonderfully and one of them co-wrote it/ the primary songwriter. imho
There’s a digitally remastered version now.
@@marcusconeys thanks. There’s also now a better video of Jennifer singing it live on tv in 1988 or 89. It’s still a vhs transfer but it’s cleaner and more watchable imho. I saw that late 80s telecast when it was first broadcast and immediately fell in love with this special song, rushed out and bought her Famous Blue Raincoat album
This was over 20 years ago.....
I wish Joan Baez had given this song a try, but you can't have everything. We have Jennifer's, Judy's and Anne's versions.
There's a lot of stiff competition in the field of covering Leonard Cohen, and Judy has never been bettered. (Then again neither has Jennifer Warnes.) But Judy also excels in the more densely populated arena of interpreters of Bob Dylan's songs - with brilliant versions of Mr. Tambourine Man, Bob Dylan's Dream and Dark Eyes to name but three.
Brendan Barry
That's what was so disappointing about Odetta's tribute to Mr Dylan. Voice, talent and remarkable skills on the guitar and somehow the disc wasn't up there with Ms Collins's and Ms Baez's. I have a feeling that had she recorded it while she was still at Vanguard rather than RCA Victor Maynard Solomon would have done what Jerry Wexler did with Aretha--left her alone to sing.
Not really a Leonard Cohen song, he apparently helped Jennifer with the first 2 lines as she wrote the lyrics in a tourbus as they went through the south of France in 1979. Bill Elliot wrote the music. I’m glad having Leonard’s name attached to it perhaps has helped Song of Bernadette get more recognition and listens. It’s been one of my very favorite songs since I first heard Jennifer sing it on tv in 1988 or 89.
I think Judy has a much better voice than Jennifer. I love both versions of this song. However, rightly or wrongly I felt that Jennifer actually was believing what she was singing and that is why I am more moved by Jennifer's version.
Watch out Jennifer, Judy is coming!!!
If you love Judy Collins. Check out my book Wendy Sayvetz ,Judy Collins, and Joan Baez - the beauty of folk music. Audible and Kindle by Richard Shaw
Judy Collins was one of my favorite artists of the era. I will check out your book. Thanks
Beautiful version, but I still prefer Jennifer's.
she left out the most poignant words...hearts being broken......
Hey, she sang a good song. Don't be too hard on older people if they aren't "perfect". Try doing this when you are over fifty! Remember the good. K
FROM taddyd1: Anne Murray and Composer Jennifer Warnes also sing beautiful versions but JC's is my favorite.
FROM dagga36:
I know its all subjective, but Jennifer Warnes version is THE version for me ;)
FROM: allieokley: That may be - but nobody can touch Judy's version of priests and most importantly her triumph - joan of arc.
She screwed up the lyrics: 'We mostly FALL, we mostly run', and 'That child, that SONG of Bernadette'. It's called, 'Song of Bernadette. Why do singers do that? Do they think they cna write better lyrics than the original??
Grow up bub - ever here that mistakes is what makes us beautifully human?
@@mysource11 Except in this case, she butchered the most poignant line in the whole song. Poor.
Judy has a crystalline voice but she can't interpret the lyrics as composer Jennifer can for it's her story. Too bad Judy didn't honor Jennifer in her introduction as a singer songwriter rather than "a woman".
@FatherJeffrey '...a much better voice than Jennifer'?? Excuse me? What planet did YOU grow up on??
Never, never, ever mock the voice of Judy Collins
@@mysource11It's a bit reedy here, though. Warnes' version blows this right out of the water.
And none of them can hold a candle to the version recorded by Barbara Dickson
she forgets lyrics and has big hair