Robert Duval singing "If You'll Hold The Ladder (I'll Climb To The Top)

[msmithstud]

i have the soundtrack to this movie. This song is without a doubt the hightlight.

[lebarosky]

No, no people: what the nice person was saying about Godly virtues is that these people, although they go off the rails, especially when wasted, they hark back to a certain attitude toward rectitude that used to be called "God fearing." It's not a bad way to live, ya know, and it really has zip to do with organized religion.

[beesleeper]

Duval has done the same performance over and over and over

[beesleeper]

can we stop pretending robert duvall is a good actor soon ?

[airborneassasin]

@beesleeper

You my friend are an idiot... Robert Duval is one of the greatest actors to ever bless the big screen , small screen and stage. You truly need to watch more REAL movies and stop watching computer generated crap.

[AlenaJolie]

@beesleeper You should see Robert Duvall in the movie, Tomorrow. He was incredible, including his amazing Mississippi accent.

[SongzBIG]

He is BEAUtiful :)

[barku3]

Son of bitch! i wish i was at that joint right now! love it.

[emncaity]

One of the greatest films (for adults) of the '80s--and (I still can't believe this) I got to spend a bit of time with the writer, Horton Foote, when he came for a graduate film symposium where I was a low-level staffer, but happened to be right-hand guy to the man in charge, who also happened to be both a professor and a really good friend....

[emncaity]

@emncaity

Foote--who also wrote To Kill a Mockingbird and Baby, the Rain Must Fall, among others--helped Duvall get his first big break, as Boo Radley in Mockingbird. Just a super-nice old fella who had no reason in the world to talk to just another student, but he did, at length, and more than once during the conference.

[brandy138]

Thank you foe the info. Did he not write the songs also?

[waondererable]

i love this song.......please hold the ladder

[brandy138]

@waondererable Only if you're female and wear a short skirt

[realpin1]

cerco il testoe gli accordi per chitarra del brano: IfYou'll Hold the Ladder, cantata da Robert Duvall nel film Tender Mercies. grazie tante.

[rodjames98]

Any chance of an upload with enhanced volume? its very quiet on different pc's

[micmoable]

I liked this movie when it came out in early eighties---Duval did great job of singing this song--such a sentimental song----and the memories of my aunt and cousins back then come to mind--such good times

[micmoable]

Such a good song--I remember seeing this movie at my aunt's and cousin's house--brings back such memories----ROBERT DUVALL IS A VERY TALENTED ACTOR-------------BRAVO!!!

[micmoable]

Really cool song--I remember when this movie came out----I watched it with my aunt and cousins---a good one for sure----such memories I have of then

[pharmfarm59538]

Country music is the soul music of North America......not they can put that in their pipe and smoke it.

[countrynuno]

great movie

[beauty8116]

I just watched the over rated CRAZY HART and it sent me to watch some clips of this understated and authentic film Tender Mercies! What a brilliant performance and film.

[Tabby0127]

One of the best movies that ever came out! It was on TCM here in the past couple of days and I didn't know it was on till about middle of the way through. They don't make good movies like this anymore.

[taprea54]

he actually sang this .cool!

[panheadgreg]

Thanks for the clarification on the author of the song. I love this rendition, for some resaon thinking that Duval penned it..

Apologize for not doing some deeper research, and thank you for the post.

[panheadgreg]

One of my favorite songs. Duvall wrote it and sang it in this classic. His nod to Merle.

Happy Birthday, Hag. Please enjoy the simplicity and nuance in this GREAT country song.

[vidstuff007]

@panheadgreg

The song was written by Buzz Rabin and Sarah Busby. However, it was recorded by David Allan Coe and here by Robert Duval

[4614busby]

@panheadgreg as a matter of fact My Mother and father wrote this song together, he is Buzz Rabin (stage name) , and her name is Sarah Busby. My name is Sean Busby. My mother passed away several years ago and I miss her dearly.

[4614busby]

@panheadgreg as a matter of fact My Mother and father wrote this song together, he is Buzz Rabin (stage name) , and her name is Sarah Busby. My name is Sean Busby. My mother passed away several years ago and I miss her dearly.

[4614busby]

@panheadgreg as a matter of fact My Mother and father wrote this song together, he is Buzz Rabin (stage name) , and her name is Sarah Busby. 

[polekat86]

@panheadgreg I agree with you,i play guitar and sing this was one of the first songs i learned to sing. i am no duvall but i dont do to shabby,lol i would love to record it.

[goback3spaces]

I'll never forget Dolly Parton's reaction when Duvall won the Oscar for this movie. It was touching: a real country star validating an actor's interpretation of a country star.

[golden999girl]

country = the ONLY music.

[vidstuff007]

For you, fine.

It's a small part of the mix for me.

Although I enjoy pizza not for every meal!

[TheGreatZurEnRaah]

country = the worst music known to life

[Frickit]

@TheGreatZurEnRaah is joking, of course, how else to explain this stupid remark, but no one is laughing. Country music is right up there with baseball, Chevrolet and apple pie as Americana.

[TheGreatZurEnRaah]

TheGreatZurEnRaah is not joking. I checked this out because I do like Robert Duval and discovered that he won an oscar for his character in this movie. When I typed in the title of this movie in Youtubes search bar this scene came up and I clicked on it HOWEVER!!! I hate country music and think it's the worst music ever created.

[Frickit]

What part of country music don't you like, is it the words of love, hope and redemption, or perhaps you've missed the good humor in much of it. What do you know of music, notes and measures, for example, are universal, it's neither dissonant nor discordant, the time in a country tuned waltz is the same as in the most sophisticated rendering. In 1950 Tony Bennett recorded Cold Cold Heart and it broke boundaries, others followed, music is music if it stays in your mind, Cold Cold Heart does.

[TheGreatZurEnRaah]

I guess I just don't get into the lyrics about pick up trucks and beer and shotgun racks and the family dog and woking out on the farm. I don't get into the music it's boring and not able to inspire one ounce of.....well anything within me I just sit there listening to it hoping for it to end. My country music goes as far as Johnny Cash. And I like him because his music had a rhythm to it that sounded like a locomotive and the subject matter of his lyrics were so profound and had so much depth.

[Frickit]

Good one. I first thought you were serious when you were just trying to get a rise of someone and I bit. "...rhythm like a locomotive", I bet you were thrilled by the story of the little engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can:.

[msmithstud]

after years of looking for this soundtrack, which is out of print, I finally found a cassette on ebay. This song is definitely the highlight besides ''over you''.

[dariorflores]

I hope the new film "Crazy Heart" with Jeff Bridges holds up like this one did. By the way, Duvall appears in this one.

[dariorflores]

One of the greatest films I've ever seen. Duvall at his best. I only wish there were more close ups, particularly in the garden. And in my opinion, he should have sang wings of a dove when he was at the window after his daughter left. This was great era in country music.

[old64goat]

That was a great movie and a great song.

[WrenRon]

this is excellent thanks for posting!!

[phantomvector]

Tender Mercies was released in 1983. I've watched it dozens of times (including a few minutes ago) and still weep during certain scenes. It is one of the best films I've ever seen! Given how tender it is and respectful of Godly values, it's a miracle that it was ever made! Kudos to Robert Duvall and Tess Harper!

[furayfaithful]

Hi Phantomvector...You're helping restore my faith in the flim public. At times, I think I'm in the only one out there shouting 'this is the best film I've ever seen!' The funny part is, one thing that made it great was the struggle/conflict between Duvall and Beresford which led to unusual understated camera work and acting. The 'on the wings of a dove' scene is one of the bvest two actor scenes on film..IMHO..of course.

[brandy138]

@phantomvector I totally agree! Vrey few films like that one anymore. Duvall and Harper should have been best actor/actress that year

[pixiebell0910]

@brandy138 Hi there, Robert Duvall did win Best Actor actually and the film also won Best Screenplay at the Oscars that year. This is one of my favorite films too. Both this song and the scene where Mac teaches Sonny how to play the guitar in the kitchen are some of the best.

[MrGrevy]

@phantomvector Godly values?? Like alcoholism lol religious wacko!

[Jahrass7]

makes me want to see the movie...never liked country music but the story is real

[xxmcneilxx]

to bad this isnt on itunes or a cd : /

[furayfaithful]

Hi there, It's great this was posted. The great song, The Ladder Song, was written by Buzz Rabin and Sarah Busby. However, it was recorded by David Allan Coe.

[vidstuff007]

@furayfaithful

Thanks!

I'll add the info.

[1812joyce]

Robert wrote the songs in this movie. One of my favoriite movies.

Thanks for the video

[IRP01]

I must say this wonderful film ages very well

[Drewtazy]

yup...he sure did!

[deadpen69]

Great Movie !! Robert Duvall is a national treasure

[scarpiax]

loved the movie- and david allan coe is a good songwriter

[jaymajo]

What is the name of this film?

[vidstuff007]

"Tender Mercies"

[Bo618]

beautiful song great movie thanks nana toni

[magdasolgerd]

thank you ! i have never forget this movie, and this song, very good

[gratefulghost]

I love Robert Duvall in this movie!!

[ireload2]

I looked for this when I first found out about youtube and was not able to find it.

It stinks to have to dig out a VCR tape to see it.

Thanks for posting this.

[vidstuff007]

You need to get the DVD of the movie - or rent it on Netflix/Blockbuster.... great extras with interviews of the actors - great stories about the making of the movie...like how Robert Duvall came to Allan Hubbard (Sonny's)home to his birthday party and gave him a guitar... "Sonny" - now teaches guitar.

Lots of great stories and memories of the making of Tender Mercies on the DVD Extra

[ireload2]

Thanks vidstuff007

I will do that.

This a top 10 movie for me.

[sloblee]

This soundtrack was released in the 1980s but never re-released.

[appstaterebel]

I like this movie because it has an excellent message. Parts of the movie are sad, such as Mac's self-destructive behavior and scenes related to his daughter. However, there are parts of the movie that are uplifting, such as Mac cleaning up, getting on his feet (with the help of his new wife), singing again, and getting saved.

[berit542]

awsome song wow

[mackles73]

Thanks so much for posting this!! I've looked for ages for the soundtrack, so I went ahead and taped this. It's that good!

Does anyone know where I could find this soundtrack...if there was ever one.

[vidstuff007]

You're welcome! It's a great movie - and an amazing performance. I with it had a full track of "On The Wings of A Dove"

There is a converter that you can download for free at vixy [dot] net - that will let you save an mp3 of the sound - or the whole clip in a mp4 file. There is also an on-line version, but the "vixy beta" is better. You just need to restart it after each conversion.

[BelovedRogue]

Mackles73: I have the LP soundtrack. Post your email.

[sloblee]

There was a soundtrack released but it was never re-released on to CD.

[carpentersfan1]

I have been looking for someone to post this song from this movie forever!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Love this movie and this song in it is the best. Thanks again for posting this song from a great movie!!!

[broncose1]

I saw the movie this song is in and loved the movie and song.5*****'s and thanks to poster and thank you J.T. Shirley

[oldcountrytunes]

Certainly not bad for a hall of fame actor that is not known for singing. Thanks for sending it, JT.

[jtls8]

An incredible video*****Thank you for posting.

[mauriceshoup]

were can i find the lyrics- its great

[milohotii]

I love this VIDEO~!!!!

[jimdandy2499]

Beautiful song. I may be in high school but I can sure appriciated and great song and movie when I see one:) I love watching this move with my dad he loves it so much:) Thank you so much for putting this up:) I wish that I could find that sweet clip of him sing "Wings of a dove" though. Wonderful movie:)

[Gsquirel]

This definately rates as one of the top ten performances. I love this movie, and Robert Duvall's performance is beyond words.

[vidstuff007]

By the way, I just corrected the title - and credited it to the writer, the great David Allen Coe:

If You'll Hold The Ladder (Ill Climb To The Top)

David Allan Coe

[doolandartt]

Cool!

[doolandartt]

I think he just may be my favorite actor. Loved Broken Trail ! I wish I could get a vid of him singing "On the Wings of a Dove".

[vidstuff007]

There is a very short clip in Tender Mercies"... I'll work on it...

[doolandartt]

Robert Duvall..............incredible man!

[vidstuff007]

Yup! No argument here - From "The Great Santini" to M*A*S*H, even the small part in "Sling Blade" - he becomes the character.

If you have not seen the DVD extras in "Tender Mercies" see it out. He produced it too - and it's an interesting story how the studio just messed up big time in not promoting it.

I love this movie to bits!

Betty Buckley is amazing too...