The Dutchman by Michael Peter Smith performed by Liam Clancy, Robbie O'Connell & Donal Clancy

[rmm413c]

That's Liam's son Donal Clancy, a fine Irish guitarist, to the left of Liam. These three sang together often under the name "Clancy, O'Connell, and Clancy." Now that Liam is gone, Donal and Robbie still perform with each other (and with their cousin Aoife Clancy). They're billed as the "Clancy Legacy."

Thanks for the clip.

[MadDawg60]

I have been performing this song since 1971. I never tire of it and neither do audiences. I feel very lucky to have known Michael Peter Smith for more than 30 years and have sung many of his tunes over that length of time. Here is a man who can paint a picture with words, so brilliant in its colors and vivid in its portrayal of his visions, be they bent and scarey or soft and loving. A truer artist there isn't these days!

[dmzx3]

The author of this song is Michael Peter Smith, whose catalog I administer. It would be nice if you afforded him a credit in association with this clip. Thanks - DMZ, Bird Avenue Publishing-ASCAP

[murphicus]

@dmzx3

Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I have corrected it. Although Michael is credited in the comments, I did not update the other info. Cheers!

[Cankdtank]

RIP Liam! Our country has really lost one of our greats! I hope he knew how good he was, and how loved he was

[GrateStuff]

Gawd will be good to Liam the Bard..... the Poet. Heaven just got better......... Well done!

[glengara]

Lovely, RIP Liam and thank you for the music

[oldredracer]

I first heard this from Steve Goodman when I 'discovered' him a few years ago. Does it remind anyone else of Ronald and Nancy Reagan after his presidency?

[Funisnumberone]

Yes, VERY MUCH...a beautiful love story and she remembers him as a young man...I hope to be so loved and taken care of in my old age....we should all be so lucky...

[tcquinn1]

Absolutely wonderful!  Thanks for posting.

[opisdan]

cool!

kewl! xX

[edwardkent]

great singer....great song

[cromwellagain]

well, we are all learning. Thanks

[babybookworm003]

funny this song was written about shell shcck but is a perfect picture of the first stages of alzheimers to

[murphicus]

I did not know that. Thanks!

"The Dutchman" is a song written by Michael Peter Smith in 1968. It was popularized by Steve Goodman. At the time Smith wrote the song, he had never visited Holland.

The song is about an elderly couple living in Amsterdam, Margaret and the title character. The unnamed Dutchman is suffering from shell shock which he received during the war, while Margaret cares for him with a sadness over what has happened to him over the years. It's a story of unconditional love."

[murphicus]

...Covers

While Steve Goodman's cover version of "The Dutchman" is arguably the best known, the song has been covered by many other artists as well. Notable among these as Suzy Boggus, Liam Clancy, Norm Hacking, Anne Hills, John McDermott, The New Kingston Trio, Gamble Rogers, Tom Russell, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert

Michael Peter Smith (born 7 September 1941) is a Chicago, U.S.based singer/songwriter. Rolling Stone Magazine once called him "The greatest songwriter in the English language"...

[murphicus]

...He has been singing and composing since the 1960s, and his rich and challenging songs have been recorded by more than 30 performers.

Smith was born on September 7, 1941 in South Orange, New Jersey. South Orange was a rough-edged factory town and shades of it linger throughout his writing. He attended Catholic school as a child (Our Lady of the Valley and Our Lady of Sorrows in the Oranges), which would go on to shape much of his writing. A notable example is his song "Sister Clarissa."

...

[murphicus]

He had three younger sisters and they were the basis for his autobiographical play Michael Margaret Pat and Kate, originally presented at the Victory Gardens in Chicago. The play is Smith's story of his upbringing and family relationships surrounding his father's early death.

[happyness01]

Dear Murphicus, thanks for your words! You show an angle of the song that I did not understand! Thanks for taking the time to bring back the meaning of the words of the song.

[murphicus]

It's my pleasure - and a gem of a song.

Peace.

[GoodOldGar]

The Dutchman isn't shell-shocked, unless you want to believe that. That feature was probably invented by Liam Clancy. Michael Smith created the fictional Dutchman, and never gave a reason for his infirmities, other than just old age. . It's a song, not a history - this from Michael, himself.

[Egmond67]

@GoodOldGar I'm sure Liam was using the term shell-shocked as a metaphor and never intended it to be taken literally. Liam was a great artist who took a very lyrical view of life. This is a marvellous interpretation of a beautiful song.

[countyrosmuc]

great video. when was this?

[Maewynia]

Perfect love song, my favorite of all that Liam ever sang. And here, sung by 3 of the loveliest men I've ever known. Thank you, Murphicus, for sharing this. The awkwardness of the filming is nothing as the heart of the artists comes through perfectly. It will bless my heart for a very long time.

Maewynia

[andyfedel]

yeah, thats liam all right. wow.that guy is legendary. i did'nt even know he was still alive. i guess that was around 6 years ago. its an honor to watch him.

thanks.

[tamhamilton]

great song

[murphicus]

Also, I should mention, there were SEVEN stages of music going on at the same time... It would have helped if they had provided a "stadium Pal" to each guy too *L* Google: 'Sedaris stadium pal' for a hoot...

[aeceis]

Seriously, the audience.. wow

[murphicus]

I think that's what happens when the whole festival is the beer garden - seriously, there is no where that you could NOT drink! They may have even had a drive thru... *L* And, I should have been closer - but there were too many drunks in the way.

[aeceis]

Hah! But all those people getting up and leaving while he's singing... That's rude for any performer, but to do that to Liam Clancy?!

[murphicus]

I know... for me it would have been a tough call, whether to stay and listen respectfully or to pee my pants. Perhaps those wandering around are suffering the same condition as "The Dutchman"

[Molinard7]

Robbie, this Boston girl has ALWAYS loved you!

JM

[psalm8510]

rude audience...they obviously dodn't appreciate what they have there..