JOAN BAEZ ~ Silkie ~

[intziadis]

Nazim Hikmet wrote the original poem

[johnnugentiscool]

He may have claimed to have written the melody but for the past couple of hundred years here in Scotland we have known that both melody and song come from Orkney.

[Hicksie52]

Wonderful tune...it was also used by The Byrds on their remarkable 'I come and stand at every door' track on '5-D'.

[RebeccaFoxMusic]

I very much enjoy performing this tune. 

[bananemitschale]

I think about a 100 of the 13000 views are mine

[4footcadence]

This makes me think of my mystical wonderful sons...so much more than mortal

[frantodonnell]

I've been listening to Joan Baez sing this since 1965 and I am still not tired of it. Wonderful. My first ever botfriend used to play it so thank you Tim Moss for introducing me to it.

[luckyvanna]

When I bought the LP in 1962 and listened to this song, I had no idea what Joan was singing about, but it sounded so good!!... YouTube brought to life for me.

[ftcmoa]

i have loved this song for 40 plus years. The movie ONDINE reminded me of that. still amazed by Joan Baez..thank you

[williedb47]

Beautiful song. Nadine

[Kaughphie]

My mother sang this to me as a bairn; this and many other songs.

[HunterstonB]

It's a Scots, particularly Island tradition that some people can change into Seals - 'Silkie'.

Joan Baez mother was Scots, and most of her singing is in that tradtion, particularly the use of 'grace notes'

[59Ruda]

A haunting song sung by a woman with one of the most beautiful voices ever recorded. I am sad that Whitney Houston died, but her voice was not THE most beautiful voice recorded. In my opinion the most beautiful voice ever recorded that made it into the mainstream is Joan Baez. She kept true to herself and did not destroy her voice.

[soaringvulture]

This song has the same power now as when I first heard it on Joan's eponymous album in 1960 (Oh, and that was some album. Everything on it was incredible). Her perfect voice and intonation make it unforgettable.

[arakeoftunes]

This melody was composed by my father in law, James Waters, who lives in northern Vermont. The lyric is a traditional poem that he set to music, and if you have a look at the Joan Baez Songbook, published in 1964, she credits him with composing the music.

[sqccccccccc]

@arakeoftunes Thanks!

[welshbean3]

so glad i have come across this woman, amasing

[sobebabes]

This song has a power and beauty that I cannot explain. Joan's performance is amazing!

[elanajolee123]

this song makes me think of my father , who sometimes disappoints me but i will always love and appreciate him just as i do my mother.... it also reminds me of my beautiful lovely half brother, miguel, i miss him so much and i know that one day he will be brought back to me... i will always and forever love him no matter what happens he will always have a place in my heart forever and always. i promise him that and i would die for him if needed... i took him for granted; i will never do again..

[elanajolee123]

this song makes me think of my father and how much i love him even though sometimes he can be a disappointment i still love him.... it makes me think of my hard working mother and how she drops everything to care for me and to make me happy... and last but not least it makes me think of my beautiful lovely half brother, miguel, and how i miss him so much and it helps me know that one day we will be together again... i love him so much forever and always no matter what happens always & forever...

[bbbartolo]

Thanks for posting this. Last time I looked, no one had. One of her most haunting songs.  :-)

[skrinkle2000]

thanks im always searching for this song,my mom used to play this record.

it reminds me of Karan casey's "she is like the swallow" another beautiful woman's balad

[skrinkle2000]

Im always searching for this song!My mom used to play this record. Yay!

[luckyvanna]

Thanks,Scout4Me1, for putting this song back up! I've really missed it after it was taken down.

[frantodonnell]

This was the first song I learned to play on guitar. A simple set of cords but it meant so much to me. Joan Baez, the best!

[Calliuz]

A far more haunting version is executed by Maddy Prior on her 1999 Ravenchild album - unfortunately that tune isn't to be found on YT (yet)

[meltzerboy]

@Calliuz And don't forget Judy Collins' haunting version on her second album.

[Calliuz]

@meltzerboy

Unfortunately - at least in my book - her version doesn't even come close to Prior's. Have you found time to listen to Maddy's rendition of The great silkie of Sule Skerry?

[Andrea2354]

One of my all time favorites. A few years back I saw a beautiful sailboat with the name "Silkie" emblazoned across her transom. Kicking myself for not thinking of that name for our boat. Love love love Joan Baez.

[Scout4Me1]

Yes, Joan sings it so beautifully. Thank you for your comments. Take care and have a great New Year!

[manomet58]

her voice is haunting and uniquely beautiful...Silkie is a perfect vehicle to display her incredible talents.

[Scout4Me1]

Thank you for commenting. Take care!

[nondepouk]

a song that I particulary love because it is about persons who are very "different". I have make a french translation that I'll soon try to sing on my channel. thanks so much,

Jean

[Scout4Me1]

Jean, I`m really looking forward to your endeavor!