Added: 4 years ago
From: docandthelady
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  • A superb performance. And what a lush sound from your violin? The guitar is excellent too...he backs the fiddle and doesn't try to compete with it.

  • hey i love this song im 11 years old and i have the same song to play at a concert in elementary i play the cello and its very beautiful im cryin lol

  • So 9 people were crying so hard they hit the "dislike" button. This is so amazing and beautiful. Thank you...

  • this performance reminds me of those creation myths ( like tolkien's silmarillion) where there is a void and the world is formed in response to song by the gods. you have the female principal making beautiful but sad music, then she yields yo the male principal, and then the two blend their sound together so that the sadness soars and becomes sublime

  • I love this whole thing...I'm learning it in guitar class. THis just BLEW me away... and nice fiddling

  • It is refreshing to see so many good comments about good music. It is nice to know that there are so many people out there that can appreciate good music from good performers like this. How that makes me wish that people in general were nicer to each other, and we would not have to worry about wars and crime, and the ugliness that so often intrudes into our lives. At least for 5 minutes and thirty-two seconds, we have peace and a bit of heaven. Thanks for that.

  • I think this is amazing, i'm sincerely trying to learn this song on my violin. She plays this beautifully. My role model :)

  • wow.....and that is all.

  • my favorite moment is at 4:21 when the blend of guitar and violin is so excruciatingly wonderful that the lady breaks into a smile that says "wow this is a perfect moment". thank you

  • this is so fantastic i listen to it inearly every day

  • Can you come play this at my wedding? I don't know when that will be, I'm not even dating anyone, but I'll totally go find some random off the street and plan a wedding just so you can play it while I walk down the aisle.

  • Yes, this is the best version of this song that I've ever heard! Thank you!

  • Wow! Yes... this tune really does soar. Very well done!

  • beautiful,love the way the guitar is just eased in gently gives a great effect,and the violin is played with such love ,she loves that violin and it shows by the music she is producing absolutely love it

  • You make this song soar. The heart cannot help but swell. Thank you for your art.

  • ahhh....... Your "Ashoaken Farewell" is....magical. I listened to countless versions of the past twenty yrs, but this one is so

    special. Thank You, so much, you two! Kelly Iverson, the Lady, has a special beauty all her own!

  • A truly gifted couple playing a great tune.

  • Awesome! Just Awesome! Best rendition I have heard. You most certainly already know a letter from Major Sullivan Ballou of 2nd Rhode Island Infantry to his wife is paired with this tune in the Ken Burns series The Civil War. For me, it is the most poignant moment in the entire series., What you may not know is that Major Ballou led the way and was at the front of the Union column, (Hunter's Division), as they came through my town in No.Va. and on his way to immortatity. Excellent job!

  • So beautiful real celtic spirit

  • Beautiful piece beautifully played,kinda thing you could use to help rebuild your faith in the human race.

  • This song isn't "old." It was composed for the movie by a musician in Brooklyn.

  • Bravo!

  • Gorgeous rendition of one of the most beautiful and touching folk melodies. Great, thank you both.

  • There are at least 8 people in this world with no soul. How can anyone not like this? I don't know how long you've been playing the violin Lady, but please don't stop! I'm learning to play guitar and this is a piece I'm working on. I've listened to a few versions and this has to be the best of them. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes and I was unashamed. Thank you for sharing this with us music lovers.

  • Can I pay the ultimate compliment here? This song and this rendition were both way AFTER their time! fantastic!

  • THIS NEEDS MORE VIEWS.

  • How good is that, your playing brings out the deep emotion that this song has. Brilliant. 

  • I could not find anything wrong with version, it is hounting as it beautiful, I hope hear more this pair artists.

  • Gorgeous!

  • Absolutely gorgeous. Brava! Are you guys still playing? Do you have a CD?

  • Its making me fall asleep its so peaceful lol very nice :)

  • Never get tired of this waltz.

  • AWESOME! I'm just now learning the violin/fiddle and this is one of the tunes I'm working on.....never heard it quite so peaceful!!! thank you!

  • Music could save this world. Specifically this song.

  • very lovely.

  • Gives me chills.

  • Very nicely done. I think I could see myself taking up the violin just so I could play this.

  • I can not begin to describe the joy that I feel when I hear this lovely lament, I wish a had my sweet wife to hold while I hear it, and tell her that she is one of my greatest joys!

  • All I hear is Shelby Foote

  • The guitarist could try and slim down, grow his hair longer, wear a flashy cavalryman's uniform and he would look exactly like George Armstrong Custer.

  • Ok where is the cd, please. See you in Australia soon I hope.

  • It was written by Jay Ungar in 1982...

  • this composition was written by a slave in 1852

  • @africanbully31 - ur an idiot

  • @tjmcanu1 my bad-it was 1853.

  • @africanbully31 Actually, it was written by a free white guy named Jay Ungar about a couple of decades ago. Good guess.

  • You two sound so lovely, never fails to make me smile, no matter how many times I watch I still get chills. thank you <3

  • this is the best version on youtube!! the style is just perfect! its so elegant and beautiful! i love the tone, its really strong, almost a masculine sound, i love it. i sort of cant breath when i am listening, i really want to hear every nuance. thank you for your interpretation. its really extremely special.

  • Trully beautiful, a real treat to the ears, i love this violin and guitar combination, the music speaks to me inside, not with words, the strings tug on my emotions and make me feel sad but uplifted at the same time, this i suppose is what makes us human, not all languages use words. Stunning indeed.

  • This is really inspiring as I'm doing this piece for my grade 6 violin :D

  • beautiful

    

  • nice

  • Fantastic!  Great Job!!

  • Beautiful! Love this song...

  • The only thing I can think to say is God bless America.

  • How can one convey that the best possible reaction is to say nothing, but just to sit here and cry?

  • How on Earth can anyone dislike this video??? I loved it!!! Wonderful

  • everytime I hear this, I'm at peace

  • I don't expect to die for another 40 years or so, but having just listened to this, I shall want you guys to play it at my funeral. Incredibly moving.

  • You couldn't see me, but I stood up and applauded.

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  • Words fail me. Thank you.

  • I actually cried after listening to this. what an amazing version of this song

  • ..............................­......(speechless)

  • What makes this so amazing is the restraint shown on the part of both musicians. Absolutely stunning rendition, an incredible piece of music, and it warms my heart to know that so many others out there still have good taste in art.

  • Moving... profoundly moving! No glittery silver skin-tight pants, no strobe lights and smoke. The utter starkness of the stage, the simple lighting scheme, and the demeanor of the musicians, all combine to make this performance incredibly touching. I can't stop watching it. Thanks DocandtheLady for sharing your talents.

  • The best version I have heard. I have played it hundreds of times. Thank you.

  • Doesn't that bring a tear to your eye! Very well done!

  • Today I listened to several versions of Ashokan Faewell, none better than this little ladys rendition. Brings a tear for lost times and memories, a sad genteel lifetime ago

  • sheer beauty

  • I wish I could see the applause - and your responses at the end.

    You gotta gift, that's for sure. 

  • It boggles my mind how anyone could possibly dislike this song.

  • Excellent performance.

  • I've never heard a better rendition of this song than this one. And the violinist's body language is delicious. I believe that she loves this song, she loves to play the violin, she loves the people around her, and it all shines through in her music. Truly a joy to watch. Thanks for posting!

  • @usmcbrat2 And the Doc and the Lady get together and create beautiful music for EveryOne to Here/hear for FREE!!!!

    Do you get it! They're a team working together to make EVERY 1 happy..... One beautiful note at a time!!!

    What's your pre-game warm up? Let's play ball in any uniform/or team functioning dance clothes we can find for free!!!...

    ...because that's the MEANING of LIFE for EVERyONE!

    Love and let live PASS IT ON! HUT HUT HIKE! :)

    KJ

    PONYTAIL

    GIRi fff

    xoxoxo :)

  • @usmcbrat2 Delicious? Not the word I used (LOL!) but I do agree, this is the best rendition I have ever heard. This was just another song until I heard "The Lady" play it! WOW!!

  • @estills re: "Delicious" I know it's a word not normally used in this context, but I'm strongly attracted to her beauty and simple appearance, and the word seemed to fit. Still does. I've actually fantasized that she and I are neighbors of "The Waltons" and that we perform for barn dances and such. Shows you what an old "square" I am. :)

  • Holy shit! That is one fat ring on your finger! :O

    So who's the lucky guy that gets to hear you play everyday? >:D

  • Evocative and moving!

  • Absolutely beautiful! You have made one of my favorite tunes even more enjoyable. Thank you for posting!

  • If a violin can cry so can I .. I absolutely love this music

  • I'm a guitarist and one of my favorite songs is "Asokan Farewell." I fell in love with this song years ago when it was featured in the PBS documenary of the Civil War. This version is the best I've ever heard. I downloaded a program specifically to convert live video to audio so I can listen to it on cd. The guitarist is fine, but the violinist is superb!!!! She put her own touch on this song that made this song her own. If you read this, THANK YOU! You made this song even more beautiful to me!

  • I love this song

  • I am trying to emulate your performance for a church talent show and love your double stops towards the end that are not part of the official Civil War music. Do you have a copy of this arrangement I could use? I'd be very grateful!

  • One of the most beautiful fiddle tunes out there.

  • Perfect version...

  • i want this song played at my funeral someday-nice job on a classic

  • So good.

  • It's funny, I play electric guitar and I play the lead to this song on it. Just about impossible to play along with this vid because the limitation of elec guitar against violin are too obvious in your rendition. Maybe I need to buy an ebow LOL.

    But anyway, my point is the sustain and nuances of vibrato, slurring and progressions in your performance makes me aware of the what a wonderful instrument the violin is and the limitations of my own. Nice picking there by doc as well. Also inspiring

  • Thanks very much for this! You brought a tear to my eye on the 235th anniversary of our nation's independence.

  • such awonderful tune played superbly by doc and the lady,will just have to press the replay button again

  • ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

  • I always want to cry when I hear this. It makes me think of tragedy and all those dead young men.

  • i love this tune but i feel like you are just playing and its just notes not a story and a lament. it seems you don't feel the loss and the sadness that you don't know the story. don't get me wrong i think you play beautifully. you obviously love what you're doing but you play like a classical player trying to sound like a fiddler 1st, you don't have enough haggis then you play with too much and it's a bit too stylistic/ romanticized but you play beautifully.

  • Thank you for your amazing talents. Listening to your performance has moved me so.

  • Yeah man, that's really good.

  • Beautiful rendition, and a good quality video and audio recording. Thanks to all who contributed. I loved this song when Ken Burns' documentary was aired here in the UK.

  • Something about this song tugs at your heart.

  • it makes me want to watch the ken burns documentary all over again!!!!

  • The best version on youtube! Absolutely stunning piece and you made it that much more beautiful :)

  • Where can you be reached?

  • how marvelous... what would it take to get you to play this live??

  • Much better than mine:) I like it so much, and watched many times and learned a lot.

    Thanks Doc and Lady, wish you the best!

    George W

  • WOW! Beautiful.

  • So very beautifully done. A gift to all your listeners.

  • Tonight as I sit here and Am listening to this great played piece I am remineded of home. The smells of our cornfield, the brite sun beating down, the smell of the grass first thing in the morning before the dew has had a chance to escape into the sun, who says well played music is not powerful!!!! thankyou both

  • Very nicely done, thank you

  • What a lovely performance of this wonderful piece. Doc's accompaniment is nice and understated. Love it!

  • I had to play this at my school graduation ceremony tonight infront of the entire year (I'm Scottish btw). It went really well, I love this song, and I must say you played it better than me that was amazing! :)

  • you are amazing and I am in awe, thank you!

  • That sounds so Scottish. It's no surprise as Jay Ungar said he wrote it in the style of a Scottish lament.

  • The best version on YouTube by far. Thank you very much

  • Absolutely stunning, thank you so much.

  • A really great version of a great piece of music. Love it

  • She develops such wonderful sound quality out of her violin. The emotion of this tune just jumps of out it. It would bring a tear to anyone from Ireland or Scotland. Where does not purchase any of your CD's? Great job!

  • Absolutely beautiful- I'm playing this for two of my best friends who are going away to College- I just hope I can make it through without causing the water works to go off

  • One of the very few things on Youtube, or in the world today, which is universally beautiful.

  • haha i love how she sometimes blinks on an emphasized beat :P anyway truly a beautiful cover of one of my favorite soundtracks of all time

  • learning to play this piece !! love it !

  • Such a captivating rendition of this very haunting tune. Found it very moving while watching the Ken Burns' documentary on the civil war. Being a Scot I feel it could have been used equally well on a documentary on the Highland clearances, when whole clans where transported to America. Jay Ungar wrote: "Ashokan Farewell was written in the style of a Scottish lament." My Celtic roots tells me he nailed it. Hoping to hear it played at our Australian national Celtic festival in June.

  • I first heard this on ken burns civil war and looked it up,found this,and fell in love.best version I've heard,very haunting,great job.I also had this played at my grand dads funeral.thank you.

  • Absolutely awesome...I love the timing and the simlicity of it...made it sound great...Is there a CD of this?

  • Beautiful - brought tears to my eyes. Just wonderful..

  • The most haunting, rich and captivating rendition of one of the most beautiful melodies ever written. Doc and The Lady produce an etherial sound that I can't seem to get enough of.

    Thank you!

  • I love your version so much. I do notice differences between the Civil War Documentary, but that makes yours all the more special. I asked my grandsons viola teacher about 'double stops' since I knew nothing. He showed me and from that I have concluded that you both are pure genius. Thank you so much! p.s. this might be a repeat, but it deserves it! Your 'stops' are wonderful! I had always thought this part was a lovely duet between two fiddlers!

  • When I go on to meet my maker, I want Ashocan Farewell played at my funeral. This version of Jay Unger's music is outstanding. They have "heart," and bring it to mine. It moves about in a sweet tempo adjusting with ones soul. Hats off to Doc and the Lady!

  • Haunting.

  • Wow, super awesome version of this song. A big thumbs up!!!

  • In my opinion, this is the best rendition of this tune on Youtube. Absolutely beautiful, and the player isn't hard to look at either.

    Thank you

  • @SaxManiac100 I diitto that! Boy...what an instrument she has.

    PM

  • @SaxManiac100 when you say the player you are of course talking about the guitarist aren't you.

  • @SaxManiac100 i know, tight black chaps and grey sweaters get me, too.

  • Can't stop playing this -- do you two have a CD? So beautifully creative.

  • Lovely and true.

  • Out standing job.

  • It isn't broke...please don't "fix it". Little lady...you grabbed my heart with this piece. Your soul is in the fiddle and the fiddle is in your soul. Let it be so. Thank you!

  • Hey Doc, can you share your version of "The Lilly of the West" ? You guys could really do a great job on it! I love listenning to your music! It's so pure to me! Thanks for sharing!:)

  • Glad to know that people out there still appreciate beautiful music and beautiful instruments! :)

  • It's all a matter of taste, but some fiddlers may think she employs a few too many note-to-note slides. They might annoy some purists by the time the tune ends . . . Having listened to this many times , it's the only thing one might criticize.

  • Beautiful song, absolutely superb

  • Excellent!

    

  • Beautiful!!!

  • I' happened to watch the documentary the other night. The thing that stuck with me more than anything was that hauntingly beautiful tune. I simply had to find out how did it. I heard Jay's original, which was awesome. Then I came upon yours. WOW. It's one of the most moving pieces of music I've ever heard. I've been playing for along time and have already learned the guitar part. Shimock said it best in their comment, this is the anthem for the journey home.

  • That is so lovely.  Thank you

  • Beautiful. Simply lovely.

  • Only once in a lifetime does a film like Ken Burns's The Civil War come along to convince you that you personally lived the entire experience.

    And only once in a lifetime is such exceptional cinematic brilliance married to a song that, whenever you hear it, makes you feel that you're still there, back in time.

    When I hear this beautiful tune, I feel their souls beside me, their bravery and their sorrow.

    What amazing people they were.

    -- Montreal, Canada.

  • Love this song! And they do such a beautiful job with it!

  • Beautiful rendition!!

  • you should be very proud and famous!

  • this girl should be famous and very proud.

  • Great job!!!! Thank you!!!!!

  • Loved it! Would have loved to hear the applause-I bet they enjoyed too. Thanks so much.

  • This is simply wonderful. Thank you.

    Don

  • Hauntingly beautiful. My 10 yr old son is learning to play this song, This recording is wonderful.

  • What kind of violin are you playing on? It has a really rich tone to it!

  • It brought a tear to my eye, and joy to my soul, a pain to my heart, but rapture in my mind ma'am. Thank you.

  • I started learning the piano when I turned 40 years old. At that time I heard Ashokan Farewell and decided to learn it on the piano.

  • Wow

  • words cannot describe the feeling this gives you when you listen to it

  • simply amazing

    i agree this is the best version i have ever heard.

    it's powerful

  • One of my all time favorite pieces and I don't think I've ever heard it done any better. Simply beautiful!

  • God, she plays beautifully and at precisely the correct tempo & speed. Wonderful!

  • @Georgejmh I was under the impression it was meant to be a waltz. Is that not the case?

  • @Hemp4eva

    In her intro, she plays it off tempo or tempo rubato. And brilliantly. They fall into rhythm slowly as the guitar comes in. They aren't slaves to the tempo but sacrifice it slightly to the more important depth of feeling. In case there's any concerns of her technical mastery, listen to her double stops at 4:11. She's just amazing.

  • The best version on the web.They respect the song and nail it perfect. Beautiful

  • I envision this song being played in heaven when I get there. I've taken the liberty of recording this with the Cowboy poet version (J.B. Allen) of Roundup In The Spring. This song has haunted me all of my life. Thank both of you for an incredible performance!

  • A lovely performance. Bravo

  • Epic... Absolutely epic... I love this...

  • WOW!! I've heard this tune now many times. I think it's one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard. I'd love to put some words to it and make a song, but how could you sing something to this without breaking out in tears. Just the music does that to me. And especially the way you two play it. Jay and Molly would be proud of you. Thanks for posting.

  • That was phenomenal. It really helped me figure out what to do with it for my school performance. Im only fourteen and I love this piece. Violin is one of the most relaxing instruments in the world.

  • Love this song immensely. First time I've heard it at the slow pace it starts at. I have to admit, this has to be my favorite version of this song. She plays beautifully.

  • I absolutely love this version of the Ashokan Farewell, it has so much beauty in it, so much heart and soul. Perhaps my favorite rendition. Gorgeous! I'm learning to play this as well. At 42 and only been playing for a few years, I'm not as agile as a young'in. :) But this is the tune that inspired me to pick up the fiddle.

  • This was just wonderful. Thank you for such a gift.

  • I so love this version.. exquisite.. beautiful and haunting and one of my favorite songs.

  • this has to be one of the most beautiful haunting tunes ever written, the first time i heard it i was stopped in my tracks, and this version just takes it to a new level, just the most sublime and heartwarming music you are ever likely to hear. Terry c.

  • "The Civil War was fought in 10,000 places, from Valverde, New Mexico, and Tullahoma, Tennessee, to St. Albans, Vermont, and Fernandina on the Florida coast. More than 3 million Americans fought in it, and over 600,000 men, 2 percent of the population, died in it..."

    Lady, Doc, the warmest greetings and compliments from Austria - your renditions are simply marvellous - this one makes me think of the great Ken Burns documentary - and brings a big tear to my eye! Rock on - you're great!

  • Where and when will Doc and The Lady next perform?

  • You have true talent. I have never heard a better version of this, going back to the Ken Burns documentary where I first heard it. You capture not only the sound, but the soul of the song. Have you thought of going to Nashville and trying the big time?

  • The most beautiful violin playing I have ever heard.

  • After my granddaughter played this, I started researching. This is absolutely the best version I have heard.