Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans

[FortyTwoMacs]

As far as him "speaking in tongues", I've seen him in concert, throughout his songs he makes different alterations in them with his voice.

I think that's one of the most beautiful parts about his voice is that he does that, and makes it different and special.

[xfrenchiexD]

His voice is so calming. I love him.

[pigjubby]

Speaking in tongues is not for public use, especially not for a concert. This man is a songwriter and not a prophet. Let's keep things in reality here. He may be too into himself.

[OminousFilm]

@pigjubby You're dumb.

[pigjubby1]

I know. But. why does such a wise person such as yourself, respond to an idiot like me?

[OminousFilm]

@pigjubby1 Someone has to.

[Mylifeatsee]

6:50 I love when he sways back and forth it feels like his wings are flapping and he's about to fly away. Sufjan is absolutely enchanting.

[sleepless2grace]

Mesmerising...

[jenholic]

wow, i was playing a sufjan stevens playlist in the background and this song just took my attention.. i just set aside 10 mins for this song amidst my studying. and 10 mins straight off it is unexpected.. like this song. but fulfilling and weird at the same time

[KerouacAndCoke]

Pretty sure thats not him speaking in tongues, friend. Beautiful song though.

[murielglass]

is that really him speaking in tongues? i can't really hear what he's saying and it doesn't look like he's speaking in tongues.. looks more like he's making random, disonant noises.

[sweetpeacockblues]

fucking fuck i love this man too much

[L337wizard]

@sweetpeacockblues haahaha

i can creep you on youtube.

[SingerTina]

This song gives me goosebumps every time c;

[oywidapoodles]

A beautiful person.

[Astrobasego91]

This song is magical...

[emlmarshall]

this song is beyond amazing

[Myrmelie]

The introducion is like a meditation.

The song gives me goosebumps, pure perfection. AND he's whispering in my ears. :)

[SharpieCompulsion]

the way the story is in the beginning, it kind of sounds like he's copying Conor Oberst. lolol. did anyone notice that?

[loxylobotomy]

yeah I did notice that but I think it was more of an homage to Connor than copying. Also, its a nice way to connect the listeners to the song and not really licensed to anyone.

[MegaHenry89]

definitely i noticed that straight away, he's still fucking immense though

[Bluaah]

@SharpieCompulsion

I don't think He was copying at all. I think that's just the way He tells stories. if you look at other videos where He tells stories, that's the way He does it. I think it's really silly that you call that copying.

[VivedAmour]

@Bluaah i like how you capitalised He

[radiohead00000]

@SharpieCompulsion Why would anyone want to copy Conor Oberst? Let alone Sufjan Stevens...What a dick thing to say.

[kimmyyxwhateverr]

it takes the guy a good three minutes to actually start the song hahha.

but other than that, this video was amazing. <3

[anthonyshevling]

even his speaking voice is beautiful. I think I am in love with this man.

[CrimsonEmpire]

gotta be honest, I get a little sick f his stories

[Lukecf94]

i am so blown away by the this.

if the world had sense this would be at the top of the charts not myley cyrus

[julianwilkinson89]

yeah but this sort of music is beyond 'chart' bullshit. as if you would want this song associated with a numbered position of americas favourite songs..

can anyone think of what score for a film this song is similar to?

[Tashk14]

so haunting and beautiful. holy mother of god.

[clemzzz]

I have to say i am a skeptic atheist but i don't deny the power of this guys talent , a true complete genius...

[Tashk14]

Yeah me too. Ive never even been in a church. But for some reason Sufjan makes it all seen alright..

[pigjubby]

@Tashk14 Wow, almost worship of this man. Creepy. If Jesus is not the source, and this banjo player is, you need to really ask a lot of questions.

[murielglass]

it's like the musical equivalent of an Old Testament passage. or maybe from the book of Revelation.

[Zadolin]

its from Revelations, interesting imagery

[twigsnbranches]

near perfect

[cormy89]

not near, just perfect lol

[o3okitten]

love him c:

lmao look at his wings xDDD

[alisha0715]

I feel like he makes up different intros to his songs at all his shows.

[pouidg]

The end is sick

[TheOwlandWasp]

Beauty.

[xsk12]

there is a very ethereal quality to this

[beauceron]

Thank you, Mrs. Literalist

[supradude7891]

he used to write novels. God forbid you think every song you hear is about a TRUE story. its beautiful.

[foshizRAWR]

He bases some of the songs, on fictional novels he used to write.

[RHCPfleaMS]

Sufjan Stevens is the best singer songwriter to ever have lived and noone will outconquer him ever!!!

[Troggawa]

it's not about conquest, you fool! It's music!

[RHCPfleaMS]

It was a frickin compliment moron! I just meant he makes great music and that I think he's the best there will ever be! And it doesn't mean it's like a competition just because you're the best, it's still "just" music in it's simplicity and complexity!

[julianwilkinson89]

looks like you might have to change your user name then.

[chillininthefridge]

the best word to describe this is, epic.

[enemyindisguise]

Thanks !

[gebdr]

i love the altar boy bells. brings back memories

[kylameadesmusic]

sweet longass introduction

[ellibabybean]

wow. there are no words to describe this song. the ending, especially.

[joet88]

i got one :) transcendent. And it really is the ending that transcends

[dudeguy2k]

agreed! the ending is so beautiful in its simplicity. the layered instruments playing simple notes is kind of choking!

[jedikai9]

magnificent!!!!

[banana14k]

what kind of banjo does he play?

[NelsonClay]

I can't believe anyone discouraged him to open his mouth and sing. Sufjan's voice is the true face of beauty.

[krudmonk]

It's like if Demetri Martin took himself seriously...

[jeffreyharrell]

LoL never thought of their similarities. I love both those guys.

[yourapologist]

very moving and frightening. puts a little stir in my soul, it does.

[orangesideshow]

wow. that was intense, and very beautiful.

[shisksjis]

amazing, one of my favorite artists...he messed up one note relly hard in the beggining though it was pretty funny

[selene231]

I love how the banjo resonates and hangs in the air.  I keep getting chills down my spine.

[gding03]

Wow

thats all i can say =D

[redhotirish4]

when he speaks in tongues, and the rest of the band is reciting "and he is the lord", i know that sufjan is beautiful. this song is beautiful. his story telling creates such an amazing atmosphere that is pierced by the most amazing banjo playing the world has seen. i love how he says they watch the music in the sky, not listen to it.

[bornofenthusiasm]

Wrong

[2live45]

the most amazing banjo playing the world has ever seen? isn't that a bit of a stretch? don't get me wrong I like his music but he doesn't have anything on Bela Fleck

[HalfManHalfAwkward]

seriously. sufjans good, but talent-wise, bela fleck blows him out of the water.

[CMaddox34]

Agreed.

[bckyrdboogie]

...on the banjo

[RHCPfleaMS]

bela-fleck together with vic wooten is awesome, but Sufjans music is just so incredibly beautiful!

[HalfManHalfAwkward]

Oh I agree. Sufjan ia my favorite artist and his music is the most beautiful music EVER, but... when it comes to talent.... Bela Fleck is the best.

Like this: Michael Jordan was the best basketball player ever, but he's not my favorite player,

[ettubrutemusic]

True, but one could argue that Sufjan is easily the best banjo player to listen to, for those who don't like bluegrass.

[matnsas]

amazing

[aggiedee]

Watching this video was an amazing experience. I had never heard this song before, but I was just taken to another place far, far away. Sufjan is an incredible storyteller.

[NYnkeeGrl]

Every time I watch this video, especially when his voice starts breaking and it sounds like he's speaking in tongues near the end, I get chills. Absolutely amazing.

[ndekke39]

Yeah, he told a slightly different version of this story at Calvin College on March 30, 2007. In that version, his father was burning garbage near their house when it caught the grass on fire. The smoke from the fire crept up to the pine trees and curled up in the shape of swans. He said that his whole family and the firemen stood watching it in awe. I love the build-up to the song.

[aeiouuuy]

i wasnt able to get tickets to that! i am so jealous!!!!

[nengelbr]

wish i could see him... i hate living in iowa

[kaaytee]

he shortened the story a lot at the show I went to ):

[maryfmurray]

I was there. Just a few seats to the right of you. An awesome show! Thanks thanks thanks for posting.

[dskim7687]

astounding...

everytime i hear this song, i'm astounded...

sufjan stevens is simply amazing

[ankerous88]

Hey this ain't the same story he told at the concert I was at?!

[sssllloooaaannn]

He is a fiction-writing major after all :)

[notcoolmy]

i know, when i was there he said his dad was burning trash and stuff.