THE DUTCHMAN

[TheCatalunya]

beautiful mike thanks ..i have a feeling this was in the early morning...

[ichingiching]

yes very early after several hours of practice and recordings..

[bedsitsongbird33]

this is a fantastic song i have not heard it before ether sounds really nic you are in fine voice the guitar playing is wonderful

[ichingiching]

its a really superb song bedsitsongbird.. if I had a top ten of songs.. (impossible lol) this would be in there..

[bowmaker11]

time and tide wait for no man.

lovely !

[ichingiching]

M:)

[jhankri]

When I'm rambling I always stop by your channel I am never disappointed. Your D-41 is wonderful, but it's your performance of this wonderful folk song that reveals the artist you are.

[ichingiching]

the song is one of the most beautiful .. its understated and poignant .. glad you stopped by on your travels

[jhankri]

@ichingiching There is an artistry to telling a story in song to make you feel you are there. Years ago I used to visti an elderly Dutch woman at the nursing home where I worked. She would tell me tales of her homeland and show me photos of her home in Amsterdam and tell stories of her youth. I always felt like I had actually been to Amsterdam and walked along places she knew. Your song reminded me of this lovely lady.

[nispen]

You did a really really good job. Very moving. Thank you.

[ichingiching]

hi nispen .. thats kind.. thank you..

[gillscreekman]

I was looking at some Steve Goodman videos and I saw his version of "The Dutchman". I checked out a few more videos of the same song and viewed yours as well. I thought you did a fantastic job and I enjoyed your version as much, if not more. Thanks for sharing your version. The Dutchman, in my opinion, should be rated as one of the most beautiful love songs of all time!

[ichingiching]

hi gillscreekman thank you.. i try to understand a song and feel the story.. I have been to the netherlands a few times and i could picture the scene so clearly.. i really agree. it is one of the most beautiful love songs..

[bagup59]

Pulled this one out to compare think this as the edge over D18 !

[ichingiching]

think your right.. the D18 was one i bought to replace a 00018 I had stolen.. the D41 was the one i bought because i fell in love with it...regards..

[Voltmeister]

Mike,

I think this is the most beautiful love song I've ever heard, and you do a good job interpreting it.

Not sure, but I think Mike Smith wrote this in the late '60s. It was already popular when I got to Chicago in '72. Lots of Chicago folkies sang this one. I think the best rendition I heard at the time was sung by a popular Chicago singer by the name of Marty Peifer.

Oddly enough, Mike Smith didn't do this all that well. He's a great songwriter, but not a great performer.

[ichingiching]

Hi Voltmeister.. thanks for taking the time to listen and write.. yes i've just watched Mike Smith perform his song on YT. Interesting to hear the original.. I guess he has the rights to do with it as he wishes.. lol.. if I had a top ten ( couldn't do it really) this would have to be in there.. it is a very beautiful and honest love song.. cheers M

[MrBermingham]

love this song and your playing just so natural

is the guitar a martin

thank you

mike

[ichingiching]

thank you for listening.. yes its a sweet D41.. cheers M

[mnnorthcountrygirl1]

And this is it....the song that pulled me across the room that night a few years ago...I should have known I would find it here...

[ichingiching]

how did you know about this song.. and what room.. and what pulled you... and .. and .. and....

[mnnorthcountrygirl1]

Check your inbox here - you'll find a bit of an abbreviated version in a note dated 21 July. :)

[ichingiching]

i'm not that literate.. i'll try and find it..

[mnnorthcountrygirl1]

Sorry...if you click on your name, upper right of the page, you should get a drop-down menu...click "inbox"...

[ichingiching]

got it..

[mrwells2001]

I've only heard Anne Hills sing this, but you also do it well, and thanks for the info on Zuiderzee. I looked it up on Google, Now i know, thanks.

[ichingiching]

i remember driving there many years ago before I had heard of this song.. I remember a big sky... thanks for taking the time to write.. regards Mike

[stopthelights1686]

One of the best love songs ever written - steeped in sadness but demonstrates the value of true companionship! Well done on your version. Liam Clancy, for me, sings it best!

[ichingiching]

hi stopthelights. I think your right on all accounts.. its a stunningly beautiful song.. cheers M:)

[bksomer]

I love this song and I especially love your version of it! Thanks for sharing

[ichingiching]

it would be in my top ten if I had to do a list.. thank for listening M:)

[mazinger7]

Congratulations, I wish I could play like that...

[ichingiching]

thanks mazinger.. this is one of my favourite songs.. :)

[tryingtoplay90]

Hauntingly beautiful. Well done!

[ichingiching]

if I had a top ten, this song would be in it..

[wlbaye1]

You have done a very nice job with this one!

[ichingiching]

Many thanks .M

[bpdcaptain7]

Beautiful!!! Please set your camera so that we can see the chord shapes on the guitar neck. Love the song.

[ichingiching]

Thank you.. I usually do on 95% of all my videos.. its one of my favourite songs.. I might record it again one day.. M

[crosscatch]

Very nice. A really great song and not an easy one to sing and play.

The imagery is so vivid. It is hard to believe the write had never been to Holland.

[ichingiching]

its a great song full of wonderful vivid imagery

[sjbaldwin11]

I also learned this first from Liam Clancy, then Steve Goodman, and finally worked my way back to Michael Smith. Honestly, I love Liam's version best, and still play it that way, very close to your version. You do it beautifully, and I've "borrowed" a bit from you. Thanks!

I only hope that when my time comes, I have a Margaret by my side.

[ichingiching]

totally agree with all that.. I was inspired by watching the post of him singing it.. .. a must learn moment.. cheers M

[fyang32]

really really beautiful...thanks for sharing that ..

[ichingiching]

many thanks for listening..m

[heidilitke]

I have been wanting to learn this song for about 2 years now. You see my father-in-law has alzheimer's disease and my mother-in-law,Marlene has been caring for him . It just seems so fitting.

The key that you sing it in is good for me. I play ukulele GCEA tuning. Any help you can give me to learn this song would be appreciated as I think there may be a time to sing this for them both. I would have to figure out a good picking technique on the uke that would be appropriate for this

Cheers

Heidi

[slowpokecat]

this is one of those songs that makes you love folk music. Everytime you hear the song by someone its your favorite until you hear a new singer,then its your favorite. Right now yours is my favorite.

[bagup59]

Looking back what a great loss Steve Goodman was to the music world,don't think we realized how good he really was at the time.

[artmakingdreams]

Have you a Margaret?

I think that I could be your Margaret.

Warmly, Sydney

[ichingiching]

hi Artmakingdreams.. cool thought.. I have been to Holland many times and somehow recognize this scene.. I help in supporting adults with mental and physical disabilities.. yes I resonate to this song.. M

[MonkeylessJohn]

Truly a wonderful song!!

I am so glad I kept this in my favs,

wonderful to listen again!!!

Thanks for your heart.

[ichingiching]

Hi John.. I hope you learn it.. It has to be one of the most beautiful stories.. Thanks for droping me a note.. I've been away from YT for a while and now in Vietnam.. looking for a guitar!!

[leviripped]

Thanks Mike. I always loved this song by Tommy Maken & the Clancys. You are better, You are now my favorite singer of this beautiful song.

[ichingiching]

Hi Leviripped.. thats where I first heard it.. and loved it instantly.. thanks for your note.. cheers M

[Mntgoatsfan]

Beautiful! Just beautiful! This song breaks my heart. Tom Russell recorded a fantastic verison of this song on his album "Modern Art".

[ichingiching]

Thanks Mntgoatsfan.. I loved this song the first time I heard it by Tommy Maken and the Clancys.. that pause before the chorus.....I'll look the album up when I get home.. Thanks for dropping me a note.. Cheers M

[quickdecay]

My psychology professor played this song in class today. It's beautiful, and it was nice to find this on youtube to listen to again.

[ichingiching]

thanks QD.. good post. cheers Mike

[hodagg]

Very nice! You really nailed this great tune. I've been listening to Mike Smith's music for over 30 years and he's still going strong. Other tunes of his that you would do a very nice job on would be This Old Mandolin, The Ballad of Elizabeth Dark, and I Took My Father With me. Based on the songs you have on YTube, I know you're a guy who appreciates the best songwriting. Check out some of his other stuff Can't wait to hear what you do with them.

[ichingiching]

Hi hodagg.. thanks for dropping in and giving me some songs to look up.. I'll do some research.. if they are anything like 'the dutchman' they will be brilliant.. cheers M:)

[Hopedancing]

Great song! Michael P. Smith is really an incredible songwriter. Are you familiar with any of his other tunes? He has penned some fabulous songs. You sang and played this one beautifully. Candace

[ichingiching]

Hi Candace.. I only know of this one..although I suspect having written a song of this beauty.. there will be others.. does anything come to mind?? I'd look them up.. regards. Mike

[2xVitamR]

Hey, I've looked some more videos of yours, I like your playing.

Michael

[ichingiching]

THanks 2x.. I appreciate you dropping in .. regards Mike

[4xVitamR]

Hey, I saw your interpretation under the rubrik of Steve Goodmans song The Dutchman, I like this song and I want to play this next time. When you play it, I think that you are near the interpretation of the way I would play this. When I,if, play this , I'll send it to you.

Greetings from Germany

Michael

[ichingiching]

No.. If??!! I can't wait to hear your version.. greetings returned.. Mike

[4xVitamR]

Thank you for the fast answer. I've heard this song today the first time, but as I heard it, I thought " This song is really good an I will play it". So you must wait until I can play it, then I'll send it to you. Excuse my small english, I can't do it better.

Greetings from Germany

Michael

[ichingiching]

Hi Michael.. sometimes it is like this..I felt the same when I first heard this song.. " I must learn this beautiful song".... so I did.. Regards Mike

[longstelts]

Your Dutch??

Great job, but tell ye the truth..we don't whear them anymore, the wooden shoes...

[ichingiching]

Thank you for asking but no, I'm not. And thank you for the update on wooden shoes. This song was written in 1970 when you probably did. It is a beautiful song never.the.less Regards. Mike

[MarshallVoit]

You did a great job with this song! I think it was made famous by Steve Goodman though, not Steve Goodwin, haha. But really great job, lot of emotion!

[ichingiching]

Your right!lol Spelink has never.... Thanks for dropping me a note. M:)

[charsalutube]

Great guitar and singing. The Roterdam part is important to the song. That's where he lost his marbles and Margaret took him back to Amsterdam. I read that in some liner notes years ago. Keep it up.

[ichingiching]

Many thanks charsatube. I'll look out for those notes. I'm intrested in background info. Cheers

Mike

[BernadetteJoolen]

You did a truly lovely job on this. (I play and sing this one on my accordion!) And I have to say, you remind a little bit of Jeremy Irons... Has anyone ever told you that before? Thanks for the music...bernadette...

[ichingiching]

Thanks for your kind comments Bernadette. Its a beautiful tune as well as song. I have been compared with many things in my life (some not nice!)lol I'll look him up .. does he play guitar?? (only joking) M:)

[toyitz1223]

flawless playing!

[ichingiching]

Thank you. M

[rivlax]

In 1973 I was reviewing albums at my first newspaper job and I got one from Bell Records titled "Mickey and Babs get hot." I'd never heard of Mike and Babs Smith, but this album is still one of my favorites of all time. This was where I first heard "The Dutchman." Babs sings it on the album and it's haunting and incredibly beautiful.

[ichingiching]

Great story and great post.  I'll look the album up when I get home. Many thanks for posting a lovely story. Cheers, Mike

[keepthemusicplaying0]

Lovely song, great performance, five stars and straight into my favorites :-)

[ichingiching]

Thank you for listening.. I love this song

[Thealleygators]

I'm sitting in a machine shop programming a part late Friday Eve. This was amazing and relaxing to listen to. Thank you.

[ichingiching]

Thats a nice post, thanks for taking the time to listen. Cheers. M

[Thealleygators]

The late Steve Goodman had a very nice arrangement of this song recorded years ago. It is a very well written tune. You perform it quite well too*****

[ichingiching]

Love to hear the SG version some time. Tx M

[fazaam]

Just saw Michael Peter Smith sing this at the Phinney center in Seattle. He must have been a young man when he wrote it. Your version is as good as his.

[ichingiching]

Many Tx. This is such a lovely song. M

[lovelytibi]

Well well.. I think.. you might be mistaking about the wooden shoes.. haha but it's very sweet to play/ sing a song about Dutchman!

(but I can tell you a secret.. some Dutchman o still wear wooden shoes..)

[ichingiching]

lol. Nice to hear from you again. I think its a song you should learn.. look forward to hearing you play it sometime.

[lovelytibi]

Thnx, I would like to play it but first I need to have some time to find out the chords and everything;)

Xx

[ichingiching]

I have time!

[jmmurphyee]

Awesome rendition of one of my favorite songs. I first heard it in 1974 & instantly loved it. The song became more meaningful & poignant when my dad had Parkinson's Disease. This is a great version of a beautiful song. A talented guitarist and soulful, heartfelt version. Thank you! <:

[manitowaning]

actually written by Steve Goodman.

[manitowaning]

i forgot to add that you did an awesome job. Thanks, iching!

[ichingiching]

Thanks Chuck. Its a great song. I had not heard of it until a few weeks ago.. what else is hidden out there. M:)

[ichingiching]

Hi Chuck. Several YouTubers have mentioned Steve Goodman. He was successful with the song but he didn't write it as I mentioned in my credits.

Wikipedia notes:

'Goodman's success as a recording artist was more limited. Although he was known in folk circles as an excellent and influential songwriter, his albums received more critical than commercial success. Ironically, one of Goodman's biggest hits was a song he didn't write -- "The Dutchman", written by Michael Peter Smith.

[manitowaning]

Thank you for setting me straight......and, on a personal note, I was born in the Netherlands, close to the Zuider Zee! Far too many years ago, tho. Now living in Canada. If you take requests, i'd love to hear you do G. Lightfoot's Summer Side of Life. PS I subscribed to your channel. Chuck

[ichingiching]

Hi Chuck. What a nice link. I'm picking up a few requests so I'll have a look out for this song. GL is a great song writer. It must be a good song.. cheers and tx for the sub.

[Gezster]

Really like this one Mike well like most of your vids. How bout trying Early Morning Rain?!

[ichingiching]

I'm working on it Gezster. Thanks fo rthe post.

[melhaler]

I've loved all your videos. My father dose alot of your types of music, at some point ill put some on and you can see it. Thanks

[CharleyCox]

Nicely done!

Its a lovely song. We sometimes do that one down our local on a Sunday night. Like your stuff.

[bumbumbolo]

I've been a stranger latey, nice to hear you again! Love the song

[TeamCannabis]

Beautiful song, great rendition. Thanks for sharing. and thx Rob, another nice pass bro

[flobunda]

Mike.. what a very beautiful song.. wonderful :D

[MonkeylessJohn]

Another beauty. I just love all of your songs so much!!!

[canajian]

AWESOME!!! song!! Thanks ottawarocket for the link!!

Cheers

[Jinxie228]

Wow.. Beautiful!!! Ottawarocket (Rob) sent me here and I'm glad he did.

Such a pleasure to listen to!

[Ottawarocket]

Beautiful song Mike, I thought this was written by the late great Steve Goodman..but hey I could be wrong

Rob

[ichingiching]

Thanks Rob. Steve recorded it and made it popular in the 70's.

[coolanddark]

fantastic song!enjoyed this immensely

[owilde]

Song to aging children come,,,Aging children we are one...Joni Mitchell

[Viktoria3]

WOw you just heard it and learned the song the same day. It's is wonderful Mike. Great job as you always do!!!!

[eddiedamerell]

What a beautiful song. Thats a real love song.

Played and sung with great feeling. It looked as if it is an emotionally difficult song to perform. Excellent.

Eddie D

[guitmartiman]

These kind of songs just come naturally to you don't they? Excellent!

[ichingiching]

Thanks Jack, a definite improvement.. (on 'Yarmouth Town'!)

[stealth5976]

Good Job As Always! 5 Stars

[ichingiching]

Thanks for your stars Dale.