Eben Brooks: The Hero of Canton

[akashashen]

This, this right here (and the muddy episode) is why I love being a geek. Thank you for droppin' this into the SubEthaNet.

[ebenbrooks]

@akashashen You are welcome. I'm glad you like it. :)

[Fantasydrage]

Why, oh why is VAT so high oversea! I really want to buy the CD, but that VAT is so high...I'll buy it anyway, it'll just have to wait. Great geek music. All power to us!!

[ebenbrooks]

@Fantasydrage Thank you very much. I'm sorry about the VAT, but I don't have any control over that, I don't think. Sorry.

[omgwtfbbqpwnages]

Excellent! I fight fires, and i spend alot of time on the road. Somehow, hearing you play takes me back to a more... comfortable place. I feel at home! Thanks for sharing! =D

[ebenbrooks]

@omgwtfbbqpwnages Oh, thank you! :) That makes me very happy. I'm very glad you like it.

[Molagbal38]

You have a great voice!

[ebenbrooks]

@Molagbal38 Thank you very much! :)

[GermanNightmare1976]

Thanks for sharing - enjoyed it very much. :)

[ebenbrooks]

@GermanNightmare1976 Thank you! :)

[cxz789]

I love your twang. And your voice is great for this song...awesome cover!

[ebenbrooks]

@cxz789 Thank you very much! :)

[SPIKER1880]

@ebenbrooks As you probably know, there are many people who cover this song, but I have to say that your version is, in my humble opinion, The Best (except , of course, for the version in the episode Jaynestown).

[ebenbrooks]

@SPIKER1880 Oh, wow. Thank you very, very much! :)

[thelilbobkins]

Hey man, I am trying to learn how to play the song. Whats the strum pattern of this song? :)

[ebenbrooks]

@thelilbobkins Um...I don't know from strum patterns. I just play what I hear. Sorry.

[thelilbobkins]

@ebenbrooks alright, i'll try to figure it out. thanks.

[toddh1988]

@ebenbrooks That's awesome!

My uncle could sit at the piano and play any song he heard. We used to spend a lot of time making him play songs off the radio for us, and he never even knew what "middle C" was. I wish I had that gorram talent!

[ebenbrooks]

@toddh1988 Yeah, it's awesome how some people can just pick something up by listening. Irving Berlin, the composer, had an amazing ear like that, too, but he could only ever play in F#. So he had a piano built special for him that had a transposing lever so he could play in other keys.

[Mike9042]

You can take the show away from the fans, but you can't take the show away from the fans. Jayne, Mal, Shepard, and the rest of the gang will live in our hearts forever.

[ebenbrooks]

@Mike9042 They certainly will. Browncoats forever!

[Arminoid]

4 god damn fox executives ... Those guys that canceled the series will go to that special hell ...

[ebenbrooks]

@Arminoid Yep. Yep, indeed...

[safffff]

@Arminoid YES a very special HELL

[BigDamnHeroesSir]

@Arminoid which, of course, is a horrible place because people there talk at the theater.

[ineinerbank]

there must have been some people like "wtf is he singing about...?"

and there must have been some with tears in there eyes, smiling:)

[ebenbrooks]

@ineinerbank Yeah, that's about the size of it. :D

[ZippoNick]

4 Alliance supporters disliked this

[ebenbrooks]

@ZippoNick Well, ya can't please everyone. ;-) (Thanks!)

[RyuBlade1980]

Wow, even though I can listen to the original on youtube everytime I want, I still will listen to your version from time to time, because... it's really good! ^^ Two thumbs up!

[ebenbrooks]

@RyuBlade1980 Oh, thank you! That's some high praise, and I really appreciate it. :D

[ebenbrooks]

@RyuBlade1980 I've actually got this live recording on my album Geek Mythology. You can buy the MP3 of this song for $1.25 on my website (link is in the description), or you can buy the whole album for $10.

[CallanBall]

You should be awarded a brown coat for that :)

[ebenbrooks]

@CallanBall Awww, thanks! :D

[MandaloreM81]

@CallanBall and a hat lol

[CallanBall]

@MandaloreM81 Hahahah actual. Maybe River as well.

[JollyW89]

Your version of this song is great, I just wish that they had got Willie Nelson for the episode. I think if he sang this song it would be amazing.

[ebenbrooks]

@JollyW89 Hah! You're right, that would have been awesome. :D

[livelifeweird13]

Oh man! I love this song. It's very shiny. :) Is there somewhere I can find a tab so I can play it for my family?

[ebenbrooks]

@livelifeweird13 I figured it out by watching the episode a lot, but you can Google "Hero of Canton Chords" or "Hero of Canton Tabs", and I'm sure you'd find something useful. Thank you! Glad you like it.

[AirbornePathogen]

No, this must be what going mad feels like.  Nicely done!

[ebenbrooks]

@AirbornePathogen Thanks! :D

[TheFlapAttack]

lol great sing one about the crappy town where im de hero

[ebenbrooks]

@TheFlapAttack Heh. Well, soon as I find it, I will. ;-)

[TheFlapAttack]

lol great

[ebenbrooks]

@TheFlapAttack Thanks. :D

[thanatrell]

absolutely shininess

[ebenbrooks]

@thanatrell Thanks. :D

[tehredmage]

Boss Higgins has been here 4 times.

[ebenbrooks]

@tehredmage Heh. :D

[redkendrick]

Four dislikes?! Four people live in an unshiny 'verse.

[ebenbrooks]

@redkendrick Well, some people just don't take to the shiny so much... ;-)

[rayjaymor]

I've just watched a few of your videos... this one made me subscribe!!! :D

[ebenbrooks]

@rayjaymor Thank you very much! I'm glad you like. :D

[pappachese]

Eben can you reply with the chord progression for this song? I'd like to play it your way but there is one chord I don't know, I would really appreciate it.

Great song, Browncoats rule!

[TerielAtmano]

@pappachese Chords for you and anyone interested:

Chorus (beginning): G Em G Em C D G D G

Verses: (Em D Em Bm D Em)x2, Am Em Am Em D Em.

Put in D when crossing over to the chorus.

[ebenbrooks]

@TerielAtmano Thanks for this! :D

[tigresssharplesl]

love your singing voice. its awesome :o and of course awesome song :D

[ebenbrooks]

@tigresssharplesl Thank you. :D

[batbitca]

I think I like this better than the one in the show. :D

Browncoats unite!!

[ebenbrooks]

@batbitca Awww, thanks! :D

[TheJuggern0tt]

This makes me so very very happy... Firefly FTW!

[ebenbrooks]

@TheJuggern0tt Thanks! :D

[tomh6339]

Very nice. Are these not are the canonical lyrics, GenghisClown? I think this is a great acoustic arrangement and a wonderful performance. Obviously the original was ridiculously awesome, but this is also awesome.

[ebenbrooks]

@tomh6339 Thanks. :D I'm very glad you like.

[rossik]

oh, i thought it was a wong fei hung song ^__^ great song, congratulations

[ebenbrooks]

@rossik Thank you. :D

[GenghisClown]

Meh. I like how he elaborated with additional lyrics, but he also kinda destroyed the musical structure by ignoring the chord progression and cadence of the original. If he could keep that intact, this would be full of awesome.

[ebenbrooks]

@GenghisClown Obviously you have a different idea of the reason for doing a cover song. My take is that a cover should never be identical to the original, or else what's the point?

[GenghisClown]

@ebenbrooks I guess I do have a different idea of it, but you're the one with the musical career so I'll defer to you on that matter. I do enjoy your voice and your sense of humor -- some of your other songs are hilarious. :)

[panther2552]

shiny :)

[ebenbrooks]

@panther2552 Thank you very much. :D

[jackattack55555]

this officaly made my day, thank you Eben Brooks, thank you :) shiny indeed

[ebenbrooks]

@jackattack55555 Thank you. :D

[jackattack55555]

this officaly made my day, thank you Eben Brooks, thank you :) shiny indeed

[r4nd7r04d5]

dude, i only watch your videos to see you play LOL together again... it's soooooooooo bad

[martinvbuuren]

It was a pleasure watching this video. Thanks, Eben. :-)

[ebenbrooks]

@martinvbuuren You're welcome. Thank you for commenting, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D

[TiberiousWalker]

I done a cover of this too, think I prefer yours though ;)

[ebenbrooks]

@TiberiousWalker Do you have a vid of yours? I'd like to see it.

[TiberiousWalker]

@ebenbrooks I do, it is on my page :)

[promcheg]

shiny :)

[ebenbrooks]

@promcheg Thanks! :D

[griosaigh]

one of the best song here on youtube :D

[ebenbrooks]

@griosaigh Thank you. :D

[Danman3ish]

awesome song

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks! :D

[keybladewizard49]

This is so cool. I love your parody, "It's the End of the 'Verse As We Know It". You're such a browncoat, it is amazing~ And this one, too? It's awesome!

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you! :D

[RLtMD]

This is bloody shiny. I'm going to have to catch one of your shows next time I come to the US.

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks! I'd love that. Introduce yourself if and when you do, please. :D

[RLtMD]

Will do. =)

[loravine]

Jayne is like my most favourite character ever. and this is the best version of the song ever.

Awesome stuff man.

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you very much! :D

[pappachese]

Ebon there are a cord your playing that i don't know yet on the guitar.. ill point it out, cuold you tell me what cord it is please? thanks.

its rite after the E minor around 40 seconds... and your saying..... "HE" saw the Mudder's lament. its rite when you say the word "HE" and you just play it for 1 strum i thnk...

Long live the Brown Coats!

[pappachese]

oops, lol

i meant there is a cord, not "there are a cord"

[ebenbrooks]

It's an A minor.

[pappachese]

Thanks Eben

Merry Christmas man!

[andmarikis]

W.T.F.

Those poor Mudders. Drink your milk you poor SOBs.

[BanjoJapeth]

I totally agree with BleedingSoulVideos!

This was great!

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you very much! :D

[1freckleface2]

it's not like u totally ruined the song, u just changed some lyrics. I personally liked it =D

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoy it. :D

[BleedingSoulVideos]

To those complaining about lyrics: isn't this supposed to be a folk song, i.e., everyone's version is a little different? If anything I'd say slight variation is more realistic. Also, this might be the greatest thing I've ever seen in my life.

[ebenbrooks]

Oh, thank you! I'm glad you like it. :D

[ralizon]

This must be what going mad feels like

[deepsouthwrx]

Not bad but could you seriously not get the lyrics right?

[ebenbrooks]

I was working from memory, and I'm obviously not as fanatical about such things as some people are. ;-)

[Suducki]

who cares if the lyrics are wrong this sounds awsome

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks. :D

[nickoho]

my favourite episode, and now my fav version of it! i don't supposed u'd be will 2 send me the TAB or anything like that, only one's ive found so far are garbage :S

either way, great work!! keep it up! :D

[ebenbrooks]

I couldn't find any good tab for it, either. I just listened to the episode over and over until I could figure out the pattern. In this video, I play it in G, but in the episode, it's played in D.

[ebenbrooks]

Oh, and thank you! :D Glad you like!

[Kitarl]

You, sir, are the man. Proceed with your good works.

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you very much. :D

[Wrenn00]

Thanks for this version.

---W

[ebenbrooks]

You're welcome. Glad you like it! :D

[leareth]

Ever since I heard of this song I've wanted to hear it, nice job!

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks! :D

[katmaiman]

Adam Baldwin sang it better. I'm not into that vibrato.

[ebenbrooks]

Well, I can't please everyone. Nor would I want to. Thanks for commenting anyway.

[AngrySquidX]

Don't listen to that guy. Your vibrato is pro for sure.

[ebenbrooks]

I wouldn't go that far. I tend to 'water-warble', which is a bad habit. A good, solid vibrato is a good thing, for certain, but I think I probably need some more voice lessons to get it really right.

Thank you, however, for the compliment and the support. :D It is greatly appreciated.

[AngrySquidX]

That warbling thing you do is bad? I think it gives you a really unique sound. Reminds me a little of Daron Malakian, which is a plus in my book.

[ebenbrooks]

It's more a case of 'too much of a good thing' in my opinion. I do it too much and too often, but if I controlled it a bit more, it would sound better. But that's just me. Heck, there are rockstars who have made entire careers out of that kind of super-vibrato. Like David Bowie. :D

[malicioussmurf]

hahah. I think he's joking. Baldwin's version was epic, but he's a terrible singer. Nice job.

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks! :D

[jonsangster]

This song makes me so happy. :3

And if you head up to Canada, don't forget a'boot us maritimers, eh!

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you. And if I do head up to Canada, I'll be sure to let as many of you know as I can. ;-)

[thesheep91]

Great cover! Firefly is the best show ever : )

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you! And I agree. :D

[zaqqazxsw]

shiny!

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks! :D

[Kotiare]

I love this song, and you have a great voice dude.

Keep it up. You planing on visiting Canada?

[ebenbrooks]

At some point, yes, I hope to do a Canada tour. Don't know when, but when I do, I'll keep y'all posted.

[deathgnomes]

this is awesome, way to go!

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you! :D

[Poaet]

Not to be a bother, but by any chance could I get the chords? I'd love to sing this to my friend for her birthday

[ebenbrooks]

You can get them at the firefly wiki. I can't actually type the URL, because YouTube in its infinite wisdom doesn't allow URLs in comments. But search for "hero of canton chords", and the link should be real close to the top.

[greendaale]

Firefly is the best sci-fi show besides Star Trek! Love the mix of scifi and western.

[ebenbrooks]

Yeah, it's one of my faves too. Very well done. :D

[iamhobo08]

you cant stop the brown coats you can only slow them down

[ebenbrooks]

You damn betcha! ;-)

[iamhobo08]

testify my brotha

[Ghostvader]

Awesome job:)

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you! :D

[chat2mickey]

Come on the Brown Coats!

Has any one read the firefly books I'm gonna get me some of 'em shinys!

Ebenbrooks nothing in the verse can stop you!

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks, my friend! :D

[littlehippiedude]

Thats it, I'm seeing you live. Every song you do blows me away. Looking around now for info for shows. Thanks a ton for the awesomeness that is your music.

[ebenbrooks]

Thank you very much! My show schedule is on the front page of my website, music (dot) ebenbrooks (dot) com.

[ZippoNick]

Shiny! This is one of my favorite episodes!

[ebenbrooks]

Yeah, mine too. :D Thanks!

[raesquirrel]

Big. Damn. Hero.

[ebenbrooks]

:D thanks!

[dochmbi]

I'm a firefly fan. Thank you.

[ebenbrooks]

You are quite welcome. I'm glad I had a chance to perform this, because I really like the song. :D

[metabog]

Hahahaha. This is awesome.

[ebenbrooks]

Glad you like it. Thanks. :D

[KAOSINKARNATE]

"i'll be in my bunk"

[ebenbrooks]

Hah!

[lordcabilis]

"We gotta go to the crappy town where I'm a hero"

[ebenbrooks]

Hee! Thanks.

[Spiletta42]

*applauds*

[ebenbrooks]

*bows*

[Magiclad]

Sir, I applaud you a million times over. Filk all over the place.

[ebenbrooks]

Thanks.

[Discovin]

legedary. I cant stop singing this now and i couldnt be happier

[greenblobo9]

nice xD

[emoscott666]

Great song man :P

Good job!

Any chance you could check out my videos?

Thanks :P