Burl Ives 'Big Rock Candy Mountain'

[myrtlemaid]

Last time I heard this I was at middle school.. almost 40 yrs ago.. and it still makes me smile !

[doreen4846]

Thanks very much for this one. Takes me back to my childhood...........nearly sixty years ago.

Love Burl Ives

[newdeal1976]

the music is so pure thats all I can think thank you burl

[rockabillygone]

Oddly sad and fun at the same time.

[Jesusfreak2599]

Who..why...what why would anyone dislike this! they must have never been to big rock candy mountain!

[lawomega1]

Just great to listen to this lovely song sang by the great Burl Ives,fab !

[strawberryisback]

my mom about flipped when she heard this on the movie :oh brother , tho this version is different then the show , she was the one who sang THIS version ...love it

[Patriot1862]

Love the way old Burl sings this, hes the best? Should have all the bums out there grinning big!

[Patriot1862]

@Patriot1862 didn't meant to include the ? Hes the best!

[Nicoleee1218]

Did you all know that "Big Rock Candy Mountain" is a real place? It's a great place, Marysvale Utah! My family goes there to picnic and hike sometimes. And you have to stop by HOOVERS, they have great food!!!

[gerdenshed]

@Nicoleee1218

Just north of Marysvale, Utah, near the Fishlake National Forest, stands a cluster of brightly-colored hills named the "Big Rock Candy Mountain". However, the song was written before the mountain got its name; in 1928, after the song had been released, some Utah residents jokingly placed a sign at the base of the hills labeling it the "Big Rock Candy Mountain", along with a sign next to a nearby spring proclaiming it "Lemon Springs".

[MrLasthobo]

@Nicoleee1218 yes i know been there done em both withe my wife on our 4 wheerlers its still a little early right now but try old Moores pine Inn In marysville UTAH

Maysville is not what you may think it is the home the most friendly loving, countless folk's ihave sver met in my time in this state.

[teerav707]

Found a dusty album when I was little, loved Burl ever sense.  Good stuff.

[oleedvard]

¨when i was very little i listened to this song... and a day my father had some clients from italy over to visit... then i ran towards the italien people with the cd cover and yelled MUSIC! MUSIC!

my father ended buying the italiens a cd

[DandyLion662]

Kind of a Disneyfied version of the original.  No more streams of alcohol trickling down the rocks and the Turk who invented work got a reprieve. Beautiful voice put to the cause though.

[TokeBoat]

my dad used to play this to us when we were 4 or 5 years old ,46 years ago ,bought his greatest hits cd the other day and used this song to make video of my parents wedding photo ,happy memories ,thanks for upload and you put superb pics to the song

[truusus]

I guess the two dislikers are either allergic to bees, or are deaf :)

[themcgrows]

My dad used to sing this to me as a little girl in the late 70's....LOVE this. xx

[lotrat]

My mom gave me an album (33 1/3 rpm vinyl) with this on it when I was 8 years old in 1968. I played this on an old portable record player until I wore out the needle. God this brings back memories. Thanks so much for posting.

[bernardballbag]

Lost innocence..........great song from my childhood.........when Kids could still be Kids

[vanpub]

My Great-Grandmother accompanied  him when he sang at church.

[MrYeeeew]

soooooooooooo good listining this fried

[buzzbox2nd]

god what a beautiful voice , you can actualy hear every single word he sings , how about that !

[jaredwblack]

Is that Jean Ritchie with him in the first photo? I'd like to hear that!

[genmama1955]

@jaredwblack Yep, that's Jean Ritchie.

[TheRoadToKnowledge]

121,636 views, and no dislikes. I think that says a lot.

[XxzirgrizxX]

This song reminds me of the summer <3

[biscuitasylum]

lame you cant embed to share with a friend.

[BrakBoy]

Isn't there supposed to be at least one line about free booze?

[DaRozeman]

@BrakBoy Yeah, in a different version, there were versions recorded that were more "family friendly", "something the kids could listen to".

[BrakBoy]

@DaRozeman haha, so kids were clambering for songs about hobos? I heard a more "mature" version in middle school during a history lesson! lol. Also why are there bees? Who wants bees?

[Etimos]

Ok, throw tomatoes if you want, but i like the other version better.

[12Daniel7]

I haven't heard this in years, let alone ever seen a video. thank-you for sharing this with me today.

[gerdenshed]

@12Daniel7

My pleasure ;o)

Mark..

[mamatembo51]

This so great, wonderful! I love Burl Ives but I had never heard this song, thanks!

[Diogenes1360]

Happy New Year !!! 2011.....

[bigeeezy]

Classic :))

[2292STAR]

I really like Burl Ives . Thanks for posting this song .

[wotnotwas]

did this man sing a song called mother wouldnt do that heard it when i was a kid way back when still stuck there somewhere

[exilemick]

Thank you for posting this, it's bringing back so many memories. Listening to this on the radio on Sunday morning, Dad making breakfast. More than 50 years later and I can still remember the words to this. Ahh, they really don't make nostalgia like they used to!

[shyeyes1970]

loved it

[360deeman]

You would be Diabetic if you live there

[applejax19562]

I remember listening to this from a 78 album.....played it so often the poor record was quite scratchy by the time I left grade school.....this song and "The Lollipop Tree"

[gwatson678]

As a child, I had a little phonograph and many burl ives 45 records. The 60's were great , and I often had a great times listening to these records . Thanks for posting. -G

[jefferylake62]

Big Rock Candy Mountain Is a real place found in Sevier Utah

[whatabarb]

I enjoyed this so much! I always go out of my way to listen to Burl Ives! Thanks so much for posting this..)

[gerdenshed]

@whatabarb

My pleasure ;o)

Mark...

[willfullyobscure]

;_; love you dad. miss you whenever i hear this

[jefferylake62]

@willfullyobscure are you Burl Ives daughter or son?

[dayglolife]

@wick5449 i was fortunate enough to grow up listening to him... im 16 now and am one of the few people my age that even knows who he is. kinda sad to see how downhill music has gone

[wick5449]

Always enjoyed his work. Wish my children grew up hearing him, insted of the crap out there now.

[bookgirlocmd]

His voice is like honey

[funbunnymate]

awsome!!,just the best ever..and as you said jubalcalif i damn fine actor too..

[12Daniel7]

I got to see Mr. Ives play @ Western IL. U. as a part of their Preforming Arts, they had a coffee house setting in the Mississippi Room, a very intimate setting, no tickets, no massive crowds, the performers would do 3 sets in a night. You could go or stay for all three sets. WOW!! The performers that played there all said they LOVED the intimacy of performing in that setting. In his will Mr. Ives left a considerable amount for the Performing Arts Society @ WIU.Thank-you for sharing your video.

[gerdenshed]

@12Daniel7

Thank you for watching ;o)

Mark...

[Synthetrix]

I had a child friendly 45 of this song when I was a wee lad. Great memories.

[gerdenshed]

@Synthetrix

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it ;o)

Mark..

[robocong7420]

Harry McClintock [sic] did a much better job on this song

[bloodorigin]

I love this song

[bjwallwin]

Song's from my youth. Brings back memories.

[htuomnom]

Funny how the young hear this an laugh ,the man had a career that was over 60 yrs .

He played Big Daddy in cat on a hot tin roof and many others.

[JubalCalif]

@htuomnom

I second that emotion! The late great Burl Ives was not only probably America's greatest folk singer but also an extremely gifted actor. His performances in classics such as "The Big Country" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" are proof of that. Sad that so many today dismiss his talents. Burl had more talent in his little finger than most of today's so called "stars". He was living proof that a performer doesn't have to wallow in the gutter to entertain people. THANKS for commenting!

[gerdenshed]

@JubalCalif

Well said my friend ;o)

mark...

[JubalCalif]

@gerdenshed

Thanks for your kind comment, Mark. Sorry about the delaying in responding to it. I don't have a computer at home & I have to come here to the internet cafe or go to the public library or use the computer of friends or relatives to go online. Hope you have a TERRIFIC weekend, my friend. And thanks again for posting this wonderful tune by the late great Burl Ives! CHEERS! :)

[reddiaperbaby]

As a kid in the early 50's, this was my favorite. Parents had to go out and buy the 78 single of this so they wouldn't have to sing it to me!!. Believe it's still around somewhere.

[UABnurseGANA]

I sang this song in Girl Scout camp, the Flying G in Colorado about 60 years ago.

Thanks for the memories. Jean

[Hissanrach]

Quite a nice song about the wishes of all the poor folks during the 20's and the Depression.

[kalukskate2]

how did they come up with this version from the other one

[bjdon99]

@kalukskate2

Burl's version of 'The Erie Canal' is very different than the standard one too.

[CecilyHeron]

I love how old folk songs so often have many versions that sound quite distinct from one another.

[MikeBorchers]

i remember being little and full of hope when my dad played this.... brings back old times :)

[tornagal]

Revives happy childhood memories...love this song

[TheMikey1961]

Last year, this tune was adapted by Chris Madin for a soft drink (Ribena) advert on tv.

[cortese98]

@TheMikey1961 it actually sounds like Flapjack theme song xD

[jenniferjuniper97]

classic Americana.. 

[viporking]

love this song



[shadowmia22]

This was about the days of the great depression when millions were unemployed, destitute, and thousands traveled from place to place hoboing, catching rides on freight trains to searcg for work. Brutal railroad "bulls" and police made their lives even harder. The song captured the daydreams of these men. For a glimpse of what the times were like, read John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath."

[TheProfessionalMom]

I've been there!

[thehoneyhoneygirl]

the ribena berries song!! XD x

[smkndabomb420]

winne the pooh sings !!!!!!!!!!!

[smileifulovemebaby]

OMG THIS SONG TURNS ME ON.

[SinSensor]

I loved this guy...he was a GREAT actor, too!

[do002le]

Apparently there are a couple of different The BIg Rock Candy Mountains. I know the Burl Ives version. This is the adult version which speaks about cigarette trees instead of bubble gum trees. Never thought to look on YouTube. Thanks!

[omgthatsoweird]

i love this song

[Stray14]

This song always makes me in a good mood.

Nice slideshow.

[JoShIeZZ91478]

a burnley bum goes hiking LOL

[DesertOmaRose]

It just never gets any better than this.

[marcyhead]

What a unique & distinctive voice! And a great character actor, as well. My favorite Burl Ives recording is his Decca version of "The Blue Tail Fly" with The Andrews Sisters. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" comes in at a close second.

[Master100Mind]

great song great artist burl ives legendary

[TheGlenabus]

Cigarette trees? Think they were smokin something besides cigarettes. Lol

[gerdenshed]

You might be right lol...

Mark....

[barfieldchickengirl]

@TheGlenabus maybe thats why the hobo was looking for a candy mountain.LOL =)

[54kirke]

@TheGlenabus back then it was bubble gum cigaretts.

[darrenguitarfreak]

Burl Ives is the voice of Christmas.

[Master100Mind]

is this the one in o brother were art thou

[gerdenshed]

It's the same song but a different artist ;-)

Mark....

[123KiiD]

@gerdenshed

u got a link???

[HelenMcNeill]

I remember my father singing a 'version' of this to my brother and I when we were kids. Loved it then and still love it now. Good ol' Burl.

[gerdenshed]

I'm glad you enjoyed it ;-)

Mark...

[JollyTexan]

@HelenMcNeill My parents sang this song to my brothers and me when we were little, too. Such good memories! I love Burl!

[carolacart]

@HelenMcNeill My Dad sang that to us also...Very good memories to have of a father.  They live as long as we do in our hearts always...

[donnacheer11]

Now this is legendary music territory, let there be humility shown by all in music today.

[gerdenshed]

It is great isn't it ;-)

Mark..

[jayrbee60]

Hey thanks for posting this. I remember this as a child. When I did a cover everyone told me it was Harry McClintock that I learned it from. Thanks for proving I'm not a nut job! (well, this time any way)!

[gerdenshed]

Glad you liked it my friend. Harry McClintock did sing this as well. See the video response above :-)

gerdenshed...

[jayrbee60]

Yes, I think Harry wrote this? Any way, after I posted my video, I looked for proof that Burl Ives covered it and at that time there were no Burl Ives videos of this song (that I could find) Then the self doubt set in - I hate it when that happens! Now, by you posting this video, all the world is straight and correct again! Thank you! :-)

[gerdenshed]

The song apparently dates to around the 1890s, as a hobo ballad based on An Invitation to Lubberland. Authorship is commonly attributed to Harry McClintock, whose version is the first documented example of it. McClintock attempted to enforce a copyright on the song but lost his lawsuit, which would put the song in the public domain. It is probably best remembered for its recording by Burl Ives in 1949.

gerdenshed...

[hellesterne]

What an amazingly beautiful voice! Sensitive and so tuneful. I'd like to go with him...

[gerdenshed]

Glad you liked it :-)

gerdenshed...

[Rumpep]

Don't know a lot about Burl Ives, but it looks

like he was an helluva character, found the song very amusing especially after reading

the info.

5*......Barbars

[gerdenshed]

I'm glad you enjoyed it :-)

gerdenshed...

[xxxSunbeamxxx]

I loved the thumbnail for this video - had to click in!! Fun song...I enjoyed the background in the text you gave us too...TY :) 5 stars!!

Sunbeam :)

[gerdenshed]

Thank you for the stars my friend :-)

gerdenshed...

[gersing]

great video! fun music!

[gerdenshed]

Glad you liked it :-)

gerdenshed...

[bigeeezy]

excellent vide

[gerdenshed]

Thank you my friend :-)

gerdnshed...

[allshookup77]

An amusing song and thanks for the information in the information box, very interesting! I enjoyed it... FrAnK (5*****)

[gerdenshed]

Thank you FrAnK, glad you liked it :-)

gerdenshed...

[ghostgal30e]

Thanks for sharing this great golden classic.

[gerdenshed]

Crikey, that was quick lol. My mouse is still warm from uploading it. Glad you liked it :-)

gerdenshed...