Great song,great lyrics(yes, quite rare these days...)
Absolute genius,the whole"grave new world"album! Standing on top of a lonely hill in the presence of "dark side","aqualung","forever changes"etc...( a few masterpieces to mention..., along with Van Gogh, Ensor, Da Vinci, Caravaggio!)
I met David Cousins at the Ark in Ann Arbor. I thanked him for such great music and he was very grateful for that. I think he is among the finest vocalists, ever. What a voice and what great songs!!
@KafkaUniverse My favourite band since 1969 God I feel old...Best lyricist the UK has ever produced Needless to say I have all the albums and then some. You have great taste
I first heard this on a tape from LPs my dad made. He put two Strawbs tracks on the end of something else. I was a teenager in the end of the 80s and this was so stunning, I nicked the tape and I kept on playing it until I'd learned to sing it. I still enjoy singing it to this day, I would like the sheet music but I've not found it. I found out this is about the Troubles in Ireland but it is just as powerful today and could apply to conflicts in any part of the world!
@ladyfuschia I'd like to sing this on an X Factor audition! This is a song they'll never let the finalists do. It would be too grim but they miss out on so much else. These shows always show the same genres of pop music in each series and prog, punk, folk, reggae, ska, and pre war don't get in but disco, big band, crooners, shows, soul and R&B always do. So you keep on getting the same songs covered all the time.
This wonferful band was one of my favorite bands of all time. I was in my teens in the 70's and I followed this type of music. I loved groups like YES, ELP, GENESIS AND these guys. It was hard too pick a favorite because I loved prog rock so much, but, THE STRAWBS were up there with the best of the era. Saw them twice. Once at Massey Hall in Toronto and the other time in the old Maple Leaf Gardens. MAX WEBSTER opened up for them. Can you believe it. The STRAWBS blew them away.
@bugibbab0y Quite true. It's those mellotrons how doomy are they? The only other track that uses them to such effect is bizarrely Decades by Joy Division.
This song always makes my hair stand on end. It's so dramatic and sad. War just keeps on happening. Anyway, Happy Birthday to Dave Lambert today. This Strawbs fan has seen the band 3x - 1975 in Kingston, ON and 2x at Hugh's Room in Toronto. A fabulous, smart, talented band.
A fantastic video of a mighty song by an amazing band. The video proves you don't need an edit every second to make an impact. Of course it helps that this is Strawbs! Do not miss hearing "Witchwood", "Autumn", "Sheep", and "Where is This Dream of Your Youth" plus a couple dozen others.
@fatbill717 Considering all the crap that's out there nowadays, yes. I'm afraid so. But many of us will never forget, never lose the passion. We must keep it alive!
Great album. Bought after seeing the "Grave New World" film, which should be shown on TV. Very interesting album, split between their normal folky/spiritual stuff and this and Heavy Disguise, just crashing in through the ambience. This track is in the middle somewhere, when you would expect it at the end of a side like Epitaph or COTCK. Raging civil war in part of the UK at the time and I can't remember any other band addressing it, tho' I'm sure I'll be corrected.
This is quite a powerful video ... at times even disturbing. IIRC the song was written because Dave Cousins was outraged at the way England was behaving in the Northern Ireland conflict. This video puts that on par with the atrocities of WW1 and, a wild guess, the Eritrea famine. I discovered the Strawbs only a few years ago but this song immediately struck a chord. The way Cousins sings "May you rot ..." is very very very gripping.
Dearest Strawbperson Any chance of "Cut like a diamond"....can't find it on this tube thing and I hav'nt heard it since I was a likkle prog rocker/folkie all those years ago.Ta.
Saw them on the Grave New World British tour in February 1972 at Southport Floral Hall. What a gig it was: they played nearly all the new album plus other gems. Tony Hooper was still with band and Blue Weaver was playing his first tour. Went backstage at the end and got all their autographs. Fab night, and drank a bottle of whisky between us...(friends that is...).
Saw them at Joe' Pub, NYC, in past 2 years where they specifically focused on Iraq War (both sides) & US involvements generally as they dedicated this song.
... (Verboten continued) Mike Oldfield played the Ryerson Theatre the last time he was here, and he even had Pierre Moerlen of Gong playing drums for him. And Pierre's old boss, Daevid Allen, played The Edge which sat what? 50 people? and is now somebody's office. And these days you can chat with Dave Cousins and Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk at the bar after the show when they play Hugh's Room. You can't do that with any other major prog band.
Saw Strawbs at Maple Leaf Gardens with Max Webster backing them up. If I am not mistaken it was the Deep Cuts tour in 1976. Fabulous show. I also saw them the year before in Calgary at a 1000 seat auditorium. So Verboten in Canada?? Nein mein Fuhrer.
Strawbs and Webster at the Gardens? I'd thought I'd heard that that show was at CNE Stadium. I guess not. Webster played my high school circa 1978. My hearing is still impaired. Kim Mitchell wore this circulating light helmet thingy. Weird. Lights going round and round his face, like a Strawbs song. But the Strawbs I didn't catch until years later, at the El Mo, and the Diamond.
Verboten in Canada? But didn't the Strawbs play the CNE Grandstand with Max Webster opening for them? I don't think Gentle Giant or Van Der Graaf played anything that big in Toronto. And they didn't get the radio play that Lay Down and Part of the Union used to get. Only the progressive first string -- Floyd, Yes, Genesis?, Tull? -- would have played bigger shows than that. When PFM played here, it was at Convocation Hall at the University, not the Canadian National Exhibition...
Thank you for posting this one. It's a great sample to which I can link when talking about the music that's running through my mind and keeping me awake tonight.
I've rarely been more touched by a song such as this. Lyrics, drama and music are memorable. Cousin's finest hour indeed. I enjoyed this song when it came out - 1973? and still shiver to it.
One of the best songs I have heard in the modern prog rock movement. I think it is Verboten or some such thing to listen to The Strawbs in Canada, despite the fact it is a band Rick wakeman of Yes played in-see a total lack of interest in playing this great bands music on FM radio in Canada, even in the 70s-why-I have often asked myself that question. Dumb football prejudice doesnt seem to quite explain it. Enjoy this rarity that shouldnt be a rarity-peace.
whenever world leaders meet to discuss the worlds future this should be the anthem they hear before they sit down. and when they finish maybe "lucky man" by ELP.
I was in lodgings in Bromley when I bought "Grave New World", the first of many Strawbs albums. Cousin's voice is just so distinctive and the whole album just felt so 'complete' in terms of the song choice and quality.
just bought this album in my local charity shop £1 great artwork
stevevv 2 weeks ago
A Culthymn of peace against war and opression from my generation,we are still here...!
Papa7851 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
STRAWBS play The Wardrobe in Leeds - Friday 11th May 2012
YorkTheDuchess 2 months ago
Great song,great lyrics(yes, quite rare these days...)
Absolute genius,the whole"grave new world"album! Standing on top of a lonely hill in the presence of "dark side","aqualung","forever changes"etc...( a few masterpieces to mention..., along with Van Gogh, Ensor, Da Vinci, Caravaggio!)
mclarsj 3 months ago
I met David Cousins at the Ark in Ann Arbor. I thanked him for such great music and he was very grateful for that. I think he is among the finest vocalists, ever. What a voice and what great songs!!
KafkaUniverse 4 months ago
@KafkaUniverse My favourite band since 1969 God I feel old...Best lyricist the UK has ever produced Needless to say I have all the albums and then some. You have great taste
MrSirDel 3 months ago
I first heard this on a tape from LPs my dad made. He put two Strawbs tracks on the end of something else. I was a teenager in the end of the 80s and this was so stunning, I nicked the tape and I kept on playing it until I'd learned to sing it. I still enjoy singing it to this day, I would like the sheet music but I've not found it. I found out this is about the Troubles in Ireland but it is just as powerful today and could apply to conflicts in any part of the world!
Laura041974 7 months ago
@Laura041974 Bless you. If only some big, influential band would cover it and it would stir people to action!
ladyfuschia 7 months ago
@ladyfuschia I'd like to sing this on an X Factor audition! This is a song they'll never let the finalists do. It would be too grim but they miss out on so much else. These shows always show the same genres of pop music in each series and prog, punk, folk, reggae, ska, and pre war don't get in but disco, big band, crooners, shows, soul and R&B always do. So you keep on getting the same songs covered all the time.
Laura041974 7 months ago
This wonferful band was one of my favorite bands of all time. I was in my teens in the 70's and I followed this type of music. I loved groups like YES, ELP, GENESIS AND these guys. It was hard too pick a favorite because I loved prog rock so much, but, THE STRAWBS were up there with the best of the era. Saw them twice. Once at Massey Hall in Toronto and the other time in the old Maple Leaf Gardens. MAX WEBSTER opened up for them. Can you believe it. The STRAWBS blew them away.
lismclis51 9 months ago
@lismclis51 THey were and are fucking amazing!!!
ladyfuschia 7 months ago
The Strawbs "Epitaph"
bugibbab0y 11 months ago
@bugibbab0y Quite true. It's those mellotrons how doomy are they? The only other track that uses them to such effect is bizarrely Decades by Joy Division.
tonbridgeman 10 months ago
This song always makes my hair stand on end. It's so dramatic and sad. War just keeps on happening. Anyway, Happy Birthday to Dave Lambert today. This Strawbs fan has seen the band 3x - 1975 in Kingston, ON and 2x at Hugh's Room in Toronto. A fabulous, smart, talented band.
rocktenniscat 11 months ago
A fantastic video of a mighty song by an amazing band. The video proves you don't need an edit every second to make an impact. Of course it helps that this is Strawbs! Do not miss hearing "Witchwood", "Autumn", "Sheep", and "Where is This Dream of Your Youth" plus a couple dozen others.
MrFreako2010 1 year ago
Probably the most memorable album I ever bought.
Can it be so long ago?
fatbill717 1 year ago
@fatbill717 Considering all the crap that's out there nowadays, yes. I'm afraid so. But many of us will never forget, never lose the passion. We must keep it alive!
ladyfuschia 7 months ago
Great album. Bought after seeing the "Grave New World" film, which should be shown on TV. Very interesting album, split between their normal folky/spiritual stuff and this and Heavy Disguise, just crashing in through the ambience. This track is in the middle somewhere, when you would expect it at the end of a side like Epitaph or COTCK. Raging civil war in part of the UK at the time and I can't remember any other band addressing it, tho' I'm sure I'll be corrected.
SuperNevile 1 year ago
the pauphous addision to Pinkyes Wall teens
shvedr06 1 year ago
I got to see them live when at the height of their success and just as powerful performing live.
Audiocodes 1 year ago
@Audiocodes They still are, despite their advancing years.
DuncanBennettMusic 1 year ago
This is quite a powerful video ... at times even disturbing. IIRC the song was written because Dave Cousins was outraged at the way England was behaving in the Northern Ireland conflict. This video puts that on par with the atrocities of WW1 and, a wild guess, the Eritrea famine. I discovered the Strawbs only a few years ago but this song immediately struck a chord. The way Cousins sings "May you rot ..." is very very very gripping.
ChrisEchoes 1 year ago
THANK You !
mobyboy 1 year ago
one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
amonduultje 2 years ago
I seem to remember that Wakeman had left the band and the wonderful Mellotron on this album was a guy called Blue Weaver from Amen Corner
kn1ghtstemplar 2 years ago
Powerful Song & Film! The mellotron sends shiverds down my spine!
velocet1976 2 years ago
Dearest Strawbperson Any chance of "Cut like a diamond"....can't find it on this tube thing and I hav'nt heard it since I was a likkle prog rocker/folkie all those years ago.Ta.
Hellishhorse 3 years ago
The Strawbs are brilliant AND vastly underrated!
EQRSC 3 years ago
you've got a great sense for great music.
they certainly are underrated
amonduultje 2 years ago
Ye Gods - that is one powerful video and it suits this amazing song so well.
Thanks for posting it!
tonythekingfisher 3 years ago
Haven't heard this in over 30 years. Memories flood back.... thanks for posting.
zyster001 3 years ago
may you rot... in your
grave... new world
love u strawbs
mywishLE 3 years ago
Saw them on the Grave New World British tour in February 1972 at Southport Floral Hall. What a gig it was: they played nearly all the new album plus other gems. Tony Hooper was still with band and Blue Weaver was playing his first tour. Went backstage at the end and got all their autographs. Fab night, and drank a bottle of whisky between us...(friends that is...).
johnjarvo 3 years ago
Saw them at Joe' Pub, NYC, in past 2 years where they specifically focused on Iraq War (both sides) & US involvements generally as they dedicated this song.
weckalini 3 years ago
Is rick wakeman on this track?
Aspartamebraintumor 3 years ago
No ,Wakeman had joined YES and had been replaced by Blue Weaver of Amen Corner. OK my friend?
pontesanmarco 3 years ago 2
Their greatest song..
ohisashiburi 3 years ago 2
defently !
mobyboy 3 years ago
The world became the world, may you rest.
g0z0b0y 4 years ago 7
... (Verboten continued) Mike Oldfield played the Ryerson Theatre the last time he was here, and he even had Pierre Moerlen of Gong playing drums for him. And Pierre's old boss, Daevid Allen, played The Edge which sat what? 50 people? and is now somebody's office. And these days you can chat with Dave Cousins and Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk at the bar after the show when they play Hugh's Room. You can't do that with any other major prog band.
manzanadecoco 4 years ago
Saw Strawbs at Maple Leaf Gardens with Max Webster backing them up. If I am not mistaken it was the Deep Cuts tour in 1976. Fabulous show. I also saw them the year before in Calgary at a 1000 seat auditorium. So Verboten in Canada?? Nein mein Fuhrer.
francismahe 3 years ago
Strawbs and Webster at the Gardens? I'd thought I'd heard that that show was at CNE Stadium. I guess not. Webster played my high school circa 1978. My hearing is still impaired. Kim Mitchell wore this circulating light helmet thingy. Weird. Lights going round and round his face, like a Strawbs song. But the Strawbs I didn't catch until years later, at the El Mo, and the Diamond.
manzanadecoco 2 years ago
Verboten in Canada? But didn't the Strawbs play the CNE Grandstand with Max Webster opening for them? I don't think Gentle Giant or Van Der Graaf played anything that big in Toronto. And they didn't get the radio play that Lay Down and Part of the Union used to get. Only the progressive first string -- Floyd, Yes, Genesis?, Tull? -- would have played bigger shows than that. When PFM played here, it was at Convocation Hall at the University, not the Canadian National Exhibition...
manzanadecoco 4 years ago
Thank you for posting this one. It's a great sample to which I can link when talking about the music that's running through my mind and keeping me awake tonight.
csven 4 years ago
Excellent song! Probably my favorite from this great band.
Gianthogweed 4 years ago 2
I've rarely been more touched by a song such as this. Lyrics, drama and music are memorable. Cousin's finest hour indeed. I enjoyed this song when it came out - 1973? and still shiver to it.
butterworthpa 4 years ago 2
One of the best songs I have heard in the modern prog rock movement. I think it is Verboten or some such thing to listen to The Strawbs in Canada, despite the fact it is a band Rick wakeman of Yes played in-see a total lack of interest in playing this great bands music on FM radio in Canada, even in the 70s-why-I have often asked myself that question. Dumb football prejudice doesnt seem to quite explain it. Enjoy this rarity that shouldnt be a rarity-peace.
earthsystem03 4 years ago 7
whenever world leaders meet to discuss the worlds future this should be the anthem they hear before they sit down. and when they finish maybe "lucky man" by ELP.
1401spike1954 4 years ago 2
I was in lodgings in Bromley when I bought "Grave New World", the first of many Strawbs albums. Cousin's voice is just so distinctive and the whole album just felt so 'complete' in terms of the song choice and quality.
May you rest ...
thetubejester 4 years ago 3
How can you teach when you have so much to learn ?
steveharleyfan 4 years ago 3
how about a few more of grave new world theres one with a fine sitar and instramental ending ? cant remeber what its called tho....
14thknight 4 years ago
grave new world ? nuff said.
14thknight 4 years ago 2
Very fitting video for a great song from one of the all-time underappreciated bands.
manlyduckling 4 years ago
Wonderful song, wonderful album, wonderful piece of film. Disturbing and powerful. If only todays bands would attempt to deliver a message.
doctorterror69 4 years ago