Tennessee Ernie Ford - Shenandoah

[Maritimer2009]

What a voice!! Lyrical beauty expressed like no other in the male vocal range!! Makesyawannacry!

[mark332nd]

Ernie Ford puts more soul into the first few phrases of this song than a lot of singers put into their entire career. Geez I am so glad to have found this.

[Britnibaby2012]

I have always loved this song AND the movie..

[beatlemaniacforever]

Always preferred Paul Robeson's arrangement, but my god! Tennessee Ford does this one well! Loved the man, he lives on even still.

[billty1]

Amazing man,amazing song.Amazing time to be alive.They are gone but not forgotten.

[ELVIS4221]

HE SANG IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF HIS LITTLE PEA-PICKIN HEART

[ELVIS4221]

WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN WAS HE. I MISS HIM SO

[DJDeadeyexy68wd45]

Tennessee Ernie was awesome...

[wst057]

We were originally from the kentucky/ohio region. When I was younger, I used to hate when my grandfather would sing these songs, and now that he is close to passing, they are what keeps him close.....

[kevin1957ful]

Thank you so much for sharing ,



[constancelena]

Tennessee Earnie Ford was well known and loved at our house as I grew up in western KY--my dad especially loved country music and also a love of Tennessee Earnie Ford's music--this was even passed down to our sons

[sylviajorgentorolaf]

I know we have to move on in the entertainment world, but, where are thie entertainers of this calibre today, there`s hardly any left and passing through like a conveyer belt

[sclaire83]

I was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, I don't live there now, but this is a good song that makes me miss where I'm from.

[madamerotten]

This was originally a Hawaiian song.

[radar4100]

@madamerotten Sorry, it is a song of Virginia. Check out this wikipedia explanation

[madamerotten]

@radar4100 Oops, you're right. Sorry- I always confuse Virginia with Hawaii, since they are rather similar.

[PooPoo2U]

@madamerotten: A Hawaiian song about a river in Virginia? I can't put my finger on it, but something about that doesn't make sense...

[madamerotten]

@PooPoo2U I unintentionally confused Hawaii with Virginia. Sorry.

[Fragliche]

Has it ever occurred to to anyone that perhaps the reason there are any downvotes is because there are just SOME people who don't like Ernie's rendition of this song? Is it possible in this day and age for someone to have a negative opinion about something without being belittled by others?

[KingGhidzilla]

@Fragliche Absolutely not. If you don't like this song you're a fucking idiot.

[williambtm1]

A true American song and sang by a unique gentleman with a unique voice.

[MsJL72]

What's not to like (love) about this song and singer. Ernest Ford had a magnificent voice. LOVE his voice and this song.

[dqfreemind]

The dislikes are rappers and there are no f bombs in this song. Stupid little morons, no culture in USA anymore.

[cillajeanluvmayn]

My mother always played his records, I loved his voice !

[camaw100]

Completely natural voice, pure and simple....

[d57z12]

Pure bass baritone - superb. None better in my humble opinion.

[phoenixdown117]

Dang, his voice is SO different from when he was in I Love Lucy. He's amazing!

[Poutchyka]

lol I first heard of him while watching "I Love Lucy". I had to check out who he was :P

[ZeroTypeNirvash]

Whenever I hear this song, no matter who sings it, I think of my Grandpa.

R.I.P.

Gerald Miller

Grandpa

[BBC30]

The former World's Greatest Living Human!

[SWarren958]

You listen to this an you know that there is a God and that he loves us. Ernie Ford's voice was a gift to all of us.

[2SEAMSPECIAL]

Stach is major swag points

[fdjondal1]

My favorite place in the US ( Shenandoah Valley ) and I live in MN.

[mschasez7076]

The Shenandoah Valley is hands down the best place on earth.

[NoiseLTD]

@mschasez7076 I haven't seen every place on earth, but of all I've seen, none beats the Shenandoah Valley.

[sutonchef]

@mschasez7076 WAS LOOKING DOWN ON IT FROM SKYLINE DRIVE LAST WEEK

[GDS4VR]

AMERICAN BY BIRTH, VIRGINIAN BY THE GRACE OF GOD!

[iamintheburg]

@GDS4VR Me too, GDS4VR, me too !!!!!!!!!! This vocal of this lyric is our history, heritage, and humanity.

[thavrinsok]

@horolograhper Very nice put. His voice sooth the soul like a hot cup of cocoa on a cold chilly night.

[cherokeetrace]

Great song, great singer.

Check out the extras in the backgroung lighting up.

Soooooo not PC. Heh.

Smokin' lamps out now guys.

[Gibby483]

Daddysgurl is correct he's a bass. Always loved Mr. Ford. So much so that I can imitate him on most most of his songs

[marianware]

Pitch perfect, with not a waver or quiver one to mar the beauty of each note. He was able to put so much warmth and expression into the songs he sang, with little more help than a bit of a smile, a sparkle in his eyes, and the snap of his fingers. What an amazing talent! What a horrible loss, to no longer have him!

[GARYROBINSON128236]

MISS YOU ERNIE FORD. G=ROB

[xXLilRiosXx]

I'm in choir singing this song need a little info on it

[ScottAlmighty]

I am from Virginia, but have been away six years with the Navy. This song brings a tear to my eye. Beautiful.

[thesummerone]

This is a classic! Tennessee Ernie Ford was a wonderful combination of talents. I can't imagine anyone not loving him.

[TheJmz103]

@thesummerone 13 people wanted to test your imagination, just to see if it was still working...I...er...think...

[iamintheburg]

This is an incredible performance : tasteful and quiet , so very powerful. It's so very faithful to its time-I can imagine some flatboat being poled through the Erie Canal, toward the Ohio Territory as he heads toward the wide Missouri. Maybe he'd come back East to loving family; maybe he'd find a cold grave somewheres on the plains. This is our history as a nation and a tribute to all of us as Americans. Thank you for the post. I feel the past as I hear this and I feel my human-ness.

[fretkillrlives]

A great voice and a great recording. I'm thinking of changing my stage name to Alaska Tommie Edsel.

[cbramham]

What a heavenly voice. Wow --- you can't learn how to sing like this.

[davidusmc95]

Not only do I love Tennessee Ernie Ford, but he's the only one I've heard sing Shenandoah and pronounce Missouri correctly. :)

[mk6758]

epic moustache

[JemimaChan]

NO ONE could sing like this man could! And what a beautiful song. Thank you so much for posting it.

[heymama1]

One of the best songs ever.

[MachRiderZero]

I sang this song as part of our chorale. I was a couple octaves up on this guy, but just listening to this gives me the same electric crawl up my spine that it did when I sang it.

[Krsanna]

@horolographer1 - Me too! He's exquisite.

[jimday1963]

How can you even have 13 dislikes. So many morons in today's society, Tennesse Ernie is about as talented as you can get. Has an amazing voice. They may not like the type of song. They may be rockers or rappers, but you can't ridicule for what he does. Always enjoyed hearing him sing.

[painin2teeth]

@jimday1963 Exactly. I guess they were upset about a lack of swear words and bad grammar.  Or perhaps because he represents religion.

[747gerry]

Ernie and Paul Robeson really put Shenandoah up there with the best

[Singingforyouful]

@747gerry nope, in my mind only ernie. and then along came sissel and warms your heart just as much, it's crazy to listen to ernie's version in baritone and then listen to sissel's soprano singing it.

[poohbare9541]

would you believe baritone?

[lionssong2525]

Wonderful memories. My family and I watched his show every week.

[jeggerton]

No autotuning, no overproduction, no gimicks. Just a great song and a great singer. Thanks for posting.

[G1itcher]

@jeggerton Indeed. It seem the general populace isn't interested in just listening to the music any more.

[Barkbuster434]

@jeggerton Couldn't have said it better.

[emeraldseagull]

There was no such thing as a fake tan back then...

[aladywriter]

Exquisite baritone originally from Bristol, TN/VA. He looked just like his dad. :-)

[RavensRequiem]

What an absolutely lovely baritone voice! No one can do it better.

[bluegibby7]

What a voice we will never hear the likes again.

[boose0]

Man he was something.

[TheDogDover]

@boose0 what do you mean was, he still can be as long as he is remembered and his music played :D

[hercolobus21]

bonita  voz, muy profunda...

[OdinX316]

Perfect!!! 

[terrysawbo]

absolutely perfect

[edwardkent]

is he wearing fake tan....looks like to me

[Mumsilius]

@edwardkent or maybe he's wearing a very old remastered video recording?

[kallisann]

For all your beautiful positive comments, please let me add mine.

What a wonderful voice, indeed.

Thank youso much, for posting

[HotDebrag]

Baritone but with some bass fills

[harryfaber]

superb

[pittydirl]

Of course I loved him in I Love Lucy, but it wasn't for many years before I discovered how gorgeous his real voice was! :D Love this!

[kimdenise200]

Love it! so beautiful, made my day!

[hawkinstaylor51]

Hey Everyone! If you would like to hear my performance of "Shenandoah" Just type in HawkinsTaylor51 to the inbox and then click on Shenandoah and thats me lol. Sorry for the viewing quality of the video haha, but I hope you like it!

[mindlessdrone07]

This reminds me of the SNL sketch with Robert Goulet in Pirates of Penzance.

[chanse117]

@mindlessdrone07

Red Ships of Spain. Damn funny bit!

[1chrissie11]

omg what a wonderful voice. brings back memories of when i was a child. 

[mtlyb]

I love this song, and his rendition.

You can find a Christmas song or two on the TEFSHOW link. Just scroll through.

[brazilanna]

man has he got a voice to touch the heart.



[SoBelleofTN]

Tennessee Ernie Ford, was born in Bristol, Tennessee,

Birth name Ernest Jennings Ford

Born February 13, 1919

Bristol, Tennessee,

United States

Died October 17, 1991 (aged 72)

Reston, Virginia,

United States

Genres Country & Western, Pop, Gospel

[TOM280605]

Just Fantastic Ernie we miss you so much

[joshplume]

Is this a civil war song?

[290948kenwong]

never heard of this bloke before, but I would walk over broken glass bottles to hear him sing again. As soon as he opened his mouth, I knew I was going to hear something special. Could someone please post him singing some xmas carols as nobody seems to be able to sing compared to this bloke. K.J. E dmonton.

[290948kenwong]

never heard of this bloke before, but I would walk over broken glass bottles to hear him sing again. K.J. E dmonton.

[Strawberry7Lynn]

Well, I wasn't expecting a colour clip! Fantastic!

[DJKaneHtownshuffler]

wow!!!!! this song makes me cry

[jojojo943]

Check out "Ernie Sings and Glenn Picks" with Glenn Campbell. Splendid!

[jocwalk]

If you have an appreciation for T.E. Ford, you should check out the "Sha kon o hey" videos from Dollywood. The mountain man, Scott Self, has a voice reminiscent of Mr. Ford. I'm not saying "better than" or "just like." Self just possess a full voice with complete control that you rarely hear anymore except in these wonderful old video clips.

[SoBelleofTN]

@jocwalk The name Sha Kon O Hey, is Cherokee meaning 'Land of Blue Smoke' ! The Smokey Mountains of Tennessee is also were Dolly was born and raised in Sevierville, just down the road from Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. Great place to visit and listen to beautiful mountain music!

[bmankin1022]

yes thanx utube for giving us our masters ,they always wanted us to have them,they still do and they thank you too.

[americangraffiti101]

@Daddysgurl1997 Tenor?? Tennessee Ernie Ford was a bass, lol. He had a SUPERB bass voice. :)

[ravenshade13]

tyvm!

[saciji]

loved it since my childhood!

[beesteboy711]

sure he can sing....but you can't ever duplicate that mustache!

[jdhoffman1221]

I hope these goosebumps go away eventually...

[DesertFox101]

@jdhoffman1221 I don't...

[thegiantpurplesquid]

wow its weird like i haft to sing it for a talent show and haft to sing it different like higher pitched its alright |:

[darlingnaget]

good god this mans voice is so versatile, rich and buttery, soothing, everything good :) 

[christinbeadlesandjb]

i hae to sing this in choir to :(

[tunenut122]

Tennessee 's version would be hard to beat. Did Justin B. record this? 

[Moshpith]

11 people thought Justin Bieber could do it with more soul.

[ChiefSailor1948]

He worked as a radio station DJ way back when, sure am glad that someone listened to him singing and was able to get him recorded.

[peetre]

You are right, a voice and personality as his will never be again.

[mightymouth4ever]

beautiful singer couldnt be sung better by any other male singer. i think 11 people need thier ears checked

[lisa4615]

@mightymouth4ever lmao

[aqx770]

The finest male performance of this song. Ever!

[dajamesnyc]

wow

[Boelcke1916]

This is fantastic.

[cheyenne86]

What a voice

[nhgranite1]

absolutely wonderful;no one can match this bass unless you watch Bill Gaither's talented singers, then the comparison is moot as they are ALL wonderful, what a shame Ern, that little ol'peapicker, isn't here today to influence todays music. Thankyou very much for this moving rendition of a sweet song.

[gm1600]

soothing where r these guys noeadays just butter and creamy

[horolographer1]

I am so moved by his rendition of this classical solo song. I am awed by his relaxed style of singing yet so very capable of conveying the message in the song. I am lifted by his performance. Its an amazing performance because it was almost acapella with his voice carrying the melody yet so complete. His performance is to my soul like a hot cup of cocoa on a cold chilly night. Warmed and lifted me up.

[aqx770]

@horolographer1

Well Said!!!!

[Galericulus]

@horolographer1 Very well expressed. I also noticed that "Sixteen Tons" was almost acapella too on certain versions. This singer could easily do what many can't...stay in tune when the accompaniment stops. Funny thing, for years after first hearing him on radio I was convinced he was black. Didn't know a white man's voice could sound like this. Had quite a surprise when I saw my first video of him singing!

[detaylor123ish]

@horolographer1 Yes and they don't make 'em like that any more.

[brandoncarnley]

The Statlers did great at this song for a quartet... but you surely cant beat the deep voice of Mr Ford.

[bookwormgal1996]

Woah, that's a deep voice! I like it!

[KissMeQuk]

He has the perfect voice for this song!! Very Deep Voice!!!

[Savaric86]

Is there a best of album of his work which includes this song?

[HitoOszuri]

11 people suck monkeyfuck

beautiful song

[joevs21001]

Good gosh that man could sing!

[CzarnyKotRudy]

Oh God ! I'm singing this song in my choir ! Great !

[MrAudioProducer]

What a noble voice! Nice!

[waynefrnczk148]

So beautiful..so poignant...why can't we hear more music like this on the airwaves...

[timothyissohot]

You just listen to him speak, and then to hear him sing! You just get blown away!

[Natesmodelrailroad]

@timothyissohot: You almost think it's someone like Hitchcock singing!

[meshuggepup]

Magnificent!

[OneKewpie]

My son, Tommy, sang this song with Kevin Costner in the Blue Beret Boys Choir in Ventura, CA. BiCentennial Pageant. They also performed at Disneyland together. OneKewpie

[Croogix]

Eleven people must have drowned in the river, and are trying to get revenge.

[wwnixon]

great old American song , sung by a genuine American singer !

[Baskerville22]

His great River of No Return has echoes of Shenandoah...

[sdorr]

one of the one or two best renditions...... makes it come alive...

[Coowallsky]

One of the last great baritones.

[Mumsilius]

@Coowallsky uuu, this man is clearly a bass! And a velvety-smooth beautiful bass voice too!

[Coowallsky]

@Mumsilius You know, you're right. My mistake and I agree with the velvety-smooth!!

[Mumsilius]

@Coowallsky Haha yes indeed!

[Ruthannsmusic]

I just love this song. I like his songs too.

[oisc123]

this is very good, paul robeson does the definitive version

[RavensRequiem]

I too wonder where all the real singers are. I love this type of music and wish we had it today.

[bweber2k]

I remember listening to the original broadcasts and asking the channel to be changed. Only to find my bedtime moved up 30 mins.LOL Now as an adult, I enjoy his magnificently trained voice.

[CombatGal]

I love Tennessee Ernie. He was such a goof (good sport) on Lucy and Jack Benny....and then this. Kind of like Dennis Day, speaking of Jack.

[worseto]

Ok it is time for hollywood to go back to basics. We need another tennessee ernie to step up.Where are all the real men. A song that can make me cry will always be a hit over and over.

[akassassan]

Wow saw him in the 70s. this makes me feal old now.

[papadopilo]

Agree that today many from America who try to sing, cant sing. They have forgot how to sing. they scream, and act silly, This version is one of my best.

And if you listen to this screamers when they sing acapella, they can definitift not sing at all, and wors they can not act real on. They don`t live with the song, but act stupid somtimes. Shame on american singers today. Yes shame, real shame, I say.

from

H. Larsen

Norway

[LEOPARDTWO]

Thank you, Ernie. Just beautiful.

[thatsaneckyo1]

this dummy didnt even come from virginia so he shouldnt sing it STATLER BROTHERS ALL THE WAY

[flvnow]

a very pale performance compared to Paul Robeson, still very good just a very high mark to aim for

[jimday1963]

@flvnow I have listened to both. I don't think pale. They are both very good.

[reneesie]

There was nobody and is still nobody who had such a voice as he.

[rivka614]

My Grandma would play Ernie Ford's music every chance she got. Listening to him reminds me of my Grandma and our Sunday dinners. May G-D grant Mr. Ford eternal rest.

[MrPrairieHawk]

One of the most beautiful American hymns ever written. From Canada with love! Thanks!

[tarbotton]

such a deep voice love it :)

[countrymusicken]

"Ernie sings, Glenn picks". Find it and get it on Utube. Done 30 years ago in England it never made much splash in the US because it is simply two of the best ever doing old standbys. Incredible.

[patrick9648]

This guy had a set of pipes like thunder. such warmth and depth to his voice.

[ScLeprae]

Wow it's Andrew Ryan.

[xgalore77zerha268]

talent like this is non existent these days

[1redsoxfan1963]

This was my fathers favorite singer. He used to sing to my mother and try to get her to dance with him. He was a crappy singer, but all us kids ( seven of us) would just smile. He has been gone now for twenty years and mom for twenty four. Sure do miss them Thanks for the post.

[plalelal]

@1redsoxfan1963

A nice memory! I miss such simple times.

[The1lizard]

i may be a young one, but i grew up listening to this type of music. and i still love to listen to it. they don't make music like this any more. simply beautiful.

[LearnToTurn7]

I wish I wouldv'e been alive in those days... to hear all those great voices (Ford, cash, crosby) in their hayday. I'm only 16, but I have a deep respect and love for this music because, unlike most of the garbage being pumped out to us through tv, internet, and radio, the lyrics are CLEAN and the voices that sung them were purely natural. no synthesized and electronically enhanced stuff like today.

[weatherboi]

This is what you call a double "solo". He not only sung it alone, but also he sung it "so low", that it was deeper than anyone else has song it. :-}

[Schollekop1982]

Wonderful song by a wonderful singer 

[SmoothJazz98]

God Bless you Mr. Ford! Rest in Peace...a giant of a man.

[shanghaibenny2]

I don't hear this kind of feeling in pop music anymore. He stands in awe of the river's greatness and has total respect for it and the people whose lives it touches.

[HansieDZ]

If Ernie's voice and these lyrics don't bring a tear to your eyes....

well,then you've a harder heart than myself.

[ukcatfan36]

This is one of the many voices from my youth that I really miss!! WE would watch his show weekely..seems like it was on Thursday night(like tonight) He would always do a beautuful song like this at the end of the show..no more music like this in this day and time..sad!!! RIP Ernie!!

[simplysingin]

@ukcatfan36 He had a daily show that was on every morning about !0:AM CST. He was a very funny man.

[TheMagpie3]

smooth and powerful one of the greats