Judy Collins - "Farewell to Tarwathie"

[dws84014]

An Angel's Voice from on High, Stuck in the confines of earth, Thank you Judy for the years of singing and giving us such joy.

[Timberextra]

How many singers can sing with just whale calls as her backups???

[keygain]

This song has always been one of my favorite performed by Judy Collins. She's going to be in concert this week at THE EGG, in Albany, NY.

[tomscarr1]

heard this @ 15 it still moves me @ 56 The whales are excellent backup

[asbpab1966]

Beautiful.

[kehoe123321]

Her voice has been, and still is, like liquid silver.

[1234549084]

A Beautiful version of this song ,but think i like Ilsa stClairs version better ,but i may be becausei come from Aberdeenshire!

[12magicKid12]

She does this song very well, but this has nothing on The Corries' version.

[Chaiteaist]

sings like a bird!

[kmrmashud]

WONDERFUL!! Will any one send me a link to find out this sort of touchy Scottish folk songs....

[CadenceMarquee]

I Love this so much!

[blahblahblah85]

love it! I lov how Judy does not trill her voice and add flowery bits like some would be folk singers

[drydogg]

Makes me weep, but that may be becuase I'm off my meds.

[Jenniferspartner]

One of my favorite folk songs from the 1960s-70s was Farewell to Tarwathie song by Judy Collins and Whales. Wriien as a poem by George Scroggie circa 1856. It turns out he was my great-great- grand uncle. His brother Robert left Scotland and settled in Sarnia Ontario, Canada. What a thrill to have such a connection to such a wonderful song. The mellody has been used in many folk songs" The Wagoner Lad, Farewell Angelina and others.

[normalil]

@Jenniferspartner Although whale hunting must be one of the most obnoxious things that our species has ever done, I just love this song. As soon as you mentioned those other two songs, I recognised the connection. Wonderful song.

[VideoVicious]

there is nae a birdie to sing to the whale

[Doleafol]

This song sounds just like Bob Dylan's "Farewell Angelina." I'm assuming that he based his song on this.

[BluegillGreg]

Reminds me of falling asleep standing up covered in blood with my knife still gutting black cod, three o clock in the morning fifty miles off the coast of the Olympic Peninsula. I'm afraid I'd do it again given the chance, old bones and all. It's the Ocean's version of god with stars jumping crazy all over the blackest sky as the boat drifts, rocking, with the deck lights out and the motor off. Aren't we all seawater and stardust anyway?

[deriter64]

@BluegillGreg You made me gasp and feel insufficient. You're a poet, sir, reminding me of the wonder of work and the night.

[spiralpapermoon]

@BluegillGreg -- struck by your comment, it's poetry! I am anti-hunting just about anything, but your comment was electric. (The song is incredible, too, Judy Collins was fantastic!)

[Wanch1e1ady]

I live not far from al the named places, tanwathie . Crimon and Mormond Hill. I just love this from the age of a bairn.

[oneexile]

Memories of the North Atlantic

[zipper179]

This isn't just a song.. I feel like I'm in another time..; in New Bedford, where I've never been.. ANd, yet, I've made my mark, and I've signed on to a whaler.. Have I signed on to the Pequod..? Two years, we may be gone.. Today, the clipper ship, 'Balclutha', is moored at Fisherman's Wharf, where we've come around Cape Horn.. Hey, I know this is a song; but, it moves me in that way..

[ellenupton]

Oh Suite Judy Blue Eyes, i love you

[612franklin]

Thanks, and Again, Mistress

[robertmaddoxjr]

I love this woman's voice

[makesmesad]

god, it makes me cry.

[elliottdebra452]

This brings me to a complete stop... hanging on every note... and when she goes up a pitch for the last verse... I find myself leaning in and closing my eyes... because it is so beautiful... my heart goes out to the whales...and their survival... they should not be hunted!t

[BazzerWhit]

Always loved this album - Must get a new needle for my deck so I can play it again!

[rutabagasteu]

Lovely song.

i miss hearing her rendition of 'Pirate Jenny'.

[kintakintyea]

Verra gweed ma freen' Creemin eis nay faar fae heis an oor neerist toon Peterheed eestae bi a whaalen statien!

We spik Doric Scots en eiss payrt o oor Scotlaan!

Gordon

[Joemorrisforprez]

One of my favorite artists....such a pure, beautiful voice. I first heard this song when I was very young, and I've always loved it....thanks for posting.

[CALGAL2HULAGAL]

Judy sweet Judy......still a beautiful woman inside and OUT.......we love you!!

[moski388]

what a voice stirs the Scottish blood in me!!

[om92555]

Her voice is so beautiful. She is such an accomplished vocalist.

[musicmaester]

BRAVO.

[ItsCabs]

over all the oceans and lands I've been , only two kinds of people I've chanced to meet - the sensitive, and the dead.

Long live the sensitive...thanks, Judy!

[grundoon51]

Wasn't this song on her first album, back in the very early '60's?

[betahifi]

No. You are thinking of "Bonnie Ship the Diamond. This one, "Farewell to Tarwathie" was on her "Whales And Nightingales" album, released in November 1970.

[grundoon51]

Ok, thanks

[davcr79]

I saw Judy singing this on TV quite recently on a documentary about Herman Melville (Moby Dick). She was completely unaccompanied (no whale song) and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. Does anyone know where I can get a version where Judy just sings and there's nothing else in the background?

[zipper179]

@davcr79 I feel like I'm back in that time.. It would be Greenland, if we don't sail around the 'Horn.. What would I be..? A rigger..? A harpooner..? Perhaps, I'm in the crow's nest, with my eyes skinned for the whale Capt. Ahab seeks.. And, all this, from a song..!

[Albertan1956]

Betahifi, thank you so much for uploading this incredible performance of Judy's for us to enjoy! What a voice she has it touches me in every part of my being!

[johnmcd7]

Oh that voice.....those eyes!

[armpit1996]

what time

[pearlyspencer99]

Thank you Betahifi. I'd forgotten how hauntingly beautiful this song was. After thirty years I've found it again - wonderful.

[gramule]

betahifi, thank you so much for this. takes me back to my youth, and my awareness of green issues and conservation. so grateful

[armpit1996]

i was listning to this when my grandpa died and i started crying

[DarkGothicMermaid]

my dad had tears to his eyes on this song

[rose8491]

Thank you for uploading this treasure. This is the only version, ot this song, that brings tears to my eyes.