@anonUK I just checked with my OH (first language Welsh) - It's pronounced Blei-nei if you're north Welsh (as in Ffestiniong), Bly-na if you're southern (i.e. the one near the Merthyr and Rhymney of the song). So I was wrong, sorry!
Maybe I should apologise to you, since I was using the pronunciation of Blaenau Ffestiniog to help me guess at the pronunciation of Blaenau (Gwent). Perhaps you're right, not me.
To me, the Byrds sometimes seemed to be a harbinger of future things to come. They occasionally seemed to rely on Biblical prophecies and teachings to make their point. All in all they were a great group with unique music that we'll always have to listen to and think about what I believe to be far simpler times.-----Danny Sordello
This song commemorates the hardships of the coal miners of South Wales. A popular misconception is that it was inspired by the Aberfan disaster of 1966, in which the collapse of a huge pile of mine tailings destroyed a school and killed 116 children.
McGuinn's Rick 12 is diminished in this mix but it is interesting to hear Crosby's highly compressed rhythm, probably on his Gretsch. Nice swing and drive. Studio compression was a great enhancement for the Byrds.
Byrds...was not a band..come on,i am young(the body)do not lived the era,but,come on,for anyone...byurds is a religion...not a band or a sound...
a religion
this connects me to god,godness,when i communicate with the everything,you,the trees,the skies,the earth,the universe,the great Era(60´s),this is what the avatars were talking about before their word be consumed by the sins of the churches of men
This song was written about the struggles throughout the years of the miners from Wales....the places mentioned are all towns in South Wales...it was written by an old Welsh coalminer fron Rhymney named ldris Davies and put to music by the great Pete Seeger...God bless coal miners everywhere
What a trip, Robin Hitchcock does a cover of this and I always thought this was his song and I thought he ripped off the Byrds because of the way his version sounds.
Where's McGuinn's Rickenbacker?. Crosby's Gretsch can be heard which is lovely but no stereo. That having been said, it is an interesting 'mix' ! LOVE their version. It is heartbreakingly gorgeous!
Missing the opening note is unforgivable. ;)
NJtoTX 1 week ago
I often wonder if anyone really appreciates the Byrds harmonies and listens to the passioante words of Bob Dylan.
This is a powerful song for change IF anyone listens to it.
kenimisoncanada 2 months ago
@kenimisoncanada Bob Dylan? It was written by a great Welsh poet, Idris Davies.
CurriedUnicorn 1 month ago
I always loved the bass line in this song. It really helps to reinforce the verses. Just a beautiful song, thanks for posting!
D.
DynaflowDonnie 3 months ago
@DynaflowDonnie - you're very welcome!
rwells47 3 months ago
May I recommend the book 'A Pop Revolution, the transatlantic music scene 1965 to 1969' by the invisible man. The author is a big fan of this track.
garyw930 3 months ago
Thumbs up if you're a moron who thinks no one else knows.
CofradeArrepentido 3 months ago 5
Lyrics correction Blaina = Blaenau (pronounced Bly-now)
(Rhondda should be pronounced Ron-tha)
Top song. Always a favourite. Thanks for posting :o)
CurriedUnicorn 5 months ago
Isn't it more like 'Bleinei' for the Welsh than 'Blaina' or 'Bly-now'? Just asking.
anonUK 1 month ago
@anonUK I just checked with my OH (first language Welsh) - It's pronounced Blei-nei if you're north Welsh (as in Ffestiniong), Bly-na if you're southern (i.e. the one near the Merthyr and Rhymney of the song). So I was wrong, sorry!
CurriedUnicorn 1 month ago
@CurriedUnicorn
Maybe I should apologise to you, since I was using the pronunciation of Blaenau Ffestiniog to help me guess at the pronunciation of Blaenau (Gwent). Perhaps you're right, not me.
anonUK 1 month ago
Nice to hear Crosby's rhythm as the most prominent instead of the usual 12 string. Sounds great
genericgeorge 6 months ago
To me, the Byrds sometimes seemed to be a harbinger of future things to come. They occasionally seemed to rely on Biblical prophecies and teachings to make their point. All in all they were a great group with unique music that we'll always have to listen to and think about what I believe to be far simpler times.-----Danny Sordello
dannysordello 6 months ago
great pics, my favorite byrds tune,thanks for posting
8h6ed 7 months ago
@8h6ed- you're very welcome!
rwells47 7 months ago
anybody know what the chord is at 1:53?
nursesteve2004 7 months ago
We sang this song at South Dakota Honor Choir 2009 :)
rahjah9311 8 months ago
This song commemorates the hardships of the coal miners of South Wales. A popular misconception is that it was inspired by the Aberfan disaster of 1966, in which the collapse of a huge pile of mine tailings destroyed a school and killed 116 children.
CantwrCymreig 8 months ago
Beautiful.
LarryRickenbacker 9 months ago
Cymru am byth!
Wales forever!
RuggedLike 9 months ago
McGuinn's Rick 12 is diminished in this mix but it is interesting to hear Crosby's highly compressed rhythm, probably on his Gretsch. Nice swing and drive. Studio compression was a great enhancement for the Byrds.
tboltjohn 9 months ago
Thumbs up if you love the harmonizing at the end of this song!
mojav26 10 months ago 12
@mojav26 It's great
genericgeorge 6 months ago
Byrds...was not a band..come on,i am young(the body)do not lived the era,but,come on,for anyone...byurds is a religion...not a band or a sound...
a religion
this connects me to god,godness,when i communicate with the everything,you,the trees,the skies,the earth,the universe,the great Era(60´s),this is what the avatars were talking about before their word be consumed by the sins of the churches of men
GabrielDhalaman 10 months ago
I still say David Crosby fathered Jack Black....
celloprofundo 10 months ago
The right channel is missing on this video.
MrBEB123 10 months ago
Even McGuinn admitted that he was pronouncing it incorrectly. When he sings it now, he says "Rum-Ney". I guess he's not American anymore. ;)
willzimjohn 10 months ago
well in america we pronounce it Rim-ney. welch people pronounce there y's differently
llamasarus1 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@llamasarus1 Even McGuinn admitted that he's pronouncing it wrong.
willzimjohn 10 months ago
The best Byrds tune by far.
UnseenCaller 1 year ago
Being an Appalachian from WV this song resonates deeply with me.
We have Welsh blood among others... Wales is the WV of Britain.
BarrosSerrano 1 year ago 3
A Brilliant cover and my favourite Byrds song along with Chestnut Mare!
BTW, Rhymney should be pronounced Rum-ney not Rim-ney...
15chipshops 1 year ago
This song was written about the struggles throughout the years of the miners from Wales....the places mentioned are all towns in South Wales...it was written by an old Welsh coalminer fron Rhymney named ldris Davies and put to music by the great Pete Seeger...God bless coal miners everywhere
alunhughes147 1 year ago
Wonderful, simply wonderful.. Adding your video into my playlist. Thank-you for posting rwells47.
RoryNights 1 year ago
What a trip, Robin Hitchcock does a cover of this and I always thought this was his song and I thought he ripped off the Byrds because of the way his version sounds.
pucksterz12 1 year ago
@pucksterz12 youre wrong, they both ripped off some english poet from the 30's or so
me2menow17 1 year ago
@pucksterz12 youre wrong, they both "ripped off" an english poet from the 30's or so
me2menow17 1 year ago
Where's McGuinn's Rickenbacker?. Crosby's Gretsch can be heard which is lovely but no stereo. That having been said, it is an interesting 'mix' ! LOVE their version. It is heartbreakingly gorgeous!
theonlyantony 1 year ago
Excellent choice of photos!
Screenman5 1 year ago
Screenman5- thank you! Ron
rwells47 1 year ago
another good one Ron...The Byrds were a great group xx 5*
somersetgal1 2 years ago