500 Miles By Hedy West

[nealixd]

Wow, the original is so different from all the covers like PP&M, very interesting. Bobby Bare does a more country version. I really like Judith Durham's ethereal high voiced version with the Seekers. But, in deference to the original writer this is cool, glad to hear it online.

[imorgan72]

In ref. to the statement below, I am so proud of my grandfather and what he stood for.

[imorgan72]

Thanks so much for posting this, I have this album that my grandfather brought back from Washington D C in August 1963, He and other Untied Mine Workers went to the Martin Luther King March, and The I Have a Dream Speech, I am so proud of my him and what he stood for and how he and my grandmother raised me. Thanks to Hedy I have enjoyed her music so much. He also brought back a Phil Ochs Album as well, Such wonder musicians, May they rest in peace, knowing they helped change this country.

[aaronjanke]

thanks for posting!

[BenDuvallIrwin]

with folk music it's best not to worry about who wrote it

[PHJimY]

While Hedy introduced most of us to this song, she didn't write it. Listen to Fiddling John Carson's (who calls it 900 Miles) version, also on Youtube.

[sensei48]

@PHJimY - Not quite so. "900 Miles" is a very well-known and oft-recorded trad song, predating even Fiddlin' John by decades. In the notes here, I mention that West learned parts of this song from her grandmother. The two songs share some similarities - trains and lost love - but the melodic structure and lyric intent are markedly different. "900" has morphed into country blues; "500" has more of the structure of an English or Scots-Irish ballad. Different songs.

[sensei48]

More here - go to compvid101 dot blogspot dot com and check /2009/02/hedy-wests-500-miles dot html 

[mzeesimba]

This performance is 500 miles ahead of any other. I knew this was Hedy's song, but I had never heard her performance of it before. I had not realized how much better her version would be than all those slow pop oriented versions. This one is just great!

[jonasjar]

Thanks for the upload. We had Hedy staying in our house for a week when I was a kid in early 70s in Sweden, and she was one of the most loveable creatures I've seen to this day. The music just pouring out of her like the most natural thing in the world. Her legs tucked up under her and her long neck banjo filling dads study with rooty music coming from a long distance. Unforgetable moments that was, they have stayed with me ever since.

[berkeleybernie]

@jonasjar How wonderful. My best music experiences almost always have been informal "living room" affairs.

[wannesmorris]

This song (the melody) is very similar to "(You gonna miss me) When I'm gone" as recorded by The New Lost City Ramblers in 1963

[sahir313]

any way whom ever made it thy made it perfect

[terrisonb]

I have never heard her recording of this song before. Her version certainly has a "Woody Guthrie" feel to it. I am glad that I finally got to hear her sing it. I am an amature singer and I recently made an attempt at recording a version of this wonderful old song myself. It is based on the Peter Paul and Mary version. If you like this song please stop by my channel sometime and check it out.

[keeperoftheforest]

she deserve credit.... that she'll never have....

Even if covers are better she still done it!

[lionssong2525]

What a treasure. Thanks for posting it and the information.

[elfhermie]

Peter, Paul, and Mary (and others) were wise to cut, rearrange, and change this song to suit their own styes. This version blows like a train whistle compared to the slower, sadder versions and is horribly dated whereas the others are timeless. Interesting as a historic piece, but I won't be listening to this version very much.

[thamiCappuccino]

Amazing song, thank you! I couldn't find the complete lyrics of this version anywhere so I transcribed them myself, you can find them in my blog if you want.

[fanchbrezoneg]

you have this version on the cd "Troubadours of the Folk Era - Volume 2" published by Rhino (1992) code 0 8122-70263-2. from the original album " Hedy West , Vanguard #9124 , april 1963.

[EricEi3]

Beautifull song

[zzzut]

il y a 29 secondes

I have always wondered why this original interpretation by the composer herself has an upbeat tempo since the subtitle is "Railroader's Lament". This is why (although I love this song in any shape or form) I still prefer the sadder and slower Peter, Paul & Mary version.

[bobzeda]

@zzzut

Upbeat? :) My grandmother was an appalachian;) Appalachians are fascinating people. They don't get emotional; never too sad or too happy. Hedy is a perfect example. Listen to her, it's really just her a banjo and she sings the lyrics 'straight.' Not much emotion or sadness. Very strong people, mountain people.

[zzzut]

@bobzeda Interesting comment. My great-grandmother was a Huron-Wendat but I did not have the honour to know her personally. Unfortunately, no native wisdom was passed down to me. I still think this is a great song.

[daimawr7000]

I had no notion of all the verses she sings. Much richer than the cut down versions.

[HotAcousticchick]

thanks for posting this song.

[TheRunner75]

I didn't know she recorded it; I thought the Journeymen had the original version.

[CompVid101]

@TheRunner75 - The Journeymen released it in 1961 after West had written and copyrighted it. I believe her own first album came out later that year.

[TheRunner75]

@CompVid101 "Accompanying Herself on the 5-String Banjo" the Hedy West including "500 miles" has been released in 1963 on Vanguard VRS-9124. Though the Original version recorded must be back to the Journeymen.

[ajay999999]

Everybodys changed the lyrics

[ArkRed1]

I was able to correspond via email with Hedy for awhile. Then she said she would be unable to use her computer anymore, and gave no reason. I didn't know how far her cancer had progressed. The next thing I heard was that she had passed. She was a classic and I'll always cherish the visiting with her on the net. I sing one of her songs as a tribute in my performances. Rest In Peace dear lady, I miss you. Bless you for keeping these old song alive.

[AALLPPAACC]

@ArkRed1 may you send me by email the lyrics of 500 miles ? i'm an italian fan of her

[fanchbrezoneg]

amazing song, great artist.

[clevblue]

Really glad you've posted this, haven't heard it in years, great stuff thanks

[edoko63]

hedy is the bomb

[bobzeda]

I've always liked the "matter-of-fact" way Appalachian songs are sang. I can imagine her on a porch swing singing this;)

I really like it.

[Tr0f0bi]

really great piece of music!