Virginia Tech Tribute (Ashokan Farewell)

[LIBERTYTOWER]

A senseless act by one individual has a way of bringing people closer together. It allows you to see the true value of family and friends, it can unite everyone from all walks of life. Like 9/11, what happened at Virginia Tech in 2007 was a tragedy. And like New York on 9/11, VT will slowly rise from the ashes of that dark moment in their history... and move on with life. Thank you BigKahunaSnake, a wonderful tribute set to a moving musical score.

[RockyMissouri]

Thank you....beautiful and humbling..

[Phlegmwahn]

I found this while looking for the melody ‘Ashokan Farwell’.  I remember the shock when the news of the shooting broke on our evening news here in Scotland. So many people taken for no good reason; horrifying. It doesn’t seem all of four years ago.

This has to be the most poignant tribute I’ve encountered on You Tube. The choice of music coupled with the use of photographs is very emotive. BigKahunaSnake you have created something wonderful in this tribute.

[McGrenzer]

Can't fully express how powerful this video is. Thank you, BigKahuna.

[energeez]

wow that last picture is powerful, i see why its last.

[davnkatz]

You did a really good thing with this video. The music with pix convey the sadness, feeliong of loss, and yet the hope of tomorrow. Very nice tribute.

I feel a connection to "Tech" because I also went to0 a "Tech" - Texas Tech.

[aribbe09]

I was a student at Tech, on my way to class in Norris, when the shootings happened. If it had just been 30 minutes later I would have been in the classroom where the most people were killed. I thank God every day for sparing me, but have a hard time understanding why they had to lose their lives. This is my favorite tribute video and I can't tell you how many times I've watched in the last three years. Thank you so much.

[doveswife]

Thank you for a beautiful tribute to those lost. Words cannot convey the deepest sympathies I have for the families of the lost. I was born and raised in Blacksburg, and I will always remember Virginia Tech, coming together with all of the other schools, to overcome this tragedy.

[JackandSally4ever]

...I had to walk away from this, I was crying so hard.

What happened at VT was truely terrible, even almost a year after after the events. To think someone would hate life so much, they'd try to stop it. When I heard about it I was deeply troubled by it; I really thought that people were all this cruel and that this stuff happens because people are bad. But when I look at those who survived and those who lost loved ones durring the tragedy, I know I'm wrong.

You did an amazing job.

[galept]

video doesn't really match the song...

[marmaduke9]

Notice how nobody ever points out the cowardly chicken shit respone from the people who are supposed to protect these poor students.These so called tough guys,armed and body armoured to the hilt, waited outside until the slaughter was over, and then went in.You fucking spineless cowards,with your swat letters writ large on your jackets,with all your training and tough guy bravado,are nothing more than gutless scum.You are also responsible for many of the deaths at VT.

[minwild30]

@marmaduke9

Dear god shut up and never leave your home.

[Maquanaut]

I get wet eyes every time I hear this song...stumbled on this video...What is sad none rose up to confront him..rather be shot in the face than the back of the head...can't say I'd be a hero..or what I'd do in that situation..but come on.. what would you do?

[mich307]

What key is this played in ?

[1offkilter]

Beautiful tune, nothing to do with the "Civil War" other than the movie.

[csaboy27]

this is only the second time ive watched this video, the first time, i liked it a lot, this time, for some reason, it just gave me chills watching it.

[cellostar13]

this is sooooo sad...

i cant stop crying.

im SOOO SOOO SOOO sorry to everyone who lost someone in this tragic event.....

i dont know anyone from VT, but i know what its like losing someone..

and is that George W. Bush at 1:27??

[kendoka0girl]

Beautifully done. Blessings to you and to the memories of those at VT.

[thomas000012]

thanks for this i was a senior in high school and it really scared me, and now looking at this it does bring up a lot of emotions. I also wonder if it could happen here at the University of Iowa. I also remember this song from the ken burns documentary and it fits perfect.  Thanks again.

[kshaw222]

thank you for doing this...

[longhunter96]

I was only in 4th grade but every one in my class was sobing a lot of people in my class had family there. It was the saddest day since 9/11. Nice video.

[supersora6]

my orchestra and i played this for this one concert

[lutto7]

it happened again, right, right now, this time in germany. and it will happen again anywhere around thise globe, as long as we are not willing to face the truth. It's not because of war-games, the availability of weapons or such things. as always, the truth is much easier, but we won't level our sight at it. why? - 'cause it will hurt very much......

[jbomma93]

we will hurt more if we let these things happen and in my opinion the truth is ignorance people would rather push something away they dont understand then face there own demons

[csaboy27]

wow. long time VT fan, I remember I was at school and we heard the news, and I just sat there, while everyone just kind of looked at each other, I'm a long time hokie fan, and I couldnt believe what happend, like everyone else, I was sad, andgry and confused, just like you said, it was one of the saddest days I've ever expierenced. great job with the video, and thank you.

[bhallaich]

its amazing how scottish airs can reach into the depth of human emotion.check out the work of aly bain and phil cunningham a duo of genius on fiddle and accordion.

[maybrook1]

It's actually a lament composed by a Jay Ungar from the NY Catskills.

[hkjazz1]

But the style is really Scottish.

[hmunkey]

It's sad that it happened, but people, put life into perspective please.

The VT shooting was shocking and all of us Americans were angry, however, 1000s are killed everyday in worse ways and we don't say a word about it.

Let's try to save lives. Let's help people.

Start by researching Darfur and writing to your congressman or woman.

[kikomiko1]

Sends chills down my spine every time I hear this.

[Millieardo]

god rest their souls.

[tophrules0978]

My dad knows the guy who wrote this song it is not from the Civil War

[bad7bass7bass7player]

I know Jay Ungar, the writer, and it isn't from the Civil War, but it was featured in Ken Burns documentary. It is written about a camp that I go to called Ashokan Fiddle and Dance camp in Ashokan, NY. Jay Ungar and Molly Mason started the camp.

[tophrules0978]

yeah my dad went to the same camp cool.

[Snoman8268]

I'm really sorry. I couldnt watch it all it was very, very moving. Gorgeous. That is all I have to say.

[litzzy11]

Truly and purely beautiful in all aspects

[Atheistruth]

Probably my favorite song, ever. The people who died at that shooting will always be remembered.

[jaxlax50]

This Video is Fantastic my whole family went to tech,ever time i watch this video i almost cry :)

[drewemt]

great tribute, music is perfect, amazing video

[danesurgeon]

VERY moving thank you for posting, I didn't attend V. Tech I did, however, attend the UVA it was a soccer punch for us all that day! Thanks again it is awesome!

[Pudding6020]

"...a tear shed for those who were lost..."

[Hannahsabotage]

the video makes me cry:(

the shooting happened two days before my birthday:((

great music(:

[imahokieartist]

As a Hokie alum, thank you for posting this. Very moving, especially the song choice. Blessings to you.

[BatonGurl07]

at 2:20 who were they? like uh.. people from the school...idk helpmeout

[jthweatt]

Hello.

The picture was taken in the War Memorial Chapel here on campus. YouTube won't let me post a link to the campus website, but if you do a search for "Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel" you can see other pictures.

[BatonGurl07]

oh okay i see, thanks

[solrac3002]

This song is from a Civil war special - ASHOKAN FAREWELL is the song. Russ Barenburg on the guitar, cant remeber this fiddle player...

[bigjordan456]

i played this song with lyn chang and yo yo ma at the boston convention center for deval patricks inogoration it was a good song very touching i would put it i play up right bass at new england conservatory for 8 years since i was 5

[lhl1234]

I'm playing this song in my school band, it doesnt nearly as good as this guy makes it sound!! I nearly cried the music goes so well, with this video, very touching

[1f5sda]

That was such a sad day, I feel like crying right now. It's so sad that the killer had no friends and I'm sorry that he killed so many students. That was not the proper way to handle his anger and killing himself was not the right thing to do. I hope something like this doesn't happen at other schools. R.I.P. the 32 students killed.

[BatonGurl07]

I just wish..that instead of taking out 32 other people..he wouldhave just killed himself, or better yet, got help. he needed help,and by the time people realizedit, it was too late.

[elvisapresley68]

From a Penn State fan... God Bless the Hokie Faithful! I was in Blacksburg last month and pray for everyone affected by this horrific event!

I hope Hokies football can bring some relief this fall from your pain! As we say at Penn State, "WE ARE....." after all, the lucky ones at least... AMERICANS!!! God Bless!

[maineman527]

A fitting tribute to all those who fell RIP

[1f5sda]

I feel like crying when I hear this sometimes

[BatonGurl07]

don't worry me2 we're singing it for choir

[Brittney8757]

Thank You from Myself, My friends, and our familys for all of your thoughts and prays!

it really means alot to us.

God Bless!

From the VT Hokies!

[scottdancer94]

Hey, can anyone tell me what audio recording this song came from.

[aab91030]

It's called "Ashokan Farewell" by fiddler Jay Ungar. I'm not sure where you can get it, but it was used as the title music for Ken Burns' "Civil War" series in 1990.

[Migueltio]

When Ken Burns made the documentary The Civil War for PBS in the 90s, the made a cd soundtrack of the music. The PBS store may still have it, or Amazon or what.

[kikomiko1]

Great video, and thank you for making it. It was such a horrible tragedy.

[MisterBeagle]

Sung-Hui Cho makes a bad name for Korean-Americans >:O

[27aethelric]

I don't think he does, personally. People of all races, religions and cultures commit atrocities every day, and they as individuals standing alone bear the culpability for that. To be perfectly rotten about it, anyone stupid enough to manifest hostility toward an entire population because of one stupid, messed-up kid's actions is probably the next person we'll see plastered all over the media, posthumously aggrandizing their own displaced aggression.

[Submarinepilot]

Well put.

[Deovindice]

Wonderful video, also excellent choice of song to put it to. TYVM for taking the time to do this.  Job well done

[Seanirl80]

god bless and good luck

[soccer1285]

amazing video

[mscraigmile]

amazing video

I've always been a UVa fan but on that day I was proud to say I'm from Virginia.

Hokie hi!

[CalannaS]

Very well done, thanks for posting it.

[Saintlyhorsey]

Godspeed.

[SGCRUNNER]

Prayin for all!

[bhigheart]

I want to thank this boys father for teaching him everything he knows about video and using it to put together a stirring and well done tribute.

PS: The tune is catchy.

[regolio]

out of insanity comes sadness, out of sadness comes unity, out of unity love, the world is less but in a strange way more.

[carlosmbrizuela]

Desde argentina les envio mi pesame a todas las familias de VT.

[pogowewe]

You have put together a very touching video that conveys the moving spirit of this terrific school in the face of a terrible tragedy. I've felt many different emotions in the past few days, but viewing this tribute finally brought the flow of tears I'd held inside. Thank you for a sensitive and moving memoriam.

A Virginian

[fbcj]

Mis maximos respetos desde España

[smallsmagee32]

damn good video

lets hope nithing this bad ever happens again

[MajorityLeader]

This is a very moving tribute to those who lost their precious lives.

[3scarlet3]

That was beautiful and very touching.

[Zydor99]

Nicely done - lets hope commenters keep the same spirit and leave silly arguments for another time, another thread. For now we should just watch and reflect.

[supermary4]

Beautiful. You did a great job putting this together for all of us to see. The music was a great choice because it brings us to Virginia.  It's something I'd see on Good Morning America. All the way from California- God Bless Virginia, and all our Young People who are just trying to reach their dreams. I had to write my son at his University and just tell him I loved him. Thank you for this well done tribute to VT.

[BoywithCash15]

I cried even when im from arizona

[jamesl1]

great job, i dont go to collage, not even highschool yet! (next year though)but seriously very well done, when ever things like this happen its very upsetting.