The Unthanks perform The Testimony of Patience Kershaw

[Gunnabee]

would have been good to one of the singers having a fag/smoke..

[iwantoldschool]

Two things. One, the lyrics make me so angry but I flail my fists and cannot find whom to strike with them. Capitalism? But would socialism or communism be better? All three sent children to work in coal mines. At poverty? At fate? At God? Whom should I grab, shake and beat for allowing these conditions? I can't answer it, and that makes me feel so helpless. That's the first thing.

The second thing is, all music should sound like this. Thank you for posting it.

[MoonbeamBucket]

Such a heartbreaking song. Beautifully sung - too bad about the mics popping (just a minor thing, but a little distracting).

[LukeHegarty1]

new fan here



[nanapam100]

after came tildow n o, hooley

[TheEdwardcullenfan14]

i heard this song in history ages ago and i still love it :)

[OriginalBlenk]

I'm a new fan

Just bought my first of many Unthank albums

[peterkabrna]

garbage

[royhaworth]

Saw them live at the End of the Road Festival last weekend. They were amazing!

[luornu]

I heard this on the between songs tape at Cropredy this past Thursday and I had to google the lyrics to find out what it was. I'm glad to have found it! (to tell the truth the tape was better than some of the live acts..)

[TheAwkwardtuurtle]

i heard this song in history class and had to youtube it because its so beautiful!

[ridgemont01]

ah.... heard them on Radio 2 and went searching. Superb. Just amazing.

[ZippityZ00]

Beautiful rendition of the song and gives a haunting insight into the life of Patience Kershaw and the other men and women of the coal mines...the sense of hopelessness and resignation to a hard life. The Unthanks just get better and better with each album. :)

[baroquepopfan]

Beautiful and moving. Rachel's voice brings the character to life for us.

[jasperyirl]

Sad beautiful .song

[joeygsmom]

when I am having a bad day at work I often repeat to myself "thank God at least Im not a coal miner" . After hearing this I will think about it in a different way.

[neohip]

"A hundred years or more will pass".

That would be world war 2,when women took jobs traditionally done by men.

Many were good at it too!,and when the war finished ,many resented having to leave their jobs and go back to being a house wife again.

The world was changed forever.

[joeygsmom]

@neohip sometimes I hate my job ,but Id go crazy if all I were allowed to do is meander around the house, barefoot and pregnant baking bread and canning zucchini. Thats just not me.

At least women today (in most parts of the world) have the CHOICE.

Not that it wouldnt be nice to win the lotto. lol

[oursaintsaviour]

absolutely brilliant.

[London2272]

Part of the report sof the Ashley's mine commission, which contains the testimony of Patience Kershaw, a 17-year old hurrier, can be read at victorianweb

Working people have had to fight damned hard for the better conditions we (mostly) have today. Certain people have resisted all those changes for the better and try to reverse them, little by little, even now. Never let them push us back down.

[plopenterprises]

yawn

[MrMillysworld]

Atmospheric music... I'll return here to listen again & again.

[MeanMusicTV]

Where's the mosh pit?

[manygate10]

@MeanMusicTV Yeah, joke aside, a good reason to see them!

[TheDanmeehan]

Simple classic folk music. For people like me who have just discovered the Unthanks, this is great stuff.

[niave]

Fuck off Chipmunk

[xXXVIDEOxchickXXx]

I found the actual testimony of Patience Kershaw... and I must say, every part of this is true, though a little of it is creative liscence. The wording in this song is beautiful, and Frank Higgins must have been quite a poet.

[xXXVIDEOxchickXXx]

Beautiful... I heard this on Radio National this morning... I was just making my breakfast, to take it outside and enjoy the morning... but I ended up burning my eggs and to a crisp I was so intoxicated by this song. Amazing. They have beautiful voices, and I just cannot tear myself away from this song.

[Amocktus]

Beautiful song. Great voices and music.

[pwpurnell]

Yay I'm A 29 year Old DJ, and love the Unthanks - I'm seeing them in April in the front row can't wait! Rachel's a Babe!

[jasperyirl]

What a sad story and song .Hope they will play in Ireland soon.

[stellajayne]

I simply adore this song - I can easily cry at the line about the 'baldy patch' on her head. Achingly sad and beautiful too.

[destructivedandy]

Tooklees you're either an idiot or a troll

[tooklees]

@destructivedandy Thanks DD! Just call me a trolliot !

[destructivedandy]

@tooklees I'm sure you could be called worse

[Marc8888100]

It's just a beautiful song, beautifully performed. Paris Hilton should listen to it, but I doubt if she has the attention span...

[destructivedandy]

My favourite from the excellent album, Here's The Tender Coming. They perform such beautiful music

[tooklees]

I think some positives can be got out of this song. At least the protagonist is employed, and with her money earned could purchase a hairpiece for her bald patch and cleaning materials for her grimy visage. Also, muscley legs can only be a plus in such working environment. If her legs hadn’t developed such proportions, the job would be all the harder. Things are never as bad as they seem.

[menderfire9]

@tooklees Excuuuuuuuse me, but you have got to be kidding! What you need is a few decades in brutal malnourishment & slavery yourself & then see how things are never as bad as they seem. Like our greedy big businesses are not as bad as they seem? Ha! They are worse. Just because YOU aren't suffering on the streets like 1/2 the population of the world is doesn't mean you haven't got a lot to learn. Typical kind of comment from a disgusting shallow, narrow, insensitive, spoiled rotten consumer.

[tooklees]

@menderfire9 I think you are being a bit unfair to me, mender. I was just being realistic. The song’s protagonist operates in a socio- economic context that limits her options. She is aware of this (more so than the ‘kind sir’ she addresses). Within this context I suggest small changes to her apathetic attitude that would alleviate her small burden. I imagine one of the problems here is that she appears to have received some kind of education, thus sensitising her to her position.

[rodthecod]

@tooklees The real "protaganist" was a 17 year old girl who could not read or write and never went to day-school. She worked 12 hour days and wore a belt and chain hurrying corves 11-a day for over a mile underground. I don't think the poor girl's problem was an "apathetic attitude"! I have nothing but sympathy for her and those like her in 1842; and I thank my lucky stars that I have such a cushy life that I can waste my time replying to complete strangers on youtube! So long.

[tooklees]

@rodthecod Ok, RodtheCommie, take a chill-pill! Better now?? I’ll hazard a guess that your cushy UK life is partly built on cheap goods from sweat shops around the world. Been feeling any sympathy in Primark lately?

[musiclover9361]

@tooklees I suggest you read Patience's original testimony to the Mines Commission. Education? Sunday School; that's it. She was illiterate and never went to school. In the song and her testimony, she doesn't have an apathetic attitude - quite the opposite. The report describes her thus: "This girl is an ignorant, filthy, ragged, and deplorable-looking object, and such a one as the uncivilised natives of the prairies would be shocked to look upon." Read it and I bet you weep!

[elephantbarbiegirl]

@tooklees She may have been earning but it's highly unlikely that she had disposable income for fripperies such as hairpieces. Coal mines in those days were privately owned and wages criminally low, particularly for women

[dejavuantiques]

saw them in concert at the St Ives Festival in September, the hairs are still standing up on my neck, just beautiful, she spoke on womans hour about the true story she'd read about patience which encouraged her to write this ballad

[EnglishBobFilms]

Beautiful. Beyond words really how much emotion this song scares up.

[daveschoie]

I think this is brilliant, i've never been as struck by the imagined vision of a character through a song, I don't know if it's the accent, or the voice but I can't help picturing Patience and it makes it twice as moving.

[shOtmyselfaveyou]

Dawn French mentioned this on Simon Mayo just now. I'm not sure though. I'll think about it.

[MrVulcan09]

Really beautiful 'classic' folk track. Have just tracked down the album this is on. Superb.

[randomluxray]

Studying this in English...Truly horrible to think that we threw 14-year-old girls down mines to work with naked men and the likes...seems like some kind of prison punishment now...

[Banastre61]

Lovely stuff. Have to admit this is the first time I've heard any of their material. I'll be back for more.

[Broonzied]

Was lucky enough to see the girls and the band at Innerleithen festival in August on the same bill as Lau. What a great night of music. If you go see them, they will more than likely charm the pants off you.

[specialness16]

this is so sad, can't listen to it too often, because it's sort of depressing - but ina good way - beautifully depressing

[specialness16]

when I first heard it I thought it was about a prostitute, thenI looked up the kyrics, very sad song x

[mickdoylemd]

A truly wonderful piece of music. Sung beautifully by these women. What a contrast from the work of Patience Kershaw. I look forward to hearing more from the Unthanks.

[patrickplunkett]

Excellent song! Can't wait to see them at The Green Man Festival!

If you like The Unthanks you might also like my music. I'm an alt-country songwriter based in the UK. Check out the vids on my profile and let me know what you think!

[PhilipPorter]

It`s great to see young ùns keeping this sort of music alive!

[Derucolindo]

As a song this has a beautiful melancholic vibe, but to just sit and listen to the words is heartbreaking.

[alanhb4]

@Derucolindo agree, totally heartbreaking. we don't know we are living today

[alanhb4]

@Derucolindo Agree, totally heartbreaking. We don't we are living today.

[richardyingren]

wow!  listen and learn....

[blowinbamboo]

lovely music

[appleblossombeau]

Beautiful, moving, gracious & understated both the testimony & the track. Fabulous.

[patrickplunkett]

Excellent song and excellent voices! Can't wait to see them at The Green Man Festival!

If you like The Unthanks you might also like my music. I'm an alt-country songwriter based in the UK. Check out the vids on my profile and let me know what you think!

[stonewear]

Brilliant



[elljell10]

this is my fave song of all of the unthanks songs.

[TremblyChap]

Simply beautiful! Saw them tonight in Manhattan....simply beautiful.

[steveflashman]

Thought Rachel sang...." I should have been a "Bawd" instead... She didn't!

[steveflashman]

Have become addicted to this performance... Now I can view it without tearing-up although the hairs on my arms continue to rise as the harmonies and strings kick in... Love the way Becky looks at Rachel in amazement as she hears the tale as we do... I was moved by this to seek out information on Mining practices and the Huskar Disaster and Patience's original testimony...  I shall die wondering whatever became of that delicate child whom I've empathised with through this BEAUTIFUL work...

[Mouldytone]

The Unthanks and all those who perform with them are brilliant. The singing is sublime the lyrics are always original and beautiful and the music and composition is just stunning. May they all live long and happy lives.

Tony

[steveflashman]

Heartbreaking song, impeccably performed... Stunning!

[kentonlarsen]

One of the best songs of the year. Gorgeous!

[TheMOOXTER]

I grew up on The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel. The Stone Roses is my favourite album of all time for personal reasons. I'm now 37 and a fully fledged blues-head, but this is absolutely exquisite. I'm so very elated that someone put me onto The Unthanks at a beer festival recently. I'm also a Geordie musician and I'm and very proud of this band for sticking to their guns. Words can't describe how I felt when I heard this and 'Here's the Tender Coming'....

[zengravy]

Just seen them tonight at the lowry in Manchester... Thought you should see this..

ugh - can't post a link - type in the title of this song and find the ashley, victorian web link... it's just horrific.. only 120 years ago... If you have kids you'll weep with the knowledge that this is how it used to be..

[howsthefam]

I heard them on NPR too but didn't have the time to search them out before now. Their CD is on my shopping list for tomorrow's trip! Just wonderful.

[Lunalizzy1]

I too heard them on NPR during All Things Considered this afternoon and was so moved by the harmonies. I immediately bought the album. Gorgeous, gorgeous music.

[theredreceivers]

@Lunalizzy1 Yeah me too (5-11-10) I've heard their names before but never gave them a listen. I'm really warming up to their music. I might get the album too.

[ThoughtsamJetsam]

I just heard about you guys on All Things Considered, which was aired on National Public Radio over here in the states (5-11-10). I thought the selections they played there were brilliant. I played at SXSW as well, it's a pity I didn't know you then, I might have skipped my own show. Hope I can make a show in the future. Best of luck to you, Unthanks.

[dazzlingdublinblue]

I saw them in Whelans in Dublin last month. Great band. Buy the new album and the back catalogue.

[Breitheamhnaig]

maybe our politicians should be made to listen to this everyday.

[SilverColoredGold]

I like this - it's very natural and beautiful ..

[kentonlarsen]

Beautiful! This song gives me goosebumps. And the accent - to this Canadian's ears - is simply lovely. I bought this album a few months ago, and it's really worked its way into my system - so sad and pretty.

[atozinco]

The song is based on the testimony of Patiece to a government enquiry in 1842 into children working in coal mines. The testimony of Patience can be found at dub dub dub . victorianweb . org/history/ashley.html

[nanrod98]

Moving, talented, natural and beautiful

[mogden9569]

You know when you get a song stuck in your head, and you find yourself humming or singing it at inappropriate times? this is mine at the moment!

[franklymike]

I have taught this history and Patience evidence to the enquiry is something I know well. This really makes it real. Very poignant .Beautifully performed

[gavinepcs]

amazing

[bonniekilty]

Beautiful

[themightiestbo]

Heard this on Mike Hardings Radio2 folk show & was bowled over, had to seek it out. Beautiful song

[hawaiianivan]

snap. I was listening to the Mike Harding show and the Patience Kershaw song was outstanding.

[focalt]

Check out blue bleezin live at abbey rd and tar barrel from the xmas bbc show, simply superb.......

[ironclad1609]

I can't stop watching this. It's so gorgeous.

[garciasfinger]

Amazing stuff.

Beautiful.

[fmclupin]

Stunning What more can 1 say

[BarryParryCashNCarry]

The reason why the Labour Party was formed

ARE YOU LISTENING, GORDON BROWN!!!!!!!!

[gefriolsaeme]

I think the Labour Party was formed to deceive workers into believing they would make the world a better place for wage slaves, when in reality all they have ever done is ensured is run as much as it can be. Tories/Labour/Liberal? Where's the difference?

Great song great band.

[EdDueim]

Achingly beautiful. Seen them twice, great live performers.

[dklemke]

Beautiful work

[nottsfhj]

Written from an actual testimony of a young girl, getting interviewed by a philanthropist who wanted to get all kids to school.

And yes, buy the albums (both of them!)

Amazing live. They were so bad on JH in comparison!

[DominicJones]

buy all three albums even!

[fairyshock90]

heard it on bbc 2. the text is very very old but i just love her voices

[cdonguitar]

i've just discovered them on a bbc3 program,god they are exquisite,reminds me of my holidays in the isle of skye.

glasgow greg.

[seventhhe4ven]

One of my favorite bands of the moment. I will catch them next tour.

[doctorquackingtosh]

Saw them at Hebden Bridge Trades Club last weekend. It was emotional.

These lasses are amongst of the most inspired and moving artists that have come from these shores for a generation.

[kimsoma]

Its a lot of tears I feel and it just feels good, thanks for that..great performance.

[weeemary]

this is beyond sad and gorgeous makes u want to see the sun again

[alvisfolk]

beccy always looks like she has a proper monk on

[choppertbe]

im a 30 yr old man folk music wtf i love it beautiful thanks again jools

[lucyjordan50]

I too saw them on Jools H, and was lucky enough to see them 3 days later live in Brighton.

They are totally unique, and just wonderful. Going to see them again in 2 weeks. The best live band I have seen for years.

[fudge1monkey]

saw at bristol. insane! buying 2 albums of them as we speak

[mattythehammer]

I too am going to my their new album of the back of seeing them. Is the album any good?

[candlemasbear]

Best track on the album. Love it.

And clogging on Jools! You can't ask for more than that haha

[mickeybearlove]

saw them on jools this is why i love jools he allways has music that nobody has really heard of thats really good :)

[mark9780]

Wow !Beautiful.

[jon3m2007]

Just come across this band on Jools Holland - Bloody lovely! - Ill be investigating!

[mattythehammer]

I don't like folk, well I thought I didn't. Saw this band on Jools Holland and thought wow. Love them. Beautiful.

[sanchez64]

I saw The Unthanks live in Edinburgh last night, they were amazing - this song was a standout.

[MsCatM]

This is lovely!

[romfordtony]

excellent

[Pettsvaldo]

I feel a sense of resentment that other videos will receive many comments and this has just a few.

I like to think it's because all the people who viewed it have left immediately, with tears in their eyes, to appreciate (in silence) the beauty of humanity and it's capacity for harmony.

Thank you.

[nottsfhj]

Going to see them this sunday, so amazingly excited!

[Amcgleish]

beautiful

[charleybarley111]

Absolutely wonderful!

[rodneyyouplonker]

Brilliant stuff