Added: 2 years ago
From: DooWopJoe
Views: 199,637
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (235)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • What a great song back in 1959 and now. They still sound fantatic. It still gives me chills when I hear it.

  • They have still got great voices.

  • wonderful what else can a person say

  • Three tremendous singers in the same family! They are still terrific!

  • great all i got to say

  • This was my Mom's favorite song.we played it for her at her funeral a few weeks ago.

  • does anybody know the history behind the song? was it written for Jim Eds' father perhaps? just curious. I recall hearing it as a kid and have loved it ever since. one of their best, along with scarlet ribbons and the old lamplighter.

  • @neilg32degree

    No, the song was not written by, nor for, the Browns. This is from Wikipedia: It was based on the 1945 French language song "Les trois cloches" by Jean Villard Gilles and Marc Herrand. The English lyrics were written by Bert Reisfeld and first recorded by Melody Maids in 1948. The song was a major 1952-53 hit by Edith Piaf and Les Compagnons de la chanson.

  • @neilg32degree Originally it was an old swiss mountain song dating back from the 40ies. It was even performed by Edith Piaf;

  • The Browns still sang this song beautifully,even after all these years. Their voices are still young! fenech97

  • THANKS A LOT.

    ERIK TIELMAN, FLORIDADADAA

  • BEAUTIFUL !! THANKS..

    ERIK T 

  • I absolutely adore this terrific song! They certainly don't make songs like this anymore, sadly!

  • Great song love to listen to it, they're still good looking too

  • Wow they still have pretty good pipes!

  • @roblettinVa Must agree.What a beautiful voice by the lead singer & the ladies harmonize so well.

    Makes the now generation of so-called singers sound third rate.Lovely clip.Doesn't it bring back some lovely memories.

  • very awesome

  • awesome

  • Tears rolling down my face at 2am. Incredible.

  • He still has that smooth voice though his age, very awesome song

  • this really picked me up from an otherwise depressing evening. Thanks Brown family.

  • In today's troubled world in which war, sadly, dominate the headlines, these are such beautiful oldies with beautiful voices as well as here on the Browns, good for the heart and soul. Thank you for uploading from Germany.

  • It is wonderful to hear this song again. I grew up in the province of Quebec with the french version of Edith Piaf and their rendition. Just beautiful! :o)

  • Notice to other groups---don't even think about trying to do this song. You cannot improve on the Brown's version of this song. It is perfect.

  • This is so good, tells a sad story music was so good then, what happened to it.

    I guess I got OLD.

  • He doesn't look like a thunderbird puppet anymore :)

  • This song has always left me speechless after i listen. It's so beautiful yet sad. I listen to all types of music. from classical, "old" country, very little rap. blue grass and heavy metal. and play music as well. Keep in mind that im 32 years old. so im a youngster at best. But In this fast paced time we now live in, regardless of musical preference or cultural diversity. I can stop and recognize something as wonderful as this song. and note it as true music. I have shared tears with this song

  • Lovely song. I enjoyed this one

  • Love this song

  • Thank you:

    Makes me think of my life as I am now and older fella.

    Richard Vrana

  • fantastic!

  • its ok for anyone to cry hearing this beautifull music , i love it 

  • First record I ever owned.

  • I know I have something in my eye

  • With Tears in my eyes I say that this could possibly be the most beautiful song I have ever heard

  • @snipercheese

    This song definitely elicits an emotional response from many people. My good friends, the Crystalairs (a German doo-wop group) did a song several years ago that I was slightly involved with. It is called "Slow Down" and the song has a special meaning to me, and some others who have heard it. Search on YouTube for Crystalairs, Slow Down.

  • @snipercheese You don't hear many, if any, songs like that any more on the radio.

  • @snipercheese This song has brought tears to my eyes for so many years I can't even say. The old lamplighter and scarlet letters are right up there too!!

  • @snipercheese What GREAT SONG i tell you OLD AGE is a bitch

  • @goldwingman1500 You got that right. 48 this Dec. foe me.

  • @TheJer1963 Yes TheJer1963 im going the BIG 60 next Australia Day here down under Thank,s for your feed back hope all is well in your neck of the wood,s ?????

  • @snipercheese Oh yes, so true, Just beatuiful.  Such a simple song, says a lot.

  • My grammy had this record in 78 rpm. I'm 45 and remember hearing it at her house.

  • THANKS FOR SHARING,

    ERIK TIELMAN, FLORIDADADAD

  • Lovely video and thanks for posting it. When watching this, I am reminded about an earlier era when Americans were such a gracious people. The nation then was doing well and also 'fighting' the good war. Needless to say, I pine for those halcyon days. Perhaps Americans will awaken from the slumber and return to a simpler, albeit more beautiful, way. Also, it would behoove us learn to live with the rest of the world instead of what we have been doing recently.

  • ALL TIME CLASSIC  - GREAT

  • I was privileged to see Jim preform 3 Bells live At the Opry in 2008. Thanks, Jim. I have enjoyed your (and your sisters') version for more than 50 years. Seeing you live at the Opry was a great honor (especially considering I live on the West Coast).

  • The Still Sound Great!!

  • ...reminds me of small church singing in the south...1950's ....wonderful....!

  • my grand mother my uncle my aunt singing

  • @stone123er

    Very cool! I am sure you are very proud of them.

  • @DooWopJoe THAT is too cool!! Loved listening to that song... and Jim Ed Brown!!

  • @stone123er you have quite the talented family!! Jim Ed sounds better than ever, and he's always sounded fantastic

  • @stone123er I was a 16yo English Seaman back in 58-62. I was taken to a Radio Show by our US Agent. The Stars of that show - The Browns and Hank Snow . I had never heard Country Music before, and I have been a convert ever since. I still have the original 45rpm I purchased in Galveston of The Three Bells

  • @stone123er I can honestly say I love this song I listen to it at least every week and sign it with to my assited living residents at work they are amazed that at my age I know every word of it your family is vey talented

  • I love this song but I bet Jim Ed got sick of singing this over the years

  • This was the first 45 record I ever bought. My, that was a long time ago. Brings back some wonderful memories.

  • heard that song on The Sopranos i love it !

  • Yes emma Bonnie X

  • My Lord, What a Good Looking Group of Siblings!

    Can't Take My Eyes Off The "Bare Shoulders".

    Mighty Fine!

  • ...Wow.I turned 46 this year, and I remember listing to this as a boy. It's still hard to hear it and not tear up. Thanks for the posting. Classic song and a wonderful performance. Peace.

  • @thejimm2009 Exactly my reaction, too. Damn it but these guys make my eyes, uh, water. How have the years passed so quickly...

  • Jesus..I am 54 now. My mom (she and dad still living and going strong) had 45's by the Browns. My favorites were this (Jimmy Brown) and Old Lamrlighter..but my favorite was "Scarlet Ribbons", which I also remember Dennis Day" singing on an old Jack Benny Radio show.

  • Is it okay for a 64yr old man to weep?

  • Sound the Same. The Chicks are Way too Cute.

  • Fine piece of music, country, but really toward the pop end of things. I have always loved this song.

  • This was one of the first pieces of music i recall from my infantcy

  • Make room for another one who has something in their eye. I grew up in the 60's too, I remember my father had a 8 track of the Browns, I think I wore the poor thing out. Their harmony was so awesome to me, and they still are. Thanks for the memories.

  • Who is that at 2:11-2:12?

  • @kaseymoe

    That is Clifford Curry, who is best known for a song called "She Shot A Hole In My Soul."

  • @kaseymoe it is jimmy clanton

  • This was a great part of my childhood, to see the singers still going so beautifully strong gives me smiles and tears, literally. Thankyou so much for the upload, and thanks to the Browns too. Peace.

  • I'm Fifty and a Rock and Roll guy but I remember hearing this growing up in the 60's it's a great song performed by a great Group...nice Job.

  • Thanks for posting this classic. Must be hard to sing this one without getting choked up, close to the end. Long live the Brown's.

  • Must be hard to sing this one without getting choked up, close to the end.

  • Since there is a strong family resemblance, am I safe in my assumption that the two ladies are Jim's sisters?

  • @wlittle

    Yes, Maxine and Bonnie are Jim Ed's sisters.

  • @DooWopJoe Thanks DooWop Joe. I asked because I wasn't sure if one of the lady's might be his wife.

  • @wlittle  Yes.. Jim Ed's Sisters Maxine and Bonnie

  • WOW! I don't remember ever hearing this song but sure do like it! I listened to it 6 times!!

  • Thanks Joe,

    Richard

  • So heartwarming to see them receive a standing ovation for this...they certainly deserved it.

  • So corny it's cute.

  • the brown woman in middle looks absolutly amazing for her age ,, seen her singing the song on you tube from late 50s what a babe she aged well love her

  • @moggs69 Bonnie ?

  • @emma1981catlover yes Bonnie is in the middle

  • @moggs69 Maxine is still as beautiful as ever, sh has facebook

  • bonnie Ring but everyone knows her as Bonnie brown that is my grandmother

  • i can sit here and listen to this song all day and not be tired of it. there's just something about it that just keeps it in my head. in some research i have done it say's bonnie only sang until 1967. did all of them stop singing or just her? why did they not play all the past years up until now. what encouraged them to reunite as a group. i'm honored to be able to see the past come alive in today's world

  • @yarbroughify this is my grandmother bonnie

  • Thanks so much for posting this song. I was going through some memorabilla and saw my 45 of this record so I searched here for it. It made me cry. They still have very sweet clear voices. Thanks again!!

  • love the harmonies .

  • i heared this song on one of bill gather's shows by the isaacs. i havent been able to get it out of my head. it sounds just like the browns. i would like to know more about the browns and how this song came to them. its such a beautiful song with great melody. amazing how it has touched my heart in many ways

  • @yarbroughify

    It was Bonnie Brown's idea to do the song. She had heard it on the radio sung in English by a small acappella choir from Paris, called Les Compagnons de la Chanson. The Browns reworked the song to fit their style.

  • @yarbroughify i would recamend the book looking backing to see

  • Love that song!!!

  • A very recent, wonderfully composed piece of fiction, Rick Bass's Nashville Chrome, celebrates the lives of these three singers. It is a book no one should pass up. Thanks for posting this video.

  • they sound just wonderful.........Guy from Ottawa Canada

  • I was 10 years old when this came (1959 I think) and I never forgot how beautiful this song is. It provides a look at a country setting that has long gone from america.

    Love the Browns.

  • i love this song from the browns. today i hear this version..... years later.... it is better as the original out off the sixties.... great voices....thank you

  • Hmmm.... 40 years later. And... incredible. The two ladies-beautiful. And still hitting notes like it's nothing. Jim, still singing and looking like he enjoys what he is doing.

    Not sure why we haven't seen talent like this in over 20 years. But... one day we will. And when we do, they'll be big.

  • I was eight years old I used to sit out on our porch and hear this song coming out of the radio in my Mothers kitchen and would cry each time.Now at the age of fifty-eight ....... well any way got I something in my eye . Thanks for the post.

  • @blueticecho

    Great comments. It is words like yours that make me know it was worth the time and effort to upload videos.

  • @DooWopJoe I was 6 years old an this is one of the first songs I learned all the words to . I would sing along with the browns in the car begging my mom to turn up the radio. It was songs like this that made me love music so much, still today music is a BIG part of my life....Thank you so much for posting this it brings back such rich vivid memories ..I have tears in my eyes love it thanks again.

  • @blueticecho I think I have something in my eye too....

  • @noelsgrandpa it's called a tear and I get them everytime I hear this.

  • they were just great

    frankie di nunzio

    hershey, pa.

  • Thank you from the Netherlands. Beautiful!!!!!!

  • i sure wish to meet them, but surly never will , i live in pinebluff arkansas where they did have a place to gather at but they arent here any more and didnt have the chance to meet them then , god bless them , they are beutiful.

  • Wow! They actually had black people in the audience this time. Would've never seen that at the Grand Ole Opry.

  • MAXINE & CONNIE BROWN WITH HIS BROTHER JIM ED ARE: THE BROWNS.

  • @buddyeagle her name is Bonnie

  • always been a favourite of mine, great song great singers, cheers for posting it .xx

  • me and well funny story when i was about 5 i got lost and someone asked me what my name was so they could find my mom and day and i said jimmy brown and well my mom and dad knew who that was but as for brown that is not my last name just at the time i thougth it was

  • this is based on a russian folk song, not a french song.

    It was made famous by Edith Piaf.

  • @L0tt0L4r5

    OK, thanks. I was going on what is mentioned in the Browns CD booklet, which says that Bonnie Brown had heard the song on the radio, as done by Les Compagnons de la Chanson, a French choir.

  • @DooWopJoe

    LOL  Great story!

  • The sound very Quality :so very good vocalist and louder...I Like!!

  • These were the gretest days of great music I still love listening thanks for posting this

  • Love it Love it Love it Love it, who was jimmy Brown ? hes not on google

  • @bonnybella

    This song was based on a French song, "While The Angelus Was Ringing," which was originally a hit for both Les Compagnons De La Chanson and Edith Piaf. In the French versions, the song was about a person named Jean-Francois Nicot. When the Browns recorded the song, lyrics were changed and the person became Jimmy Brown. The male singer in the Browns is Jim Ed Brown, so, I am assuming that is why it became the story of Jimmy Brown.

  • @DooWopJoe jimmy brown is maxines son

  • @emma1981catlover

    Did not know that, thanks. Just always assumed they used Jim Ed's name for the song.

  • UNBELIEVABLE!!! This is one sweet song! God Bless the browns for doing such a precious song.

  • Such a beautiful song and sung so well by Jim. I turn on to you tube everyday just to listen to him. I wish I could him singing' live'. He has such a great voice and he sings from his heart.

  • Comment removed

  • My favourite song ever. This version is even better than the 50's original. Talented people singing a truly wonderful song.

  • Comment removed

  • Comment removed

  • lovely

  • Just saw that the Issac's have this song on the The 41st Annual Dove Award CD ...2010 and it still an award winning song. Great!

  • Beautiful Old Song they don't make them like this any more

  • pure talent there. Saw him a few years back. Too bad I was too young. Gotta see him tour again.

  • really beautiful song

  • This was one of my Dddy's favorite songs.

  • Sweetness.

  • 素晴らしい歌声です、ありがとうございます。

  • Amazing song and voices...love the Brown's

  • @cablonde320 this is my grand mother Bonnie Ring Je is my uncle and Maxine is my aunt no lie

  • @cablonde320 this is my grand mother Bonnie Ring Je is my uncle and Maxine is my aunt no lie stone123er

  • Oh my gosh. I've been praying all my life to see the awesome folks that were responsible for singing this amazing song. I have this song in a 45 and have listened to it a zillion times! Thank you so much for sharing!!! I love it!

  • @olderthanall You are welcome. Glad you found this video! This song and this performance really touches a lot of people.

  • @olderthanall  Aren't they precious!!!

  • They sound as good as they ever did. What a sweet, simple, yet very beautiful song.

  • The only music I dont listen to is hip-hop and rap. I love the rest including opera , butt his song is so beautiful It brings me shear tears. Not tears of sadness or tears of depression. Tears of shear Beauty. God bless that stuff like this is captured and can always be found and seen.

  • wonderful after all these years

  • we sung this song in chior, not a dry eye in the house

  • Wonderful. They did a great job

  • From a 40 year professional musician...this is perfection for a great number of reasons.

  • Real talent......no reverb or studio enhancement, just really beautiful voices.....still as clear and lovely as 40+ years earlier.

  • Jim Ed Brown still looks like a right handsome fella then, and good to see no plastic whatever. No doubt a sound excellent bloke.

  • Wonderful! One of my all-time favorite tunes! Who wrote this tune?

  • @TheHarmonicWheel

    The writers were Bert Reisfeld and Jean Villard.

  • @DooWopJoe was wondering if you have any other music from the browns

  • you know they sound better without the clutter of the instruments on the record. but don't get me wrong that was great too.

  • a very very famous song they still have it 5 stars

  • Respect. ...Rock on

  • still have it

  • Thanks for this great post!

  • ...after this became #1 on both the country and pop charts....The Browns played some very nice clubs across the world....!

  • Now this is singing, and the harmony you just do not find that in singing anymore. What a great great song. Thanks to the Browns for this Classic.

    Randy

  • The Isaacs (sp) are a gospel group that do a version of this song that sounds alot like this. very cool

  • my wife's favourite song, brings back memories, thanks a million for sharing, God bless. Terence..

  • You are welcome. This is truly a song that speaks to the heart of many people.

  • I remember listening to this song in 1959 on WABC and WINS (AM stations) in New York City...one of my favorites.

  • Me too!

    I used to sing this song in Mrs. Fiore's class in PS 176 in Brooklyn!

  • Those were the days of rock-and-roll music on WMCA, WABC, and WINS (before FM was very popular). I also remember listening to "The Old Lamplighter," another song by the Browns. Those were the days!

  • Echoes from when I was a little boy! Thanks for this one.

  • Wow, This Is Absolutely Lovely!!! What A Great Share! Great Post Too! Thankyou soo much....Anita..

  • Absolutely lovely. A fabulous song and so fantastic having it performed live by the Browns. I love it. Thanks to angelofbebop for the share.

    5*****

    Rey

  • This is one of the most beautiful ballads that has ever been written. Thank YOU so much for posting this!

    Thanks to thebigfist for sharing!

  • Talk about rolling back the years! They sound as good as ever! Thanks for sharing Angel!

  • @lettermen1

    Always a pleasure to share great music with great friends!

  • @lettermen1 and looked like they were teared up to be singing this song together...Just beautiful

  • thanks Angel,awesome share :))

  • I'm sorry Angel, I forgot to thankyou for sharing this one!

  • I have a 2 sets of videos, Country Family Reunion, similar to this comprised of Country/Western singers from the 40s-80s. It is awesome, and Jim Ed Brown was at both session, taped one year apart. They DO get better with age. Thanks for the post.

  • Another 5*****, Joe I'm getting hooked on your site, great vids my friend; you also thebigfist, thanks!!

    <