12-string Guitar: Abdul Abulbul Amir

[hebemis]

Enjoyed listening to this very much (and singing along to a few bits)... thank you for making it

[FieryRivers]

So I was watching Star Trek and heard Lore quoting this particular poem and found it tickling my interest to such extents that I had to hear the whole deal.

Now it seems I have to learn to play the guitar.

[dlee1947]

we sang this at scout camp in the early 60"s. I have not heard it since then glad to listen to it again. It takes me back to my youth.

[mkgill]

how i enjoyed this. thank you.

this was before the russians were (dirty commies) and arabs (dirty terrorists).

as an arab, i'm glad to see how american culture can beautifully describe others as chivalrous and brave, violence notwithstanding. off course bigotry did exist against blacks, women and gay people then.

this poem advocates both bravery AND the futility of violence. what a profound message.

[6eadgbe1]

NIce!

[royalcourtier]

Not the Crimean War, but the 1877-78 Russian-Turkish war.

[threelegsoman]

@royalcourtier Thanks for the correction. I will amend the info accordingly.

[DoctorBenway316]

Well done, sir! A wondrous little diddy from the land of my ancestors. You not only keep it alive but do it justice yourself. Glad to know that when I finally get to Europe there may be people there that I can share things like this with. Found this entirely by accident! Cheers!

[bhagelawala]

Sir,

I am a student from one of the best public schools of India, St. Joseph's College, North Point, Darjeeling, India. This song was taught to us by our music teacher, the very brilliant Col. Braganza, among a great variety of Irish, Italian & Country songs. I am hearing this after a very long time ... 23 years to be exact !

Thank you ... you brought tears to my eyes. And happiness to my heart !

[threelegsoman]

@bhagelawala Thank you for your message. I am always happy to bring back fond memories

[littleuglyeddie]

really enjoyed this video, thank you!

[pabobfin]

I found the words also on searching the 'net. A late friend, Mr. Willard Munroe of Rangeley Maine and Tucson AZ. used to recite it as a poem, sans music. He apparently learned it while in West Point, class of 47. The fun part is that it is Abdulla Bulbul Amir, but most folks sing it as Abdul Abulbul Amir. Nice job, thanks

[SaphirBlackMoon]

He said then, my friend, Your remarks will not soften your end, For my pastime and passion is war. And none will deny, on the day that I die, so did Abdul Abulbul Amir.

[hitthatperfectbeat]

Are these the original Percy French words? Also, can i just say that i first found your videos when searching for a version of Ilkley Moor Bah'tat and since then i've discovered that you've done brilliant versions of almost all my favourite folky songs, for that i have to thank you.

[threelegsoman]

@hitthatperfectbeat Yes, these are the Percy French lyrics. Frank Crummit had great success singing them, so much so that he made three follow ups which he wrote, but each followed the template of the French original.

[bdazzled08]

One of my favorite 'old-timey' songs ever! And one that always causes my wife to look askance at me when I play or sing it. Then again, I don't have a voice like yours, so maybe that's it. Good to know this gem is not forgotten! Thanks for posting.

[threelegsoman]

@bdazzled08 You're welcome. Have you checked out the follow ups which are on my playlist Abdul Abulbul Amir?

[threelegsoman]

@anklesocksbitch Glad you enjoyed it.

[testy462]

@threelegsoman well done. Nothing quite like the sound of a 12 string properly played.

[jallelind]

wow cool voice!

[threelegsoman]

@jallelind Thank you young sir.

[1986zls]

Awsome my friend, well done, I only wish you could teach me how to play it on the fiddle :)

[andylarson19591]

Bravo! Nicely done. I appreciate the effort.

[52topper]

Thanks so much ! My father used to sing this song to me.

[tjdrico]

@threelegsoman It was an MGM cartoon. It's there on YouTube - in fact, I was watching it when I noticed the link to your video in the list on the right.

v=2Be7tMdz75Y

[threelegsoman]

@tjdrico Thanks very much for the link. It must be over 50 years ago that I saw it at the local cinema.

[alihammadshah]

nice story.

[52topper]

Great! My father taught me this poem/song. He was a Ukrainian-American soldier who served in WWII and whose father was buried w/ a medal received from Franz Josef of Austria for service in war (I don't recall which). I commend you for keeping up these songs, which few know anymore!

[darkmachete]

I could tell your from some celtic nation. Your voice kinda sounds like Jethro Tull (Cornishman). Idk if people from the isle of man sound like Cornishmen. But your singing sounds like it!

[threelegsoman]

@darkmachete Must be a throw-back to my maternal great grandfather who came to the Isle of Man from Cornwall for the mining in the late nineteenth century. My accent is not broad Manx.

[heartsungs]

BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOOO WELL DONE I LOVED IT

TYYYYY

U HAVE AN AWESOME VOICE!!!

[threelegsoman]

@heartsungs Thank you for your effusive comment. You are very kind.

[rommantic2020]

Thanks for the upload.  Great singing.

[threelegsoman]

@rommantic2020 Thank you for the comment.

[apenny4urthots]

enjoyable, well done. Once saw it done on TV by Bert Parks -- would love to see that again if it happens to be around anywhere.

[allenshulman]

What a charming song, and a perfect style in which to render it! Ever since a character on Star Trek sang its opening line I've wanted to hear it performed in full. Thanks!

[threelegsoman]

@allenshulman I must have missed that one! Thanks for the comment.

[allenshulman]

@threelegsoman Ah, it is a classic. The episode is titled "Brothers", and it is the third episode in the fourth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I think it's available online through sources of dubious legitimacy, or through Amazon. In any case, you sing it better than the character did!

[LAdave65]

Nice job on the song. I also remember a cartoon based on it - from MGM in the late 1930's, I believe. However, I did not know the origins of the song until I saw your posting. Thanks very much.

[threelegsoman]

@LAdave65 Thanks for the comment. Have you seen the sequels? I have posted them as well.

[1690ftp1]

Truly brilliant! I only ever knew a shorter version, it's great to hear the fuller lyrics. Beautifully performed as ever: fives stars!

[threelegsoman]

Thanks Deborah. Have you checked out the sequels in my playlist called Abdul Abulbul Amir?

[GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Cool! I have not seen an Eko guitar in years.

Great song - and a great voice!

[dougfr007]

boy that's a good song. Thanks for posting sir!

[threelegsoman]

Thank you. I refer you to the reply below to 400PoundsFrank

[400PoundsFrank]

Very interesting song. I really liked it becouse of the difference from other patriotic songs about the crimean war.

[threelegsoman]

Thank you, I am always pleased when people enjoy my offerings. There are three sequels to this song if you are interested and they can be found on one of my playlists simply called Abdul Abulbul Amir.

[threelegsoman]

You are welcome

[neoclassicism]

Interesting song I didn't know before. I like it!

[threelegsoman]

There are two more on the same subject which I will upload at some date in the future

[banjodano]

Excellent work keep your videos coming!

[threelegsoman]

Will do