Athlete - Black Swan Song - Acoustic in Arnhem

Acoustic guerrilla performance of Black Swan Song by Joel Pott, Athlete, in the forest near Arnhem, Holland.

Extract from forthcoming Documentary film by Richard Edkins and Karen Bristoll, following Joel retracing his Grandfather's footsteps in Holland.

Black Swan Song, the title song from their new album Black Swan, is about lead singer Joel Potts Grandfather Major John Pott.

Arnhem.

In 1943 he joined the Parachute Regiment, where his brother-in-law Lieutenant Colonel John Frost DSO MC was commanding the 2nd battalion. He was soon to become famous for holding the bridge at Arnhem and was played by Anthony Hopkins in the film A Bridge Too Far.

John Pott, also at Arnhem, was commander of A company in 156 Battalion which was in the 4th Para brigade. When they were dropped on Ginkel Heide on Monday 18th September, there were many immediate casualties as SS men shot at them as they descended, but there no casualties in A Company.

Dawn of Tuesday 19th September and 156 battalion had a clear objective - to capture the Koepel an area of high wooded ground which was heavily defended by the enemy. Once this was achieved 156 battalion could join with 1st Para Brigade to help John Frost on the bridge - John Pott of course had a high personal incentive to get to his brother in law. Lt Col des Voeux selected Johns A company to lead the attack. The Koepel was separated from the fields below by a main road out of Arnhem. On that day it was also the main German defensive line. It proved to be an attack against all the odds and only John and a few men managed to get through the German defences and well into the trees.

Continue the story at:
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/john_pott.htm

http://www.athlete.mu/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Black
• Swan
• Song
• Arnhem
• Athlete
• WW2
• Holland
• Acoustic
• Joel

[richardedkins]

Thanks BBQPeanut :) Joel does have a great voice eh!

did you see the doc film, Black Swan Story, on youtube - watch?v=aTHwri9Rn4Q

or shorter 11min version on vimeo 7289822

[12cabbageman]

This video is amazin. Joel has a quality voice. (2 the men who fought) Well done lads and good luck 2 our boys in Afghan!

[richardedkins]

thanks cabbage man

the full doc film is now at

richardedkins(dot)co(dot)uk

[signpo890]

Brilliant performance brilliant song, but can i ask, why is it called black swan song?

[richardedkins]

I think Joel took inspiration from Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book The Black Swan and The Black Swan Theory

read more at their site athlete(dot)mu(slash)band

[richardedkins]

Documentary film about the story behind the song can be watched at vimeo (dot) com /7289822

[ryansaffery]

this is absolutely fantastic - hopefully now Athlete will get the recognition they deserve.

11/11/1918 - We will always remember - thank you for your sacrifice - RIP

[Antdog5]

Good performance

[daguitarmon64]

What an absolutely amazing song, there are songs put down as classics but this one should be in that catergory for the depth of its lyrics and the meaning of them to, one more thing i can't believe someone put a dislike on this obviously no music taste at all

[YourMumJC]

Had me in tears mate and i dont cry much

[MrPibbs100]

im lucky to have Athlete Discography.

[iloveathletexxxxx]

amazing! i'm learning this on my guitar, you have inspired me joel :)

[martindeserdio]

How could we europeans, supposed "first world", "civilized", start such a terrible episode in history. It makes me feel so sad when I walk on places where I know people fought to death against their equals. We forget too soon the meaning of war. I live in Spain, the place where Europe made the "training" before WW2. We did not go to WW2 because our country was previosly devastated on a war of brothers were germans, italians, british, etc practiced with their bombs. Never more. Love btwn nations

[kenkenka]

he's so sexy

[Kris58Letang]

amazing Joel :)

[karlohull]

today november 14 th rememberance day and this song says it all i say no more just listen ?

[hannahmrforan]

Amazing song, the video to this song (actual video) is really moving, amazing voice too (: