John Jacob Niles - The Maid Freed From The Gallows 2010 LDG Video

John Jacob Niles - The Maid Freed From The Gallows - I decided to do a video for this song as I noticed there's no video for it anywhere. The concept it's unconventional and is pretty much trying to approach the idea of the song, on what kind of thoughts can go thru someone's mind if they somehow know they will die or they're soon be executed, I've mixed several footage from the 1920's and some footage from sea storms and tornados, stuff like that. The video was edited using several layers so there's a lot of experimenting with transparency on it, I don't think the final result was perfect but I am ok with it and I hope you enjoy it - about the song, personally this is my favorite version of it, I love John Jacob Niles vocals and songs and there's just one glimpse of him during the video as I didn't found any other footage from him. If you own some of this footage please let me know. Thank you.

ABOUT THE SONG
"The Maid Freed from the Gallows" is one of many titles of a centuries-old folk song about a condemned maiden pleading for someone to buy her freedom from the executioner.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maid_Freed_from_the_Gallows

ABOUT JOHN JACOB NILES
John Jacob Niles (April 28, 1892—March 1, 1980) was an American composer, singer, and collector of traditional ballads... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Jacob_Niles

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• hangman
• traditional
• ballad
• john
• jacob
• niles
• 1920
• americana
• acoustic
• vocals
• execution
• gallows
• pole

[tooken]

Thank you to all the viewers and the comments on this video. I am very glad that you appreciated it regardless being an odd approach to video :)

[timjmoran]

Phew.... Pretty nightmarish stuff, there , TOOKEN !! This is kinda like if David Lynch

had created a visual to go w/ Mr. Niles haunting, chill-bump-inducing music.

Verrry nice.....

[tooken]

@timjmoran Hi! Sorry to reply just now but thanks a lot for your comment. I feel truly flattered. Thanks!

[hillpolecat]

Thank you for creating this video and sharing it. There is simply far too little Niles on yt! What a shame! Truly an American treasure. I grew up in KY and, as a high school student, met Niles' widow and son, who was US ambassador to Canada at the time (1986). Niles' widow was an extremely gracious person.

[tooken]

@hillpolecat Thank you for the comment. Indeed it's a pitty that Niles doesn't has half of the recognizition he deserves, hence why not much available on youtube or the web.

[joeysergio]

thanks for upload this song,its beautiful

[nibbles74]

Thank you mister lonely

[moorcinn]

Simply great. I know this song from "Mr. Lonely"... This video is really good work.

[mahound9]

"Time's up, sailor man..."

[madahad9]

I still can't listen to this song without tearing up thinking about the sheep being put down by the Three Stooges and the reactions of Madonna, James Dean, Sammy Davis Jr. To show the carnage would have been cruel, but leaving it in the viewer's imagination is what makes the scene all the more sad.

[andrewjordanmiller]

thanks for the upload, i have on vinyl a wonderful performance from a folk festival that JJN gave. maybe ill toss it up here and letcha know :)

[Jugglerclown]

very nice video :)

[ivycompton]

It's indeed shocking how little video there is on this extraordinary guy. I have a short documentary about him, but I long to see live footage! I love his voice and hope somebody can dig up the goods. Thanks for posting this!