Brilliant performance by Levon Helm on the drums and being the lead singer. I love this song.
Just wanted to say its not often a person plays drums and does lead vocals. I’m not a musician but im sure anyone can see that this is a very impressive live performance. I know that its from a movie but I’ve never seen the movie. I’ve been watching this video on youtube for years now and I have a young son and he’s just learning to talk and he likes to sing this song with me. I saw in another comment on youtube I think that although is song is written from the perspective of the south, its really about just being a normal guy living in a small town and all of a sudden you’re being sent to war, regardless of which side you happen to be on. The lyrics are great. I hope someone enjoys it.
It makes sense that your young son likes it: when it was written, Robbie Robertson had to be quiet so as not to wake up his sleeping daughter. So there may be some kind of father/child thing with this song. Check out the BBC Classic Albums special, where this clip is taken from: https://youtu.be/VusxYu9Uycs?t=75
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing that.
You’re welcome. That whole film is fantastic, including a sequence where Levon talks about singing and drumming at the same time. He claims that it’s in fact easier that way…