Gillian Welch — Scarlet Town
Album: The Harrow & The HarvestAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1464
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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Buddy I went down to Scarlet Town
Never been there before
You slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floor
I don't mind a little town
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things I seen in Scarlet Town
Did mortify my soul
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
I spent some time in New Orleans
And in Cairo on a bend, but
A Scarlet Town brought me down
Low as I ever been
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
On the day I came to Scarlet Town
You promised I'd be your bride
You left me here to rot away
Like holly on a mountainside
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Now you may hide in Scarlet Town
For a hundred years or more
But the man who knows what time it is
Is knocking at the door
So fare you well, my one true love
If you never see me around
I'll be looking through a telescope
From hell to Scarlet Town
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Never been there before
You slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floor
I don't mind a little town
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things I seen in Scarlet Town
Did mortify my soul
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
I spent some time in New Orleans
And in Cairo on a bend, but
A Scarlet Town brought me down
Low as I ever been
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
On the day I came to Scarlet Town
You promised I'd be your bride
You left me here to rot away
Like holly on a mountainside
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Now you may hide in Scarlet Town
For a hundred years or more
But the man who knows what time it is
Is knocking at the door
So fare you well, my one true love
If you never see me around
I'll be looking through a telescope
From hell to Scarlet Town
Look at that deep well
Look at that that dark grave
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Comments (107)add comment
Listened to this and her kind of music as part of the movie "Brothers where are thou". Absolutely great artists, great music!
Just dropped in to put a 10 on this.
See y'all later.
See y'all later.
Always a great show...
chinaski wrote:
He does have a unique style of playing but he also plays unique guitars. They have "F'" shaped sound holes not centered like most traditional round or oval sound hole guitars. Which, I am sure, helps contribute to the sound. But yes, they really seem to feed off each other qualities. A pleasure to watch them together.
David Rawlings is playing an acoustic guitar in which by his skill he is able to make it sound as if it is a hammered dulcimer.
He does have a unique style of playing but he also plays unique guitars. They have "F'" shaped sound holes not centered like most traditional round or oval sound hole guitars. Which, I am sure, helps contribute to the sound. But yes, they really seem to feed off each other qualities. A pleasure to watch them together.
Geecheeboy wrote:
we saw them in Gilford NH and they were marvelous...well after you posted this. Not a big venue but outdoors and the accoustics were still simply fine. They were both excellent and this album had been released. Totally enjoy it!
HA! Delighted to see some selections from the new release I have been following on Facebook. I have seen her at the Handlebar in Greenville SC, and it was one of the best shows I ever attended. Looking forward to another visit, but fear they have gotten too big for this little venue.
"corn squeezin's" 
I don't know why but this makes me want to pull out the 'ol rocker, sit back in it with a jug of corn squeezin's and have myself a party all by my lonesome.
Hey...it's a life?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Hey...it's a life?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
neilos1921 wrote:
Lucky Gillian! !
Gillian is enthralling - she sucks me into a bottomless pit of wonder and desire. :) Lucky Dave!
Lucky Gillian! !
Gillian is enthralling - she sucks me into a bottomless pit of wonder and desire. :) Lucky Dave!
Dylan's Scarlet Town to follow?
I love the "old timey" sound of this song. Stupendous guitar pickin' and the lyrics are great as well!
Dude can flat pick
Thanks Bill for the introduction to GW. Now a fan. Yet another great music source thanks to RP. Apparently this genre is "Americana":
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everyday is a good day for more GW & DR
Love it (and them)!Nice.
Jeffrey wrote:
Agreed
You really have to give Rawlings equal credit for the entire vibe of this song.
Agreed
helgigermany wrote:
The guitar player is very good!!
Yes he is.
The guitar player is very good!!
Yes he is.
David Rawlings is playing an acoustic guitar in which by his skill he is able to make it sound as if it is a hammered dulcimer.
dragon1952 wrote:
Not to my ear. 'Tis a guitar.
Sounds like a banjo to me.
Not to my ear. 'Tis a guitar.
Sounds like a banjo to me.
Not bad. Good somg to start your day with
Love this band!
MJdub wrote:
The guitar player is very good!!
For some reason I was not impressed by the guitar initially, but upon listening more closely I am loving it.
The guitar player is very good!!
For some reason I was not impressed by the guitar initially, but upon listening more closely I am loving it.
rdo wrote:
And ain't it purty?
'Murican music
And ain't it purty?
Super guitar work and beautiful vocals from Gillian!
I like Gillian's music a lot but it took a few listens for this one to grow on me. And it has grown. Thanks Bill!
Haunting toetapper or door knocker...
'Murican music
You really have to give Rawlings equal credit for the entire vibe of this song.
Gilian and David = very nice sound!
Highlowsel wrote:
Imped: Uhm.....regardless the style of music she plays the way she grew up sounds thoroughly American to me.
And who says you've got to be from the (deep) south to appreciate or be able to play thoroughly great blue grass, eh?
Just sayin' is all. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Since when is bluegrass the product of the deep south? That would be blues territory, son. Not to mention good ol' rock n' roll. Enough with your revisionist geography. Please give Appalachia its due.
Imped: Uhm.....regardless the style of music she plays the way she grew up sounds thoroughly American to me.
And who says you've got to be from the (deep) south to appreciate or be able to play thoroughly great blue grass, eh?
Just sayin' is all. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Since when is bluegrass the product of the deep south? That would be blues territory, son. Not to mention good ol' rock n' roll. Enough with your revisionist geography. Please give Appalachia its due.
dickmahoon wrote:
Nice music is coming out of my two speakers!
I dont like the sound whats comes out of my laptop, so i put the speakers. Very nice song indeed!
Nice guitar pickin' coming out of tny left speaker...
Nice music is coming out of my two speakers!
I dont like the sound whats comes out of my laptop, so i put the speakers. Very nice song indeed! Highlowsel wrote:
... who says you've got to be from the (deep) south to appreciate or be able to play thoroughly great blue grass...
Nobody - but the Deep South has little to do with the origins of this mountain music. On a (whole bunch of) somewhat related note(s), the Jimi Hendrix of bluegrass mandolin (himself a Californian) has a few choice words to say about the breadth of music appreciation in general and classical music appreciation specifically: Love Gillian and David They keep this music alive!
dickmahoon wrote:
Yes. Playing on my MacBookPro. I would not believe the the sound quality that comes out of this laptop if I wasn't actually hearing it. I have no idea why it sounds so good, but it sure does, and the guitar is coming out of the tiny little left speaker on mine, too. His picking is some of the finest in the land.
Nice guitar pickin' coming out of tny left speaker...
Yes. Playing on my MacBookPro. I would not believe the the sound quality that comes out of this laptop if I wasn't actually hearing it. I have no idea why it sounds so good, but it sure does, and the guitar is coming out of the tiny little left speaker on mine, too. His picking is some of the finest in the land.
Nice guitar pickin' coming out of tny left speaker...
Was OK the first few hundred times I heard it, but I could use a Scarlet Town vacation...
This is my favorite new female
Seductively dark song.....
The dark side of this...'Winter's Bone'... on BBC tv Friday night - a great film!
rdo wrote:
rdo wrote:
“What's life like up there now?" I asked. "I mean, before you take to the mountains and set up the Kingdom of Sensibility?"
"Probably not too much different from what it's liable to be then," he said. "Some hunting and a lot of screwing and a little farming. Some whiskey-making. There's lots of music, it's practically coming out of the trees. Everybody plays something: the guitar, the banjo, the autoharp, the spoons, the dulcimer—or the dulcimore, as they call it. I'll be disappointed if Drew doesn't get to hear some of that stuff while we're up here. These are good people, Ed. But they're awfully clannish, they're set in their ways. They'll do what they want to do, no matter what. Every family I've ever met up here has at least one relative in the penitentiary. Some of them are in for murder. They don't think a lot about killing people up here. They really don't. But they'll generally leave you alone if you do the same thing, and if one of them likes you he'll do anything in the world for you. So will his family...."
“What's life like up there now?" I asked. "I mean, before you take to the mountains and set up the Kingdom of Sensibility?"
"Probably not too much different from what it's liable to be then," he said. "Some hunting and a lot of screwing and a little farming. Some whiskey-making. There's lots of music, it's practically coming out of the trees. Everybody plays something: the guitar, the banjo, the autoharp, the spoons, the dulcimer—or the dulcimore, as they call it. I'll be disappointed if Drew doesn't get to hear some of that stuff while we're up here. These are good people, Ed. But they're awfully clannish, they're set in their ways. They'll do what they want to do, no matter what. Every family I've ever met up here has at least one relative in the penitentiary. Some of them are in for murder. They don't think a lot about killing people up here. They really don't. But they'll generally leave you alone if you do the same thing, and if one of them likes you he'll do anything in the world for you. So will his family...."
from me, here in germany, it's a ten among the traditionals. If it is one-
impediguy wrote:
Imped: Uhm.....regardless the style of music she plays the way she grew up sounds thoroughly American to me.
And who says you've got to be from the (deep) south to appreciate or be able to play thoroughly great blue grass, eh?
Just sayin' is all. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Bill announced that Gillian was "thoroughly American". Ah, but where from in "America"? I thought she would be from a prairie somewhere, or possibly the woodlands. Turns out though, she was born in New York, grew up near Sherman Oaks, CA (Los Angeles), went to high school in Santa Monica, CA, went to college in Santa Cruz, CA and then Berklee in Boston, MA. Hmmm. I like her, her music, and the illusion all the same.
Imped: Uhm.....regardless the style of music she plays the way she grew up sounds thoroughly American to me.
And who says you've got to be from the (deep) south to appreciate or be able to play thoroughly great blue grass, eh?
Just sayin' is all. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Bill announced that Gillian was "thoroughly American". Ah, but where from in "America"? I thought she would be from a prairie somewhere, or possibly the woodlands. Turns out though, she was born in New York, grew up near Sherman Oaks, CA (Los Angeles), went to high school in Santa Monica, CA, went to college in Santa Cruz, CA and then Berklee in Boston, MA. Hmmm. I like her, her music, and the illusion all the same.
I heard this song played on an episode of "Hell On Wheels". While I was watching, my ears perked up because I recognized it from here on RP! I love that that show is able to seamlessly incorporate new folk-ish songs — that may or may not be old traditional songs. They really lend themselves nicely to the Wild West atmosphere on the show. Love it!
theralph wrote:
I heard it, too. Ringing that iron bell? With the duck gravy? :-)
She's making a start by pronouncing her first name with a hard G
I heard it, too. Ringing that iron bell? With the duck gravy? :-)
She's making a start by pronouncing her first name with a hard G
Cool cover. However, I would have airbrushed out the man hands.
House of the Rising Sun is next
Yeah man...she's right. Stay away from Scarlet Town. Worse than Boston!
Simple yet atmospheric. A gem for stressful times.
daedalus wrote:
As clear a statement as you will ever hear, here! She is so emotive and a solid songwriter . Dave Rawlings is a boon to this record!
Excellent.
A clear distillation of what's good about American folk music.
A clear distillation of what's good about American folk music.
As clear a statement as you will ever hear, here! She is so emotive and a solid songwriter . Dave Rawlings is a boon to this record!
Excellent.
A clear distillation of what's good about American folk music.
A clear distillation of what's good about American folk music.
9 for cover art ;)
Lucky enough to have seen her and David Rawlins a few months ago... genius!!
Not much about ducks in the lyrics!!
Buddy I went down to Scarlet Town
Never been there before
Well you slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floor
I don't mind a little town
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things I seen in Scarlet Town
Did mortify my soul
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
I spent some time in New Orleans
And ?
A Scarlet Town brought me down
Low as I ever been
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
On the day I came to Scarlet Town
You promised I'd be your bride
You left me here to rot away
Like holly on a mountainside
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Now you may hide in Scarlet Town
For a hundred years or more
But the man who knows what time it is
Is knocking at the door
So fare you well, my own true love
If you ever see me around
I'll be looking through a telescope
From hell to Scarlet Town
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Not much about ducks in the lyrics!!
Buddy I went down to Scarlet Town
Never been there before
Well you slept on a feather bed
I slept on the floor
I don't mind a little town
Or drinking my coffee cold
But the things I seen in Scarlet Town
Did mortify my soul
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
I spent some time in New Orleans
And ?
A Scarlet Town brought me down
Low as I ever been
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
On the day I came to Scarlet Town
You promised I'd be your bride
You left me here to rot away
Like holly on a mountainside
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
Now you may hide in Scarlet Town
For a hundred years or more
But the man who knows what time it is
Is knocking at the door
So fare you well, my own true love
If you ever see me around
I'll be looking through a telescope
From hell to Scarlet Town
Look at that deep well
Look at that dark ray
Ringing that iron bell
In Scarlet Town today
toomanyollys wrote:
I heard it, too. Ringing that iron bell? With the duck gravy? :-)
Not a big fan of this. Wish she'd enunciate a bit more. I'm sure she just said something about duck gravy...
I heard it, too. Ringing that iron bell? With the duck gravy? :-)
Not a big fan of this. Wish she'd enunciate a bit more. I'm sure she just said something about duck gravy...
Shesdifferent wrote:
Not possible.
Overplayed
Not possible.
This album is a great showcase for Rawlins' guitar playing, as well as Welch's vocals.
Gives my toes a life of their own. Great blend of vocal and instruments.
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
It's actually two birds, facing/mirroring each other. Great art work, for sure. Great cd too.
I'm not really a fan of Gillian Welch (though I have nothing against her talent, she's just not my cup of tea), I find myself fascinated by that cover design. So many musicians try to dress up their albums with "symbolic" artwork, often drawing it themselves, with predictably childish and amateur results. But this...this has deep roots and wide branches. The headdress/horns on her head for example...where have I seen that before? The flames from the match that look like a scythe, calling to mind the Death card from the Tarot, and Gillian's gesture that evokes the Magician. You could spend hours interpreting this image.
It's actually two birds, facing/mirroring each other. Great art work, for sure. Great cd too.
Not the cheeriest person, but awesome nevertheless
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
It's a beautiful drawing. There seems to be a mixture of Tarot imagery as well as other influences there.
I'm not really a fan of Gillian Welch (though I have nothing against her talent, she's just not my cup of tea), I find myself fascinated by that cover design. So many musicians try to dress up their albums with "symbolic" artwork, often drawing it themselves, with predictably childish and amateur results. But this...this has deep roots and wide branches. The headdress/horns on her head for example...where have I seen that before? The flames from the match that look like a scythe, calling to mind the Death card from the Tarot, and Gillian's gesture that evokes the Magician. You could spend hours interpreting this image.
It's a beautiful drawing. There seems to be a mixture of Tarot imagery as well as other influences there.
She has a man hand! 
Oh, and the guy in the pic is doing the same thing as the pair of smileys.
Oh, and the guy in the pic is doing the same thing as the pair of smileys. Hey.... I LIKE this!
I'm not really a fan of Gillian Welch (though I have nothing against her talent, she's just not my cup of tea), I find myself fascinated by that cover design. So many musicians try to dress up their albums with "symbolic" artwork, often drawing it themselves, with predictably childish and amateur results. But this...this has deep roots and wide branches. The headdress/horns on her head for example...where have I seen that before? The flames from the match that look like a scythe, calling to mind the Death card from the Tarot, and Gillian's gesture that evokes the Magician. You could spend hours interpreting this image.
I love the subtle knocking on the guitar when she sings: Now you may hide in Scarlet Town, For a hundred years or more, But the man who knows what time it is, Is knocking at the door.
Overplayed
I saw Gillian and Dave in Oslo about six weeks ago and thought that they were fantastic!
Just tuned in as I started my work day. Great to hear Gillian Welch and this song. Keep more Gillian coming! Thanks.
First exposure to Ms Welch was Elvis Presley Blues. Most enjoyable.
This is great stuff as well. I enjoy her eeemensley.
This is great stuff as well. I enjoy her eeemensley.
It's songs like this one that restore my faith in music.
8 → 9+
Very excellently excellent.
Just saw them recently - Just Gillian and Dave on stage - two sets and an encore of magic...
this is like listening to candy
Between Aimee Mann and Gillian Welch I am now really bored....just not my thing these girls.
I've always loved Gillian and David's music, and this album is a real gem. Play more!
Hard to believe she's a LA girl.
WONDERFUL!!
It looks like the CD cover has had the coffee bath treatment: The Harrow & The Harvest - How to Coffee-Stain Your Album Cover
I have really grown to like Gillian Welch. Her music seems very personal as from someone who is softly whispering something in my ear...
ghoffman wrote:
No fair using such a short message to ensure your reply was first. ;^)
First exposure to the artist for me. I'll open with a 6.
Keep listening to her, she grows and grows on you. You'll be bumping up that 6 soon enuf.
Echoing others, long wait for this latest release - but what a beauty it is. Some songs just stop me in my tracks no matter what I may be doing at the time.
No fair using such a short message to ensure your reply was first. ;^)
First exposure to the artist for me. I'll open with a 6.
Keep listening to her, she grows and grows on you. You'll be bumping up that 6 soon enuf.
Echoing others, long wait for this latest release - but what a beauty it is. Some songs just stop me in my tracks no matter what I may be doing at the time.
love, love, LOVE!
Can't play this album enough.
daedalus wrote:
Totally agree! Clear voice, minimal musical histrionics, and just an all-around beautiful song. Perfect for this day.
How fabulous is this !!?
Like a cool drink of crystal clear water on a parched day.
Like a cool drink of crystal clear water on a parched day.
Totally agree! Clear voice, minimal musical histrionics, and just an all-around beautiful song. Perfect for this day.
The singing, the guitar, it's all good...
How fabulous is this !!?
Like a cool drink of crystal clear water on a parched day.
Like a cool drink of crystal clear water on a parched day.
C. O'Brien - 2011-06-28.
"Haven't heard of Gillian Welch before and then I listened to The Harrow And The Harvest and was blown away. Great harmonies and David's guitar playing is simply fantastic. Hope they will visit Sweden soon! " RichardBorg
......she's from CA. PCHSAMBA
Yes, she is awesome, she has always brought that true Americana roots feel to her music! Love it!
Saw Gillian and David last weekend at Newport Folk Festival - best act of the day.
More of this please! The way it will be from this album is mighty excellent.
Great album
I love the guitar playing on this track....exquisite!
Good stuff
Gillian and Dave are back! It was worth the wait. This is one of 5-6 standout songs on the new album.
Combining roots Americana with post-modern musical sensibillity and taste. I love Gillian Welch.
Geecheeboy wrote:
No fair using such a short message to ensure your reply was first. ;^)
First exposure to the artist for me. I'll open with a 6.
HA!
No fair using such a short message to ensure your reply was first. ;^)
First exposure to the artist for me. I'll open with a 6.
I saw her at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival last year and it was fantastic!
HA! Delighted to see some selections from the new release I have been following on Facebook. I have seen her at the Handlebar in Greenville SC, and it was one of the best shows I ever attended. Looking forward to another visit, but fear they have gotten too big for this little venue.