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Gillian Welch — Scarlet Town
Album: The Harrow & The Harvest
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1474









Released: 2011
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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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
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!
Posted 1 year ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
Just dropped in to put a 10 on this.

See y'all later.
Posted 1 year ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
Always a great show...
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 chinaski wrote:

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. 
Posted 2 years ago by deadheadmark    [ Reply ]
 Geecheeboy wrote:

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.


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!

Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
{#Arrowd}  "corn squeezin's" {#Roflol}
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 6 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
 neilos1921 wrote:
Gillian is enthralling - she sucks me into a bottomless pit of wonder and desire. :) Lucky Dave! 
 
Lucky Gillian! !
Posted 6 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Gillian is enthralling - she sucks me into a bottomless pit of wonder and desire. :) Lucky Dave! 
Posted 6 years ago by neilos1921    [ Reply ]
Dylan's Scarlet Town to follow?
Posted 7 years ago by gmsingh123    [ Reply ]
 BBoyes wrote:

Scavenged that 1935 Epiphone archtop from an attic.

 
That's a sweet guitar, and he can certainly play it.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I love the "old timey" sound of this song.  Stupendous guitar pickin' and the lyrics are great as well!
Posted 7 years ago by woodchuk    [ Reply ]
Dude can flat pick
Posted 7 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
 mardisoninnc wrote:


 
Scavenged that 1935 Epiphone archtop from an attic.
Posted 7 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill for the introduction to GW. Now a fan. Yet another great music source thanks to RP. Apparently this genre is "Americana":
Posted 7 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]

Posted 8 years ago by mardisoninnc    [ Reply ]
everyday is a good day for more GW & DR
Posted 8 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}Love it (and them)!
Posted 8 years ago by mardisoninnc    [ Reply ]
Nice.
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 Jeffrey wrote:
You really have to give Rawlings equal credit for the entire vibe of this song.

 
Agreed 
Posted 9 years ago by rmagg    [ Reply ]
 helgigermany wrote:

The guitar player is very good!!

 
Yes he is. 
Posted 9 years ago by rmagg    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 9 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
 dragon1952 wrote:
Sounds like a banjo to me.

 
Not to my ear. 'Tis a guitar. {#Music}
Posted 9 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a banjo to me.
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
Not bad. Good somg to start your day with
Posted 10 years ago by Christinsomber    [ Reply ]
Love this band!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 MJdub wrote:
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!!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
For some reason I was not impressed by the guitar initially, but upon listening more closely I am loving it.  
Posted 10 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
'Murican music
 
And ain't it purty?  {#Propeller}
Posted 10 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
Super guitar work and beautiful vocals from Gillian!
Posted 10 years ago by dickmahoon    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 10 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Haunting toetapper or door knocker...
Posted 10 years ago by cosmoschrugg    [ Reply ]
'Murican music
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
You really have to give Rawlings equal credit for the entire vibe of this song.
Posted 10 years ago by Jeffrey    [ Reply ]
Gilian and David = very nice sound!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 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.  
Posted 10 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 dickmahoon wrote:
Nice guitar pickin' coming out of tny left speaker...
 
Nice music is coming out of my two speakers!{#Drummer} I dont like the sound whats comes out of my laptop, so i put the speakers. Very nice song indeed!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 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:

Posted 11 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
Love Gillian and David They keep this music alive!
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 dickmahoon wrote:
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.
 
Posted 11 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
Nice guitar pickin' coming out of tny left speaker...
Posted 11 years ago by dickmahoon    [ Reply ]
Was OK the first few hundred times I heard it, but I could use a Scarlet Town vacation...
Posted 11 years ago by scootmagapril    [ Reply ]
{#Clap} {#Clap} {#Clap} {#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
This is my favorite new female
Posted 11 years ago by dmcfadyen    [ Reply ]
Seductively dark song.....
 
Posted 11 years ago by siriusrising    [ Reply ]
The dark side of this...'Winter's Bone'... on BBC tv Friday night - a great film! 

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...."

 

 


Posted 11 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]

“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...."

 


Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
from me, here in germany, it's a ten among the traditionals. If it is one-
Posted 11 years ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
 impediguy wrote:
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 
Posted 12 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 12 years ago by impediguy    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 12 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Cool cover.  However, I would have airbrushed out the man hands.
Posted 12 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
House of the Rising Sun is next
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
Yeah man...she's right.  Stay away from Scarlet Town.  Worse than Boston!
Posted 12 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
Simple yet atmospheric. A gem for stressful times.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 daedalus wrote:
Excellent.
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!{#Boohoo}
Posted 12 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
Excellent.
A clear distillation of what's good about American folk music.
Posted 12 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
9 for cover art ;)
Posted 12 years ago by matude    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 12 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
 toomanyollys wrote:
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? :-)
Posted 12 years ago by theralph    [ Reply ]
Not a big fan of this. Wish she'd enunciate a bit more. I'm sure she just said something about duck gravy...
Posted 12 years ago by toomanyollys    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Overplayed
 
Not possible.
Posted 12 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
This album is a great showcase for Rawlins' guitar playing, as well as Welch's vocals.
Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Gives my toes a life of their own. Great blend of vocal and instruments.
Posted 12 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
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.
Posted 12 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Not the cheeriest person, but awesome nevertheless
Posted 12 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
 Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
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.

Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
She has a man hand! {#Whisper}  Oh, and the guy in the pic is doing the same thing as the pair of smileys.

Posted 12 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
Hey.... I LIKE this!
Posted 12 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 12 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 12 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Overplayed
Posted 12 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I saw Gillian and Dave in Oslo about six weeks ago and thought that they were fantastic!
Posted 13 years ago by Stevecot    [ Reply ]
Just tuned in as I started my work day. Great to hear Gillian Welch and this song. Keep more Gillian coming! Thanks.
Posted 13 years ago by Glen    [ Reply ]
First exposure to Ms Welch was Elvis Presley Blues. Most enjoyable. 

This is great stuff as well. I enjoy her eeemensley. 
Posted 13 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
It's songs like this one that restore my faith in music.
Posted 13 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
8 → 9+
Posted 13 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
Very excellently excellent.
Posted 13 years ago by terrapin52    [ Reply ]
Just saw them recently - Just Gillian and Dave on stage - two sets and an encore of magic...
Posted 13 years ago by BrokenArrow    [ Reply ]
this is like listening to candy
Posted 13 years ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
Between Aimee Mann and Gillian Welch I am now really bored....just not my thing these girls.
Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I've always loved Gillian and David's music, and this album is a real gem. Play more!
Posted 13 years ago by myasma    [ Reply ]
Hard to believe she's a LA girl.  

Posted 13 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
WONDERFUL!!
Posted 13 years ago by dolumo    [ Reply ]
It looks like the CD cover has had the coffee bath treatment: The Harrow & The Harvest - How to Coffee-Stain Your Album Cover 
Posted 13 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
I have really grown to like Gillian Welch.  Her music seems very personal as from someone who is softly whispering something in my ear... 

Posted 13 years ago by woodchuk    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 13 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
love, love, LOVE!
Posted 13 years ago by mmoyer    [ Reply ]
Can't play this album enough.
Posted 13 years ago by denbear    [ Reply ]
 daedalus wrote:
How fabulous is this !!? 
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.

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]

The singing, the guitar, it's all good...

{#Yes}


Posted 13 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
How fabulous is this !!? 
Like a cool drink of crystal clear water on a parched day. 
Posted 13 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - The Way it Goes, Live
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

 




Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Yes, she is awesome, she has always brought that true Americana roots feel to her music! Love it!
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Saw Gillian and David last weekend at Newport Folk Festival - best act of the day.
Posted 13 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
More of this please! The way it will be from this album is mighty excellent.
Posted 13 years ago by risk    [ Reply ]
Great album
Posted 13 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
I love the guitar playing on this track....exquisite!
Posted 13 years ago by Onthebus    [ Reply ]
Good stuff
Posted 13 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
Gillian and Dave are back!  It was worth the wait.  This is one of 5-6 standout songs on the new album.
Posted 13 years ago by sipsey    [ Reply ]
Combining roots Americana with post-modern musical sensibillity and taste.  I love Gillian Welch.
Posted 13 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
 Geecheeboy wrote:
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. 

Posted 13 years ago by ghoffman    [ Reply ]
I saw her at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival last year and it was fantastic!
Posted 13 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
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.


Posted 13 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]