Nelson, Willie - American Tune Lyrics

Can’t see anyone giving this a thumbs down, never mind 10??? Jeeeeshh!

Just gave a thumb down just to make your comment outdated....

What a fabulous song.

look at these two giants of American music. one from New York, one from Texas. both Americans. both great. apples and oranges, my friends. we live in a huge, massively diverse, beautiful, deeply flawed and inspiring country. that's all i have to say about that.

Willie, your singing is pissing Paul off.

Funny, I see Paul fascinated by Willie's rendition. I guess he's more open-minded than some people.

Nice version Willy.

well that was wonderful 😊

That's amazing! and cogent for these times!

Love both Willie and Paul. Was so happy when I found Willie's version of this legendary tune.

let paul simon sing that song !

+Richard Sørensen let willie sing what he wants! ha!

Pretty sure he's song that song once or twice, dude. 168 versions on Youtube alone. JK.

You are literally the only person on this page who thinks that. Willie does this song beautifully, and Paul is obviously fine with it. Have some imagination, for gods' sakes.

This is from Willie Nelson: The Big Six-0 Tv Special.

Paul Flattery That's no excuse for letting him massacre Paul's song.

It is a time honored tradition to put new lyrics to old melodies.  This is done all the time,
or rather, used to be done all the time.  If the work is in the public domain (Bach's and the old hymn) it is an accepted convention to write a new song to it.   It si not stealing.

Gorgeous. I'll sleep tonight ...

J'aime beaucoup Paul Simon que je chante mais j'aime encore plus J S Bach. La mélodie de American Tune est exactement, note pour note le thème du chorale de la passion selon Saint Mathieu « O Haupt voll Blut und wunden ». il a ajouté un refrain mais l'essentiel vient de Bach 
I like very much Paul Simon whom I sing but I love even more J S Bach. The melody of American Tune is exactly, note for note the subject of choir of the passion according to Saint Mathieu " O Haupt voll Blut und wunden ". He added a tune but the main part comes from Bach. 

Willie you took Paul's American Tune to a new level....Great !

It is in every hymn book I have ever seen. Usually called, in English, O Sacred Head Sore Wounded.

I came across this song a while ago and I have been overtaken so much that this is my 10th time listening to its lyrics and melody. Some people are definitely born to bring us happiness and meaning in our lives. Willie is truly conveying his message in a heavenly manner. Thank you Mr. Nelson. Dr. Wilbur Walker, attorney at Law, Santo Domingo.

It's Paul Simon's message, actually. You know, the guy sitting next to him? He wrote the song back in 1970.

When it comes to Willie performing and singing songs, it's like baking a cookie. You can't bake a bad cookie. One of the greatest living legends.

Baxter! Thank you! I. always loved it and now I know why!!!! Well, that's audacious,!

Does anyone else recognize this melody? It's the "Passion Chorale" from Bach's "St. Matthew Passion." It's a German Lutheran hymn which goes by one title amongst others, "O Haupt Voll Blut und Wunden." Don't take my word for it, check it out right here on Youtube. Look up the chorale by this name. Many Baroque organists/composers set this with variations but Bach's is the most famous and recognized. Well, if you're going to "steal", at least he stole from the best.

don't be so spoilt children, you Americans...

This fucking comment didn't age well.

@markbrow He does play an elegant solo at the end.

oops...except at the end

Too bad he doesn't play any guitar

You mean the guitar he's playing through the whole thing? That guitar?

in 1993 i was a freshman in HS, listening to pure crap. had i seen this on TV then, i would of probably passed it by, without even thinking. now we're fresh into 2011 and ive listened to it 5 times in a row so far. not sure what happened in between those years, but its for the best.

Frankly, I prefer the original.

@TAPlastic ok I'll look for it cuz Willie rocks

Willie sounds GREAT on this one....so good.

JEN, your right, this is GREAT!!!!!! WIllie sings with WIllie soul.......

You are just use to hearing it silky smooth with Art and Paul. Willie sounds pretty good here but your just no use to his style. You probably HATE Johnny Cash singing Bridge Over Troubled Water and In My Life too. But those are great versions. Open your mind a little and you might find a lot of really great music out there.

i just get angry sometimes, i wish democrats could be a little more bold sometimes. but on the other hand, i certainly don't want to act like the right wing nuts, not all republicans are nuts, just the ones like palin, vitter, rush et al. then last night i listened to grayson in congress talk about all the people who died in the country last year without health care, and he broke it down by congressional district and named names. got me all fired up again, that and depressed.

well, he sounds tired and broken, i think it fits.

@tranurse And I find you here too! Bless your heart tranurse!
Yes they should all see ( forced is a bit hard that's more their way) this Vid. Hear my song "our minority president" i think you'll enjoy it.

I agree with you.. This is just too much song for Willie to sing. The meledy is very complex. Willie is awesome but he is use to the comfort of country music. He even looks like he's having a hard time with the song.

Willie Nelson recorded this song back in the early 90s... and much of Willie's writing involves complex melodies. That's pretty commonly known.

After all these years listening to Paul sing this, Willie's phrasing sounds really choppy and awkward.

I'm pretty sure it's on the "Across the Borderline" album. My father played it all the time. It's what made me love Willie Nelson.

The version on the cd is amazing too.

I feel privileged watching these two legends world class should have 5million views.

every single republican should be forced to listen to this song. they need to see how we feel. especially as we deal with all they have done for the past 8 years.

Absolutely wonderful!

But does it appear on CD anywhere?

Straight to my favourites too. American music at its best in every element. Can only give it 5*

straight to my favorites

hauntingly beautiful rendition by willie. He seems to pour so much of his soul into every verse, great vid post much appreciated!