In the Hills of Shiloh

[Pine]

Geo Ballentine a.k.a. Dobrodaddy, introduced me to this song. It was written in the 60's by Silverstein/Friedman, a couple songwriters from Tin Pan Alley. I was immediately fascinated by the haunting melody and lyrics which depict a Civil War bride whose husband never returns from battle. She subsequently spirals into a deep, lifelong psychotic depression. Geo sent me a track of solo "turbodiddley", a 4 string cigar box resonator of sorts and I added the vocals and a small violin solo. It's unlike anything I have ever attempted or heard. We did this colllab about 4 years ago but never posted it.

Shiloh, Tennessee, was the site of one of the first major battles in the Civil War. Lasted 2 days. Over 23,000 killed or wounded. Bodies from each side were buried in mass graves, trenches, sometimes seven deep. A horrible, bloody battle.

Have you seen Amanda Blaine in the hills of Shiloh
 Wandering in the morning rain through the hills of Shiloh
 Have you seen her at her door listening for the cannon's roar
 And the man who went to war from the hills of Shiloh.

 Have you heard her mournful cries in the hills of Shiloh
 Have you seen her haunted eyes in the hills of Shiloh
 Have you seen her running down searching through the sleeping town
 In her yellowed wedding gown in the hills of Shiloh.

 Have you seen her standing there in the hills of Shiloh
 Wind a blowing through her hair in the hills of Shiloh
 Listening for the sound of guns listening for the rolling drums
 And the man who never comes to the hills of Shiloh.

 Have you heard Amanda sing in the hills of Shiloh
 Whispering to her wedding ring in the hills of Shiloh
 Hear her humming soft and low poor Amanda doesn't know
 It was ended forty years ago in the hills of Shiloh...

[StephenM]

This brought tears to my eyes and agony to my soul... I sometimes spend time pondering the wages of hatred and war.  The cost of greed and a desire for power, the desire to be right is extremely high.  So you were able to bring about an emotional response in me with your art....and to be frank i think this makes the effort superb.  You telling the story and then the lyrics bringing them forth and your voice and the music resonate the pain.... awesome job...

[Pine]

You are a sensitive soul Stephen. Life has no doubt been hard for you and may continue to be as a result...however, those with empathy and compassion for others are the light that shines in humanity and  counters the darkness from the selfish, the greedy, and the power hungry. Yours is a hard road, but a very important one. Thank you for listening.

[TPB]

Well done you can see and feel the emotion in the song should be in a documentary as the background song, Hope Geo is doing well
Tim

[Ferryman_1957]

Stunning and so effective in its stark simplicity. That turbodiddley sounds great, it really gives that rustic folksy feel, and your vocals are awesome. Those harmonies are just slightly unsettling and give this a really haunted, mournful edge. Excellent violin additions.

Lovely work, a compelling listen.

[Bluesberry]

incredible and powerful...awe struck by this one...

[pjd1]

Another glimpse into American History , harrowing listen if you can imagine the scenes in your minds eye , very powerful emotional composition , i remember Dobrodaddy , hope he is still making music and playing , another beautifully vocal recording Pine and a fine story line over a atmospheric backing track for Dobro , great stuff and then some

Dunny

[WarpCanada]

This feels so authentically old.

I am reminded of an amazing album called "The Man from God Knows Where / An Immigrant Song Cycle" by Tom Russell.  It is a powerful work of American History in Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQCqqwpz86w


The above link is just the opening track of an amazing hour and half of songs.