Amen.

I’m 35 and not Cajun, or French, and it makes me cry every time I hear this song. It’s such a powerful story.

❤👍🙏 sad treatment of the Acadians : a great people ! Gob bless the band . Tradition and history captured by the great ' The Band'

I loved Levon Helm He was the only band member that was not Canadian He was from Arkansas They remain in my heart and soul The Band ❤

I'm 💯 Acadian and im so proud of my ancestors ❤️ we kept movin on for better lives . We are tough folk ..this song captures every thing they went through. Thank you The Band

👍🇨🇦

Yes, I am Cajun and this song has always moved me deeply.

Very well said and I completely agree.

yeah its a good song baby a damn good song bands songs had such deep deep depth to them yeah robbie and the boys

Jesus, Robbie. I sure did appreciate your offerings. Go to bed.

I went to the bank the other day and the young teller had a very French family name. Had light brown hair and blue eyes and told me both parents were from Dominican Republic. I immediately thought of the song and jotted it down for her on a deposit slip so she could fire up this KZfaq. She plans on doing DNA and I feel she may be descended from this diaspora.

¡ THANKS FOR SHARING !

👍🇨🇦

I have a similar heritage

Yes I was quite amazed to learn there are still french speaking folks in Maine. There are large parts of Northern Ontario that are french speaking too. My home province. I didnt realize this either until i spent time there in the eighties.

One of my favorite songs all time.

Wish everyone had it in them to look back in time, and realize how hard it was to just live - to just survive. The Band's music is something I will take to the place known as Heaven, and play this album on a turntable God will provide. Be safe peoples.

Always knew this song. I only recently learned it was about many of my ancestors.

God Bless the great Acadian people........now proudly known as Cajuns!@@JimDorman

This brings tears to your eyes even if you are not Cajun

Thank you Andrea. Much appreciated.

Yes, they were a very special band, I remember being moved by their music when I was in my teens and even after all these years their music does it for me.

me and the rest of the world that has any brain

till i die

They were all very talented... sad they broke up when they were peaking.. imagine what music they would have made if they'd stayed together

@@CryptoGrizzly710 My Dad is a great guy and loves his classical music, opera, and also some jazz like Miles Davis and Jerry Mulligan. But I remember several years ago we were riding in my car and I had a Band tape playing and he says, You like this stuff? I said, Yeah... yeah I do. And I just let it keep playing, I don't know why. Typically I would have turned it off, or found something else. But not that time. My Dad was of a different era and he did not like pop music in general, which back then was like Elvis. Though years later he would say he liked the Beatles because they had a sense of humor, but he didn't buy any of their records, except once he bought Sgt. Peppers for my sister on her 13th birthday (we wore that vinyl out!). So that was cool. I bought many of The Band's records and I like a lot of stuff on their later records, like Acadian Driftwood and songs like "Rags and Bones", it has a great feel to it and and a nice guitar solo.

Here, in the US, as well. Sad to see it so ignored. The Band really knocked this one out of the park. Gotta love them.

Hey Peter. Great song but the historical narrative in the song is in error. For example the Battle on the Plains of Abraham took place in 1759, four years after the initial deportations in 1755.

Hi, we do teach it. It's part of Grade 7 curriculum here in Ontario.

@@jenniferdoucet6889 glad to hear they are teaching now. They did not when I attended Ontario schools.

Even more sad: the passing of Mr. Robertson himself!

Please tell me about me linrage. I'm an aydelotte

I'm a 💯 Acadian from Bouctouche NB ,and yes we're still a tough and proud breed no boubt ♡ I'm a Roy,LeBlanc,Duplessis & Caissie ..I loved your story

BEAUTY😊

History in a beautiful song. Those with power always seem to abuse that power. I've always felt a strange attraction to Canada or Arcadia. I just don't get it but this work sort of fills in some gaps. I have kin in Arcadia some of my mum's family emigrated there after the British gave them independence in 1951.

i truly love this song,i"m a upstate. new yorker.one of the finest music i"ve ever heard.

One of their greatest songs and has taught me a lot. Regards from London, England.

I'm a Cajun descent of the exiled Acadians

I'm also of Acadian ancestry living in Louisiana but here we're called Cajuns

Definitely agree. Same reaction here. It's stronger if you happen to be visiting Grand-Pre in NS when you listen to this

Reminds me of Woody Guthrie’s songs about Okies and pea patch papas.

The plight of the refugee

Your youtube account is the same age as me😂

Yeah, especially the Cajun fiddle by the late, great Byron Berline!

I'll talk! Somewhere I said the song should be a miniseries.

I remember buying the vinyl. When it came out. Already a band fan. And....I thought, at the time...how can it get any better than this?

Amen kid! Fucking precious!

Agreed. Magical....

Took me like 3 hours to figure out what that was, I should have read the comments!

Man yeah! Are you sure you arent my bassist? Yes the band has some extremely unique yet familiar sounds from the olden days

@@thelatenightnomadIt's Magic bro. Greetings from the UK

@@scootmcgoot570 Amazing. I'd love to visit the USA one day, x

Definitely the best group ever, Mike.

That's why they were The Band. Anyone else, such a name would be very pretentious. Not so with these 5 men.

No they don't make music of this caliber anymore.. Nobody else ever has for that matter. It is timeless.

That's totally true. Coming from abroad, I could not have said it any better. Song brings tears to my eyes.

@@nathanwhitten8950 your damn right brother

Hello, I'm an Irishman living and working in this great country of yours! Could you advise me on a book that can relate to history within this great song? Thanks

Tu aurais du écrire, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, à mon humble avis

You are blessed to be from Isles de la Madeleine. I hope you are never overrun by gringos.

They are gringos fool. Gringo means north american from north of mexico

the one beauty of this is that they settled in south louisiana where i have enjoyed these incredible people and i an from upstate new york i have a camp down on the beach here and nothing compares to south louisiana and at the acadian area in lafayette louisiana the happiest rated place to live in this country right now and forever

I heard it when it first came out....long ago. 1975 I think. Bought the vinyl.. Thank you for feeling as I do. I still have the cover and the album.

I will give it to whomever will treasure it. Free shipping. Give me an address and let me know that you are not just a BS artist.

Try Richard's "You don't know me", Japan tour version. His heart is in every lyric.

Joel Wexler you got that right man. Some of the best music and it's like a history lesson as well.

nobody came close

Grateful Dead is certainly up there!

@@FaqueGoogle-wo6ip you got that right my man

They had it all.

I have shed tears over it

Man, you’re not kidding. My first listen honestly.

And goose bumps. Achingly beautiful. Far enough back our paternal line was involved, ended up in New Hampshire. There is a Jeannotte mercantile in Nashua to this day. Traditional Acadian goods.

all of the above & below,,,

I’m American with no cultural connection, I always cry when I hear this song.

i am from upstate new york and south louisiana is the best place besides upststate new york in this country i live here i know

What does "14" mean here?@terryq5150

Robbie's native American heritage moved him to create songs like this.

You are absolutely correct when you say "and that's saying a lot". Saw them 27 times and never did they perform this gem.

Not even once?? That's kind of a shame.

Levon helm's daughter does it with her band handsome strangers (I think that's the band name)

Just saw her do it on the Last Waltz Remembered tour. It was this good.

Which town, Woodkern?

by far

period

amen

never will be repeated

That is the truth!

Wouldn't that make a great story on Finding Your Roots!!!@

Or a CBC documentary. ;)

Look for attackappa: a Cajun story they are my people. Against the tide also about my people

@@LarryStAmant-jc2xj I live off Bonin in Lafayette, right at the edge of Broussard and Youngsville. 15 miles from St. Martinville where the L'Acadie Nouvelle story began.

@@philipearlmcg3964 I'm in Lafayette

@@cyberpleb2472 CBC has put out a few interesting short pieces on the topic, but between the religious, linguistic, and political baggage associated with the Acadian diaspora a big, high-quality doc on the subject is unlikely unless it is independently funded.

It's a good one. No doubt.

David Bergin I agree, however, you will surely find other pieces of art that will send you thus. Just do not allow your input to stagnate. Read, listen, take in EVERYTHING. It's a goal, anyway...

David Bergin If it isn't it's fuken close.

All about opinions brother. And i value yours

@@CryptoGrizzly710 Really? High praise indeed.

fasteddie7161 it looks beautiful. I can't wait to tour. Bless 🇨🇦 and 🇺🇸😻🤘🏼🍍❣️😎🌵❄️☘️🌬

so better than the deep south with all the hyprocisy

u should be very proud all canadians

@@CryptoGrizzly710 I'm 100% Irish and I never believed I was or could be anything else other than Irish, I've been living in Toronto for nearly 7 years now and have been a fan of The Band since my Dad introduced me to them/Dylan, when I was born I imagine, but my earliest memory is from when I was 6 or 7 years old! I have loved their music with a passion since then, I have visited Richard's grave in his home of Stratford, Ontario to pay my respects and I have ventured as far as Woodstock, NY , to visit Big Pink, (with my dad) to feel their music, to walk where there walked and just to appreciate them! The longer I live in this great country called Canada, the more I believe I'm Canadian!

I also cry most of the time I listen to the song. Parents post wwii immigrants isolation prejudice loss of ethnic culture for no reason based on no good reason great art makes the viewer listen have an emotional reaction from the power of language and music. Never afraid or ashamed to feel human emotion and empathy

A gorgeous line for sure

amen

crying now

For years never knew this song, then when I did find it didn't take it with me Offshore while I worked.. I played it quite often for the Cajuns I worked with and there's always a tear even from the ol "Tool Pusher" and he's usually a stonewall...

Levon? Robbie Robertson wrote this song.

Rod, you're not alone, I am sure.

Rob Stewart Yes....but I get really teary eyed when I hear 'it makes no difference'. The Band sure did make some real classic songs.

+Rob Stewart Yes. And I just heard a good cover by Lisa Haley - same teary eyes. Bitter history - bittersweet tune.

+Rob Stewart Are you kiddin? This song has always got me all tore up...

my family came out of Canada Quebec all the way

The same thing happens to me. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks for teaching

Its is not known as the Acadian Migration as that implies they had a choice in the matter. It is referred to as the 'Deportation of the Acadians', 'Expulsion of the Acadians', and the larger diaspora as the 'Grand Dérangement'.

TY for your succint summation. The story has such resonance for history buffs.

@@markkrathbun3415 the tribe are called the Mi’kmaq and they gave us our name, it means “The place where the people are”

richard & levon & the great great great rick danko..miss them all like u

Although the song draws attention to the plight of the Acadians, the timeline in the song is all wrong as are other pieces of information carried in the lyrics.

Great Song! !

Dominique Hebert Hi Dominique. Thanks for the great comments. I will be in the SouthWest NS area on the 15th. Je vais faire un tintamarre.

@@GuyBelliveau Right on!! I just seen your comment. I hope you had a great time. We had our "tintamare" in Caraquet NB (Acadian Peninsula) As always, an awesome time was had by all. We had a corn boil going on, steamed muscles, pork on the spit slowly turned to perfection, BBQ, a huge buffet table, all outside. No shortage of wine, beer ect. We topped the night off with a fireworks show, next door neighbor has his own fireworks shop all custom packed, it was beautiful. Guy, If you want to come over next year, give me a shout and you and your's are welcome. This video showed a piece of art I was completely unaware of before, and I appreciate that, so you and yours can be one our guests next 15th if you'd like.

August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, patron Saint of Acadians also.

Greetings, Dominique, from your very distant relatives in La Louisiane du Sud, Bes, Adrian Hebert Callais

just like in south louisiana not the protestants down here few and far between all catholics cajuns creoles real people

steve fanger uhhhh skynyrd, ronnie wrote about their life in Jacksonville and I have literally seen the house they grew up in down the road from the country store where Curtis Loew played his dobroh

steve fanger no

Don't blame Robbie. He was so creative he needed to move on, but he was the one who planned the last waltz with scorcese and took them out in unprecedented style.

Plus we do have to move on. We have to leave high school. The Beatles broke up. Dont blame Yoko, they all matured. Otherwise, you get the Stones (I love them but they need to hang it up) The Who (2 original guys calling it the Who) or Marshall Tucker Band who were also fantastic but now only the lead singer is running around with the band name. Aerosmith should have hung it up a long time ago. The list goes on. Let me quote another of my Canadian neighbors and say its better to burn out than fade away. Go out on a high note. The Band most certainly did.

nobody no group ever came close tot these guys and there never will

Am not Acadian but am a proud french Canadian

There's even a tiny synth in there. Garth Hudson is so unsung these days as a keyboardist.

Definitely one of the best Canadian bands.

You're called "Cajun" because the Brits couldn't pronounce "Acadien". When the deportees had to identify themselves they did so in French: " Je suis acadien". They thought they were saying " I'm a Cajun". There you go.

Larry St.Amant same here brother. Born in Bogalusa.

Calcasieu Parish checking in

Phyllis LeBert my dad lived in Lake Charles. Cool spot. Jealous you have all that crawfish and Steamboat Bills right there!!

Half Acadian here, didn't know about the people until I got a DNA test. Ancestry can't even say "Acadian" they say "European" but the groups are there. I want to visit Louisiana.

+Bob Affolter Rick Danko is the *MAN*

Agreed, but Richard Manuel’s singing - perhaps especially his performance on Dylan’s 1966 Bootleg (in England) “One Too Many Mornings” - are up there, too.

Thanks for making and sharing this. Well crafted for an amazing song!

+Guy Belliveau Great series of images and maps! Makes the song more real! Thanks.

Let all our friends within the influence of the aquifer hear, understand and rejoice----- here in Massachusetts, we are following and will share info on the situation. We love and send energy to protect you all and hold you in our dream ---- that no harm will befall you or your loved ones, and that health, healing and success will become your way of life regardless of the obscurations, obstacles and toxins you may encounter . . . ....

very well done. Thank you

Magnificent ballad of history........this song should be the national anthem of the Acadian people.

My stepmom is from Acadia parish, Louisiana. I remember learning the history of the Acadian people.

Do you use the Band’s song, “Evangeline?” (Wish my teachers taught like you do.)

Thanks so much for the kind comments. I will.look up the Outlander series soon.

And here's yet another one. After the American Revolution, Loyalists living in New York and the New England states, many of them German, were forcibly deported by the new state governments to New Brunswick. My Debeck and Althause ancestors were among them. One of my great-grandmothers Debeck, widowed with two babies during the war, petitioned the Governor of New Brunswick for a small parcel of land. As her husband had served the Crown to his death, her petition was granted, and she and her small children did not starve.

The French only supported the very few Scots who wanted independence because it was a means to undermine the British Government. They didn't give a damn about the minority of Scots that wanted independence. They were just using them as pawns to further their own colonial ambitions. When you say "British" you mean Scots too. Look at the flag. There were more Scots in the British Army fighting against the Jacobite rebels at Culloden than any other nation of the United Kingdom.

My Scottish great-great grandfather came down to Illinois from Canada after he left Scotland. He wound up in Montana eventually.

@@malbuff The Loyalist were not really deported. As people who had remained loyal to the British crown staying in the new USA was not the best of options and there were many who suffered persecution. The Loyalist were more refugee than anything else.

It's brainy, no doubt. But if you want more of such intelligence I suggest Al Stewart. Roads To Moscow, Nostradomus, On The Border, and many others he penned and sings.

@@erswnn yes Al Stewart too! Throw Mark Knopfler’s solo stuff into that category as well

If you are getting your history lesson about the Acadian deportations from this song, then you will have it all wrong. Great song, but the historical narrative in the song is wrong.

It wasn't raspy until the goddamned cancer. Fucking cigarettes. Sorry. I hate tobacco.

Lizzie Sangi 🎩 My honor, Ophelia!

best band ever

And, as of July 10, session fiddler Byron Berline.

Ha Ha i was thinking that before reading your comment,you are right

Paul McCartney once said if he had not been with the Beatles he would have wanted to be in The Band

Not McCartney -- Clapton

Both.

Deportation of occupants from conquered lands was commonplace in that era. However, it was uncommon to do so close to 40 years (1755) after the conquest (1713). Deportation of occupants typically meant relocating those people to their original homeland (France). In this case, the deportees were deported to hostile lands in British colonies. This was the largest “ethnic cleansing” operation in history. 12,000 Acadians were deported during 1755 and 1763. The deportation into hostile lands had the purpose of making the Acadians “slaves” in their new locations. Acadian homes and crops were burnt, livestock killed and families were split up, separated and deported to different locations under the direction of Lawrence and Shirley into the British Colonies of North America. It is estimated that of the 12,000 to 18,000 Acadians alive in 1755, 7,500 to 9,000 perished during the period between 1755 and 1763 from the effects of the deportation. The song isn’t necessarily historically accurate. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acadian_Driftwood

Ive read about this. It is sad.