Love John Tams, he's just brilliant! Beautiful beautiful voice.

This is just so moving. John has the gift of a perfect voice for singing these types of songs. More john..

At the end of the first day of the Battle of the Somme the bodies of around 160 men of the Devonshire Regiment were retrieved from where they had fallen in No-Mans-Land. They were carried back to the British Front Line trench position and buried in a section of the trench near a small wood called Mansell Copse. A stone memorial now stands at the entrance to the cemetery bearing the words: “The Devonshires Held this Trench, the Devonshires Hold it Still”

My grandfather was in the First World War, and saw action at the Somme. My father and two of his brothers were in the Second World War. A simple song but so beautiful and moving. One of the best I`ve heard recently. The harmonica really kifts it. John Tams has the most wonderful voice. Some of the repeated lines really affect me: 'the light upon the lea', 'peace walks upon this blessed land', goodwill upon all earth', 'and those who walked in war, in peace, and who walked this land', 'their souls shall never cease', 'stand to me bonny lads', 'hold the line right steady', 'this day shall bear your name'. Difficult to listen to it in the knowledge of British history. I really must see the stage show of 'War Horse'.

This song is the greatest song I have ever heared , It brought a tear to my eyes.

I had the privilege to sing an arrangement of this as part of the Passchendaele 100 Cloth Hall Concert, truly the most emotional moment for me

my god... what a gift you english have with this man! i am so subdued.. and am so GLAD.. we are allies.. i want him// for us.. my god. my lord.. my saviour.. please.. remember me and my lads in the perils we face.. and send an angel like this to help us with song from above..

John has a voice you cannot ignore...He's amazing.

I am a veteran, this song comes from the heart and soul. I did return, many...not.

A beautiful, moving song from a wonderful craftsman

Just has to be the best folk music voice ever.

This is such a beautiful song - it moves me to tears every time I hear it.

This is simply beauty.

First met him as Daniel Hagman, sharpshooter extraordinaire in the Richard Sharpe videos (and the company's/series musician). Beautiful voice

Going to see Warhorse in Melbourne. I'll try not to cry when this song is sung

Always blown away whenever I see him perform, but this is the tops! No shame in crying when you hear it - go ahead and blub away, Alan!

Still watching at Christmastide 2017 God Bless you John Tams !!!

as a Devon man all i can say to John is.. "proper job boy ".. wish i was home right now..

God Bless you John Tams!

"Stand too me bonny lads" (a northern term) - Durham Light Infantry, the Geordie lads who fought along side the Devonshire lads. Rest In Peace all you bonny lads, all somebody's bairns

He was the best part of the Sharpe series. Beautiful.

Beautiful lyrical tribute to a perished generation. They died for who knows what it why.

Sends a shiver down my spine.

I've wanted to sing this song for at least 3 years but every time I try, even 'in private' I just end up in tears. It's sentiments are so beautiful and John's voice makes me shiver. Wonderful

A John Tams classic - he must be making a fortune, having written all the Warhorse songs, which are being sung every night around the world in theatres etc., but still obviously enjoys going round the UK, putting on intimate concerts with his mate, Barry Coope (from Coope Boyes and Simpson)

First met (and I DO mean "met") him >40 years ago when he was a member of Muckram Wakes, a Derbyshire band. Just wish he was back in his home county more.

It's 'Stand To', which is an alert, everybody man their positions. The 'bonny lads' is normal speech in the North East. Beautiful track.

Heard this for first time in war horse at Sunderland Empire. So beautiful and sad 😥

I think this is actually "Devonshire Carol" from "War Horse". What a fantastic song.

The song is definitely "The Devonshire Carol" but its a far older tune than the "War Horse" soundtrack. The song "Stand Too" also is prevalent - a song about the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) in the trenches of WW1 It doesn't get better than this !!

Tommy in the meadow Tommy in the byre Tommy on the fire step Tommy on the wire And those who walked in war And those who walked in peace And those who walked this blessed land x3 Their souls shall never cease Stand to me bonny lads Stand to and make you ready Stand to me bonny lads Hold the line right steady Let bright bands rule the flame This day shall bear your name Stand to me bonny lads Hold the line right steady And those who walked war

And those who walked war And those who cherished peace And those who walked this blessed land x 3 Their souls shall never cease.

You can't fool me. Everyone knows that John Tams died at Waterloo!!!

5 stars just for being posted on my Birthday

not over the hills and far away

Devonshire Carol (John Tams) The lambkin in the manger The light upon the leaves The moor that leads to glory The shepherds bend their knee And all are wrapped grace And all are gifted mirth Peace walks upon this blessed land x3 Goodwill upon all earth The ploughboy and his traces The line upon the land Holds gift by natures graces A bounty to the man And all are wrapped in grace And all are gifted mirth Peace walks upon this blessed land x 3 Goodwill upon all earth

seconded he should write a world antham

yes

wonderful ! 5*

He sounds good here, and the harmonica too. Does anyone know a good version without the electric organ\synthesizer?

but is this really called over the hills and far away ?!