3:16 Jethro focused on watching Steve's amazing left hand, and then he smiles. One of the best string musicians ever born watching another as good . . . or better.

My father inlaw came to visit my wife and me in New Orleans. I wanted to do something special for him so I planned a night out to see John Prine and Steve Goodman on the Riverboat President. I went into town to get tickets but thought I would have a roast beef po" boy at this little hole in the wall Cafe that mostly only locals knew about. I got my sandwich and there was no place to sit. A young guy offered to share his table with me. We exchanged names and he asked what I was doing today. I told him about Frank being in town and I was getting tickets to see John And Steve. I also told him Frank was a 3 time VETERAN. WWII. , KOREA,,AND VIETNAM. And that he was also stationed in Germany. Then. The shock came. He told me that he was John's Guitar Tech. And if I would give him the three names of the party he would give us BACKSTAGE PASSES ALL ACCESS AFTER SHOW.!! What an evening we had. Frank and John were stationed on the same base in Germany. John played for a little over an hour. Steve played a little over an hour. For the encore John and Steve played about another 45 minutes. Backstage all drinks , shrimp, gumbo, jambalaya, you could possibly eat. WHAT A MOMENTOUS NIGHT !!

You just have to step back in awe at the amazing talent of these two musicians. But especially Steve's beautiful rendition of this song. RIP Steve and Jethro!

How can you not love this guy. Does anyone catch the magic smiles between these two legends.

It's sort of mind boggling to consider that Steve was fighting leukemia his entire professional career; including this performance. He knew he would never make it across the finish line, and worked like hell to get as much of what he had inside out there for our pleasure. Truly a tragic figure, but triumphant as well. I miss him terribly.

I was a house musician at a coffee house called The Flick, in 1970. Steve was there as well and his music was magical. He could pop a guitar string and go into a funny dialogue while he was changing the string and the audience was so into what he was saying, they forgot he had to pause a song. As soon as the string was restrung, he went back to what he was singing without having missed a beat. Steve was one of the most gentle, friendly, and warm musicians I ever met. My singing/guitar partner, Larry loved this song and played it often while I sang harmonies to the chorus. Steve and Larry are both gone now, but for a time in the early 70s, the music was magical.

Steve will never be forgotten.

One of the most moving performances on KZfaq. Gives me shivers every time.

I followed him since 1972, when I learned that he authored City of New Orleans. This song was on album Somebody Else's Troubles. He was very special.

There's something about this song that brings a tear to my eyes. Beautifully performed by Steve with the greatest mandolin virtuoso Jethro Burns!

One of the most beautiful songs ever and sung by one of the most beautiful people ever...

For me, as a Dutchman and the US as my 2nd country, I love this song. The way Steve Goodman performs is just awesome. Couldn´t be better! And love the way he pronounces ´Zuiderzee´.

I was lucky enough to have met Steve many times in the early 70's. when I lived in Chicago. Also he would come out to Phoenix when I lived there and taught guitar there. He would come out with John Prine., they were great friends. Steve was always cordial , even though the last time I saw him. his cancer had come back. He still performed and nothing got in his way of performing. He was a humble and brilliant songwriter.. and consummate performer..

My son is a leukemia and lymphoma survivor. I have come to believe that these terrible diseases transfer super powers to their victims. My son, who is also a recipient of the gift of Down syndrome, has never had a bad day according to him. I believe that Steve was that way.

One of the Greeks, as I recall, observed, "The greatest treasure is a sympathetic wife..." By the grace of God, for reasons not at all clear to me, I'm so blessed. Steve Goodman? Musical, lyrical power -- and immense personal integrity. Great to see him here with Jethro Burns, another towering man and performer.

I think this may be one of the greatest songs ever written. The images of a couple growing old together are heart wrenching. Goodman was a great performer.

This song hits me differently now that I’m in my 70’s. I learned it when the song was very new. I was a big fan of Michael Smith.

One of the most beautiful love songs ever, sung by one of the dearest people ever....my admiration for both is boundless.

Steve still warms my heart after so many years. 1973--who would believe that

Steve and Jethro were golden. I'm blessed to have seen them play several times.

Too many young , extremely talented singers & songwriters have left us too early --One of those GREAT singers was STEVE GOODMAN

I keep coming back to this, one of the best perfomances ever

Great love song. All who have a "Margaret" are blessed.

two legends...what a great smile Jethro has...rest in peace both of you

Steve Goodman is not a singer, he is boundless energy packed into a small package. Jethro was basking in that energy. Together they performed a rendition of this song for the ages. Thanks Michael Peter Smith for writing this.

I am madly in love with Steve Goodman, with Michael Smith and with the song. RIP Stevie, RIP Mike.. such great guys.. And the song lives on.

First heard Steve perform this song in the 70s. Don't know why but I burst into tears every time I hear it. Always have to listen to the Lincoln Park Pirates just to get my balance back. I remember that Chicago, and I'll never forget you Steve.

how amazing is this guy? i love steve. he died way too young.but his music will live forever.

Yes it was Austin City Limits and I was in the audience for the taping. It was a wonderful show! John Prine was there too.

What an incredible guy. I saw him, in Amsterdam!, and had never heard of him before--I'd say around 1976-77. It was a transforming experience. Steve Goodman was full of love, and he shared it with all his heart.

My husband and I loved Steve Goodman so very much. The dutchman was the theme song for our marriage. My husband died 6 years ago and I was his Margaret. Love you Steve.

Bless your heart, Steve. We do miss you.

Steve has been dead longer than he was alive.....I was devastated when Steve passed. Thank God we have all his recorded music. Saw Steve live at Harry Hope's in Cary, IL many years ago. He died in 1984 I believe so it must have been in the early 80's or late 70's.

Is there, or has there ever been, a smile more infectious than Steve's?

that smile on jethro's face after they finish tearing it up :)

Steve's voice always gives me chills. Love him.

His voice was just perfect for this beautiful song.

Steve Goodman, a great singer and song writer. We lost him way too soon. His version of the Dutchman is one of my favorite songs

Happy birthday, Steve! Miss you in this space-time...

The greatest song ever written. Thank you Michael and Steve.

My God I have been trying to find this song for years...I saw him sing this in NY and my vinyl is sooooo old now. My husband used to play it for me all the time. I lost him 12 years ago. What memories..

I remember hearing this when my soon to be husband played this album for me in the 70's, just before we married and I thought...will I think of this song in our future...40 years later, I'm still married to this wonderful man and I still listen to this song...wow

Such a wonderful talent singing a beautiful song. I wish that Steve were still alive, think of all the fantastic music that he could have shared with us.

Is there a lovelier love song? Thx, Steve Goodman, for being so kind.

No other song transports me as totally as this one can. Thankful for this and the beauty anchored to it in my mind.

that most precious face, and such a beautiful love song. Miss you Stevie.

What words can ever describe the joy that Steve gives us still

This is one of the most incredibly beautiful songs I’ve ever heard in my life and I’ve heard a few. My father recently introduced me to it as he has so many throughout my life and I instantly had to learn how to play it. Almost no words for me this is an incredible song.

Jethros playing and smile are so cool.Like soul medicine.

Jethro Burns plays awesome mandolin in the background for Steve on this video. This is great! Thanks for posting

Such a short life and so important

Back in the 70’s Steve bought me a beer in Somebody’s else’s troubles in Chicago one of the best beers I ever had great man! Thanks

Coming back for what is probably at least my twentieth visit to this video over the years... it's so amazing how Goodman was always able to make Michael Smith songs his own. I attended a songwriters retreat twenty years ago or so, which included Michael Smith amongst the songwriters on staff. He said that he originally intended to write the song as a wedding or anniversary gift for his sister Margaret, but that it turned into something completely different.

Thank you for sharing this amazing performance. His voice, his small smiles, the amazing musicality of the two of them together, take this song to another level altogether from other versions I've heard.

Irish songs always make me want to cry.

Steve and Jethro. One of the best songs ever... miss ya Steve.

love how steve plays a wonderfull song and jethro fills in the gaps.

Saw him perform this in a little club in NYC in 1975. Incredible show and this is one of my all time favorite love songs.

Educated Guess, I could not have said it better myself. He was the best concert ever.

The Dutchman was written by the wonderful Michael Peter Smith. He is an amazing songwriter and if you track down any of his CDs you will be rewarded.

Thanks for posting this. Anyone who saw Steve perform live will never forget it -- and I haven't. He was the single best solo performer I've ever seen. He really loved being on stage. I saw him four times. No one holds a candle to him.

This great song never fails to bring a tear to me eyes. It makes me think how happy it is to grow old together with my wife, knowing that we will always be there for one another, no matter what happens.

Beautiful song. Love Steve Goodman.

How beautiful. I know I've heard this song before...but I never knew the words. It's just lovely.

A most beautiful song - made even better by Steve.

I have watched this vid probably a hundred times, including this morning

I was living in Dublin when Liam Clancy had a huge hit with this song. Everyone thought he wrote it. I kept saying no that Michael Smith from Chicago wrote it. Most people didn’t believe me.

He was so wonderful. Hardly a day goes by when I don't listen to his music or sing his songs. I'm no relation, although we have the same last name. He was a nice Jewish man who lived courageously. All of us who have more time to live, need to take a lesson from that. Live life fully. Have humor. Use your talents. Love and love often.

Always love the way Goodman crafted this song story of my marrige -- evidence of lasting love. Beautiful video -- a million thanks. Our anniversary song ...

I'm pretty old and I can remember Homer and Jethro in 1950 something listening to them play on the radio on the way to grandfather's farm. Mostly they were funny, singing and playing guitar and mandolin. Still don't know where Homer went, and he's not mentioned today. Jethro was a fine player. We always went on Sunday on the probably 45 min drive and that is what I waited for. I played for yrs as a semi pro and it's because of them. Go, I loved them.

I saw Steve and Jethro at the Park West in Chicago back in 1983. I had also seen Steve at the Earl of Old Town many times in 1973 thru 1978. Life has never been the same.

Come back to this over and over and over....and always will.

Absolutely loved this guy...saw him at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis several times...once with Jethro. The best was a concert where John Prine joined him at the end...one of the best I have seen...miss him and his music...

WHAT A GENIOUS... WHY SHOULD SUCH GOODNESS BE TAKEN FROM THIS EARTH.... REST IN PEACE, STEVE. Respectfully, Dan Gross, Saint Louis, Mo

Wonderful, timeless tune. I first heard this sung by Charlie Maguire, Minneapolis, back in about 1975. Sweet, melancholy...

We miss you, Steve Goodman!

Love this song. The version by Mike and Babs Smith on their debut (and maybe only) album "Mickey And Babs Get Hot" is sublime. I'd probably never have heard it except that I was reviewing albums for my newspaper in 1973 when I got a promotional copy from Bell Records.

Just a great musician, singer, wonderful sense of humour. We miss you, Steve.

I saw Steve at the Moore Theater in Seattle in 1976, and he sang this wonderful song. He preformed solo for three hours. I feel blessed to have seen him. This is my favorite song, along with Spoon River.

Quite a different experience listening to this wonderful song now than it was then. What a talent.

i wish i knew about these guys in the 80s........thank God for youtube....-simply magnificent...and touching

Brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it. Such a sweet, sad song.

It got me to cry.... and I hardly ever cry.

A beautiful song sung by Steve Goodman.

This song makes me think of my dad and stepmom (Margie). They never had kids of their own, and as my dad got older, his mind started to diminish, so that's why this song feels like it's about them.

As a Neurologist I love this tune about Alzheimer's disease We need to cure this one!!

so good to see Steve and at the same time so sad. This may be the finest song ever written performed perfectly by these two guys!

such a loss, dear Steve, a voice and presence that we miss to this day !

I'm so in love with Steve.

Jethro was a duo of Homer and Jethro. Great mandolin player

I love their guitar riff

The saddest song that ever lived. My father went through this with my mother, bless their souls. Great post and thanks for it.

I play this only when I want to cry. Because I will cry. I cry for the love, I cry for the loss.

I love this song. This one and John Prine’s “Hello in There” always make me cry. Two wonderful musicians.

Always treasured this cover of Michael Peter Smith's song the Dutchman. Smith passed away in 2020.

always loved this sad but lovely song. John Prine's "Hello In There" is another song along this line....just so full of truth and so beautifully told. brings me to tears every time. RIP, Steve

Brings back memories of Holland,all good the great people of Europe,love it

Steve Goodman was a household name in the Chicago area. In addition to writing the classic "City Of New Orleans" made famous by Arlo Guthrie, he wrote other hits which sold well in "Chi Town." I had the privilege of seeing him in concert with Bonnie Koloc. VERY talented. Thank you, though, Mr. Goodman for the wonderful tunes you gave us.

Steve was such a bad ass ! ! ! One of my favorite songs ! ! ! ! I am so glad I got to see him when I was a kid RIP brother

Michael Smith has just passed on. May He Be Most Happiest In Paradise!