Paul Simon and Rhiannon Giddens “American Tune” Live at Newport Folk Festival, July 23, 2022

OMG. She sang that like it was a prayer. That song now has even more weight. Stunning. She is a treasure. He is a genius and has meant so much to so many of us down through the decades.

Oh my goodness, that was very deep. Powerful lyric change; "we didn't come here on the Mayflower, we came on a ship in a blood red moon"

Music like this Will heal America,such a beautiful country should not be divided on so many issues American's deserve to be happy healthy and free, many have forgotten that

Mr. Simon recorded this song in 1972, 50 years ago (it was released in 1973). He could have written it last week. Ms. Giddens performs it perfectly, but she always does.

Paul Simon is the master of gravitas. And she is the embodiment of the wisdom and grace and strength of the Statue of Liberty. Feel like I"m back in the sixties when music was meant to deeply inspire and move people, as this song did. Let it rise again!

the song itself. the singer. all of the ways this is so meaningful. but also, doesn't she look just insanely beautiful?

Rhiannon Giddens shining like a National guitar. 🥰

RG is a national treasure mastering any American genre she chooses. Two amazing musicians right there.

"We didn't come here on the Mayflower We came on a ship in a blood red moon"

Rhiannon Giddens is simply spectacular and she got PaulSimon’s permission to rewrite the words “We didn’t come here on the Mayflower, We came on ships in a blood red moon.”

That song is one of Paul Simon's most exquisite. A wonderful collaboration. <3

The change of the mayflower lyric is stunning. And in a post-Dobbs America, hearing that song sung by a woman feels very appropriate. "It's alright, it's alright.... I'm just weary to my bones." Indeed.

Was 15 years old when Paul Simon wrote this song. 65 now and listening to Paul Simon and Rhiannon Giddens with tears in my eyes. "American Tune" was always a great song for me, but this collaboration brought new life to it. The lyric changes have been noted here before. But it is Rhiannon Giddens who shows to the huge crowd that she is an extraordinary artist. I was lucky enough to have seen her here in Europe 2 years ago and follow all of her musical adventures. So if you don't know her yet: There's a lot of material here and elsewhere! - Thank you so much for filming and uploading this beautiful performance!

Rhiannon Giddeon Wan of our own.. Greetings from Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 Loved the change of lyrics dug the Mayflower reference 👌she is sublime slick clever too... Dropped the old truth bomb via American Tune That young fellow in blue 💙 is pretty good too respect 82 and gracious 👌 🙌 too.... Wan Love ❤ Thanks Amy...We come in the age's most uncertain hours And sing an American tune...

Overwhelmed with emotion and tears; two stunning talents, from different eras; her passion and ability/willingness to share vulnerability, and Simon, approaching 82 and missing very few, if any, licks either on the guitar or in his performance. <3

This is great. we have Bach, Paul Simon and Rhiannon all at the same time. Beat that.

To be in the presence of genius is a rare and beautiful thing. Blessed be.

I think when Paul Simon is introducing you, you have reached another level.

She is perfection! Interestingly, Paul Simon's "American Tune" is adapted from a German love song composed by Hans Leo Hassler in 1601. It was incorporated later into Bach's Saint Matthew Passion chorale and is often heard in Lenten church services as "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" -- the same beautiful tune. GOOD MUSIC HOLDS UP, and good musicians (like Simon & Rhiannon) help keep it alive 400 years later.

So good! Rhiannon glows when she sings. What an angel