Hi

Nice to have the opportunity to re-visit this old favourite of mine.

I agree with most of what has been said here.

After many years of not hearing the song it was an eye ( and ear ) opener to find so many different versions on Youtube.

The James Taylor version was compelling by it's very simplicity.
I was disappointed with the Nanci Griffiths version. She is a favourite of mine usually but she made this song even more dirge-like than I could stand and found it difficult to stand the whole six minutes of it.

My own pick this time was I version by Emmy Lou Harris that I hadn't heard before. I know this won't suit many here but I suppose my C & W period years ago leads me to this choice.

Cheers

Mike