Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Orphan Girl (live)

Gillian Welch's timeless Appalachian-style classic Orphan Girl, originally from the 1996 "Revival" album. This is a very beautiful stripped-down live version from the Prairie Home Companion show in St. Paul, MN on 4.19.97, which I personally feel far exceeds the original. No video exists. I also uploaded "One More Dollar" from this show on YT.

All audio and visuals or any third party content belong to their respected owners. No copyright infringement intended. This video was made for entertainment purposes only.

[brutusadmirer]

No other version of this song matches this one. Including renditions by Gillian and David. The harmonies and David's guitar interludes are so perfect.

[jimmygo]

I too am an orphan girl. This song gives me a feeling of peace.

[Dutchie-m]

Myfavorite! such a delicate telling of a sad song.

[jonturner]

My Ophthalmologist, of all people, asked me who my favorite guitar player was and I told him Gillian Welch's partner. David Rawlings is real good. Thanks Gillian, I love you too.

[melindalemmon]

FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS, I BROKE DOWN. IT WAS MY TRUE CIRCUMSTANCES.

[SmooveBee]

So nice ... so just .. so nice. thank you GW and DR. Awesome.

[Misszumicat]

beautiful...brings tears to my eyes...I feel like an orphan in my family, from which i am alienated.

[bhammy]

Gillian and David have such a respect for country music's roots, traditional formats and yet the music still sounds fresh and vibrant. I love musicians who follow there own paths, play & sing what they want to...

[wandawatson]

One of my favorite songs. Gillian Welch does a beautiful job & Rawlings is a fantastic guitarist.

[Dovid]

Never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

[Zeda]

Gillian Welch is in fact strong chemistry between two extraordinary and creative musicians. Not just in country but in any music style there are basically two possible approaches. Creativity recognizes only one of them, and originality is the only outcome of creativity. Creative musicians (and not only musicians) do not follow, they bring something new to the music.

[happytime]

As a single man wanting to adopt through the foster system, this song encourages me to persist in my efforts. I know a man who got to adopt his 2 foster girls and they have been welcomed with open arms by friends and extended family of the dad. I hope for my own success story. Add this song to Gillian's "By The Marks" as my favorite songs.

[billysellers]

I CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE WHEN I SEE GILLIAN SMILE. ONE COMMENT I READ SAID THAT WHEN GILLIAN SMILED THE WORLD WAS OKAY

[twistersurvivor]

Oops! The fact that she was raised in LA & connects to this music makes me think she truly finds her roots in the sounds of Appalachia. It is also my opinion that some of the best music is made when two genres/cultures collide . Either way, I'm glad you appreciate & stick up for Appalachian, hillbilly culture & music!

[brandulph]

Great song, great rendering, superb country!

[ehairgrove]

I was privileged to see Gillian and David open for The Buffalo Springfield at the Santa Barbara Bowl in 2011.

[nottees]

And Gillian is in fact an orphan girl, according to her Wikipedia page.  And she and Dave are keeping real music alive today, I might add as a personal opinion.

[lordsuperfred]

saw Gillian and Dave at Brighton, the best show I have seen in years, sadly they did not sing this, but I could not complain, if there a better picker than Dave Rawlings I have never heard him

[edithmcpherson]

Absolutely love this, it does my heart such good 😻

[robdevilliers]

Fabulous version. You can smell the sawdust.