Bob Dylan and Neil Young wrapped up their co-headlining show at Kilkenny, Ireland’s Nowlan Park Sunday with a very special and extremely rare duet of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” a turn of the century hymn that Dylan often sang early in his career. Check out the videos below:
It was the first time the two have shared a stage since a show at New York’s Roseland Ballroom back in 1994. Fans had hoped for a teaming between the two at previous stops along the European tour, including their massive show Saturday at London’s Hyde Park. But it only came to fruition when the rock legends closed out the final show on the run at Nowlan Park in Ireland.
“Will The Circle be Unbroken” is a traditional hymn that dating back to the early 20th century and was originally recorded by Carter Family patriarch A.P. Carter in 1935. Dylan often played it during his coffee house shows, and in 1967 he recorded it during the Basement Tapes sessions with the Band. This duet with Neil Young is Dylan’s first performance of the song since a Houston stop of the Rolling Thunder Revue tour in 1976.
Neil Young also has a history with the song which he has previously sung with Willie Nelson on numerous occasions. However, his first performance of the song was at the 1975 SNACK Benefit in San Francisco, with none other than Bob Dylan. They had been admiring each other’s work for many years at that point, but it was the first time they’d ever played together. And now, four decades, on it appears that time has failed to dull the sentiment or mutual respect between the artists.
Listen to our I Like: Neil Young playlist on Spotify:
Listen to all the Neil Young Essentials on Apple Music:
