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Performances and Covers

Finally, to round out our dive into “The Swimming Song,” I’ll share a short list of other performances and covers that go interesting places with it. As I mentioned above, the song appeared originally on Attempted Mustache (1973), with a banjo accompaniment. Here is Wainwright’s original studio version:

Wainwright’s ex-wife, Kate McGarrigle, performed the song with her sister, Anna, on their debut album in 1976. You can listen to a studio version here. Below is a performance from German TV in 1979. Try not to let the clowns distress you.

San Francisco folk band Vetiver also arranged their studio version with banjo (listen here). Alas, they are banjo-less in the stage performance below.

Rebekah Long goes all-in with a bluegrass arrangement on her album Run Away.

Steeley Span vocalist Maddy Prior offers a version of “Swimming” from the other side of the pond.

Melbourne’s Oh Pep! gives a strong duet performance with gravitas and the occasional moment of dissonance.

Comedian and talk show host Jimmy Fallon performed “The Swimming Song” at a 2011 tribute concert for Kate McGarrigle. You can listen to an audio-only version here.

Lucy Kaplansky recorded “The Swimming Song” on her album Over the Hills. You can listen to that recording here. That’s a band arrangement. In the performance below, she takes it on solo. I like the intensity and the tension and release she brings to this solo arrangement. As it happens, Kaplansky grew up in my neighborhood. She’s most likely quite familiar with the waters I’m swimming.

Finally, one up-beat band performance of “The Swimming Song” from Canada’s Kathleen Edwards. The water’s fine on this one. Come on in.

Thanks as always for reading and listening.