I've been busy at work; and have had little time to reflect.
Nevertheless; I have had moments when I've been able to think with pleasure upon the 'Bluenose' thread I recently started, and all the great responses it has received.
I was pleased to learn (by cruising Youtube) that the images in the video I provided were not just any race; but the very last race Bluenose ever sailed against her old nemesis; the Gertrude L. Thebauld. This was the race that cemented Bluenose's legendary status - the one which insured she would go down in history as the greatest and fastest fishing schooner the world has ever seen.
But in reality; the great Bluenose takes second place in the video I provided. More than thirty years after Bluenose was wrecked; legendary Canadian singer Stan Rogers sang about her exploits - his music is the background to the video I provided.
I have spent the last week wondering something: What would have happened if Stan Rogers had been allowed to live?
It's almost incredible to imagine; given that magnificent voice and storytelling ability, but Stan Rogers was only 28 years old when he recorded 'Bluenose'. He died at the age of 33 on June 2 1983; a victim of the fire onboard Air Canada flight 797. And thus; one of the brightest lights this country has ever produced was lost.
What could Stan Rogers have been; had he been allowed to live into his forties or fifties? He did so much - so much of his music remains; woven into the patriotic identity of Canada's people. What could he have done if he'd been able to mature?
The mind boggles.
Therefore; I offer this eulogy to Stan Rogers; and open this thread to eulogize all of those that died too young. They might be your countrymen/women; they might be artists or politicians or personalities. There are those amongst us that left us too soon - either by natural or hostile causes - that were so wonderful Earth is a darker place without them. I offer this thread for people to write a couple of simple paragraphs to describe the loss to this good Earth.
Since I started the thread with Stan Rogers; I'll finish it with him. No-one who hears his voice quickly forgets the experience. Stan was an astounding singer - perhaps not in the classical frame; but that rich, resonant baritone drilled straight down into the heart of what we call 'Canadian Identity'. His voice was strong, powerful and tough - the voice of a working man. It was also beautiful beyond measure; it spoke of strength and sacrifice, of spirit, joy and humour. More than any other artist (and I am a devout fan of living Canadian artists), Stan Rogers represented the voice of Canadian men.
Ours is a hard country. To others around the world Canada might be considered a paradise and it is; but only to those men and women prepared to fight the harshness this land can show us. Those of us who retain the rural identity understand that; and Stan Rogers speaks to us.
I recently posted a eulogy upon the death of Stompin' Tom Connors; he was a true Canadian. But there is no sorrow in Tom's passing - he died in his 70's. He lived a full life filled with accomplishment and satisfaction. Stan died young - far too young. We can only imagine what works he could have achieved had he survived Flight 797.
Farewell Stan - as long as your name is spoken you will never be forgotten.
A couple of his best songs:
The Idiot
The Mary Ellen Carter
And just in case you're a bit depressed; a truly fun one:
The White Collar Holler. (You can hear the grin on his face!)
And of course, Stan Roger's magnum opus: The Northwest Passage - one of the greatest songs ever written, IMO. No-one who hears the Northwest Passage can do so and not be moved. This heartbreaking, powerful a-capella piece serves as a superb finale to Stan Rogers' life. He died far too young; but this superb work will exist for eternity; as long as brave men remain to sing it.
The North West Passage
Sleep well; Stan - young as you were you've earned it.
OK friends - your turn.
Nevertheless; I have had moments when I've been able to think with pleasure upon the 'Bluenose' thread I recently started, and all the great responses it has received.
I was pleased to learn (by cruising Youtube) that the images in the video I provided were not just any race; but the very last race Bluenose ever sailed against her old nemesis; the Gertrude L. Thebauld. This was the race that cemented Bluenose's legendary status - the one which insured she would go down in history as the greatest and fastest fishing schooner the world has ever seen.
But in reality; the great Bluenose takes second place in the video I provided. More than thirty years after Bluenose was wrecked; legendary Canadian singer Stan Rogers sang about her exploits - his music is the background to the video I provided.
I have spent the last week wondering something: What would have happened if Stan Rogers had been allowed to live?
It's almost incredible to imagine; given that magnificent voice and storytelling ability, but Stan Rogers was only 28 years old when he recorded 'Bluenose'. He died at the age of 33 on June 2 1983; a victim of the fire onboard Air Canada flight 797. And thus; one of the brightest lights this country has ever produced was lost.
What could Stan Rogers have been; had he been allowed to live into his forties or fifties? He did so much - so much of his music remains; woven into the patriotic identity of Canada's people. What could he have done if he'd been able to mature?
The mind boggles.
Therefore; I offer this eulogy to Stan Rogers; and open this thread to eulogize all of those that died too young. They might be your countrymen/women; they might be artists or politicians or personalities. There are those amongst us that left us too soon - either by natural or hostile causes - that were so wonderful Earth is a darker place without them. I offer this thread for people to write a couple of simple paragraphs to describe the loss to this good Earth.
Since I started the thread with Stan Rogers; I'll finish it with him. No-one who hears his voice quickly forgets the experience. Stan was an astounding singer - perhaps not in the classical frame; but that rich, resonant baritone drilled straight down into the heart of what we call 'Canadian Identity'. His voice was strong, powerful and tough - the voice of a working man. It was also beautiful beyond measure; it spoke of strength and sacrifice, of spirit, joy and humour. More than any other artist (and I am a devout fan of living Canadian artists), Stan Rogers represented the voice of Canadian men.
Ours is a hard country. To others around the world Canada might be considered a paradise and it is; but only to those men and women prepared to fight the harshness this land can show us. Those of us who retain the rural identity understand that; and Stan Rogers speaks to us.
I recently posted a eulogy upon the death of Stompin' Tom Connors; he was a true Canadian. But there is no sorrow in Tom's passing - he died in his 70's. He lived a full life filled with accomplishment and satisfaction. Stan died young - far too young. We can only imagine what works he could have achieved had he survived Flight 797.
Farewell Stan - as long as your name is spoken you will never be forgotten.
A couple of his best songs:
The Idiot
The Mary Ellen Carter
And just in case you're a bit depressed; a truly fun one:
The White Collar Holler. (You can hear the grin on his face!)
And of course, Stan Roger's magnum opus: The Northwest Passage - one of the greatest songs ever written, IMO. No-one who hears the Northwest Passage can do so and not be moved. This heartbreaking, powerful a-capella piece serves as a superb finale to Stan Rogers' life. He died far too young; but this superb work will exist for eternity; as long as brave men remain to sing it.
The North West Passage
Sleep well; Stan - young as you were you've earned it.
OK friends - your turn.
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