Detroit Folklore Society

It is with a heavy heart that I bring you the news of the passing of our beloved Secretary/Treasurer and Founding Member of The Detroit Folklore Society, Carolyn Montgomery.   Luckily, she passed peacefully in the night lying next to her husband and lover of almost 65 years, Robert.   Thankfully, she is no longer beset by physical ailment.   Her delicate soprano voice will be sorely missed not only for its loveliness, but because she truly brought folk music to the group from abroad, most usually, her beloved Scotland. She had retired from mailing the Half Lyre, saying no one read it, anyway, but that simply wasn’t true.   I know, because I’ve saved them all, being a philatelist, and very much enjoyed the interesting tidbits she always included, along with songs and her humorous interjections.   She (and The Half Lyre) will be sorely missed.   We will be honoring her at Natalie and Larry’s house in May.

As I was away in Florida for the month of April, our co-president, Mr. Ted, took copious notes for me, and if I have made any mistakes in names, etc., I apologize in advance.

Firstly, we’d like to congratulate Hannah and Jack on the birth of their tenth grandchild, a granddaughter, Adina Tferes, gentle beauty.   As it was Larry’s birthday, Natalie made a cake with lots of chocolate and cool whip.   Two musical groups were present, “Happy Hour” with Brother, Jim and Tim, and the “Waterstone Duo”.   As Jim, Tim and Sue all play fiddles, DFS now, officially, has a string section.   As our newest luthier just had shoulder surgery, Larry has not yet buffed the guitar he’s completed making, but, soon, it WILL be done (at the meeting at his house?).

As the last Half Lyre printed and mailed by Carolyn states, the theme was HISTORICAL SONGS.   Sue began with “When I’m Sixty-Four”, and was followed by Bob S with “Ellis Island”.   “The Yellow Rose of Texas”, or as it was originally entitled, “Emily, Maid of Morgan’s Point” was inspired by Emily West, an indentured servant to John Morgan who apparently won the heart of a black soldier who wrote the song about her, and was sung by Jacqui, who hosted the evening (thank you, Jacqui).   Larry amused everyone with his song, “The Hysterical Historical Society”, followed by Tim who presented “Battle of New Orleans”.   Charlene led with “Aragon Mill” about the mill once so prosperous and now gone.  Brother, Jim, sang the WWI song, “Mademoiselle of Armentieres” (Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous) about the poor gal who hadn’t been paid in forty years and made her living “upside down”.  Natalie brought James Kerrigen’s “Red River Valley”, and was followed by Lisa who sang Connecticut’s state anthem, “Yankee Doodle” about the British mocking the disheveled colonists by calling them ‘doodles’, or simpletons who wore Macaroni wigs, making them floppish and effeminate (how insulting!).  Ted sang Michael Peter Smith’s song “Spoon River” which is loosely based on the Spoon River Anthology, and, Denny sang “Nothing But Time”.  Tom sang an anthem of the labor movement, “We Shall Not Be Moved” and the meeting ended with Hannah playing “Birth of the Blues”, followed by Jack playing “The Nearness of You”.

Eerily, (Prophetically?) Carolyn assigned the theme HONORING FRIENDS to June, and at Larry and Natalie’s house, we will be doing just that, as we honor our dear friend, Carolyn Montgomery, even though May’s theme is SING IN GROUPS. Please bring a favorite memory of Carolyn to share with the group, along with your song and a snack to share.  Thank you.  We’re looking forward to being together on May 11th when we’ll celebrate Carolyn and all those with birthdays in May.

On March 9th we met at Denny and Claire’s house to sing Children/Animal Songs. As we began with our news update, we learned that congratulations are in order to Natalie and Larry for the birth of their new great- grandson, Edward James. CONGRATULATIONS! Ruby invited us to join her and Women Walking Woodward For Peace (on Facebook). If you give her your e-mail address she’ll keep you updated. She also shared her daughter’s hope for success through Leap Now. Not only has Nadja earned over $1600 on her own since graduating, but she’s gone to San Francisco and done a fantastic video interview in hopes to do an internship somewhere in the world and hopefully learn midwifery. India will be her first stop on her journey, provided she raises enough money. All donations are thankfully accepted and Ruby will send updates through Indiegogo. To this very talented young woman and phenomenally gifted artist we wish much success.

As we began our song circle, Denny delighted us by beginning with a Mick McConnell song, “Watermelon Wine”. He told us he learned it in Ireland, but had to buy quite a few beers to get all the lyrics from the locals Jacqui followed with an old favorite of DFS’, “Waltzing With Bears”. Larry shared Greg Brown’s “Whippoorwill” and Susanne sang Sally Roger’s “Lovely Agnes”. We thoroughly enjoyed her violin playing, as well. Next, we had fun joining Natalie in Tom Paxton’s “The Marvelous Toy” as it went “zip” when it moved, “bop when it stopped”, and “whirr” when it stood still (We still don’t know what it is, either!). Ted informed us, “because the Lord ain’t got no cuspidor”, “The Preacher Went Down To Pray”. “That’s all there is, and there ain’t no more”, Saint Peter said, and he closed the door. Painted wings and giants’ rings made way for other toys when Charlene led us in Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton’s “Puff The Magic Dragon” and Claire delightfully sang James Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” while Ted and Denny played a wonderful accompaniment. Then, Marilyn reminded us “we can’t return, we can only look behind from where we came” as she sang Joni Mitchell’s “Circle Game”, followed by A.J.’s superbly delivered rendition of “Danny Boy” which, though commonly thought to be an Irish song, is actually an English ballad written by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly and usually set to the Irish tune of the “Londonderry Air”. Twas followed by a truly Irish ballad, “The Rising Of the Moon” by Tom and we concluded our song circle with an original tune by Ruby, “Don’t Let The Water Out” (everybody’s got to take a bath!). Instead, we decided to break for some wonderful snacks and coffee or tea before we reconvened for more musical merriment.

Before we concluded, we decided that our past paid dues should be applied to the purchase of large print “Rise Up Singing” books for use at our meetings, and that the April 13th meeting (Larry’s birthday) will be at Jacqui’s house. The theme for that evening will be HISTORICAL SONGS. If you can’t bring a snack to share, bring your own tea bag, a dollar to put into the coffee kitty, or just bring a song and a smile to share. You’re still welcome!

Hello, All You Fine Folk!

It’s that time again! We’ll be meeting at Denny and Claire’s house tonight at 8:00. The theme is Animal or Children’s songs. Bring a song and something to share during break (a snack, interesting tea, etc., if you can, but don’t feel you have to) and if you can’t think of a song, and can’t afford to bring something to share, just bring a smile – - you’re still welcome.

Someone left a tuner at DFS quite some time ago, and it’ll be at the meeting tonight. If you can identify it, it’ll be returned to you.

Here’s hoping to see you there!

First, the entire DFS would like to wholeheartedly thank the amazingly talented, Steve Deasy, for establishing this website for us (if you haven’t heard his music, you should check it out . . .)

Secondly, we’d like to thank Eileen for hosting our February meeting, which begins with signing up with your name and the song you’ll be singing while we discuss ‘New Business’. Our new business began with the discussion of the purchase of new copies of RISE UP SINGING, but most had their own copy.

A.J. said he fully intends to have the Assembly Line Concert IV in Highland Park this year with a march at the end of 400+ hours of music on October 7th that actually ends at the Highland Park Assembly Plant. He was also proud to be a part of the first urban solar street lights on Victor Street, and also told us he sells coffee at 515 S. Washington where our own Hannah Waterstone will be accompanying vocalist, Steven Savage, on piano on February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in a cabaret show.

Marilyn said she and Jere will be performing with the band, QUENCH, at The Steak Hut, 1551 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (where they have live music every Sunday from 11:00 – 1:00) and that the breakfast special (if you arrive before 11:00, is less than $3 – - UNBELIEVABLE!!!!) AND THE MUSIC’S FREE!

We began with Eileen singing Tom Paxton’s “When We Were Good”, then moved into a traditional Irish love song, “Do You Love An Apple?” led by Charlene (which, ironically, Claire had originally planned to sing). That was followed by Denny’s choice, Wince Cole’s “The Glow of the Kerosene Light”, which reminded him of his Canadian boyhood before everyone had electricity and kerosene lamps were quite popular. Ted led us into a Johnny Cash rendition of “I Still Miss Someone” in his best impression of the man in black (very close, I might ad! and Jere sang Procol Harem’s debut song, “Whiter Shade of Pale ” (co authored by Gary Brooker, Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher) while we all hummed the familiar Bach-derived accompaniment. Tom led us in an 18th century folk song, “Shady Grove” and Marilyn followed with a song written by Irving Berlin when he was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Yaphank, New York, originally titled, “Yip Yip Yaphank”, but ‘put on the back burner’ until 1938 when, on Armistice Day 1938, it was sung by Kate Smith as “God Bless America”. A.J. sang a beautifully moving delivery of Andy William’s “Love Story” (“Where Do I Begin”) and was followed by an equally moving performance of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Sarah (not unlike Roberta Flack’s 1973 performance of the song composed by Charles Fox and written by Norman Gimbel). Jacqui tried to lead us in “My Lady’s a Wild Flying Dove”, but, it being a more obscure Tom Paxton song (not in RISE UP SINGING) wasn’t what Jacqui had hoped it would be, nor was it anything to make Mr. Paxton proud. Ruby lamented, “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” (he’ll be rising) taking liberty with Jimmy Webb’s version. Claire, who had abandoned “Do You Love An Apple?” decided upon W. B. Yeats’ “Down By the Sally Garden” and we all learned that a weir is a low dam that is built across a small body of water such as a stream or brook to raise the level of it, or to redirect the flow of it. Jack played “My Funny Valentine” on his saxaphone, and was beautifully accompanied by his lovely wife, Hannah on piano. It was then Hannah’s turn, and Jack played along as she presented an original composition, “Falling in Love at the Waterfall”.

At break, we all enjoyed each others’ company as well as the snacks and beverages we all brought to share, then we reconvened for one more round of songs we all love to sing until it wasn’t Saturday night any longer.

Next month we’ll meet at Denny and Claire’s at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9th, so bring your copy of RISE UP SINGING and a snack to share and join us when we sing ANIMAL/CHILDREN SONGS.

Here’s hoping this finds You enjoying 2013!

Our customary meeting in January is at the home of our Co-President, Mr. Ted Berlinghof, where we always delight in seeing the latest in the Berlinghof family trains. Every year is different. As Ted and his kids have designed and manufactured the towns, props, and city names, it’s inclusive of his children, and their children’s names, and quite cleverly done!

As is usual, we begin the meeting with NEW news, and OLD news. NEW news included the upcoming presentations of “Sleeping Beauty” by the Moscow Ballet (it was BEAUtiful!), and Shen Yun at the Detroit Opera House (it was phenomenal!). OLD news was from AJ, who told us to make sure we check out the McDonald’s on Woodward Ave. in Highland Park, as it’s a treasure trove of information about our own FORD Model T plant.

As SOMEONE didn’t read his Half-Lyre (the very last ever published Half-Lyre by our own under-appreciated secretary-treasurer, Carolyn Montgomery) and see that the theme for the month was a SONG WITH A MAN OR WOMAN’S NAME IN IT, a secondary theme was posted as ‘Chilly Winds”. Consequently, DFS’ own Denny Sinnett began the year with “Chilly Winds”. This was followed by Eileen who was “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad” (we hope that gets better by the time we visit her house in February). Marilyn was asked to sing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, wherein David heard there was a secret chord, and Claire sang “The Road to Drumleman” which included both topics with ‘the winter winds blew oer the Eenen’s or Creggin’s wild shore’ before Greg led us in Donovan’s “Try And Catch The Wind”. Tom sang “Goodnight, Irene” with us, and Ted had us sing of “The Leaves That Are Green” followed by Ruby singing of an “Ill Wind”. A.J. led us in “Sweet Baby James”, and Hannah wowed us on piano with “Story Weather”, and her hubby, Jack, concluded the first part of the evening with “On a Clear Day” played beautifully on his saxaphone.

Next, we broke for snacks (that we all bring to share) and proceeded to delight in the trains. After break, we ended in our traditional song jam until everyone had to depart.

We look forward to seeing you at Eileen’s house for LONELY SONGS and/or SONGS OF LOVE. The meeting begins at 8:00 p.m. with any news you’d like to share, unless you’re too late, and we’re already singing

Detroit Folklore Society ended 2012 at the Snow-Carey residence, and sang carols and made beautiful music, and mourned the passing of Detoit’s own Brian Cleary, pianist superb. Brian kept alive the songs of the ’30′s. He will be missed. Our own Carolyn was also sorely missed, due to her recent mishap (ususally we hold our December meeting at her house). We hold her in prayer and wish her a speedy recovery.

We began our meeting with the lovely Ms. Ruby Jones singing “What Color is Love?” by Terry Collier, a Chicago guitarist (who also passed in 2012). Eileen led us in “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, and Ann Kerwin followed with “Mary’s Boy Child”. Next up was our hostess, Charlene, with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, and then Mike Kerwin told us to “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. Claire Crabtree sang “All Through The Night”, and Natalie led us in “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”. Marilyn led us in “Deck The Halls” (featuring our guest, Haleyrose on violin), Jacquie sang a rendition of “Christmas in Killarney”, and our wonderfully creative co-president, Ted Berlinghof, sang his “Christmas Goodtime Blues”. Anna brought one of her gifted students, Ms. Haleyrose, who joined us on her violin in a beautiful presentation of “Away in the Manger’. Greg graced us with the optimism of “If We Make It Through December” and was followed by Jim Boynton’s sad rendition of “When the Ice Worms Nest Again”. Tom Carey brought us back to familiarity with “Jingle Bells” and Allison Donahue played a beautiful cello accompaniment to “Silent Night”. Michael Birac hailed “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”, and Dave Nichols reminded us that “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”. After that, we surely had to turn the coin to sing “Dona Nobis Pachem” with Sarah, and we finished the evening with Anna singing “Oh, Come Little Children”. All were reminded to wear red on Monday on appear in Lansing on Wednesday to protest Michigan becoming a ‘right to work state’. We wish You a safe and happy new year.

May 8th is the Day-O (1) , 8PM the Time-O,  Charlene Snow’s and Tom Carey’s is the Place-O, 17517 Birchcrest, Detroit, MI 48221.

The theme for the month is Boat Songs.  Be there -  if you have to take a slow boat from china(2) – row, row, row, your boat (3),  or just come in and sit down – you’re rockin’ the boat(4).  We will set sail that day on a three hour tour through everyone’s boat songs, and  we’ll have a good time even if we end up aground on an uncharted desert isle (5).

(1) the banana boat song

(2) On a Slow Boat to China (Frank Loesser)

(3) Row, Row, Row Your Boat

(4) Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat (Loesser Again)

(5) Berlinghof’s Island Theme Song

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