Johnny and I last sang together at the Chicago Maritime Festival in 2007. He captivated a group of children at a library program, without singing one "children's" song -- he just sang HIS songs, and they loved it.

One of HIS songs that sums him up for me is Doddle Let Me Go, or Yellow Gals. He sang it with such a sense of fun and delight, putting an appropriate chuckle into the lyric "He grabbed me by the bobstay and he wouldn't let me go."

My own paltry tribute is this song, sung to "Leave Her, Johnny", which I wrote when we lost Stan Hugill.


Oh, the hour was late and the moon was high
But still we did not depart,
For the glow of pleasant company
Warmed each and every heart.
"Just one more song," said someone
As the landlord doused the light,
So we sent a final chorus ringing out into the night.

It is no consolation to know that time must fly,
It's still very hard, when the hour comes, to have to say goodbye.

"Why must you go," the young wife says,
And tears are in her eyes.
"To build a better life for us,"
He tenderly replies.
Together they have talked of this
For many a long day,
And yet she cries when he at last
Is fin'lly on his way.

Chorus

Two brothers stood upon the dock
Not knowing what to say,
For one was going to board a ship
While the other one would stay.
One had made the choice to travel out
Into the world alone,
While the other one chose family,
Security and home.

Chorus

When the news arrived from far away
That our old friend was gone,
We did not call it tragedy
To hear he'd traveled on,
For his life had been a long one,
With friends and pleasure filled.
Yet still a stone was in our hearts
To think his voice was stilled.

Chorus


Jerry