Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 10:57 PM

Such a shock to read this. He brought such spirit and conviction to his songs it's hard to believe he could be gone so quick. But I'm so glad we made the effort to see Barry and Dan at Scarborough Seafest just a few months ago, and looked forward to their planned return to UK next year. Thank you, Barry, for the song, and for all your contributions and encouragement in the Merchant Navy songs thread.

Ross

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 10:27 PM

I heard the sad news this weekend while at Eisteddfod. I am still in shock. I only met Barry once or twice, but we e-mailed back and forth on occasion as well as here on Mudcat - and his passing has hit me hard.   I will always remember the first time I heard him sing. It was at an after concert sing at Old Songs a few years back. I could not believe that incredible voice and the passion that he was sharing. We bantered about a couple of subjects here on Mudcat, and while we sometimes had a difference of opinion, I always admired and respected him. I saw passion, knowledge, principles and a sense of humor - all to be admired.

My condolences to his family and friends. He obviously touched many of us, and we are all richer for having known him - even if just for a moment.   I will continue to share his music on my radio program and remember him fondly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 10:20 PM

Sad and shocking news! RIP!

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: MRyer
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 10:09 PM

I've known Barry for many years, although there was a period of about 15 years that we lost touch with each other. We reconnected in Portsmouth, NH about five years ago. And, typical of Barry, there was no reproach for the lost years... only full speed ahead... as if we'd never parted.

   I'm in mind, tonight, about getting a call from Barry in the summer of '76, when the tall ships were in Boston, to join him on a jaunt to see if we could find some shanty singing around the ships. So, off we went.

With his typical undaunted style, we soon found ourselves singing shanties on a Polish ship where only one or two of the crew could translate our English. And it didn't matter, the shanties were grand and so was Barry. Many of the tunes were familiar, and many of their chorusus were in English, with Polish verses. We'd trade verses back and forth, Polish, then English, all to much laughter, good cheer, and more than a few beers.
I swear that I could not have talked us aboard that ship in a million years. Yet, Barry had us easily aboard and singing with that combination of nerve and charm.

Upon leaving the ship, we were each presented with a paperback shanty book written in Polish... which I still have in my library.

   Our reunion in Portsmouth took place after his last transplant and I can tell you that Barry lived these last five years to the fullest.

Soon after our reunion, we had convinced ourselves to share our repertoires with each other to see where there might be some overlaps to sing together. I sent off my two 8.5 X 11 single sided sheets of single spaced song listings. In the mail a few days later I received Barry's list of 10 or more sheets single spaced on both sides!! Most of us knew him for shanties. My God, he had the voice for them. But, I've traded songs with him, one on one, all evening and into the wee morning hours... and his music knew no walls. He especially liked ballads and could sing them sweetly or forcefully or tenderly, as required.

   I'm thankful that Barry had finished his CD with Neil, had had a smashing singing success in Britain this year, and had recently started some part time work: estimating construction projects related to his former roofing trade. I know the latter was good for his pride.

Barry was a good friend; had an intelligent, sharp mind; didn't judge folks; really cared about passing on our music to younger folks and encouraged new and shy folks; was fair and caring about his politics; loved his family with ferocity; had courage, spunk, humor, ribaldry; encouraged and supported everyone's music; knew a lot about all kinds of music; was the real McCoy; and at a music event he was the best of all roomates 'cause he was never there: always off singing somewhere.

   With all of his health problems, I never heard him complain, not even once.

   There's a big hole over here.

   He was a solid man.



Mark Ryer

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 09:53 PM

I have to say with all the years at mudcat Barry was the first voices that helped me find some interesting bit of New England Musical history .. So many threads ago I cant remember what but he has always been a wonderful addition to my hours here . Someone above wrote "Knowledgeable"and I would add generous with his knowledge . I am so sorry I didn't get to sing with him . I always wanted to get up to the press room . My very best to his family and tons of thank you's to Barry for all he has added here . What a loss .. RIP <><><> Guy

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 09:36 PM

Some of us who were singing at the Press Room yesterday could feel Barry's presence in the room, and even hear him adding strength to the choruses, not to mention strengthening the voices of those who were leading songs. This is not at all surprising to me, or to anyone who spent any amount of time with Barry. There are a couple of reworded verses that keep surfacing in my mind right now, and I guess I better post them, or someone may make it difficult for me to get any sleep:

Inspired by "The Tryphena's Extra Hand" by C. Fox Smith

"Many a year I've sung these songs,
And I've got to like them well,
And I've not much hopes of heaven
And I've not much use for hell:
But if so be as they'll let me,
By the great hook-block I swear,
When I hear you singing shanties,
My voice will be there."

There'll be one more voice at the halyards,
You'll hear me on the yard
Above them thundering courses
When they're frosted good and hard,
One more voice on the forebrace
When the waist's neck deep in foam,
One more voice to sweat the tops'ls up
And sheet t'ga'n's'ls home.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: bbc
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 09:34 PM

What a time for Mudcat to go down. I got the word at Eisteddfod through Joy Bennett Friday evening. We were so sad. Barry lived & sang large. He was as real & as kind a person as I ever hope to meet. My life is richer for having called him "friend." He touched the lives of so many people. Yes, it's tragic to lose him so unexpectedly & at his not-very-advanced age, but I think we can all agree that he lived life to the full & for that I'm grateful. I couldn't make it to the funeral home today, but I played the Finn & Haddie cd & spent my time thinking of Barry & praying for his family & friends. What a great guy!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 09:10 PM

ah, the bench-moving shanties! That was amazing...*I* was among the 'movers', and Barry rode that bench like...like...well, like he appreciated how much fun WE were having! He took everything in stride except injustice and stupidity and the like.... and then he got off the bench and made sure he was heard!

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Ron Davies
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 09:02 PM

This is incredibly hard to believe.   He was the essence of life--doing everything, especially singing, with such gusto. Larger than life, full of good gutsy opinions and even more great music--but modest too.    A meteor lighting up the life of anyone who met him. It seems so unfair--even impossible--that he's gone.

"What a singing there will be.."

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 08:35 PM

Barry "loved ballads, mostly American ones, but hadn't had a place to sing them for years."

That is the great gift the Mudcat, Max, FSGW, all have made possible.

Barry was a rare soul, and I loved every bit of him I ran into, from the first moment we met. That song he wrote was the first I ever heard from him, bellowed across the room in the first-ever flesh and blood gathering of Mudcat folks graciously invited by the FSGW… 10 years ago? 11? I can hear those first notes, echoing.

Though we only met once a year at Getaways, Barry in his gentle way encouraged me to sing as loudly as he could tell I wanted to : ) and I have learned so much from him. His singing introduced me to the music he loved (shanties and other work songs, prison songs), which I came to love as well, and in his unassuming way, he is certainly responsible for spreading very important parts of our distinctly American heritage in many directions.

He was also great fun, great silliness. "Devil-May-Care" for sure. Does anyone else remember the late-night bench-moving shanties sung in the freezing upstairs room @ Ramblewood?!

More than anyone else at the Mudcat, when I read Barry's posts I could hear his distinctive voice, out loud: always passionate and caring, sometimes full of righteous indignation, sometimes tongue-in-cheek. He had profound intelligence in and of unconventional places. Heart-wisdom, hard-earned, no bullshit.

I believe when he survived the liver-drama, his soul said "*@!# it, we're all-in for whatever's left! Eat it up!" That's the spirit I saw a few weeks ago, and I didn't want to recognize that a person can't go on the way he did that weekend, but I bet he knew.

We thought we lost him once. It was a coda, he had, and he seemed to have used it fully!

Justine, Gabriel, Natalie, thanks for sharing your Barry with us, and please accept my deepest condolences on your loss.

Dani

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Ref
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 08:35 PM

Only knew him a bit from here. An honest, thoughtful man. Too, too Goddamn young.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: CamiSu
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 08:20 PM

I'm not so good at putting the words out publicly. I got the news from Chance on Friday and have been thinking about Justine & the kids most of the time since. I am comforted to know that it was an easy passage for Barry. I have developed the opinion that while a sudden passing is harder on those left behind, it is often much better than a slow one.

Justine, I am thinking of you and sending love. I only met Barry the once at your house -- what--9 years ago? and you were both so loving. I wish you had had much longer together. Stay warm (being cold still gives me the lonelies), give and get hugs. He was a wonderful man and he still loves you, just from a longer distance.

I'm so sorry.

CamiSu

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Zen
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 08:09 PM

I did not know Barry but once heard him sing when I was in Boston (Paddy Burke's Pub I think). Wonderful voice.

Condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 08:07 PM

Indeed, Kevin, lovely and fitting. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Janie
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:59 PM

Beautiful, Kevin.

There are many on Mudcat who knew Barry better and longer than I, but I can say that if you knew him, on Mudcat, you knew Barry. He was always authentically Barry, on-line or in person. On stage or off.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:38 PM

Reading this thread, I really wish I'd known him.

There's a song I wrote which I always seem to sing when someone I care about dies, and here's the first verse:

Now you've left us behind and you've gone on your way,
over the edge of the world.
You left without warning with so much to say.
Are you just round the corner, or far far away?
Well, goodbye, and I hope I might see you some day,
over the edge of the world.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Janie
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:35 PM

Thanks, Jeri.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Ebbie, at the library again
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:34 PM

My god. Have you ever cried at a library?

An Alaskan Mudcat who was at the Getaway this year after several years' absence came home saying that among all the many, many highlights, the one that blew her away was Barry Finn.

I am so sorry, so stunned.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Beer
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:31 PM

Sympathies to his family and friends. Many of which are here.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: ranger1
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:25 PM

Barry

Thought people might enjoy this picture.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:12 PM

I went to see him off today. Justine will be OK, and Natalie and Gabriel are also strong. I have a feeling Barry wasn't afraid to talk about dying since he came so close a couple times. It also seems that it's hard knowing you won't get any more time together, but the worst sort of mourning is for what could have been and now, never will. There's none of that with Barry. I think all his possibilities were realities, and I can't imagine him being any better at anything than he was.

There were a lot of people at the funeral home. There were people showing up all day long, and many were hanging around to share memories. We'll be doing that for a long, long time.

In the DT:
YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT TO LOOK AT ME, and
IDA LEWIS

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Peace
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 07:10 PM

Ditto what Arkie said.

I'll miss Barry. The arguments, the agreements, the music. He was a kind soul and I'm glad his passing was an easy one.

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Arkie
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:57 PM

Sure wish I had the opportunity to know Barry the way most of the others here did. You know from his Mudcat posts that he was knowledgeable and good one to have at your side. Even those of us who did not know Barry personally will miss him here at Mudcat but are richer for having had him here. Joe thanks for the email and letting me know about this while Mudcat was down.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:43 PM

Just got this. Oh my, where to start.... wordlessly I guess.

So sorry. A great light now shining elsewhere.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Snuffy
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:40 PM

Meeting Barry was one of the major highlights of our trip to the 2003 Getaway: such an amazing repertoire of traditional ballads, as well as the shanties and worksongs. And always a total commitment to the song, and an encouraging word for we others who could not match him in any department.

I always thought I'd see you again, Barry, and sing with you again. But now it will have to be beyond the Grey Havens

Twilight and evening bell,
    And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
    When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
    The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
    When I have crossed the bar.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:30 PM

Reading this thread brings tears to my eyes. Goodbye, Barry. It was a pleasure and a privilege to know you.
May God bless and keep you and your family.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Fortunato
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:28 PM

Susette and I sang Hello Stranger last night at the Royal Mile Pub for Barry, accompanied by Neal Foley the great Irish fiddler. It was a song Barry had requested from us in Maine this summer.

It was not a parting song, but he enjoyed the song's call and response in the old style of the Carter Family.

Hail and Farewell, Barry, my friend, you were the finest kind.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,guest Gina Dunlap
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:27 PM

Barry was a dear man. We have been friends for many years and I am deeply saddened. My thoughts are with the family and with our sea music community. This is a very great loss for all of us who loved Barry. Fair winds, Gina

Subject: Lyr Add: SHIVER ME TIMBERS (Tom Waits)
From: ClaireBear
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:51 PM

It's hard to fathom, this sense of loss. I am still bereft, but glad to hear that his passage was peaceful. And I feel so privileged to have been singing with Barry, two weeks ago. Had I not made it to the Getaway this year, I would be inconsolable just now.

I heard the following song on Friday night at the conclusion of an episode of the TV show NUMB3RS. It's by Tom Waits, and it may be that everyone else on the planet knows it already, But I'd never heard it, and it spoke volumes to me:

SHIVER ME TIMBERS
Written by Tom Waits
(The Heart Of Saturday Night, studio version, Elektra/Asylum Records, 1974)
Published by: Fifth Floor Music Inc. (ASCAP), © 1974


I'm leavin' my family, I'm leavin' all my friends
My body's at home, but my heart's in the wind
Where the clouds are like headlines on a new front page sky
My tears are salt water, and the moon's full and high

And I know Martin Eden's gonna be proud of me now
And many before me, who've been called by the sea
To be up in the crow's nest, and singin' my say
Shiver me timbers, cause I'm a-sailin' away

And the fog's liftin', and the sand's shiftin', and I'm driftin' on out
Ol' Captain Ahab, he ain't got nothin' on me now
So swallow me, don't follow me, I'm travellin' alone
Blue water's my daughter, and I'm gonna skip like a stone

So please call my missus, gotta tell her not to cry now
Cause my goodbye is written by the moon in the sky
Hey, and nobody knows me, I can't fathom my stayin'
And shiver me timbers, cause I'm a-sailin' away

And the fog's liftin', and the sand's shiftin', and I'm driftin' on out
And ol' Captain Ahab, he ain't got nothin' on me
So come and swallow me, follow me, I'm travellin' alone
Blue water's my daughter, I'm gonna skip like a stone

And I'm leavin' my family, I'm leavin' all my friends
My body's at home, but my heart's in the wind
Where the clouds are like headlines upon a new front page sky
And shiver me timbers, cause I'm a-sailin' away

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: kendall
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:29 PM

"I see that old tyrant approaching,
That cruel remorseless old foe
And I lift up me glass in his honor
Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau.

Barry, my friend, I am lifting a glass of Glen Fiddich in your honor!

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:11 PM

Kendall, I'm right there with you. Add Mike Seeger to that list, too. And Kaelan Paton - a double loss, that one. We've been hit way too hard, and I'm ready for folks to go on living for awhile, thank you very much.

Dan

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: EBarnacle
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:03 PM

Lady Hillary and I will miss him terribly. I first met Barry at Mystic, too many years ago to recall exactly when. He was always comfortable to be with.

When I ran events, he was always willing, whether or no there was money for the event.

He lent his knowledge and scholarship to many fora and was a link, as was Stan to many of "the ones who had been there." He collected and shared their information with the rest of us along with his bawdy wit and humor.

As the tide goes out, I think of him and recall comment from a friend of mine a few days ago: Too many of my friends are dying of a sudden.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:02 PM

Dan, I hope you don't mind, but I've posted the words of Barry's from your link above, in case some folks can't access it.

I've been trying to think of these words all day long. I remember when Barry posted them, ages back now....

Thank you so much for putting that link in.


YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT TO LOOK AT ME
(Barry Finn)

"You're not listening to me. Are you deaf in both ears?
Don't you see what you've caused? Have you been blind all these years?
Could you just give an answer, so I know you're not dumb?
For Christ's sake, you bird brain, has a cat got your tongue?"

Cho: I'm as cute as any other kid. I can run, jump and shout.
You wouldn't know it to look at me. At times, I can't work things out.
I'm not stupid. I'm not lazy. I try very hard.
With a little compassion, I could go pretty far.

Well, school is a torture. The teasing won't quit.
My thoughts go off track and my aide has a fit.
There are some things I excel in, so much that I'm bored.
You wouldn't know it to look at me. It takes all that I'm worth.

The kids scorn and laugh at me. I don't have a friend.
You can feel my heart break. I wonder when this will end.
The mistreatment and abuse I take, it's really a crime,
But I'm told to ignore it, though it happens all of the time.

I know it's hard on my family. I can't change a thing.
The aunts and uncles blame it on my folks and say it's poor upbringing.
The love and affection others get all the time,
I only hear people yell at me, when I ask, "Where is mine?"

I never feel comfort, no shoulder, no hug.
A system to support me was pulled out like a rug.
If you can't understand this, you may be worse off than me,
But I won't hold it against you, 'cause you're deaf and can't see.

I may be mildly autistic or just plain O. C. D.
I may twitch with Tourette's, or have A. D. D.
If you see me cross my eyes, instead of my T's,
You wouldn't know it to look at me that I have special needs.

Words, (c) Barry Finn, 1998.
Tune, traditional Australian, "One Of The Has Beens."

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: kendall
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 05:01 PM

These last two years have been very hard for most of us. We have lost:
Utah Phillips
Sandy Paton Folk Legacy records
Sandy Ives Professor of folk lore U of M.
John Murphy New Brunswick, member of Hal 'n Tow.
Mary LaMarca. Dear sweet Mary.
And now, Barry Finn.
How much more can we take?

I keep reminding myself that whenever I walk away from a friend there is too good a chance that it is the last time I will see them.
There is that old saying, "Never let the sun set on an argument."

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Steve Dawes & Helen Pitt
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:56 PM

What sad news to hear. We only met Barry once - at Scarborough Seafest this year, but he made a great impression. A lovely singer and a wonderful, warm, knowledgeable man. We shared an impromtu singaround with him on the pier at Midnight - official proceedings were over, but we just wanted to carry on singing! We were very much looking forward to seeing him again next year - I know there was talk of booking him at some of our local venues. Our sympathies go to his family and friends. I'm sure he will be much missed by many people.

Helen & Steve

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:55 PM

Barry, I'll miss your wonderful humour, your powerful voice, your joy, your so often brilliant posts...and your compassion. You were always so kind to me and I'll never forget that, ever.   

I have this terrible feeling of loss inside me at the moment, have had since I heard the sad news from Joe this morning.

You were a man who touched many people.

Thank you for your kindness and compassion...and I'll miss you very much.

Lizzie x





Finn & Haddie Myspace

Barry and Neil singing 'The Yangtze River' on Youtube, from their main site

Barry at the 2009 Getaway singing 'The Banks of the Callow'

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:54 PM

This is awful! I was about to post a 'get well' message when the Mudcat closed down for three days.

Barry was one of the (sometimes all too few) sane and knowledgeable voices on Mudcat. I always came away from his posts feeling I'd learned something - sometimes simply some basic humanity. I can only say what has been said before: Barry, you'll be missed, not just by your family and friends, who have my sympathy, but by so many friends who never had a chance to meet you. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Janie
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:52 PM

Being from the landlocked and nearly entirely Caucasian state of West Virginia, I had never heard a shanty or a work song sung.   Barry was my introduction to both of those, plus my first real, live New England accent. When he opened his mouth to sing, and that passionate voice came out of the mouth that little squirrelly feller Dani had just introduced me to, my mouth must have dropped open. One could not listen to, and certainly not both listen and watch Barry sing, and not viserally comprehend the nature of the lives and work of the people from these songs originally sprung.

From conversations with Barry, as well as his postings on Mudcat, I know a bit about where and how he came up. But I never got the story of how a boy from the projects in Boston found his way to shanties and worksongs and love of the lore of the same.    Can anyone share what they know about the journey that brought him to his music?

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:42 PM

First time I've been able to pull up Mudcat inseveral days but...

...geeze, what a kick in the teeth...

I knew Barry more form his left-of-center posting here at Mudcat than in real life... Met him fir the first time last year... What a powerful and emotional folk singer...

What a terrible loos...

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during these difficult times...

I guess tghe only silver lining is that Heaven has gained one heck of a man and one heck of a folkie...

RIP, my friend,

Bobert

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Ferrara
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:05 PM

Dan thanks for posting the link to You Wouldn't Know It To Look At Me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:03 PM

It was Saturday Night of the Getaway, traditionally the "Big Night" of staying up til the crack of dawn. A dozen of us were in Peace cabin at about 2:30 and Barry comes in and joins the singing, with big grin and wide eyes. We had been doing ballads and mountain music, and Barry was singing along. There was a pause, and I asked him if he'd do a shanty.
With the usual gusto, Barry launched his song, and we all joined in the refrain, soon stomping our feet in time. It was the kind of injection of energy we needed to keep us going for the next two hours. After he finished, I caught him nodding once, and then waking up to sing along, ready for bed but unwilling to give up yet. Sometime later I looked for him, and he was just gone and nobody had seen him slip away.
That's the way I feel now Barry. Thanks for staying with us as long as you did. I really don't know whether you went off for some peaceful sleep, or maybe just another sing in some other cabin.

Farewell, Pal.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 03:44 PM

I'm still in shock.

The first time I met Barry, he told me at a Getaway that the sea chantey I was singing wasn't a real chantey (it was). The next time I met him was at a Mudcat sing at his house. He came up to me and said, "Hi, I'm the guy who obnoxiously told you that your chantey wasn't real." I had so much respect for that - it takes courage to be that self-aware, to remember something like that years later, and to clear the air.

But the moments I will treasure the most are the times, every time - he sang You Wouldn't Know It To Look At Me. It was and is one of the most heartfelt songs I've ever heard.

We'll miss you Barry.

Dan

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 03:42 PM

That's the way I felt about his postings on politics and social justice, too, Janie. Meaning nothing but compliments, one of my first thoughts was Mudcat has lost its "Barney Franks," i.e. most ardent, outspoken champion of just folks...the downtrodden, etc. What I loved about Barry, the Far Left of Liberal which he called himself, was just that and that he never, ever backed down and always called it like he saw it which was the way I usually saw it, too. When I felt I'd lost my writing voice for such frays, he was always there. Recently I was so taken with one of his postings, I teased him about falling in love. I teased him early on in this thread, too, when it sounded as if he was okay.

I saw him singing for the first time this year when various videos were put on youtube. I had heard how amazing he was, but nothing prepared me for the impact of that smallish body opening up that incredible FULL sound..and him being so completely into it. I regret I never had a chance to meet him and sing even a smidgen with him.

My deepest condolences to Justine and family as well as to their friends and to all of our Mudcat family.

Friend now our meeting is over
Friend we must part,
And if I never see you any more
I will love you in my heart.

And we'll land on the shore
Yes, we'll land on the shore
And, we'll land on the shore
And be safe forever more.

Fare well, Barrydarlin'

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: ard mhacha
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 03:41 PM

A sad loss, always read his posts,to his nearest and dearest my deepest sympathy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: ranger1
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 03:33 PM

I have spent the past two days listening to my Finn and Haddie CD to and from work and at work. I introduced one of the kids from the Maine Coservation Corps to Barry's singing today, and Gerry wants his own Finn and Haddie CD now.

Barry, my friend, thank you for making my world a sunnier place. May you have fair winds and a following sea on your way to wherever.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 03:32 PM

link to Barry's posts.

http://mudcat.org/usersearch.cfm?who=Barry%20Finn

What can I say? I missed out on meeting a legend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 03:18 PM

Such sad and unexpected news. Barry wrote some brilliant posts here. My sympathies to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Janie
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 03:06 PM

I posted the following to Barry's Facebook page:

"Barry, when I showed up with Dani at my first Getaway I had not sung with people, and rarely by myself, for almost 20 years, and had never been on Mudcat. Your kindness and encouragement of me and many others over the years, to let ourselves sing, and join our voices in song together, was a gift beyond measure. You were ever a passionate champion of social justice, and of me when I waded into the fray on Mudcat threads about poverty, mental illness, and disability. One of the few there who I knew knew the realities and respected the lives, struggles and resiliency of folks just trying to survive. At my own low points when I have wondered about the efficacy of my life as a social worker, you offered validation and an occasional kick in the pants to keep me going. The tears are starting to flow again....You are not gone, you live in the hearts and minds of so many...."

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: GUEST,Barnacle Babe
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 02:48 PM

Just ran into Tim at lunch time and heard the news or the rumor. I ran up here as fast as I could to sort it all out hoping it wasn't true. I knew I could find out on mudcat so thank you all for providing a safe place.

Rick Spencer said to me last year, "You're among royalty here" at the Sea Music Festival, pointing to Heather Wood, the Hugills,the Clancy Legacy, Bob Webb, the Johnson Girls, and so many others. Barry, you are royalty. You are a great musician but always made me, the newbie of the Barnacle group, feel warmly welcomed whether we were performing in Mystic or at NEFFA or in New City, NY. You set me, the shy one, at ease with your warm smile and friendship.

I will greatly miss you and was looking forward to seeing you at the next gig.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Finn (16 Oct 2009)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 02:47 PM

Coming back to Mudcat after a vacation, this is the first thread I see. Barry just seemed to be always there, from my very first Mudcat days on. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable. I've lost a friend I have never met.

Wolfgang