Origin: Sully's Pail (Dick Gibbons)

Subject: Sully's Pail (Paxton?)
From: Greg F.
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 12:30 PM

Was checking a verse of "Sully's Pail" & noticed it was credited to Tom Paxton in the DigiTrad. On the notes to "Ain't That News" (Elektra EKS-7298 [1965?] Paxton sez it was written by one Dick Gibbons. Did Gibbons write/publish/record anything else??

Also, in the second verse, believe that should be "Coeur d'Alene" [Idaho] and "Ely" [Nevada]. Fort McLean is/was in New Mexico, I believe- perhaps one of the western 'Catters could verify this.

Best, Greg

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The Digital Tradition has now corrected the attribution information on "Sully's Pail. I don't know when the corrections were made - probably quite some time ago.
-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator-
27 May 2011

Subject: RE: Sully's Pail (Paxton?)
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 12:40 PM

Well, Greg I can say that you're right about Coeur d'Alene....my old stomping grounds are just north of there...We tend to pronounce it Cordalain.....the first a (in my attempt at phonetic spelling) is barely heard if at all...

Amergin

Subject: RE: Sully's Pail (Paxton?)
From: mg
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 01:09 PM

I believe it was written by a Dick .... (forget his last name) who lives in Seattle...mg

Subject: RE: Sully's Pail (Paxton?)
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 01:25 PM

Now, Mary, that's not a nice thing to be calling some one.....

Subject: RE: Sully's Pail (Paxton?)
From: Deckman
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 08:52 PM

Dick Gibbons is a friend of mine, and yes, he still lives in Seattle. He wrote Sully's Pail based on a real life experience. Years ago, I had the pleasure of introducing Dick and Tom Paxton, when Tom was in town for a concert. After that meeting, Tom sang Sully's Pail, and asked Dick to stand up and take a bow. He also paid him $200 royalties. Hows that for honesty! Dick is a very populiar person at our hoots, he mostly writes poetry now. Get in touch with thedeckman if you want his address. CHEERS, Bob Nelson, Everett, Wa.

Subject: RE: Sully's Pail (Paxton?)
From: Greg F.
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 08:45 PM

Thanks, All- Appreciated!

Best, Greg

Subject: RE: Sully's Pail (Paxton?)
From: Deckman
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 12:14 PM

Greg ... I lost your last message. Will you plesae send it again? deckman

Subject: RE: Origin: Sully's Pail (Dick Gibbons)
From: Lexman
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 11:01 AM

After looking up Dick Gibbons and "Sully's Pail" on the general internet, I am a bit confused.

Some sites say his name was Dick Giddons. Also all references to his work I found seem to focus back on Paxton's cut of "Sully's Pail." Does anyone know of any other songs/poems Dick Gibbons/Giddons wrote?

PS: I was formerly guest Bill Perry, but I joined.

Subject: RE: Origin: Sully's Pail (Dick Gibbons)
From: Deckman
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 11:20 AM

His "REAL" name is Dick Gibbons. Dick and his bride of over fifty years live in Seattle and he's very active in the folk community, mostly as an acclaimed poet. The name "Giddons" was simply a case of Tom paxton not knowing the correct pronouncing of his name, as they had not met yet when Tom's recording came out. I'll forward this thread to him, and he can jump in if he chooses.

Dick is very prolific in his poetry, and he's very well received. I'm not aware of his publishing outlets, but I'll bet he's got several. bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Origin: Sully's Pail (Dick Gibbons)
From: GUEST,Margo Metegrano
Date: 01 Dec 14 - 10:04 PM

Are there any books or recordings by Dick Gibbons, and is it possible to contact him?

Subject: RE: Origin: Sully's Pail (Dick Gibbons)
From: Deckman
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 12:32 AM

I talk with Dick frequantly. I can send him your note and leave it up to him to contact you. BUT, in order for that to work, he has to have better contact information other than "guest." bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Origin: Sully's Pail (Dick Gibbons)
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 03:43 AM

This song was Tom Paxton's "personal favorite song" back in 1961. Don't know if it's still his favorite now?

Jason

Subject: RE: Origin: Sully's Pail (Dick Gibbons)
From: GUEST,Margo Metegrano
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 06:44 PM

Bob Nelson,

Thank you. I posted a response but don't see it, so I will try again.

I'm the editor of CowboyPoetry.com, a program of the non-profit Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry. Several poets recite "Sully's Pail/Bucket," and one in particular would like to obtain permission to record it. We are of course interested in Dick Gibbons, perhaps learning more about the poem, and knowing about his other works.

Many thanks,

Email: editor at cowboypoetry.com