Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 09:26 PM

Here's a link to score and lyrics for Edith Fowke's favorite Vera Johnson song, the gently bawdy The Housewife's Lament

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:19 AM

I'm really glad it's not as bad a situation as I thought.   Sorry for overreacting. I'll be sending Vera a CD or two as quick as I can do the logistics involved.

Art

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Janet & Tony Geen
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 02:45 PM

... oh, and Big Bright Barbie, or course. Never got round to doing Bald Eagle.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Janet & Tony Geen
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 02:21 PM

We remember her very well. Someone told us she died about 20 years ago. We're glad that's not true, although it sounds as though life isn't much better.

We saw Vera loads of times in Guildford, Addlestone etc. (Surrey, UK).

We sing, or have sung, the DIY Divorce, Battersea Park, the Pencil Song and another song about a different workman each day of the week (can't remember the title).

Thanks for posting this thread, and we'll watch developments.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Arthur Caldicott
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 02:08 PM

How wonderful that this posting about Vera Johnson was discovered by so many people, so quickly. Isn't it lovely that many of you have memories of being in the same places at the same time with Vera?

Thanks for the anecdotes, the pictures, the lyrics. Evoking these is more than I expected, and I hope the thread continues to grow with them.

Vera is in Chemainus Health Care Centre, 9909 Esplanade Street, PO Box 499, Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0 . I think cards to her from people who knew her once would be a wonderful treat. Maybe even include pictures from back then, or a CD with a song or two. Visitors are welcome - as Bob the Postman noted. She is not in seclusion or anything nasty like that.

I was not trying to vilify the staff or the institution. The provincial government? Well, that's another matter. It's the provincial government that controls the purse strings, and forces these institutions to operate perpetually short-staffed. The treatment of the residents is directly tied to funding for the facility.

The place is full of people with rich stories - and who doesn't have rich stories after 80 or 90 years on this earth. Sandy Clark is a painter who doesn't paint anymore, like Vera is a folksinger who doesn't write songs anymore. (There's a song in there, isn't there?) Some of the big murals around the small town of Chemainus were painted by Sandy. A delicate watercolour of hers is on a wall in the facility.

Residents generally don't receive many visitors. There are all sorts of good reasons for that - the husband is dead, the children live a long way away - for example. But visitors enrich their otherwise uneventful days enormously. As John Prine observed.

And we're all heading that way ourselves. Scary.

In the posting from Mike Ballantyne, it's great to hear that a collection of her music is being republished. It sounds wonderful - CDs and a songbook. May I ask why such a limited edition, rather than something that could be made available to more than the 100? I'd sure like to get a copy. Is that possible? If I join the society?

Thanks again everyone. Don't stop now.

Arthur

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Martin Graebe
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 11:38 AM

Thank you, Arthur, for telling us Vera's story. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was thinking about her and the great songs that she wrote and wondering whether she was still with us.

In the early 70s we would book her at the Exmouth (Devon) club whenever she toured and it was always a delight. She described herself then as 'The Singing Grandmother' but she had more energy than most of us. When she stayed over it was usually a late night! I also remember her at one of the Loughborough Festivals (probably 1974) when she introduced me to Kenny Goldstein. A lovely lady!

Incidentally, I'm pretty sure that 'minx' was actually sung 'minxsk' to get the rhyme. I'll look forward to hearing it again sometime.

Martin Graebe

Subject: Lyr Add: NAGAMMA (Vera Johnson)
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 11:10 AM

NAGAMMA

By Vera Johnson

Doctor Lotta's children are spread through many lands
Reaching out with hungry eyes and empty searching hands
Little bloated bellies, each finger like a claw
And one among the millions is the girl called Nagamma

Nagamma is thirsty, the sun keeps beating down
She has to keep on moving her bare feet across the ground
Mud and stone for mortar in the basket on her head
She has carried it for years now, she will carry it till she's dead

Nagamma has never been taught to read or write
She spent her school years working on this construction site
There's no need of schooling for her to earn her pay
For labouring eight hours she makes thirty cents a day

Nagamma is helping her family to survive
They need her daily earnings to keep them all alive
Girls are not like babies, they must work so she's been told
So Nagamma keeps working, after all, she's eight years old

Doctor Lotta's children are spread through many lands
Reaching out with hungry eyes and empty searching hands
Little bloated bellies, each finger like a claw
And one among the millions is the girl called Nagamma


Vera assigned the royalties from this song to the Unitarian Service Committee, founded by Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova



Art, I don't thing Vera is being held in seclusion, exactly. She's in the secure ward of an old folks' home, which just means there's one or two additional locked doors between her and the outside world with it's traffic, tripping hazards, and bad weather. She, like Arthur's mother-in-law, has every chance to have visitors--it's just that nobody does visit her. Except, now, for Arthur.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 06:47 AM

I hope the wider Canadian Folk world knows about Vera's situation.

Please let us know when the CD becomes available as I think you would sell a few over on the Left Hand Side of the Pond!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 01:39 AM

Yes, I knew Vera in Winnipeg when Cathy Fink and Duck Donald brought me in to play there a few times. And also at Mitch Podolac's Winnipeg Folk Festival. I thought of her as the Canadian Malvina Reynolds!! I had her LP at one time, but it disappeared from my collection. --- I can't believe they can legally hold her in seclusion with no chance to have visitors. That's simply insane. If you ever see her again please tell her that she is remembered warmly and fondly by Art Thieme in Peru, Illinois.

I'm going to tell Cathy to look in here. This is gonna make Ms Fink absolutely livid. (Few are better at making waves than Cathy Fink when she's pissed off...)

Give Vera my love!!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 06:33 PM

Arthur, thanks for posting this. I never met Vera, only taped a short live performance from the radio (The DIY Divorce, Pierre Trudeau and The Censor Song) and loved it. It's easy to believe she hates being dependent. Also, sad to hear her mind is going, and shocking to learn she is confined in the secure wing of a 'care home'. I know things get difficult for carers once dementia sets in but there must be a better way to deal with this ... Of course, things are worse for those who have no relatives or friends looking after them. Professional carers often lack the time and sometimes the will to look after all of their charges properly. Vera has my sympathy.

Subject: Lyr Add: THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE (Vera Johnson)
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 02:23 PM

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE

by Vera Johnson

Some people say you mustn't take a drink
Or you'll damn your soul to hell
Other people say you have to go to church
And maybe Sunday school as well
Some folks claim a man is born to sin
And a woman's bound to grieve
Well, maybe they're right and I'm all wet
But here's what I believe

(Chorus)
I believe in living
Enjoy it while you can
In kindness and in gentleness
Giving your brother a helping hand
Work and laugh and love and play
We haven't got too long to stay
So make the most of every day
That's what I believe

I don't pretend that I can understand
Why the Earth is moving through space
Neither do I know what made a cell mutate
And started off the human race
There's just one thing that I know for sure
Though to you it may seem odd
That we're all part of something great
And that's what I call God

(Chorus)

Hell's not a place, it's just a state of mind
A sickness of the soul
Heaven's how you feel when things are going right
And you think you're gonna make your goal
Good is anything that nurtures life
And makes it thrive and bloom
And evil's whatever cripples life
And threatens it with doom

(Chorus)

Each man ought to to the best he can
To be himself, not what he is not
Even if you think you're rather weak on brains
Just make the most of what you've got
Just remember that you're not alone
You're a part of all mankind
And man can achieve tremendous things
When he makes up his mind

(Chorus)


In her brief autobiography (see link in initial post) Vera says that she assigned the royalties for this song to the Unitarian Church of Vancouver.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 01:09 PM

The Minx From Pinsk by Vera Johnson is in Digitrad. Here are links for The Fountain and Women's Liberation Blues

Mike, one of the songs she recorded is called "Mrs. Ballantyne". Any relation?

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Mike Ballantyne
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 12:32 PM

The British Columbia Folklore Society is in the process of publishing Vera's two LPs on two CDs together with the words of all the songs on the LPs, in one, 8 1/2 x 11, soft covered book (Pacific Folklore Studies No. 2). The book is being published in a very limited edition of 100, for the members of the Society, by arrangement with Vera's daughters and should be available in six weeks or so.
Vera (McIntyre) is in Ladysmith Extended Care on Vancouver Island.
Mike Ballantyne
Executive Director
British Columbia Folklore Society

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 10:38 AM

Like Ray Padgett I'm terribly sad to read this. I knew Vera from her time on the UK folk scene, a bright spark of a laady, full of good humour and writer of good songs. I recall 'Minsk from Pinsk', also 'The Bus Conductors Shanty'. At one time she walked around with a poster pinned to the back of her coat stating a protest about something, I forget what. But I have never forgotten Vera and to read this is heartbreaking. Can nothing be done? Can't the Canadian folk community help her in some way? Could the address of the home be printed here so that messages may be sent? Mr Caldicott, when you see Vera again please tell her that Roy Harris remembers her and her songs, and sends greetings and good wishes. Burl. (R.Harris)

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Splott Man
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 09:12 AM

Sad indeed. I remember her well, I've got the LP with Minx from Pinsk on it. I also remeber The Do It Yourself Divorce (You have to be married of course).





Incidentally, welcome to Mudcat Pete, I remember you from Croydon Folksong Club days. You'll remember me as Fluff (and Sandy).

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 09:07 AM

I also have fond memories of seeing Vera in various clubs 'back then '
A Very entertaining lady , with a wonderful supply of self penned songs ! Did she ever make an album ?

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 08:23 AM

Vera certainly guested at the Croydon Foksong Club way back then. She was always gave a good night and was highly thought of.

Perhaps we need to set up old FOLK homes...rather than old folks homes. Where the folk bit is important! Imagine the sessions! (and the arguments!)

Best wishes,


Peter

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 08:07 AM

This thread set a faint bell ringing for me, so I checked and, yes, I have a dubbed cassette of Vera Johnson that my banjo teacher Eva gave me when she was making more room on her music shelves. I will digitize it today and transcribe some lyrics.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 04:02 AM

O my I am in tears literally it is awful to get old

Vera came to Barnsley when Derek and Dorothy Elliot ran the club I remember in the 1970s

Subject: RE: Vera Johnson
From: Anglo
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 02:34 AM

Wow. Good on yer Arthur. I met Vera a couple of times way back when, eastern Canadian folk festivals we were poth performing at. I never really got to know her well but we chatted. And she was a Canadian folk icon if there is such a thing (though I admit I've never heard of Phil Thomas).

Sorry I can't help in the telling of her story, but you're right, it needs to be told.

John

Subject: RE: Vera Johnson
From: Peace
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 10:47 PM

Vera in 1979.

Subject: Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Arthur Caldicott
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 10:36 PM

In 1966, when she was 46, Vera Johnson's second marriage was buggered. So she left Canada, boarded the Queen Elizabeth in New York and went to England for a year of busking and wandering and working at whatever happened to come along.

She carried a notebook, a guitar, and was always writing songs. Money was sometimes in very short supply, occasionally forcing somewhat rudimentary accommodation.

Tugboats were hooting way down on the river,
The streetlamps made halos out there in the dark;
Our bed was a jacket spread over the rustling
Leaves of October in Battersea Park.

All I know about Vera I've picked up from a bio she wrote in 1994, when she was 74. You can find it here.
http://cfmb.icaap.org/content/29.1/BV29-1art2.pdf

My interest and awareness of Vera was triggered a few months ago in a nursing home, a seniors residence, in Chemainus, BC.

It's very easy to keep your distance from the residents in these facilities. They've all lost some of their physical and/or mental capabilities. They drool. They yell. Whomever you are there for (my mother in law) usually takes up all of your emotional energy.

But John Prine was so dead on. These people are lonesome, and they are desperate for someone to say hello.

And Vera responded to my presence and somehow it came out that she was a singer or something. And though she is Vera McKinley in the institution, she used to be Vera Johnson.

So back home I asked Google about her. Wow. We're talking Canadian folk icon.

One day I mentioned the Minx from Pinsk, perhaps Vera's best known song. She sang it, sitting there at the dinner table surrounded by me and three other old women. It was wonderful.

Vera hates the $^@&!#* place. So she tries to escape by following people out the door when they leave. The staff got pissed off about that, and Vera is now incarcerated in the secure wing of the facility and I don't see her anymore.

It's an appalling situation. Vera is no exception though. She's just one person in a hundred in this place. And it's just one place in a hundred in British Columbia. And so on across the continent.

Phil Thomas, a much better known Canadian folk icon died in January. At least people who know him and Hilda are going to write an obituary. Wouldn't a book or an interactive DVD or a film be great? All that music. All those stories.

Vera will die or her mind will fade away and we'll lose another folk icon, and not even notice.

My question is, is there anyone on this list who knew Vera when she was still active in folk circles? Anyone who could tell her story? Anyone know her children?

Nobody ever visits her in the facility. She's there now, waiting for someone to say, hello in there. And planning her escape, I hope.

I'm all woman and a yard wide,
Got a disposition on the easy side;
I've had eight husbands and I wouldn't mind nine;
If you want to apply, boys, just get in line.

My email address is [e-mail]