That wraps it up, Pirate of Cape Ann. We're all remembering -- with just about every song we sing -- those who have come before us, including those who are no longer with us here.

I learned and now sing so many songs from Tom Hall and from Jay Smith. And became familiar with songs through David Behm and especially Barry Finn.

This morning I was working on my archive from 2009 -- that was the year of Tom's loss of voice and vocal cord cancer surgery, and the year Barry Finn died. Tom and I couldn't go to Barry's funeral because we were on the Downeaster to Boston for tests, etc. prior to Tom's first throat surgery the next day.

The physical presence of all four of them is felt so often at The Press Room. They're still with us and touch our hearts and voices even if we can't physically reach out and grab their hands. I miss singing with each one of them so much.

Alexander Thompson reminded me of what Jean Redpath said when she eulogized Robert J. Lurtzema back in 2000. She said, "Cry if you must, parting is hell. But life goes on, so sing as well."

Linn