Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'

Subject: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: NbptErnie
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 07:16 PM

I'm looking for the writer of two songs from a PBS documentary that aired in the 1970's time frame called "The Gloucestermen". As it was aired by WGBH, and as it was narrated in great part by Gloucester historian Joe Garland, I suspect the show was created in the Greater Boston area, probably by WGBH, channel 2.

The two songs that I am interested in would seem to be titled "The Nannie C. Bohlin" (a song about a Gloucesterman of the same name, built in down town Gloucester in the late 1800's, and known for her speed), and "Old Rummy" (a neat song about a sea-going dog who knew when to stay home).

I have been singing these songs in a variety of venues for some years now, and would like to know who to credit with their creations. I have searched for archives at WGBH, with no luck, and have tried to contact Joe Garland and others who may have been involved with the production, with no luck (perhaps my sleuthing skills are not up to the task).

I've been able to trace some of the phrases used in The Nannie to some other sea songs of old, so I guess at least that song may have grown out of others, but I'd still like to know who put them together as aired in the documentary.

I have the audio portion of the show recorded on an old reel to reel recorder, so have good access to all but the credits. I would appreciate any knowledge in that direction. There are one or two other songs from the same show that I haven't attempted yet, but if you know the source for them (an introductory song that would make a great startup song for a shanty sing, one that may be titled "The Man at Halfway Rock", and one that sings of "wheels of fire" that rise out of the sea at Gloucester: indicators of ships and sailors who would not be returning), I'd appreciate that knowledge as well.

Ernie

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,glostaman
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 12:23 AM

That film was done by Dan Tremblay and shown last June at the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester. Don't know anything further about it or how to contact Dan Tremblay.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: NbptErnie
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 04:49 PM

Glostaman,

Thanks for your response. I had seen (too late to go) a notice of Dan's film being shown in a library a couple of years ago, and I called Dan. From my discussion with him, it seemed that his show may not be the same one I saw back in 1973, although it may derive materials from it. At any rate, he was not able to offer any help in tracking down the song writer(s) at the time. In case there might have been something I missed, or misinterpreted, back then, I called him again (no one home/left a voice message), and will try to find a way to see his film at it's next screening if at all possible. There was a short comment on his film in last Wednesday's Gloucester Times, so it may be running again soon.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: NbptErnie
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 05:21 PM

Glostaman,

An update: Dan returned my call. His show is definitely not the one that was the source for the songs that are the subject of this thread, but it sounds very interesting nevertheless. He is showing that film, as a part of a group of films that he has also done on similar topics, on a regular basis down at the "Hollywood Hits" theater just off Rte 128 in Danvers. He advertises on Craigs List Boston under Events as Heritage Films. I may try to get down there tomorrow at noonish to see what he is all about.

Again, thanks for your help.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Gary Greathouse
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 11:51 AM

About 10 years ago, I contacted PBS in Washington, DC to see if a video of The Gloucestermen was available. They said no, but that I could visit their archives and watch a 16mm film version. That film would have the credits.

I have a cassette tape of the songs, and have been unable to find a digital version or the author.

Regards,
Gary Greathouse
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Jan Weems
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 12:32 AM

Hello Ernie -- I left a message on another thread, about the songs "Rummy", Nanny C. Bohlin, Wheels of Fire, and the other music from the old show The Gloucestermen, and lo and behold, here's a newer thread. So I will post again. I saw that show, many years ago, on an ancient TV, but did not own a tape player at the time, being a poverty-stricken young married student!   Parts of the songs and the lyrics stayed with me though, and over the years I have tried to find them, to no avail. I used to love to play guitar and sing, and collected folk songs and ballads for years, and I would love to have the music and lyrics to those. Is there any way you could share recordings of your singing those songs, perhaps on YouTube or some other site?

My dad's family came from the area, also from Cape Cod, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia and I grew up listening to him talk about his ancestors and how they followed the sea, etc. He also saw and enjoyed that show. Dad is gone now, but I would love to have those songs to share with my daughter and grandsons. I read on this site that the singer/songwriter was Rob Carlson, and I looked him up online and sent an email but I don't know if he will reply. Meanwhile, if anyone else on here can provide me with a tape, a CD, or a way to get a copy of that show, I would be very grateful! Thanks for reading this and hope you reply--Jan Whitehouse Weems, [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Brian Shea
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 08:39 PM

Hey, folks

Found this thread and thought you might be interested in this.

Somewhere in my basement I have a "Gloucesterman" cassette that I listened to about a billion time when I was young, and my (now adult) children laugh when I sing "C'Mon here, Old Rummy, won't you bring some luck to me?"

So back about 10 years ago I wrote to Rob, and I don't think he'd mind me sharing his reply:

Dear Brian- Wow. Somebody remembers "The Gloucestermen"! That was my first job out of college. I don't even know if I have a copy. If I do it's buried in a pile of ancient tapes and may not even be playable. I'll take a look, but the odds aren't good.

From time to time I've thought of re-recording some of those songs but never did.

He gave me the link to his website: http://modernman3.com/mm3.html

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Ginny/K-9
Date: 02 Feb 13 - 10:18 PM

There's another thread along this line with earlier entries. I originally posted a request in 1998 for the song about the dog, Rummy. I had a different AOL screen name at the time. My new one is [e-mail]. It had been [e-mail], but I abandoned it for some reason.

Anyway, Brian, you said 2 years ago in the other thread (http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=6936) that you have that cassette in the basement. Did you quit looking for it? I actually have the song, Rummy, on tape. If I can get it onto this site, I can share it with you all. It's a tape of a tape of a tape. Really poor quality now - but better than nothing. I had recorded it from the radio back in the early 70's on reel to reel. Then transferred it to cassette tape. I'd like to hear the other songs on "The Gloucestermen"   Has anyone tried to contact Rob Carlson recently?

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Feb 13 - 01:46 AM

What Cheer Partners [phone]

You may be able to reach Mr Carlson via that number.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: EBarnacle
Date: 04 Feb 13 - 12:06 AM

Unfortunately, Joe Garland has been unavailable since 2011, when he died.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Ginny
Date: 07 Feb 13 - 10:26 AM

OK, I emailed Rob Carlson. Sounds like he will re-record Rummy for us. I never saw "The Glouccestermen." I got the song from the radio. But I think Rob would also be interested in re-recording the other songs from that WGBH special. I mentioned that there were others, besides me, who were not only interested in Rummy but other songs. We'll see. I had also contacted Tom Roush to see if he knew the song, and if he did, could he record it. He was interested but naturally needed to know about the copyright. If you've not heard Tom Roush singing, look him up on YouTube. I love his voice. He sings a lot of songs from the Civil War era. And he has a lot of the old photos that accompany his singing. He's done a great job of combining the two.

So I'll keep you all posted on Rob's response. If he doesn't respond, I'll pester him until he does. Tom too. There's another thread here on Mudcat (http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=6936) that I'll post this same message. I'd rather just combine it into one thread, but there were several other people over the years who may just be returning to check that other thread, so I'll post this same message on it.

It's a shame that we lost Joe Garland.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Karen
Date: 16 Aug 14 - 06:33 PM

This is a treasure. I too recorded the music from the TV to cassette in 1973 when it aired, and still sing the Rummy song. I also searched for a copy in vain for several years. I recently saw it again at my girl friend's house. Her grandfather was one of the old captains interviewed and she had a copy. The credits went by too fast for me to catch the name of the composer.

However, I just found this online: http://www.worldcat.org/title/gloucestermen/oclc/5553264

This show really should be cleaned up and put on DVD. One of the old timers interviewed on that 1973 show was 105. Others weren't much younger.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Pirate of Cape Ann
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 01:09 PM

Ernie:

Hope you're well. Just "taking another stab" at finding information on "Nannie C. Bohlin" and came back to your thread on Mudcat. As you know, I've performed "Nannie C." with Baggywrinkle and Three Sheets on many occasions.

I worked for "Captain Jack" Ferrell at the Gloucester Fisherman's Museum in the late 70's. In my tenure he gave me a cassette with the original sound-track to "The Gloucestermen" From that I was able to glean the 2 verses to "Nannie C." that were cut from the finished program. I refer to them as "the Connolly verses" as they were inspired by Connelly's works, which may explain why they were excluded. I think I gave those verses to you some time ago

At a "Woodchopper's Ball" with the Marston's many years ago, I was approached by Daisy Nell after I did the song. She told me that that the first verse came from "The Mary L. McKay". What that means I don't know… Does she know who wrote it? Is it the same as who wrote the "Mary L. McKay"? May be worth contacting her.

I would love to get permission (or just a blessing) to do the piece "legit" and have a name to put with the piece. I'm hopeful of getting back involved with the sea-music scene again and getting back to the Wednesday Night thing again. Are you still running it?

Sadly, Alexander and I can't seem to "commit to being committed" to Baggywrinkle. I have to admit, we had something there and were very well received wherever we performed. I would not mind finding someone else with whom I could build a different chemistry with a mutual goal of "reaching for the stars." I've tried with several good singers, but so far, the "magic" of our voices "clicking" has been elusive.

Okay, looking forward to catching up. Let me know if you hear anything.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 01:43 PM

There is something similar called Christmas in Gloucester by Souls of the Sea...it is full of just beautiful songs..the one I like best is is the Bella Figlia...

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 02:10 PM

it would seem that a video tape is available at the North of Boston Library Exchange http://evergreen.noblenet.org/eg/opac/record/1408802

for those who live in the area.

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs from 'The Gloucestermen'
From: GUEST,Ginny GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 25 - 05:29 PM

I found Tom Roush at some point in 2013 who got permission from Rob Carlson to make his own version of "Rummy." He did and posted it on YouTube.

Here's Tom Roush's version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAQkqfDWMmE

Tom Roush died from a fall in 2021. Too young to leave us.


If anyone on this list finds this email from me, I would be curious to hear from you.   Iwas in AZ at the time I first posted about Rummy. I'm now in NC.