Origins: Mind the Light, Kate

Subject: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: GUEST,Siochain
Date: 28 Oct 18 - 09:53 PM

I have a friend who sings a song about (I presume) Kate Gortler Walker, lighthouse keeper of the Robbins Reef Lighthouse from 1886 to 1919.

The song's chorus, as she sings it:

Mind the light, Kate, mind the light,
Keep us protected through the night,
As long as it is burning, everything will be all right,
Mind the light, Kate, mind the light.

Although she learned the lyrics and the melody, she was not able to learn the song's writer.

Anyone here have more information about this song?

Subject: RE: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 18 - 07:21 PM

Bumped in hopes someone might see and respond!

Subject: RE: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: EBarnacle
Date: 01 Nov 18 - 11:53 PM

Send me a PM and I will put you in touch with the author. He is a regular at the monthly Snug Harbor Chantey Sing. [Every third Thursday of the month, from 2 to 5 PM]

Subject: RE: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: EBarnacle
Date: 02 Nov 18 - 10:43 PM

I just realized that you are a guest and cannot PM. Email me at [e-mail] and I will put you in touch with him.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 18 - 01:48 AM

EBarnacle, could you ask the writer if he/she might like to post the lyrics?

I found a page on the Lighthouses of Staten Island. It says that Kate's husband John was appointed keeper of the Robbins Reef light in 1883. John's last words before he died of pneumonia in 1883 were, "Mind the light, Kate" - which she did until she retired in 1919.

I've spent a number of days exploring these and other lighthouses of New York Harbor. There's a lot of 'em. My favorite is the double lighthouse at Navesink, at the entrance to the harbor. I could see eight lighthouses from the top of Navesink Light.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: GUEST,Brita
Date: 02 Jul 19 - 08:08 PM

I found a recording of the song here:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=323061768137876

Subject: RE: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: GUEST,Bryndis
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 07:39 PM

Here's a link to where you can buy Bob Wright's excellent album Harbortown, which has the song Kate Walker on it:

https://bobwright-harbortown.com/track/kate-walker

Subject: RE: Origins: Mind the Light, Kate
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 10:05 PM

Bill Black from Falmouth, MA has written a song called KATIE MIND THE LIGHT! (The Ballad of Katie Walker)

http://sailnortheast.com/Sp99articles/mtl.html