Comments on: How Many Seas Must A White Dove Sail… Mary Travers Takes Wing

By: Ghostdreams

Ghostdreams — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:06:22 +0000

The first concert I ever attended was when I was 11 and it was a PPM concert. My older sister took me.
I am truly bummed out. She was great!
Rest in Peace Mary.
Ghosty

By: ordinarysparrow

ordinarysparrow — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:27:51 +0000

Have always loved folk music. . . Peter Paul and Mary have always been present on the list of "Evergreen Songs, no matter how many times i have heard some of their songs they are fresh. . .

How many miles have i walked with the soul singing Blowing In the Wind, i could not count. . . A few years back took a years break from my career and worked as a horse wrangler at a women's empowerment ranch in the Flint Hills in Kansas. . .women would come from all over the world for an authentic ranch experience. . .so many memories of bailing alfalfa hay on a 50 year old Massey Ferguson (Granny M) tractor. . .listening to Blowing in the Wind as tiny purple and yellow butterflies fluttered and deer grazed on the edges of the hay patches. . .Their music has always been about the soulful places. . .

May Mary Travers rest in peace and all things good. . . .

By: tidbits

tidbits — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:14:30 +0000

Too many memories. Peter, Paul and Mary at the Dane County Colesium, their first concert after the death of MLK. Tears from the stage, a tribute from each, their usual humorous comments left out, tall Mary head low in sorrow as she spoke. There are many memories of those who changed us. Joan Baez raising her voice for justice, meeting Pete Seeger in a men's room…somehow so appropriate, Phil Ochs taking his life in desperation, Joan Collins singing barefoot and alone in a small room. Artists who cared and changed us. A time of turbulence and naivety, of growing and thinking and forming. Mary Travers, a gentle soul who was part of that. I saw you weep for Dr. King; I weep for you and thank you for all you meant to so many.

By: archangel

archangel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:51:22 +0000

thanks DLS. That's a good addition.

By: DLS

DLS — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:02:41 +0000

I was going to make a note about this last night, but just waited instead — the most interesting story that quickly sprang up last night was that after folk died as a trend, her band didn't — they did better than ever. A sixties (onward) icon is gone.

By: archangel

archangel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:41:28 +0000

And this too … 'the bar' means a sandbar…. for small craft it can be a treacherous thing to cross it without running aground …stopping the voyage seaward, esp during low tide. When there can be a 'groaning' /moaning of crossing the bar as the vessel sands along the bottom, and the boat sways.

take care,
dr.e

By: archangel

archangel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:31:02 +0000

dear Orsonbuggeigh. Thank you for your kind helpfulness. And you are right. Tomorrow I will try to find it for you, the phrase I was pulling from memory is from an old prayer on a holy card, a poem actually, from maybe the 1930s. It was used at my great aunt's funeral. We grew up on a great inland ocean. It's called 'crossing the bar,' I think. Just a sec, I'll google it real fast here... I have GOT to go to bed, I have been up too late 10 nights in a row, like 4 am... hold on...

Well, well, what a glory google can sometimes be... here 'tis: by Alfred Lord Tennyson... about his dying... one of the most poignant 'here's where to stand to have peace about end of life' prayers I know...

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

Thank you again.
dr.e

By: orsonbuggeigh

orsonbuggeigh — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:24:17 +0000

I wasn't a real fan of her music, or substantial parts of her politics, but Mary Travers, like her musical partners, was a very talented artist. They made beautiful music that many people enjoyed. My sympathies go out to her family and friends.

Dr. E., one small detail: I think your reference to “passing the bar” is slightly off. One passes the bar exam to practice law. “Crossing the bar” was the maritime euphemism for having passed on.

By: kathykattenburg

kathykattenburg — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:11:09 +0000

But in Garcia's case, you really DO have his Ben & Jerry's ice cream to comfort!

By: SteveK

SteveK — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:26:38 +0000

The image of Mary with her granddaughter on her knee (a PBS PPM Special) should (could?) tell us all that she is resting in peace.

“Don't think twice it's alright”

By: kritt11

kritt11 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:03:27 +0000

I was a longtime fan of PPM, and their music stirred my conscience as I was growing up, and helped me to see the need for social justice during the Civil Rights era.

Its hard to believe she's gone- as they've been together my entire life. RIP

By: Leonidas

Leonidas — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:39:27 +0000

My sympathy to her friends, family, and fans. Although I wasn't a fan of her music I know what its like to lose a musical performer you really like, I still miss Jerry Garcia.

By: riverrat

riverrat — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:31:01 +0000

I had a chance to meet Mary at our local PBS station here in Connecticut a few years ago. We talked for about 10 minutes, and it was just a thrill to meet her. PP&M are legends in the music industry with the brand of folk music that made you think. I am just heartbroken at her passing.

Godspeed Mary Travers!!!!