Weeping for the hope of it all, I think.GB

Hello Gordon,
Years ago - eons ago - I heard your name from Stan Rogers, at McCabe's guitar shop, in Santa Monica, California. And it's taken me this long to check out your poetry and your music. I am touched by it all. Wish you'd come out our way.
Thank you for the music, and the connection to the maritime, humanity, and the tactile life.

"Simply Folk" on Wisconsin Public Radio just played your song 'Peter Kagan and the Wind.' Your deep voice and the melody have my eyes brimming with tears, even though I didn't catch which one died (or both). In addition, this put me in mind of the song about the Silkie which I used to sing 35 years ago. It was such a cause-filled, elemental time in my life, and the lives of many others. Thank you for reminding me.

Turning Toward..." has been a staple of hope in our home (and as we sang it in church) for our people.

One question abide. I would love a quick response from anyone. Our good friend faces horrendous, scary health issues. I am giving him a copy of the album, drawing attention, especially to "TTTM."

The last couple of lines seem contradictory to the message of the song. To hear:

And, if that wind would come and ask you,
"Why's my Joanie weeping so?"
Wont you tell him that you're weeping
For the morning?"

What kind of weeping is this. I think weep, I think sad. Is it that she is weeping until the morning returns?

Thank you
Randy

Jan, that Portsmouth concert got postponed to sometime next year.
Good to hear from you...wasn't the last time we saw you on North Haven Island?
GB

Gordon,
We need you out here in Seattle. Been too long. Whattaya say?

Kate, the song Duna is on the CD CLe ar Away In The Morning.
Gordon

Gordon:

I was looking up lyrics that my dad used to sing...just one refrain..." when I was a young man before my beard was grey.."
I now know it was from a poem " Duna" and your name came up. Can't seem to find a album with the song on it. It was such a part of my youth I can't even begin to explain how often he sang that one refrain. He has passed on but I think of him often and find myself singing the same refrain.

Gordon,I've been following you for years and just lost my copy of your very first album. I love all of your music but this album is very special to me. Is there any way to get a cd of this. I'd even be happy with the vinyl version. I've searched everywhere and come up empty handed.
Loved your Roaring Brook Nature Center concert. Hope you're feeling better, though. Thanks.

Gordon:
I remember hearing you play at the Camden Harbor Inn many years ago (sometime in the early 1980's). You turned a bass on its side and played it like a guitar at the impromptu concert featuring Kagan and the Seal Woman. I lost the album that was on and wondered if that and La Brigantine and Isle a Haut are on one of your other recordings.
Many thanks for years of your music.

Dianna

(answered by email-
-GB )

I wondered wwhere you'd gotten to, Rick.
That song is called Fifteen Ships On Georges Banks...I can't find the words right now; try looking it up on The Mudcat Cafe. That would be faster than me digging it out of the mists and writing it out (I still type wwith my elbows) I sing the Canadian version, these days.
Fair winds, eh?
Gordon

Gordon Thanks so much for adding one of my comments in your C.D." Other eyes" Its wonderful Music.
The last year I fished the D.F.O charged me $65.00 to leave the wharf. Their budget is now over a Billion dollars annually for Destroying our fishery. ONLY GOVERNMENT and THE D.F.O has done this through greed and corruption.

Gordon:

when are you coming back to the South Shore Folk Music Club Cofee Huse in
Kingston MA.

When and where is the next Bok, Mayo, Muir concert?
-------------------------
A 1: I'll see if they'd like to have me there, Steve.
A 2: The trio decided to stop touring together a few years ago. We still hang out and sing some when we find ourselves in the same country...

Hi Gordon. We are in Gloucester MA at the Rilways hauling the Wanderbird before heading to Greenland. Last night we had a delightful time with a group" Three Sheets to the Wind" I am not much of a singer but thought that next week I may try one . I have fond memories of my schoonering days aboard the Timberwind in Maine and I particularly remember a song, a song that I heard you sing and I felt it woulr be appropriate here in Gloucester for next Tuesday night. It 's about the storm in 1862 or 3 that begins " I pray you pay attention and listen un to me" Could you help me locate those lyrics? I don't fear gales at sea near as much as singing that front of a crowd but it seems right. Fair Winds, Rick Miles Wanderbird

If you hadn't brought Stan Rogers's name into it, Gordon, I wouldn't have made the connection. But the song is probably "The Jeanie C.", about the wreck of a fishing boat. Each verse ends "I'll go to sea no more." Does that sound right?

(There you go, Glenn--hope that helps--
GB0

Glenn, I think Valentine informed us that that song was written by Stan Rogers. And, indeed, I used to sing it.
Gordon

Sol, the only way I know to get Jan's stuff I know of is at her website which I belieeve her son Scott runs....Harmonpublishing.com. Glad to know you're still singing.
Gordon

Hi Since you're a fan of the late lamented Jan Harmon, might you know how folks can get hold of her rounds and songs? Lately it's gotten impossible. I do have a bunch of her rounds in my Rounds Galore book, but there's lots more that people would enjoy. (I love the Quasimodal recording of The Eagle, and I remember when, at Pinewoods Camp, you led us all in Trees.) Thanks.
Sol "Roundman" Weber

When my brother died not long ago I wound up with most of his personal effects since I am the only one left in our family.On his laptop, I found copies of numerous songs by Gordon Bok as well as recordings he made of himself singing some of those songs which he and my nephew had made as a present for my mom when she was recovering from surgery. I hadn't heard this music in years but it brought back good memories of my family and my childhood in New England. I also ended up with Ralph's guitar which I hope to pass on to someone else one day. Thanks for the music.

Gordon,
I've meant to write you ever since 1973 when I first heard Tom Meyers play Fundy. I've dabbled in Folk Music, and wondered if you know the background to an Irish song titled "The Jenny C."?
Thanks so much for your presence and presents of the muse.