. . .You will know that I am gone.*
What fond, fond memories I have of Peter, Paul & Mary. I'm almost positive that I saw them live as a small child. Memories are tricky, though. But I'm quite clear on all the sing-alongs and campfires and living room guitar sessions that often revolved around this trio's songs. Music was a member of our family, well-loved, well-worn, and often a bridge among us. These songs, this voice, this passion, will live on, as each of us were touched and each of us are singing to the next generation. Perhaps I will quiz the grandkids on Puff the Magic Dragon when next I see them. Study up, grandkids.
The LA Times article reports she battled Leukemia. It's a touching article; if you have a minute to check it out, go for it. From that article: "After her original leukemia diagnosis, when she was given a 40% chance of survival, but then bounced back after the bone marrow transplant, she said, 'You have to have a sense of humor even in the midst of what can be very frightening . . . and you have to live in the now because if you get trapped into 'what if' or 'I shoulda,' you're not living in the moment, you're not living.'"
They were masters of the cover song -- bringing life to songs, bringing folk music to pop charts, and singing at once about the errors and pain of war and our collective humanity, and to the children of their loss of innocence.
And now. Quiet.
"It's the hammer of justice/It's the bell of freedom/It's a song about the love between/My brothers and my sisters/All over this land."
Rest well, dear Mary. Many thanks to you.
*I just looked this up and found it was written by someone else, but in the versions I've heard, Mary sings it, so I'm sticking with it. Many of their songs were written by someone else.
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Ravinia Summer Music Festival, circa 1980, on the outskirts of Highland Park, IL. You bring your picnic supper and sit on the grass while you listen to the music. You can't see the stage from where you're sitting but the sound system is excellent. After eating, if you're brave, you walk over behind the people who could afford to buy a ticket for an actual seat (there are lots of such people in Highland Park) and you catch a glimpse of the performers. Even in 1980, it was a shock to see them graying, balding; and Mary, still blond, looking more like Cass Elliot than the stick figure she was in the 60's. You go back to your picnic blanket and tell the others, "Just listen, don't look, just listen and enjoy."
Dad, that's great. I definitely remember that. And I remember a picnic table with a baby on it -- if it was 1980, it must have been J-Bird. And singing along with Puff the Magic Dragon.
I think we need more sing-alongs.
I'll get my guitar out and start practicing for the next time we're all together. Let's see... "Puff" is in C, I think.
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