Can’t lie, the live version, with the introduction by a sailor talking about how he almost died in a lifeboat in rough seas, yelling this song trying to stay awake, it brings a tear to my eye every time. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fT-aEcPgkuA.html Just one tear though. Everything in moderation right?
This song has stopped me from suicide so many times. That last verse in particular is what has saved me. "And to you to whom adversity has dealt a mortal blow , with smiling bastards lying to you every where you go.Turn to your strength of arm and heart and brain and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again!"
You are not alone I have listened to this song when I have felt tapped out as well. It always that line that makes me feel I can lick whatever life has chucked in my path.
@@luvluvluvluvcats Last Saturday I had a very good friend die suddenly without warning. It was non Covid related and as far as we know without "pre-existing conditions". Although merely living is the ultimate prerequisite. We called him Mr. Chuckles because he loved to laugh and was always good for a laugh!!! His smile and gentle good humor wiil be missed by all who were lucky to know him. In a world of smiling bastards, he was a breath of fresh air and a welcome relief!!! RIP we will all miss you Chucky!!! The Mary Ellen Carter was definitely our song good buddy!!!
As someone that has dealt with the suicide I can promise you this life is better with you I it! Never give up on yourself, life is hard and challenging but always better with you in it!
The song saved a man's life. His boat was capsized, and he was drowning in icy waters. He was going down for the third and final time, his strength lost -- when he heard this song as though being sung over the waves. It gave him the courage to fight his way to the surface, again and again -- and gasp, cough, sing it out each time he arose. Someone heard him -- and saved his life. (It saved mine too.)
NorthWest Firefighter The Marine Electric was a T2 tanker converted to a bulk carrier that sank in a storm off Virginia in 1983, killing 31 men out of a crew of 34. One of the survivors was 59 year old Robert M. Cusick, who after barely escaping the sinking ship had to cling to a deflated lifeboat in freezing and stormy seas, he claimed he only survived because he started singing the song, which gave him just enough strength to survive until rescue by helicopter 3 hours later. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mary_Ellen_Carter (skip to the section “Connection to the Marine Electric”)
My dad showed me this song as a kid, he used to be a fisherman, I never listened to it until he passed away, now it reminds of him and I listen to it often
"And you, to whom Adversity has dealt the final blow With smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go Turn to, and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain And like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again! Rise again! Rise again! Though your heart it be broken or life about to end No matter what you've lost, be it a home, a love, a friend Like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again!!" I think this is a fine anthem of defiance.
Me, three. I first heard it after breaking up with a man I wanted to marry back in my 20's, in a small bar in Minneapolis by Scott Alarik. I play it anytime that I feel down.
It saved a man's life. His boat was capsized, and he was drowning in icy waters. He was going down for the third and last time -- when he heard this song as though being sung over the waves. It gave him the courage to fight his way to the surface, again and again -- and sing, gasp, cough it out when he arose. Someone heard him -- and saved his life. It saved mine too.
There are many songs/works of art than can do job..But honestly, I don't think there's a single song in the hell storm that is 2020, that gives me the most hope and perseverance than this song. it's more a song about a ship....It's about hope and common humanity, in spite of existential odds. RIP Stan Rogers.... and thank you for this gem for humanity.
Hamilton's own Stan Rogers. Such a tragic loss, just as his career was beginning to blossom. He ranks as one of the best of Canadian songwriters and storytellers.
First heard about Stan Rogers from a Canadian Naval Officer from Nova Scotia who I was deployed with years ago, one of the most fiery independent people I’ve ever served with, and I always hear that same proud independence in Stan’s music. Here’s to the people who don’t let the odds of adversity or opinions of the powers that be dictate the lives they’ll live every day.
Though he died many years before I was ever born, whenever I listen to this song I seem to have a connection with Stan Rogers, and this song never fails to bring a tear to my eye.
Rogers' beautiful voice had strong elements of Celtic vocal traditions that made it unique on this side of the Atlantic. He usually played a 12-string guitar, tuned in the Celtic mode of DADGAD (from the bass string to highest) instead of the normal EADGBE. I had the great privilege of meeting him briefly many years ago at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, where I volunteered for many years. Years ago, I saw an interview with the sole survivor of a fishing vessel that had capsized. He ended up clinging to the keel of the upside-down boat for days before he was rescued. He said that the entire time he kept his spirits up by singing "The Mary Ellen Carter." He said it saved his life. When I think of Stan's death, I find some irony in the fact that, because of him, another man lived. Stan Rogers died tragically in the early 1980s when a plane he was on made an emergency landing near Cincinnati (in northern Kentucky, IIRC) and then caught fire. A number of passengers had escaped and some reported seeing Stan standing in the airplane's doorway when, apparently he heard cries for help behind him and he turned back and re-entered the plane. The cabin burst into flames and he was one of two dozen who died. He was in his early thirties. For those interested in a similar style and talent, his younger brother, Garnet Rogers, who used to perform with Stan sometimes, still tours and makes CDs. His style is more modern and varied in it's influence - but it is still a "Rogers" voice.
heard a funny interview from his brother Garnet on CBC radio, apparently he was playing a show and some rowdy partons kept pestering him to do barret's privateers, and he kept explainting that he didn't want to perform it, so they pissed on his car! lil bastards
Garnet and his wife are truly lovely people, too. Well worth supporting. (They are both absolutely the sort of people who’d almost escape a plane crash and turn back to help someone else even if it put them at risk.)
I saw Stan Rogers some fifty years ago at Campbell's Coffee House in Hamilton, Ontario. Then I saw him at the Groaning Board in Toronto where he recorded Between the Breaks live. I have progressing multiple sclerosis and sometimes it is a struggle. This song gives me courage when I just can't seem to climb the wherewithal to keep climbing that mountain. Every time I hear it, there are tears in my eyes.
This is just what I needed to hear. I don't recall having heard of Stan Rogers before today. Some of my dearest friend and I used to speak (not quite jokingly) of the "Gods of the Radio" who could steer you to the right station or play: "just-the-right-song, at just-the-right-moment." Those spirits are still at it. Anyone who would seriously give this a "thumbs down" is probably mentioned in the verse H.G. quoted. Stan Rogers will forever remain a favorite of mine. Thank you, Stan Rogers, for sharing your gifts. Sincerely, - a new fan.
Bentley Vaughan I was first exposed to Stan's music by a radio show called The Folk Sampler. I will be forever grateful to Mike Flynn for letting me first hear this music.
"No matter what you've lost Be it a home, a love, a friend, like the Mary Ellen Carter, Rise again." I just lost two of those things last night, and for the first time, this song just made me sob. What a talent Stan Rogers was. My goodness. Like he said, the only thing I can do is to rise again, no matter how tough it may be.
The first time I truly listened to this song, when I was truly depressed, I sobbed tears of happiness and joy I never knew. This should be our national anthem. May the Goddess bless you Stan Rogers and Atlantic Canada for a gift that guarantees Canada will save the world from armageddon. (I'll explain that some other day.) Rise again... and again...
I was watching the Smithsonian show "Air Disasters" and that was my first introduction to Stan Rogers. Listening to this and reading the comments makes the sadness I felt for him and his family very cathartic. Almost a testament to his own soul and the spirit of his music.
Can't tell you how many nights I've thrown this on while the fishing was slow on the Long Island Sound, and I know it's just coincidence or confirmation bias, but whenever we put Stan blasting on the radio, the fishing always seemed to pick up. True legend. RIP Stan Rogers.
RD - Rubbish, AC is one of the safest airlines on the planet. The moral of the story is smokers are a hazard to themselves and others, 23 people dead, thank you big Tobacco, Unsafe product, used unsafely.
23 years since his tragic death in an airplane fire and these lyrics still speak of hope, courage and resolve. Every time I hear this song a tear comes to my eye and my problems seem a little smaller.
Can't begin to say how much this song has meant to me. First heard it sung in concert by John Roberts (of Roberts & Barrand) when I was on the verge of losing a job. Forgot about it until several years later when, several days after my first marriage irrevocably broke up, I happened to be listening to Prairie Home Companion and heard Sally Rogers sing it. Nowadays, when I teach Shakespeare's play A Winter's Tale, which is also about achieving resurrection through faith and loyalty, I play it for my students. An incredible source of inspiration, by an incredible singer/songwriter.
Saw Stan and Garnet Rogers perform that song live in a small Sherbrooke pub 30 years ago. They were down to earth, fantastic performers. They made it a night to remember for ever.
RIP Stan Rogers. Your music meant so much to me as a young man. Many fun, drunkin nights singing your incredible songs. I love you Stan, thank you so much!
My dog chewed the corner or my autographed Northwest Passage album. I was as close to hero worship as I've ever been with Stan Rogers. It was 40 years ago, the first time I heard him play. Thank you for the share. Loss, hope, optimism and redemption. All in a few verses. I miss you Stan.
I've had a few trials and tribulations in life as have so many of us, and this song always buoyed me up. I consider it my "theme song" Thanks Stan Rogers for doing it so well. That last verse stiffens my resolve to not only survive, but show the bastards that I'll flourish!!
Great song! I heard this years ago on a Gospel show, but it was a "cleaner" version, the words "hell" and "bastards" were removed. I like the original better.
This song saved the life of Chief Mate Bob Cuisick when the Maine Electric Sank. He was able to stay alive in the worst Atlantic storm for 8 hours till the coast guard. As my lifes trials batter me I listen and feel better. Wish I could have heard him live.
Interesting. "Cusick" is the name of one of the farmers in Stan Rogers' song _The Field Behind The Plow_ . A coincidence. AFAICT, that song was written in 1981, so over a year before the _Maine Electric_ sinking.
I remember my 5th grade music teacher teaching the whole class to sing this song... for some reason I thought of it.. had a beer and laid back, enjoying and remembering... great song..
My dad used to sing stan rodgers to me and brother when we were younger and couldnt fall asleep. Just heard him for the first time in ten years. So glad I found him again
This song influenced me to write this poem several years ago: Our Love, Our Ship The worker of a lady Who served her men so true She brought us home so many From oceans green and blue The masts of steel and hull of white ‘Twas hard to see her go As twilight came with driving rain And took her down below “So what to do?” the captain says As we reminisce our love “She is no more, she’s on the floor” Cries he to God above When comes a shout from crew around “We’ll raise her once again! We know from dreams of Fiddler's Green That death is not the end.” So on that day it came to pass She was ours to protect “She lives” said we, “It’s meant to be” Our love we’d resurrect. Remember by this tale of faith Of men who persevere To keep your hope to keep afloat The things that you hold dear
When I first heard Northwest Passage I sobbed uncontrollably, something that had never happened before. Now the Mary Ellen Carter does nearly the same. The loss of this wonderful man always will.
Stan is among John Denver, Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson, and plenty of other musicians gone before their time. Personally, I think the Lord liked Stan's music so much, He called him to Heaven so he could hear Stan in person!
Stan Rogers is the best at bringing a tear to my eye. I'm a performer and I do several of Stan's tunes. I don't always get through them without chocking up.
I'm Canadian! Alberta born, I'm 36 now and "Between the Breaks" was my first tape. I haven't read any comments but I'm sure it is mentioned somewhere that the Stan Rogers Stage is in Canmore AB, and I remember seeing him live. Awesome Character!!!! And great performer.
Stan Rogers sure delivers some very arresting performances. And this is one heck of a song. It's also been performed by Makem and Clancy, Schooner Fare, and the Dave Rowe Trio.
One of my all time favorites I told my wife I want this song to play at my funeral all Stan's songs are great he puts my 4 year son to sleep most nights.
Man I wish Stan was still around. He’d probably write some amazing songs about essential workers and the Covid pandemic, make people in my country actually take it seriously.
I feel ya, man. It's kinda crazy, most of the songs I go to when I'm in that headspace that've saved me are bring me the horizon tracks, but this one always comes to mind just when I need it as well. Such a different kind of music, but with the same impact.
