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for music
that will be remembered . . .
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Fisherman's
Daughter
Learning a Place
text credit - Johanna Logan Cooper
When we first moved to Stumpy Point, Mr. Golden told
us, "It takes time to learn a person, " and
we understood what he meant. We also knew that it
would take time to ‘learn a place’, and
it was our desire to learn Stumpy Point. Our neighbors
and friends came forth to be our teachers. By their
willingness to share their stories and to include
us in the life of the village, we began our lessons.
They gave us a glimpse back in time. They told us
stories of the village before there were roads…when
everything and everyone had come by boat…even
the new schoolteacher. The arrival, 65 years ago,
of the young woman from the mountains is an event
clearly remembered by all who were there. Wearing
blue shoes, a blue suit and hat, Miss Grace stepped
from the boat, went straight to the schoolhouse and
into the hearts of her students. She knows about life
being a long journey.
We visited the old school house and were told of the
memories that it held. The potbellied stoves whose
fires once warmed many a cold hand, now stand in dusty
retirement. In the auditorium, one can almost hear
the echoes of long ago programs…children reciting
and singing for proud audiences. There was a time
when everybody in the village came to the schoolhouse
to share their Thanksgiving dinners and to express
their gratitude. Not far from the schoolhouse stands
the white church that for many years was the only
one in the village. In so many ways, it touched everyone’s
life. There they were baptised, taught, confirmed,
married and when the time came, they would be buried
in the church cemetery up the road while the church’s
tolling bell counted out the years.
We learned that there was a time when seven small
stores were located in the village…five of which
had soda fountains. Three were dry good stores ‘where
yardage for sewing and shoes for men’ could
be found.
Boats that brought supplies to the stores also brought
peddlers from the city selling their wares. They wore
large packs filled with merchandise as they traveled
on foot up and down the road. Lodging with a village
family would be available to them…50 cents a
night and 25 cents a meal.
We were invited to sit at many a kitchen table to
share in freshly caught fish, shrimp, soft shell crabs,
and hot biscuits with preserved figs. While we ate,
we listened, and we came to a better understanding
of what it means to be dependent upon the sea for
a living. It is hard work and at times, filled with
disappointment and danger. We learned of other hardships
encountered and overcome. When storms came in across
the water, the village stubbornly withstood the winds
and tides. What was not able to stand up to the assault,
was rebuilt. Life went on.
We experienced homecomings, dinners on the ground,
celebrations of birthdays and golden anniversaries.
We shared the joy at weddings and the grief of funerals.
We heard stories about the bears that come into the
village and knock over garbage cans and eat apples
from the trees in the yards. And then came the day
we added our own story of the bear that stole ice
cream from our back porch freezer.
Of course, there were those who left to pursue life
in new places and in new ways…a desire to ‘sail
other seas’. Just as there were many reasons
for leaving, there were reasons for some to return.
In so doing, they knew they would find their place
to belong..they had come home.
From these life events, the songs of this album came
into being. They have become the threads that weave
our story of Stumpy Point. It is a celebration and
an honoring of a small village and its people located
on the coast of North Carolina…somewhere between
yesterday and today.
Original songs from Stumpy Point, NC... engaging and varied styles, commanding
orchestrations and poetic lyrics... guitar, bass, vocal, piano, fiddle, flute,
percussion and gospel choir.
Tracks:
 Fisherman's Daughter - sound
clip
Ballad of the Bear
The Grandparents' Song
Love Is the Reason
Fifty Years
Margie Rae
There's a Place We Can Meet
What Can a Child Do?
Happy Birthday, Linda
Young Girl - sound clip
Always a Place to Belong
Long Journey - sound clip
Songs inspired by Stumpy Point, a small fishing village located on the coast
of North Carolina...
...
somewhere between yesterday and today... |
Specials > |
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