Cosmic Vagabond I think that's the best comment I've ever read. It is a sad song so it could have hit a bit too close, still if you need a first mate on this project, let me know
Loved this song for a long time. Listening now on my cell phone from a shoal near Tobermory, in eyeshot from the final resting place of a couple of wrecks around these parts. This song, and Stan's discography, make me feel that it's better for old ships to go down in the seas they once plied, rather than being broken up for scrap like the Midland. Pouring a little out for Stan and all the old sailors from an age before mine.
This song hits pretty close to home. When my dad passed away from cancer I spent the last nights of his life with him, in the morning I received a phone call at home that he was gone. In the hospital room where he laid there was an awful silence more terrible than a scream. It was the last night to be with him and the last night he would be home.
I remember over 35 years ago I had to tell my younger sister that she wouldn't be going to see Stan that night - that he'd been killed in an airplane fire. And last November, after 30 years with my company, I was called in and offered "a package".
@@jimhabsfan A reference to Stan's song "Last Watch on the Mystic" - "At sixty-four, you're still the best; One year more, and then you're less Than dust upon the floor. So here's to useless superannuation... In fairness I was almost 67, but had hope to work until 70.
They dragged her down, dead, from Tobermory, Too cheap to spare her one last head of steam, Deep in diesel fumes embraced, Rust and soot upon the face of one who was so clean. They brought me here to watch her in the boneyard, Just two old wrecks to spend the night alone. It's the dark inside this evil place. Clouds on the moon hide her disgrace; This whiskey hides my own. CHORUS It's the last watch on the Midland, The last watch alone, One last night to love her, The last night she's whole. My guess is that we were young together. Like her's, my strength was young and hard as steel. And like her too, I knew my ground; I scarcely felt the years go round In answer to the wheel. But then they quenched the fire beneath the boiler, Gave me a watch and showed me out the door. At sixty-four, you're still the best; One year more, and then you're less Than dust upon the floor. So here's to useless superannuation And us old relics of the days of steam. In the morning, Lord, I would prefer When men with torches come for her, Let angels come for me.
I spent my childhood swimming and snorkeling on the wreck of the SS Midland City, a lake steamer which was run aground and intentionally burned to the waterline just outside Midland, Ontario. Is this the ship from the song? It seems to fit much better with the lyrics than the SS City of Midland, which survives as a barge today.
Reminds me of all the times I've been told 'Look watch over this decent steel and wood for we will break it for scrap despite the fact it is all good and could do us all Sterling service.
I read that it was the City of Midland. Note that he doesn't say outright that she was going to be scrapped, and also "the last night she's whole," which, while it could have been poetic license, could have been intentional.
Ogdens' Beach, or Ogdens' Beach Rd., rings a bell with me. Have you heard "White Squall" or "LockKeeper"?.Stan knew the stories from the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay well, and of course the stories from friends and family from Guysborough County (Canso, Fogarty's Cove)down here. Do you know of anyone from Midland who saw him perform? GH, Halifax (Midland, Port McNicoll)
It must be about SS Midland City, which was run aground in 1955. The SS City of Midland was still in service as a ferry until 1988 and wasn't cut into a barge until 1997, both long after Stan was killed in 1983.
The one person who thumbed this down, I will find you. I will find you and... Give you a big hug, because you are in desperate need of a big hug
Cosmic Vagabond I think that's the best comment I've ever read. It is a sad song so it could have hit a bit too close, still if you need a first mate on this project, let me know
LOLOL!!
Brought a smile to my face!
blessings from Washington State USA
48th like. Thanks for the hug!!
Good luck. No one aint ever gonna hug me. You won't even get the chance hahah
You'se a bro, you are.
Loved this song for a long time. Listening now on my cell phone from a shoal near Tobermory, in eyeshot from the final resting place of a couple of wrecks around these parts.
This song, and Stan's discography, make me feel that it's better for old ships to go down in the seas they once plied, rather than being broken up for scrap like the Midland.
Pouring a little out for Stan and all the old sailors from an age before mine.
Paddling, or motoring, or sailing? Ice is gone so early, and now we're all trying not to breathe on each other.
@@KevinAtkins_Indiana Paddling
I've driven truck 33+ years.
This is My Last Night in my sleeper cab.
Thank you, Stan .
For giving voice to what I cannot.
❤
This song hits pretty close to home. When my dad passed away from cancer I spent the last nights of his life with him, in the morning I received a phone call at home that he was gone. In the hospital room where he laid there was an awful silence more terrible than a scream. It was the last night to be with him and the last night he would be home.
I remember over 35 years ago I had to tell my younger sister that she wouldn't be going to see Stan that night - that he'd been killed in an airplane fire. And last November, after 30 years with my company, I was called in and offered "a package".
@@jimhabsfan A reference to Stan's song "Last Watch on the Mystic" - "At sixty-four, you're still the best;
One year more, and then you're less
Than dust upon the floor.
So here's to useless superannuation... In fairness I was almost 67, but had hope to work until 70.
They dragged her down, dead, from Tobermory,
Too cheap to spare her one last head of steam,
Deep in diesel fumes embraced,
Rust and soot upon the face of one who was so clean.
They brought me here to watch her in the boneyard,
Just two old wrecks to spend the night alone.
It's the dark inside this evil place.
Clouds on the moon hide her disgrace;
This whiskey hides my own.
CHORUS
It's the last watch on the Midland,
The last watch alone,
One last night to love her,
The last night she's whole.
My guess is that we were young together.
Like her's, my strength was young and hard as steel.
And like her too, I knew my ground;
I scarcely felt the years go round
In answer to the wheel.
But then they quenched the fire beneath the boiler,
Gave me a watch and showed me out the door.
At sixty-four, you're still the best;
One year more, and then you're less
Than dust upon the floor.
So here's to useless superannuation
And us old relics of the days of steam.
In the morning, Lord, I would prefer
When men with torches come for her,
Let angels come for me.
Now or never.
One of my many favorite vinyl recordings. I have all of Stan's recordings.
Always brings tears to my eyes.
I've reached an age where the tragedy he describes - growing old and being considered useless- cuts especially deep.
I spent my childhood swimming and snorkeling on the wreck of the SS Midland City, a lake steamer which was run aground and intentionally burned to the waterline just outside Midland, Ontario.
Is this the ship from the song? It seems to fit much better with the lyrics than the SS City of Midland, which survives as a barge today.
I thought this came from a vinyl. I could hear the crackling that occurs. I wish I had Stan in my vinyl collection.
WOW, I know this feeling so very well, Far too many wonderful machines are destroyed just because they are old. :'(
Reminds me of all the times I've been told 'Look watch over this decent steel and wood for we will break it for scrap despite the fact it is all good and could do us all Sterling service.
I read that it was the City of Midland. Note that he doesn't say outright that she was going to be scrapped, and also "the last night she's whole," which, while it could have been poetic license, could have been intentional.
Ogdens' Beach, or Ogdens' Beach Rd., rings a bell with me. Have you heard "White Squall" or "LockKeeper"?.Stan knew the stories from the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay well, and of course the stories from friends and family from Guysborough County (Canso, Fogarty's Cove)down here. Do you know of anyone from Midland who saw him perform? GH, Halifax (Midland, Port McNicoll)
It must be about SS Midland City, which was run aground in 1955. The SS City of Midland was still in service as a ferry until 1988 and wasn't cut into a barge until 1997, both long after Stan was killed in 1983.
I don't actually think it's about a ship at all...
@@HrHaakon pretty sure it is. Stan sang extensively about sailing, none of which were metaphors, so IDK why this one would be different.
I love this one!!!
You know a song is good when you wake up randomly at 4am and the first thing you think of is to play it.
Thought of this song with the scraping of the Mississagi
Utter class from a well respected artist ,,,,RIP STAN
Merci d'enchanter mes journée, j'aurais aimé vous connaître !
Anyone ever come across some piano sheet music for this song? I'd love to sing and play it but can't find any sheet music
If you don't know this one... "google" Stan Rogers and Enjoy. He died way too soon.
That's good!
And I know Folk!
From an Englander.
❤
I would not be surprised if you are correct. Satn may have used poetic licence to suit the song.
Col Johnson pretty sure satn had nothing to do with it
😭😭😭
I.assumed he was talking about a steam locomotive. A face that was so clean
He was talking about a ship, but nice guess