”Homespun From Niagara”

Tim Hortons Song and Story

After winning the Stanley Cup In 1967 as a Leaf, defense pair Tim Horton and Larry Hillman both ended up playing for Punch Imlach and the Buffalo Sabres. Horton partnered with investor Ron Joyce, and opened a coffee and donut shop in Burlington. The site became the home office for Ron to begin Franchising the business in earnest.

According to Larry , who bought our home in Vineland, at that time, Tim wanted to be able to get a coffee ½ way between Toronto and Buffalo – hence the Burlington site.

Here is a note received from John R a long time Franchisee.

Tom. 

That song was first released at our Toronto convention. 

For all the franchises to hear before being released to the public. 

A Gold Leaf Has Fallen

Another Leaf has fallen from this magnificent tree of life and this time it was a Golden Leaf.  Robert Marvin Hull better known as Bobby died today January 30, 2023) a Canadian pro hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His blonde hair, skating speed, end-to-end rushes, his curved stick and ability to shoot the puck harder and faster than most others earned him the deserved name "The Golden Jet".

Onward - Christian Soldiers

Churches are closing in North America. The situation means some hard decisions for pastors, who have to decide when a dwindling congregation is no longer sustainable.

In an effort to attract parishioners, some churches have taken to creative and humorous signage. This was reported recently on CBC. On line research has revealed the following text on billboards and signs have actually been seen and photographed on Church properties in North America

Wild Mountain Times

Half of the blood that courses through my veins is from ancestors in Scotland. There is something magical about Scotland and of the song Will Ya Go Lassie Go, together with passionate battles for freedom and independence - indeed there were and still are - Wild Mountain Times. Cheers

Misty

Errol Garner wrote Misty as a jazz instrumental in 1954. Lyrics were written for the tune in 1955. It soon became a hit with recordings by Johnny Mathis, Sarah Vaughan, Andy Williams and others. Then in 1975 it was arranged and recorded as a country tune by Ray Stevens. Misty - from a jazz instrumental to a country hit in 21 years.

Make me Down a Pallet on Your Floor

This is a story about a song that is considered in three separate genres; Blues, Jazz and Folk. Like Jelly Roll Morton said "a pallet is a bed on the floor without any 4 posters", featuring clips from recordings of the song by Sam Chatmon, Doc Watson, The Weavers and The Stray Birds.

Onguiaahra On My Mind

A Homespinner commented that the songs about Niagara and the history of our region were interesting, because there are so few of them. Well, here is an adaptation of Mississippi You’re on My Mind rewritten as Onguiaahra your on my mind. Onguiaahra is the native word for Niagara.

The Tom Dooley Story

 The song arranged, recorded and released by The Kingston is far better known than the true story of the events that led to the hanging of Tom Dooley as written and recorded by Doc Watson. Thank you Doc!

Un Canadien Errant

The birthing pains of Canada involved wars and rebellions before we became Canada, united and one of the rebellions (against British Rule) occurred in Lower Canada in 1837 and some of those rebels were condemned by the British to death. Others forced into exile in the States and some as far away as Australia.

In 1842 Antoine Gerin Lajoie wrote a song about the pain of exile while taking his classical exams at the Seminar in Nicolette. 

Song For Canada

Written by Ian Tyson and Peter Gzowski in the mid-1960s, after the Quiet Revolution was under way in Quebec but before the FLQ bombs and kidnappings started, Song For Canada has English Canada speaking to French Canada, asking for tolerance and understanding and promising a future together.

Ian Tyson and his wife Sylvia, recorded it on one of their early LPs, and sang it at a Liberal Party function. As the audience listened to the song, people turned to look at prime minister Lester Pearson; Pearson reacted by looking at his watch.

 

Something to Sing About - This Land of Ours

This song, written by Canadian Oscar Brand, almost became the national anthem for Canada and was requested by a Homespinner. This sing along version is by the Travellers. Canadians all, you are invited to sing the chorus - "From the Vancouver Island to the Alberta Highlands... " this land of ours.

Streets of London - for Brian

Performed for more than 1000 nights ( '81-'85 ) with Brian McLaughlin as "Double Scotch". Streets of London by Ralph Mactel (1969 ) was one of the songs we often played in the first set as a sound check with the audience. This Homespun version is for Brian. Cheers. T

Molly Malone

This is a great song about a believable fictional story of a street hawker with cockles and muscles named Molly Malone who though a raging beauty, died of a fever. The Song Molly Malone has become a virtual national anthem for Ireland. Special thanks to Homespinner Sir Robert for the request. You are invited to sing along with the Dubliners.

A White Sport Coat or A White Young Goat

Several episodes of late have been rather heavy so tonight when listening to the recording of White Sport Coat made here in the studio two years ago, based on the original lyrics, and in the light of recent advice to focus on new studio lyrics rather trying to sing a song like it was originally recorded - it was a matter of minutes that the title morphed from A White Sports Coat to a White Young Goat. Hope you get a smile or two out of this attempt at some levity.

Cheers

T

A Sound Track Picnic

This is a collection of  clips from 60+ theme songs from TV Shows of the 50's and 60's. Each Clip is less than 12 seconds - wonder how many you remember and can identify. This is a 14+ minute production - time enough for a picnic so grab a favorite snack, sandwich, headphones, refreshment and come along when you have the time.