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Order
A Song From Harry
Click the CD to listen
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Order
A Song From Harry
Click the CD to listen
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At 4:45 on a stormy Tuesday evening in January, a distress call was made from a boat called
The Two Friends, near Boon Island Ledge, off the coast of Maine. Waves were cresting
up to 20ft that night with winds up to 30 knots. The boat had begun to take on water, making it
easily susceptible to the ocean's fury with the right wave. By the time the crew realized this,
they had barely gotten their survival suits on when The Two Friends took a wave and rolled.
Harry Ross Sr. and Shawn Rich were thrown into the water. Shawn's father Larry Rich was pulled
down with the boat, while Shawn watched in horror. His body was never found. With the rough
seas swelling about them, the two remaining crew members held onto each other before a wave
separated them, and Harry was the second casualty. Shawn spent an
unbelievable three hours in
the water, before a daring rescue brought him to the safety of a
helicopter. Harry's body was
found the next day, as news of this tragedy became final. The fishing community of Maine was devastated
by the loss of two such beloved men. Harry was a friend of my husband's, who many times I heard
him refer to as a "legend." Jeff had even built Harry a fishing net for The Two Friends
only
a month before it went down. The funeral for the two men was attended by over one thousand people
from all over the East Coast, as these men left behind many friends and relatives to mourn their
passing; Larry with a girlfriend and six sons, and Harry with three grown sons, a wife, and a
brand new baby. I sang at the funeral, and wrote a special song for the service. The song is titled
A Song From Harry. With Harry deep in my mind, I wanted to write something that would move,
yet comfort those he left behind. He would have wanted it that way.
Just recently two more Maine fishermen were lost in a storm, and the community was gathered once again to say goodbye to their loved ones who were taken by the sea. As a bartender on the waterfront for over ten years, I had spent many an evening listening to fishermen recall their near-death experiences with boastful laughter and somewhat sorrowful lament. Never have these stories seemed more terrifyingly real than they have in recent months. Many feel strict government regulations have forced fishermen to take unnecessary risks with their boats and in some cases their lives. Feeling the financial squeeze, and faced with an aging fleet, some are skimping on boat repairs necessary for the safety of the vessel. Couple that with the pressure to meet their allotted days at sea on time, the life threatening career of a fisherman has become even deadlier. I made a recording of A Song From Harry after the funeral for a few of the family members. I am now releasing it as a single with a portion of the proceeds going to assist fishermen and their families who are struck by hardship in the event of tragic or crippling circumstance. As you can read from the lyrics below, Harry says "Hold onto your own loved ones while you think of me." I hope you will take the time out to appreciate your loved ones, and remember those who have lost theirs. I thank you so very much for your faithful support of my music. Take care of yourselves. Sincerely, | ||
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There's a star and a sky, that will serve to remind me There's a boat and a light, that will show how to find me CHORUS: And I won't forget, no I won't forget, no I can't forget you There are friends who are here, and they'll be here for you There's a song in my heart that will only sing for you CHORUS BRIDGE: These days are the precious ones, But these days are the numbered ones Hold onto your own loved ones...while you think of me There's a child and a son who will live my life for me There's a wife who I love who will always be with me CHORUS There's a boat and a light, and that's where you'll find me... |
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