Mary Ellen Carter: Stan Rogers's Masterpiece
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Mary Ellen Carter--That Her Name Not Be Lost to the Knowledge of Men
The Mary Ellen Carter is a song written and recorded by Canadian folk musician and songwriter Stan Rogers. It was crafted to be an inspirational, exhortative anthem about triumphing over tremendous adversity and overwhelming odds.
The song tells the story of the ineptitude and disregard for ship and crew by the officers of a sunken ship (the Mary Ellen Carter), the disdain of ship's owners once they had received an insurance settlement, and the resolute, heroic effort to salvage the beloved vessel by members of her former crew in spite of their lack of resources, the adverse conditions, and tremendous hardship they encountered.
What Happened? Success? Failure? What became of the Mary Ellen Carter? Read a little further, listen to the song, and draw your own conclusions!
The song tells the story of the ineptitude and disregard for ship and crew by the officers of a sunken ship (the Mary Ellen Carter), the disdain of ship's owners once they had received an insurance settlement, and the resolute, heroic effort to salvage the beloved vessel by members of her former crew in spite of their lack of resources, the adverse conditions, and tremendous hardship they encountered.
What Happened? Success? Failure? What became of the Mary Ellen Carter? Read a little further, listen to the song, and draw your own conclusions!
Stan Rogers -- A Brief Biography
Stan Rogers was born in Hamilton, Ontario on November 29, 1949. His parents, Valerie and Nathan Allison "Al" Rogers..."Maritimers" from Eastern Canada who had moved to Ontario in search of work. Stan often spent summers visiting family members in Nova Scotia, where he became familiar with the way of life in the Maritime Provinces.Stan became interested in music when he was very young. It is said that he began to sing shortly after learning to speak. His uncle Lee Bushell built and presented Stan with a guitar when he was just five years old. Although he was exposed to many genres of music while he was young, the country-western songs sung by family members seemed to be most enduring and influential in the musical development of young Stan Rogers.
As Rogers grew he maintained a strong interest in music. He was mostly interested in folk music, but also forayed into the field of Rock and Roll, becoming the bass guitarist for several garage bands. But he always returned to folk.
Rogers began his professional music career in 1969. He performed on the Ontario and Maritime folk club and festival circuit. He was heard quite frequently on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Network. He also appeared on TV shows, and began touring Western Canada in 1978..
The turning point in Rogers's career was his appearance at the 1975 Winnipeg Folk Festival. Following the festival Rogers recorded an album of his own compositions celebrating Canada's Maritimes. The album, called Fogarty's Cove, was on the Barnswallow label. He later established his own label along with his brother, and managed by his mother.
Stan Rogers was returning from a the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas on June 2, 1983. There was a fire aboard the plane and Rogers died in the fire at the Cincinnati, Ohio Airport.
Do You Know the Story and the Song?
This Guy Has an Amazing, Inspirational Story!
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Can Music Inspire?
February 12, 1983 the ship Marine Electric was carrying a load of coal from Norfolk, Virginia to Somerset, Massachusetts. The worst storm in forty years arose. About four o'clock in the morning on February 13, the ship sank. The ship's Chief Mate, Bob Cusick, was trapped under the deckhouse. His snorkeling experience helped him avoid panic and Cusick swam to the surface. He spent the night clinging to a swamped lifeboat in freezing temperatures and frigid waters. Battling hypothermia, Cusick remembered the words to the song "The Mary Ellen Carter".
He started to sing the song, and was soon alternating holding his breath and shouting out "Rise again, rise again." Cusick was rescued the next morning by a Coast Guard helicopter. Only three of the thirty-four men aboard survived. Cusick credits Stan Rogers's song with inspiring him to fight through the storm until he was saved.
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The Story of The Mary Ellen Carter
The Lyrics Tell the Tale
She went down last October in a pourin', drivin' rain.
The Skipper, he'd been drinkin' and the Mate, he felt no pain.
Too close to Three Mile Rock, and she was dealt her mortal blow,
And the Mary Ellen Carter settled low.
There was just us five aboard her when she finally was awash.
We'd worked like hell to save her, all heedless of the cost.
And the groan she gave as she went down, it caused us to proclaim
That the Mary Ellen Carter would rise again.
Well, the owners wrote her off; not a nickel would they spend.
"She gave twenty years of service, boys, then met her sorry end.
But insurance paid the loss to us, so let her rest below."
Then they laughed at us and said we had to go.
But we talked of her all Winter, some days around the clock,
For she's worth a quarter million, afloat and at the dock.
And with every jar that hit the bar, we swore we would remain
And make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
Rise again, rise again,
That her name not be lost to the knowledge of men.
Those who loved her best and were with her till the end
Will make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
All spring, now, we've been with her on a barge lent by a friend.
Three dives a day in a hard hat suit and twice I've had the bends.
Thank God it's only sixty feet and the currents here are slow
Or I'd never have the strength to go below.
But we've patched her rents, stopped her vents, dogged hatch and
porthole down.
Put cables to her, 'fore and aft and girded her around.
Tomorrow, noon, we'll hit the air and then take up the strain.
And make the Mary Ellen Carter Rise Again.
Rise again, rise again,
That her name not be lost to the knowledge of men.
Those who loved her best and were with her till the end
Will make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
For we couldn't leave her there, you see, to crumble into scale.
She'd saved our lives so many times, living through the gales
And the laughing, drunken rats who left her to a sorry grave
They won't be laughing in another day. . .
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 and 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.
Rise again, rise again,
Though your heart it be broken and 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.
The Skipper, he'd been drinkin' and the Mate, he felt no pain.
Too close to Three Mile Rock, and she was dealt her mortal blow,
And the Mary Ellen Carter settled low.
There was just us five aboard her when she finally was awash.
We'd worked like hell to save her, all heedless of the cost.
And the groan she gave as she went down, it caused us to proclaim
That the Mary Ellen Carter would rise again.
Well, the owners wrote her off; not a nickel would they spend.
"She gave twenty years of service, boys, then met her sorry end.
But insurance paid the loss to us, so let her rest below."
Then they laughed at us and said we had to go.
But we talked of her all Winter, some days around the clock,
For she's worth a quarter million, afloat and at the dock.
And with every jar that hit the bar, we swore we would remain
And make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
Rise again, rise again,
That her name not be lost to the knowledge of men.
Those who loved her best and were with her till the end
Will make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
All spring, now, we've been with her on a barge lent by a friend.
Three dives a day in a hard hat suit and twice I've had the bends.
Thank God it's only sixty feet and the currents here are slow
Or I'd never have the strength to go below.
But we've patched her rents, stopped her vents, dogged hatch and
porthole down.
Put cables to her, 'fore and aft and girded her around.
Tomorrow, noon, we'll hit the air and then take up the strain.
And make the Mary Ellen Carter Rise Again.
Rise again, rise again,
That her name not be lost to the knowledge of men.
Those who loved her best and were with her till the end
Will make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
For we couldn't leave her there, you see, to crumble into scale.
She'd saved our lives so many times, living through the gales
And the laughing, drunken rats who left her to a sorry grave
They won't be laughing in another day. . .
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 and 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.
Rise again, rise again,
Though your heart it be broken and 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.
What Happened?
You've Read the Lyrics, You've Heard the Song.
Stan Rogers's song ends quite ambiguously as to the result of the salvage operation. In fact, the song is written the day before the attempt.
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Stan Rogers merchandise on eBay
Stan Rogers Links on the Internet
If you come across another that should know about, please post it in the Guest Book! I'll be thrilled to check it out!
- The Stan Rogers Folk Festival
- Some of the finest songwriters and performers in North America gather at this festival, to celebrate Stan Rogers's lasting contributions to folk music. A new generation of powerful songwriters also come together with Stan's family members, friends and associates not just to share remembrances - but to create new songs and stories.
The Chords
I haven't found the sheet music for the Mary Ellen Carter, but I have been able to piece together chords for you. If you find the chords or the sheet music please let me know where it is available! But until we can find the music, I'm afraid this will have to do!
Mary Ellen Carter
Several Interesting Performances -- Listen to Some Samples
Mary Ellen Carter is one of the Most Inspirational, Uplifting Songs I've ever heard. It's been performed by dozens of artists. Here are some of the renditions which I've found touching in one way or another. What do you think? Listen to the sample sound bite, and add one or more to your music library!
June 2, 1983
Stan Rogers was returning from a the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas on June 2, 1983 aboard Air Canada Flight 797. The aircraft developed an in-flight fire that spread between the outer skin and the inner decor panels of the plane. The aircraft filled with noxious, toxic smoke, but the crew managed to land at the Greater Cincinnati Airport, located in Boone County, Kentucky. The heat from the fire and fresh oxygen introduced when the doors were thrown open caused a flashover. The plane's interior was completely engulfed in flames. Sixteen of the forty-one passengers survived, as did the entire crew. Stan Rogers and twenty-two other passengers, unfortunately, did not.
Were You a Stan Rogers Fan?
And Are You On the Way to Becoming One?
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More Songs by Stan Rogers
I Could Listen All Day!
Click the widget and you'll hear some samples of Stan's music. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. The wonderful voice, the great stories, and the stirring music make the songs a deal if you decide to purchase one for less than a dollar. Either way, I hope you enjoy the introduction to this wonderful music.
Has This Page Sunk?
Should It Be Lost to the Knowledge of Men?
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Thank You For Visiting
Please Let Us Know You Were Here
Are you a Stan Rogers fan, or is this your introduction to his music? If you've listened to Stan for a while, what's your favorite of his songs? What else would you like to see included in this page?
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PaulOnBooks
Mar 23, 2011 @ 4:33 am | delete
- Always pleased to hear of new folk singers (albeit sadly deceased) and Stan Rogers and his song Mary Ellen Carter are new to me.
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Sannart
Mar 22, 2011 @ 6:40 pm | delete
- Very nice Lens. Well edited and full of informations! The lyrics+chords are a great idea! Way to go!
Peace,
Fabio
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This material is copyrighted. I am making what I have available solely for informational purposes, and I make no claim to ownership. If you are the copyright holder and would like further accreditation or have further information you would like to see added about the song, the publisher, the copyright holder, or Mr. Rogers please contact me!
I Can Hardly Wait for This To Come Out!
The historic search inspired Canadian folk musician Stan Rogers to write "Northwest Passage," a song that has become a widely known favorite since its 1981 release. It describes Stan's own journey overland as he contemplates the arduous journeys of some of the explorers, including Kelsey, Mackenzie, Thompson and Franklin. The song is moving and haunting, a paean to the spirit of the explorers and adventure, and to the beauty of the vast land and icy seas.
The lyrics are accompanied by the striking paintings of multiple award-winning artist Matt James. Matt brings a unique vision to the song and the history behind it, annotating his illustrations with marginalia about the explorers, including the native peoples of the north.
The lyrics are accompanied by the striking paintings of multiple award-winning artist Matt James. Matt brings a unique vision to the song and the history behind it, annotating his illustrations with marginalia about the explorers, including the native peoples of the north.
Northwest Passage
Amazon Price: $17.24 (as of 06/02/2012)
by ViolinStudent
Arthur Haule was raised on Long Island, learning to play the violin in school. He formed a string quartet in college and played first violin. Having l... more »
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