"Mary Travers passed away today. After successful recovery from leukemia through a bone marrow/stem cell transplant, Mary succumbed to the side effects of one of the chemotherapy treatments."
That's how the home page for Peter, Paul and Mary leads off today. She has been fighting leukemia for a number of years, and the last time I saw her a few years ago she was a bit shaky, but cranky and determined as ever.
Peter, Paul and Mary played a large role in my early life in learning about music. Maybe their messages and presence have helped contribute to the tempering of my generally conservative outlook. Whatever effect they have had on my life, it's been instructive and integral.
It's going to be very strained and difficult evening at the Kerrville Folk Festival the next year we celebrating Peter's birthday.
This one's for you, Mary.
VERY LAST DAY (Noel Paul Stookey & Peter Yarrow)
Everybody gonna pray - on the very last day
Oh when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the heavens on the judgment day.
Well you can sing about the great king David
And you can preach about the wisdom of Saul
But the judgment falls on all mankind
When the trumpet sounds the call.
All equal and the same
When the Lord he calls your name
Get ready, brother, for that day.
Well one day soon all men will stand
His Word will be heeded in all the land
Men shall know and men shall see,
We all are brothers and we all are free
Mankind was made of clay
Each of us in the very same way
Get ready, brother, for that day
Oh well the law is given and the law is known,
A tale is told and the seed is sown,
From dust we came into dust we’ll go,
You the know the Lord once told us so.
Each brother takes his hand,
Heed the meaning of the Lord’s command
Get ready, brother, for that day.
Everybody gonna pray - on the very last day
Oh when they hear that bell a-ring the world away
Everybody gonna pray to the heavens on the judgment day.
