Wade and Marie Wilson – Pap’s parents – My Papaw and Mamaw
I’ve been thinking a lot about Papaw Wade over the last few weeks. Back when those first big camcorders came out-you know the kind that recorded on VHS tapes? My cousin’s husband interviewed Papaw Wade about his life and filmed it.
As Paul was looking for old film footage and recordings of Pap he came across his copy of the interview and converted it to a DVD for me.
It had been 10 years or more since I watched the interview. I so enjoyed hearing Papaw Wade’s voice again and I was impressed with how eloquently he spoke of his life.
Way back in 2008, the year I started blogging, I shared a song Pap wrote that was inspired by Papaw Wade. I thought I’d share it again today.
Papaw Wade was an old time Baptist Preacher. Pap once heard him tell a story about a lad who made a small boat during one of his sermons.
The lad placed the boat in a rushing stream to see if it would float. As the wind began to blow, the boat was taken from his reach. He frantically tried to rescue the boat, but to no avail.
The lad searched from shore to shore but never found the little boat. He grieved for the boat he had made. As time went swiftly by, he happened to see the boat in a store window. Oh how great the joy he felt. He would own the boat once more-no matter what the cost.
The lad and his boat stuck with Pap. He discussed it with his father and gathered all the details surrounding the story. The image of the lad losing what he made only to have to buy it back again inspired Pap to write the song I Twice Belong To Thee.
The first time I shared the video a Blind Pig Reader shared this comment:
“Maybe you know that story is called “Little Boat Twice Owned.” I think the book by that name is still in print. I know it is available. It was a story often used to explain the gospel to children. And it’s a sweet story too.”
I hope you enjoyed Pap’s song, the wonderful 2-part harmony, and Paul’s flat-top picking.
Tipper
Love This…..
Tipper,
I called the Radio Station at Murphy and asked Donna Lynn if she would play “Light in the Church” by Chitter and Chatter. But before she played that one she asked if I knew any of the Shape Note
Songs on the Internet. I told her that I had it in my Bookmarks, but I’d have to call her back. I looked and found the Mylon Hayes Family singing do fa si la do in the second verse of Rock of Ages.
They do a good job too. …Ken
Tipper,
I enjoyed Pap’s high tenor blended in with Paul’s singing and playing. There’ll never be another one like Pap, but I’m sure all the Family knows that.
My daddy always wore his Stetson hat, he had two, one with holes and one just for Sunday. He never turned the front up or anything, but he kidded a lot. He told some man from Florida that was
having skeeter trouble that he had a remedy for skeeters; just put your hands in my fishbag and rub your head real good. About an hour later we saw this guy and he was eat up and in misery.
…Ken
Enjoyed! So true. Looking forward to your Papaw Wade’s interview.
Enjoyed! So true. Looking forward to your Papaw Wade’s interview.
Enjoyed! So true. Looking forward to your Papaw Wade’s interview.
Enjoyed! So true. Looking forward to your Papaw Wade’s interview.
Oh Tipper, I loved the sweet song! Thank you so much for putting it on the blog. I look forward to hearing some of Papaw Wade’s story.
Perfect and beautiful harmony……so enjoyed this as always!
My father-in-law was a Baptist preacher also. I never saw him in overhauls. He like to dress to the nines (in his own opinion.) He wouldn’t buy new clothes. He would go to flea markets and rag shops. He had hundreds of ties and dozens of suit coats none of which matched anything he had. His family tried to coordinate his attire but he wouldn’t have any part of it. He’d say something like “I’ll wear what I want and if you don’t like it, don’t look at me!” and off he’d go in his plaid jacket, striped trousers, Hawaiian tie, purple paisley socks and black and white shoes. All he would have needed to run away and join the circus was a hat that was way too small for his head and a big red nose.
Back before they built the 4-lane through Balsam and by Sylva we used to drive up through Maggie Valley and over Soco Mountain. There used to be a “rag shop” on the right before you got into Cherokee. If Clyde was with us, we would always have to stop there so he could see if they had any new old clothes. I got to where I would go through Sylva even though it was a lot longer. If you figured in the time he spend in the rag shop, I saved a good 45 minutes to an hour by taking the long way.
Tipper: A very meaningful post. Don’t think I have ever heard the beautiful song befire! THANKS for sharing. Hope you have sunshine and warm temperatures today! Eva Nell
Happy Palm Sunday, dear Tipper, and Blind Pig readers ….. as we sing “Hosanna” to the King of kings!
I love the harmony in that song and the picking. That is a a good whistling tune and I will be whistling it today.
I can’t wait to hear the interview with your grandfather because I’ll bet I’ve known some old timers very similar, like my grandfather for one.
Very nice way to start the day. Catchy tune and something to ponder for a long time. I had never heard that story before.
Yes, that’s a nice song. I love to hear the old family stories and your family stories are so good because they are accompanied with pictures and songs!