Rogers was noted for his rich, baritone voice and his traditional-sounding songs which were frequently inspired by Canadian history and the daily lives of working people, especially those from the fishing villages of the Maritime provinces and, later, the farms of the Canadian prairies and Great Lakes. Rogers died in a fire aboard Air Canada Flight 797 on the ground at the Greater Cincinnati Airport at the age of 33.
Rogers was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the eldest son of Nathan Allison Rogers and Valerie (née Bushell) Rogers, two Maritimers who had relocated to Ontario in search of work shortly after their marriage in July 1948. Although Rogers was raised in Binbrook, Ontario, he often spent summers visiting family in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia.
It was there that he became familiar with the way of life in the Maritimes, an influence which was to have a profound impact on his subsequent musical development. He was interested in music from an early age, reportedly beginning to sing shortly after learning to speak. He received his first guitar, a miniature hand-built by his uncle Lee Bushell, when he was five years of age. He was exposed to a variety of music influences, but among the most lasting were the country and western tunes his uncles would sing during family get-togethers. Throughout his childhood, he would practice his singing and playing along with his brother Garnet, six years his junior.
While Rogers was attending Saltfleet High School, Stoney Creek, Ontario, he started to meet other young people interested in folk music, although at this time he was dabbling in rock and roll, singing and playing bass guitar in garage bands such as "Stanley and the Living Stones" and "The Hobbits". After high school, Rogers briefly attended both McMaster University and Trent University, where he performed in small venues with other student musicians, including Ian Tamblyn, Chris Ward and fellow Hobbit Nigel Russell. Russell wrote the song "White Collar Holler", which Rogers sang frequently on stage.
Rogers signed with RCA Records in 1970 and recorded two singles: "Here's to You Santa Claus" in 1970, and "The Fat Girl Rag" in 1971. In 1973, Rogers recorded three singles for Polygram: "Three Pennies", "Guysborough Train", and "Past Fifty."
In 1976, Rogers recorded his debut album, Fogarty's Cove, released in 1977 on Barnswallow Records. The album's subject matter dealt almost entirely with life in maritime Canada, and was an immediate success. Rogers then formed Fogarty's Cove Music, and bought Barnswallow during the production of Turnaround, allowing him to release his own albums. Posthumously, additional albums were released.[citation needed]
Rogers' songs often had a Celtic feel which was due, in part, to his frequent use of DADGAD guitar tuning. He regularly used his William 'Grit' Laskin built 12-string guitar in his performances. His best-known pieces include "Northwest Passage", "Barrett's Privateers", "The Mary Ellen Carter", "Make and Break Harbour", "The Idiot", "Fogarty's Cove", and "White Squall".
Rogers died alongside 22 other passengers most likely of smoke inhalation on June 2, 1983, while traveling on Air Canada Flight 797 (a McDonnell Douglas DC-9) after performing at the Kerrville Folk Festival. The airliner was flying from Dallas, Texas, to Toronto and Montreal when a fire of unknown ignition source within the vanity or toilet shroud of the aft washroom forced it to make an emergency landing at the Greater Cincinnati Airport in northern Kentucky.
There were initially no visible flames, and after attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, smoke filled the cabin. Upon landing, the plane's doors were opened, allowing the five crew and 18 of the passengers to escape, but approximately 60 to 90 seconds into the evacuation the oxygen rushing in from outside caused a flash fire. Rogers had initially been one of the passengers to escape, but he at some point re-entered the plane to assist in the effort to help others escape.
Rogers' legacy includes his recordings, songbook, and plays for which he was commissioned to write music. His songs are still frequently covered by other musicians, and are perennial favourites at Canadian campfires and song circles. Members of Rogers' band, including his brother Garnet Rogers, continue to be active performers and form a significant part of the fabric of contemporary Canadian folk music. Following his death, he was nominated for the 1984 Juno Awards in the category for Best Male Vocalist. That same year, he was posthumously awarded the Diplôme d’Honneur of the Canadian Conference of the Arts. In 1994, his posthumous live album Home in Halifax was likewise nominated for Best Roots and Traditional Album.
Stan's son, Nathan Rogers, is also an established Canadian folk artist with a voice and lyrical acumen similar to his father's. He has released two critically acclaimed solo discs and tours internationally as a solo act and in the trio Dry Bones.
Billy Green
Stan Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I will tell of things I did when I was just nineteen.
I helped defeat the Yank invader, there can be no doubt,
Yet lately men forget the name of Billy Green, the Scout.
'Twas on a Sunday morn' in June when first we heard the sound,
Three thousand Yankees on the road to camp below Greentown,
Two Generals, Artillery and Company of horse,
Says I to brother Levi, "Well, we still can have some fun!
We'll creep and whoop like Indians to try to make them run!"
Which then we did both loud and long, much to the Yanks' dismay.
They fired their 'pop-gun' muskets once and then they ran away.
Well, first they plundered Stoney Creek and then John Gage's farm.
They cut his fences for their fires although the day was warm.
They bound my brother Isaac up and took him from his home;
They pillaged all the countryside, no mercy there was shown.
Then says I to myself, "Now Billy, this will never do.
Those scurvy Yanks are not the match for Loyalists like you".
My brother's horse I quickly caught and put him to a run,
And reached the British camp upon the heights of Burlington.
Says I to Colonel Harvey, "Now, let there be no delay,
If we're to reach the Yankee camp before the break of day.
I'll take you through the woods by night where I know every tree,
And ere the dawn you surely can surprise the enemy."
With men and guns we then set forth the enemy to seek,
Across the beach at Burlington and then to Red Hill Creek;
We came upon their sentries; we surprised them every one.
One died upon my sword, and all the others off they run.
And so it was we were in place one hour before dawn.
We fired three times upon the camp and then we marched along.
We fired again and charged as Colonel Harvey gave the word,
And put the enemy to fight with bayonet and sword.
With great confusion in the camp, two Generals were caught.
The Colonel and his men made their artillery as naught.
We killed over two hundred and we captured all the rest;
Nor did we lose but eighty men; of them we had the best.
And so it was I played the man though I was but nineteen.
I led our forces through the night that this land would be free.
I foiled the Yank invaders and I helped put them to route,
So, let no man forget the name of Billy Green, the Scout.
The song "Billy Green" by Stan Rogers tells the story of a young man who fought against the Yank invaders during the American Revolution. Billy Green, a loyalist, and his brother Levi, decided to have some fun and creep up on the Yankees like Indians to make them run. They succeeded in making the Yanks flee by whooping and shouting, which excited them. Eventually, they reached the British camp and explained the situation to Colonel Harvey, who asked them to lead him and his men through the woods by night to surprise the enemy camp.
After crossing beaches and Red Hill Creek, they reached the enemy's sentries and attacked them, killing one and making the rest flee. They then fired upon the camp three times before charging with bayonets and swords. In the end, they killed over two hundred men and captured the rest, including two Generals. Billy Green, who was only nineteen at the time, played a significant role in the victory, and he is proud of his contribution. He insists that no man should forget his name as he helped foil the Yank invaders.
The song tells a story of bravery and loyalty. Billy Green was small in size, but he had the courage and wit to help defeat the enemy. He had a strong sense of duty and was unrelenting in his pursuit of justice. Moreover, the song highlights the role played by many ordinary young men who fought bravely to protect their nation. Their contributions have often been forgotten, but this song reminds us that they were essential in shaping the world we live in now.
Line by Line Meaning
Attend you all good countrymen, my name is Billy Green,
Introducing himself, Billy Green proceeds to share his story of heroism during the war.
And I will tell of things I did when I was just nineteen.
Despite his young age, Billy Green accomplished great things during the war that he believes should be remembered.
I helped defeat the Yank invader, there can be no doubt,
Billy Green played a crucial role in winning the war against the Yankees, and his achievements should not be forgotten.
Yet lately men forget the name of Billy Green, the Scout.
Billy Green expresses his disappointment that his contributions to the war effort have been forgotten over time.
'Twas on a Sunday morn' in June when first we heard the sound,
The story begins on a quiet Sunday morning in June when Billy Green and his brother Levi hear the approaching Yankees.
Three thousand Yankees on the road to camp below Greentown,
A huge group of Yankee soldiers, numbering at least 3,000, are marching towards Greentown.
Two Generals, Artillery and Company of horse,
The Yankee troops are led by two generals, and include artillery and cavalry units.
With many rank and file afoot, they were a mighty force.
The Yankee army was a formidable force with many well-trained soldiers.
Says I to brother Levi, "Well, we still can have some fun!
Fearless and determined, Billy Green suggests to his brother that they have some fun with the Yankees.
We'll creep and whoop like Indians to try to make them run!"
Billy Green and his brother decide to intimidate the Yankees by imitating Native American war cries.
Which then we did both loud and long, much to the Yanks' dismay.
The plan worked, and the Yankees became frightened and confused by the unexpected sounds.
They fired their 'pop-gun' muskets once and then they ran away.
The Yankees were so frightened that they fired a single shot before fleeing from the Greens.
Well, first they plundered Stoney Creek and then John Gage's farm.
Billy Green describes how the Yankees had been looting and pillaging several farms in the area.
They cut his fences for their fires although the day was warm.
The Yankees destroyed property and resources, even when there was no need for it.
They bound my brother Isaac up and took him from his home;
Billy Green's brother was captured by the Yankees and taken away from his home.
They pillaged all the countryside, no mercy there was shown.
The Yankees were ruthless and showed no mercy as they looted and destroyed everything they came across.
Then says I to myself, "Now Billy, this will never do.
Upon hearing about the Yankees' destruction, Billy Green knew he had to take action.
Those scurvy Yanks are not the match for Loyalists like you".
Determined to protect their hometown, Billy believes that he and his fellow Loyalists can take down the Yankee army.
My brother's horse I quickly caught and put him to a run,
Billy Green prepares for battle by acquiring a horse and getting ready for combat.
And reached the British camp upon the heights of Burlington.
Green quickly joined with the British army, situated near Burlington.
Says I to Colonel Harvey, "Now, let there be no delay,
Determined to strike at the Yankees, Billy gives orders to the colonel without hesitation.
If we're to reach the Yankee camp before the break of day.
Billy Green suggests that if they move quickly, they can catch the Yankees by surprise.
I'll take you through the woods by night where I know every tree,
Billy promises to lead Colonel Harvey and his troops through the woods at night, using his knowledge of the terrain to their advantage.
And ere the dawn you surely can surprise the enemy."
Billy Green is confident that they can launch a surprise attack on the Yankees under the cover of darkness.
With men and guns we then set forth the enemy to seek,
Billy, Colonel Harvey, and his troops embark on a mission to find and attack the Yankee army.
Across the beach at Burlington and then to Red Hill Creek;
After making their way through Burlington, they move towards Red Hill Creek to locate the Yankee camp.
We came upon their sentries; we surprised them every one.
The Loyalist troops sneak up and surprise the Yankee sentries, easily taking them down.
One died upon my sword, and all the others off they run.
In a heated confrontation, Billy Green kills one of the Yankees with his sword, causing the rest of them to run for their lives.
And so it was we were in place one hour before dawn.
Billy and the Loyalist troops were able to get into position an hour before the sun rose, giving them an advantage over the Yankees.
We fired three times upon the camp and then we marched along.
The Loyalists launched a surprise attack on the Yankee camp, firing three times before charging in.
We fired again and charged as Colonel Harvey gave the word,
Billy and his fellow soldiers followed Colonel Harvey's orders and continued their charge towards the Yankee camp.
And put the enemy to fight with bayonet and sword.
The Loyalists engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat with the Yankees, using bayonets and swords to defeat them.
With great confusion in the camp, two Generals were caught.
In the chaos of battle, the Loyalists were able to capture two Yankee generals.
The Colonel and his men made their artillery as naught.
The Loyalists were able to render the Yankee artillery useless, further tipping the scales in their favor.
We killed over two hundred and we captured all the rest;
In a stunning victory, the Loyalists killed over 200 Yankee soldiers and captured the rest of the army.
Nor did we lose but eighty men; of them we had the best.
Despite their success, the Loyalists only lost 80 men, who were among their bravest and most skilled soldiers.
And so it was I played the man though I was but nineteen.
Despite his young age, Billy Green demonstrated bravery and leadership in his mission to defeat the Yankees.
I led our forces through the night that this land would be free.
Billy Green takes pride in the fact that he was able to lead the Loyalists to victory and help to free the land from Yankee oppression.
I foiled the Yank invaders and I helped put them to route,
Billy Green was instrumental in defeating the Yankee invaders and putting them to rout.
So, let no man forget the name of Billy Green, the Scout.
Despite his contributions being forgotten over time, Billy Green wants to be remembered for his brave actions in the war.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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