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.
Down the Road
Stan Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will say goodbye, I'll be going away,
Brush away my doubts, what tomorrow will hold,
Feeling fine for now, going down the road
To a city to sing, about the trees and the wind,
'Bout the hills in spring, and the rivers that bend,
The rocky deep pass, and the poppies and ponies,
In the dark they sit and they hollar for more,
White smoke in a wisp, from here to the door,
Their admission they paid, for the stories they're told,
Of a clear new day, hold me down on the road
So heavy rain at my back, lazy meadows ahead,
In my book I keep track, of the promises said.
For my songs in a town, that tomorrow will hold
Feelin' better for now, facin' down the road.
The lyrics of Stan Rogers's song "Down the Road" speak of the journey of an artist, possibly a musician, who is leaving behind familiar places and heading towards a new adventure. The song starts with the artist bidding farewell to the place he has known, with the sun rising high and burning into the day. There is a sense of apprehension and uncertainty about what the future holds, but the artist is determined to brush away his doubts and move forward, feeling fine for now, going down the road.
The artist is traveling to a city to sing about the beauty of nature - the trees, the wind, the hills, the rivers, the rocky deep pass, and the poppies and ponies running through the grass. The song speaks of the artist's connection with nature and his desire to share that connection with others. The artist seems to be determined to keep going, facing the challenges and adversities that come his way - from the demanding audience that sits and hollers for more to the heavy rain at his back, he keeps pushing forward, constantly tracking the promises he has made to himself.
Overall, "Down the Road" is a song about the journey of an artist towards self-discovery and achievement. It speaks of the challenges, the doubts, and the uncertainties that come with every new endeavor, but it also expresses a sense of determination, strength, and resilience that comes from following one's passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun is rising high, burning into the day,
The sun is rising and it's hot outside, signifying that it's time for me to leave on my journey.
I will say goodbye, I'll be going away,
I'm bidding farewell to those left behind as I embark on my journey.
Brush away my doubts, what tomorrow will hold,
I'm pushing aside any doubts or fears I have about the future and what it holds for me.
Feeling fine for now, going down the road
Despite my doubts, I'm feeling good at the moment and ready to hit the road.
To a city to sing, about the trees and the wind,
I'm heading to a city to perform songs about nature and its beauty.
'Bout the hills in spring, and the rivers that bend,
My songs will depict the scenic hillsides and winding rivers that I've encountered on my travels.
The rocky deep pass, and the poppies and ponies,
My songs will also encompass rocky paths and the lovely sights of poppies and ponies running through the grass.
Running through the grass, up and down the road
My songs are meant to evoke a sense of freedom and adventure, running through the grass and along the open road.
In the dark they sit and they hollar for more,
When I perform in dark and crowded venues, the audience sings and cheers for more.
White smoke in a wisp, from here to the door,
The venue is so packed that smoke is rising from the crowd all the way to the exit door.
Their admission they paid, for the stories they're told,
The audience has paid for admission to hear my stories and songs.
Of a clear new day, hold me down on the road
My songs convey the message of a new, clear day and keep me grounded on my journey.
So heavy rain at my back, lazy meadows ahead,
As I continue on my journey, I encounter heavy rain behind me and peaceful meadows in front of me.
In my book I keep track, of the promises said.
I keep a record of the promises I've made to myself, and of the experiences and people I encounter on my journey.
For my songs in a town, that tomorrow will hold
I'm excited for the new town in which I'll be performing tomorrow and plan to incorporate it into my songs.
Feelin' better for now, facin' down the road.
Despite the ups and downs of my travels, I'm feeling good at the moment and ready to take on whatever lies ahead.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARCIA BALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Seleucus Nicator
Sun is rising high, burning into the day
I will say goodbye, I'll be going away
Brush away my doubts, what tomorrow will hold
Feeling fine for now, going down the road
To a city to sing, about the trees and the wind
'Bout the hills in spring, and the rivers that bend
The rocky deep pass, and the poppies and ponies
Running through the grass, up and down the road
In the dark they sit and they hollar for more
White smoke in a wisp, from here to the door
Their admission they paid, for the stories they're told
Of a clear new day, hold me down on the road
So heavy rain at my back, lazy meadows ahead
In my book I keep track, of the promises said
For my songs in a town, that tomorrow will hold
Feelin' better for now, facin' down the road
Sun is rising high, burning into the day
I will say goodbye, I'll be going away
Brush away my doubts, what tomorrow will hold
Feeling fine for now, going down the road
Eric L
Sun is rising high, burning into the day
I will say goodbye, I'll be going away
Brush away my doubts, what tomorrow will hold
Feeling fine for now, going down the road
To a city to sing, about the trees and the wind
'Bout the hills in spring, and the rivers that bend
The rocky deep pass, and the poppies and ponies
Running through the grass, up and down the road
In the dark they sit and they holler for more
White smoke in a wisp, from here to the door
Their admission they paid, for the stories they're told
Of a clear new day, hold me down on the road
So heavy rain at my back, lazy meadows ahead
In my book I keep track, of the promises said
For my songs in a town, that tomorrow will hold
Feelin' better for now, facin' down the road
Your Favorite Shiba
I want this to be played at my funeral. So that it can tell those that are grieving that this is not the end. I've only gone further down the road.
Rob Raincock
I played it at my Mom's funeral. I hadn't heard it before (and I am a big Stan Rogers fan)... I found it a few days before the event. I have listened to it a few times a week now ever since. It is just... everything I need it to be.
Rikki0
Stan could sing the phone book and it would be better than 90% of anything else you hear today.
Jazzernaut
A what-book?! 😉 But that is absolutely true!
ClutchingDaggerZ
Today's music industry is run by scum and their talentless pawns.
Michael Parsonage
Amen
Heidi's Here & There
More like 99.9% better!
bb poltergeist
i just discovered this 10 mins ago. i can't find a better word than 'beautiful' to call this song and i wish i could. im glad other people could hear something about his voice, as i was listening i thought simply and inexplicably "this guy must've died" thats so weird. anyway his voice is so warm and comfortable, comforting, like a cinnamon bob ross
Dave DeMars
Every now and again I run across a song of Stan's I haven't heard before. This is one of them. It doesn't disappoint - they never do.
Homestake Models
not his song but its a beautiful cover