The River: Contemplating a favorite tune by prolific musician and steamboat man John Hartford

The riverboat captain is a storyteller. Captain Don Sanders shares the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This a part of a long and continuing story.

By Capt. Don Sanders
Special to NKyTribune

“About the only thing I trust these days is them steamboat whistle blues.” — John Hartford

Several weeks ago, my son Jonathan asked me what my favorite John Hartford tune was. Though I’ve thought about it a lot, I still can’t answer his simple request. To some, these days, when I mention John Hartford, I’m asked, “Who’s he?” When I reply, “He wrote the song ‘Gentle on My Mind,’ made famous by Glen Campbell,” I’m no longer shocked to hear, ‘Who’s Glen Campbell?”

On the river, it seems, everyone knows something about John Hartford. A story. Friendships remembered. The time he played for the crew on the bow of the DELTA QUEEN. Someone who knew someone who knew John received an invitation to board his bus to say hello and get an autograph. Anyone who ever met John Hartford recalls their own tale. He welcomed fans as friends.

Still, what’s my favorite John Hatford song? I don’t favor one over the other. I tend to recall different ones at various times to suit the mood. A touch of melancholia encourages “Steamboat Whistle Blues”–

I’ll tear off down the river someday before I’m through
Then come back here and see it out
With the steamboat whistle blues.

Recollections of a particular steamboat gal recalls the lines from “Waltz of the Mississippi”–

On the old Mississippi, a girl with red ‘tresses.’
one that’s a beauty
She’s broken my heart.

In an earlier column in the NKY TRIBUNE, I wrote about Chief Engineer Mike O’Leary, who started on the River as a musician with the Streckfus Line of steam excursion boats. Eventually, he found his way into the operational end of the River and worked for many years as a Chief Engineer for the Mississippi Valley Barge Lines. After retiring from towboats, Chief Mike became an engineer on the DELTA QUEEN when he orchestrated a surprising performance for the deck crew one morning. Coincidentally, John Hartford was aboard. After getting the two steamboat musical men together, John wrote the tune, “Let Him Go On Mama,” about the engineering guitarist. Hearing the song again reminds me of how and when the two boatmen met, as told in detail here. The River: ‘Geetars and mouth harps’ were part of the river journey, and then there was also John Hartford – NKyTribune

He’s just a feller who worked on the River
All his life by a paddle wheel
You say he’s old-fashioned
Well, that ain’t no big deal
Well, it’s too thick to navigate
And it’s too thin to plow
So let him go on, mama
And don’t put him down for it now

Some years ago, I packed up my duds and set off for New Orleans on an unsuccessful quest, which led me to adventures on the high seas during a raging storm with waves 30-feet high breaking across the tiny Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) ACADIAN VICTORY sailing for the U. S. Navy from Norfolk to Bermuda and back. Before I joined the crew of the VICTORY, I was in Key West with John, his wife Marie, and writer-artist Shel Silverstein. While we were at lunch, I showed John how I paraphrased the words of his song, “Tall Buildings.” Surprisingly, John seemed delighted.

So it’s goodbye to the River, goodbye to the crew,
Goodbye to the flowers and goodbye to you
I’m off to the sea, I must make haste
I’m going to leave tall buildings

Of all John Hartford’s tunes, perhaps there’s a certain one starting to appeal to me more, especially as I grow older, thinking of not only my own mortality, but of all the friends and crewmates who’ve gone on before over the years– “Old Time Riverman.”

Where does an old-time river man go
After he’s passed away
Does his soul still keep a watch on the deep
For the rest of his river days
Does he then come back as a channel cat
Or the wasp that lighted on the wheel
Or the birds that fly through a summer sky
Or the fish swimmin’ under the keel

Where does an old-time pilot go
After he stood his last watch
Does he fall by the ear of the man who steers
Sayin’ “Hold her on that notch.”

There’s a gentle sneeze in the river breeze
It’s sayin’ “Son I’m goin’ to bed”
And they light their pipes and go off in the night
Or was it fireflies instead

Where does an old-time engineer go
After he’s cooled her down
Gone up the hill to never come back
On the quiet side of town
Does his soul live on in the engine’s soul
While the striker checks the gears
Is he still afloat on an old steamboat
After he’s gone from here

During his nearly half-century-long musical career, John Hartford recorded more than 30 albums across a broad range of styles. Much of his words and music, of course, pertained to the River, steamboats, and the men and women who proudly and diligently embraced a life afloat on the inland waterways. Choosing a favorite may be difficult for someone familiar with his wide musical choices. From experience, I’ve learned to start listening. Perhaps a particular song may become a favorite depending on your mood. Try it.

Captain Don Sanders is a river man. He has been a riverboat captain with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and with Rising Star Casino. He learned to fly an airplane before he learned to drive a “machine” and became a captain in the USAF. He is an adventurer, a historian and a storyteller. Now, he is a columnist for the NKyTribune, sharing his stories of growing up in Covington and his stories of the river. Hang on for the ride — the river never looked so good.

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