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POPULAR FOLK MUSIC TODAY, SPRING 1991
Dave Guard's Memorial Service
The "Hootenanny" portion of Dave's Memorial Service in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on March 29, 1991. As we stood there and sang I was reminded of the White House dinner for Nobel Prize Winners that was hosted by President Kennedy and at which he said, "Never has so much talent and ability been gathered in this room to dine together — except, perhaps, when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." My thoughts were a paraphrase of that, "Never before has so much talent and ability been gathered to sing and play together — except, perhaps, when Dave Guard sang alone."
MEMORIAL SERVICE
DONALD DAVID GUARD
March 29, 1991
*******
MUSICAL PRELUDE (pre-recorded)
Gabby Pahinui, master of slack-key guitar From Pure Gabby, produced by Dave Guard
THE KINGSTON TRIO.
Three selections featuring Dave.
a. "Senora"
b. "Zombie Jamboree"
c. "Haul Away, Joe"
INVOCATION
WORDS OF WELCOME READING
BRIEF EULOGY -- Robert W. Kaman
LORD'S PRAYER
The Light of God surrounds Dave;
The Love of God enfolds Dave;
The Power of God protects Dave;
And the Presence of God watches over Dave;
Wherever Dave is, God is.
By: Allan Shaw
As I relate elsewhere herein, my decision to attend Dave's Memorial Service wasn't really one that I thought a lot about: there was just something inside me that told me I ought to go. I'm glad I did.
I flew into Manchester, rented a car and drove to Portsmouth, arriving about an hour before the service was due to start. I had the name of the church and an address but otherwise knew only that it was in downtown Portsmouth. As I arrived at what I thought was downtown Portsmouth and was looking around I saw a familiar face walking along the street and carrying a guitar. Sure enough, it was Brownie Macintosh, and although it was the first time we'd met face to face, we were old friends from letters and telephone calls. Brownie gave me directions to a nearby parking garage and the church.
Approaching the church, it looked very "churchy," not your picturesque New England frame church, but a granite stone building, obviously many years old. Inside it felt and looked much like many Christian churches I've been in even though it was interdenominational. What immediately caught my eye, however, was the long-neck banjo standing on the alter draped with an Hawaiian lei. "What an appropriate symbol for a service for Dave," I thought. "I think he would have been very pleased." As the afternoon progressed, I changed my thinking on that last point - not about the appropriateness of the banjo and lei, but about Dave's reaction. I felt I had first used the wrong tense - that he "would have been pleased" - I think he WAS pleased! Everyone there to whom I spoke felt that Dave was there with us.
As I found a seat and looked around I saw many familiar faces -- Bob Shane, Ben Blake and Taylor Whiteside to name just a few. I'd like to be able to list everyone who was there, but I know I'd miss some. I'd also feel obligated to list those who would very much like to have been there but were unable to for one reason or another.
The service itself started promptly. Following the playing of Kingston Trio records of "Zombie Jamboree" and "Haul Away, Joe," the service began with the recitation of a psalm, a message from the pastor, a yoga chant and another psalm. That was the "religious" part of the ceremony and was quite meaningful. I was particularly impressed with the pastor's message; although he had not known Dave well, he spoke of him with a real knowledge of Dave. I was later surprizedly delighted to learn that the long-neck banjo on the alter belonged to the pastor. Setting aside any denominational questions, and learning later that it was the church in which Rick and Ingrid Shaw had been married, I couldn't help but speculate on the coincidence of (or was it predetermination?) of Dave's service being held in a church where the pastor owned a long-neck banjo. Amazing!
Rick Shaw then came to the lectern and outlined the rest of the service. There were tapes to be played that had been sent by Tim Hauser of the Manhattan Transfer and Lou Gottlieb of the Limeliters, following which various folks in the congregation, some of whom had been invited in advance and some of whom would speak extemporaneously, would speak. Then a number of the entertainers in the audience had songs they wanted to sing for Dave and finally, all the participants would assemble on the dais for a group sing.
Among those saying a few words were Dave's physician. Ingrid Shaw, Susie Baldwin, Nick Heyl, a number of Dave's friends and neighbors, and his daughter, Sally. Each presented a somewhat different picture of Dave, and together they were a delight. Difficult though It was in some respects to be there and listen, the tributes were so richly deserved and the personal anecdotes so delightful, that It was a privilege and a pleasure to be present.
The singing was led off by Tommy Makem who sang a familiar song to all, "Rolling Home", but which he sang as "Rolling Home To Old Hawaii." Next came Dave's friend and neighbor, Bill Staines, followed by Schooner Fare. Jamie Brockett, a new name to me, sang a moving piece as did Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen. Then, after having driven all night to be there, Eric Weissberg sang and played a song he said he hadn't sung for twenty years, but which he felt he wanted to sing for Dave. Rick and Ron Shaw then closed that part of the program with "Seven Daffodils," noting that daffodils were Dave's favorite flower.
The group collectively assembled on the dais and sang "Ramblin' Boy," which Tom Paxton, who was unable to attend, asked be sung, followed by "When The Saints Go Marching In," "Tom Dooley", and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." It was truly memorable.
Following the service there was a reception giving those who had the time to stay a chance to visit with others. As is so often the case the reception, and the service itself were one of those bittersweet happenings where the sorrow of the occasion is overshadowed by the delight of getting people together who too infrequently get to see each other. I feel as though I'm saying the wrong thing in saying I had a wonderful, delightful time, but I did, and I think Dave would have liked that. He was always trying to bring people together, and he certainly did so on this occasion.
THE 23RD PSALM
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.
He maketh me lo lie down in green
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord for ever.
THE 103RD PSALM
(Dave's Favorite)
Praise the Lord, my soul!
All my being praise his holy name!
Praise the Lord, my soul, and don't
forget how kind He is!
He Forgives all my sins and
heals all my diseases.
He keeps me from the grave
and blesses me with love and mercy.
He fills my life with good things so
that I stay young and strong like
an eagle!
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