Albert Wade Hemsworth(October 23, 1916 – January 19, 2002) was a Canadianfolksinger and songwriter.[1]Although he was not a prolific composer, having written only about 20 songs during his entire career,[2]several of his songs – most notably "The Wild Goose", "The Black Fly Song"and"The Log Driver's Waltz"– are among the most enduring classics in the history of Canadian folk music.[3]
Wade Hemsworth | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Albert Wade Hemsworth |
| Born | October 23, 1916 Brantford,Ontario, Canada |
| Died | January 19, 2002(aged 85) Montreal,Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | Folk music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Formerly of | Mountain City Four Kate and Anna McGarrigle |
Life and career
editHemsworth was born and grew up inBrantford,Ontario, Canada and learned to play guitar andbanjoin his youth.[3]He subsequently studied painting at theOntario College of Art,graduating in 1939, and then spentWorld War IIserving in theRoyal Canadian Air Force.[2]He was stationed for a time inNewfoundland,and it was there that he first discovered traditional music.[4]After the war, he worked as asurveyorin the wilderness areas ofNorthern Ontario,Quebec andLabrador,the job which provided Hemsworth with the subject matter for many of his songs. He subsequently moved toMontrealin 1952, where he worked as adraftsmanfor theCanadian National Railway,and performed in the city's folk music clubs at night.[5]
He released his first album,Folk Songs of the Canadian North Woods,in 1956.[2]That album included both original compositions by Hemsworth and traditional songs he had learned in his various jobs. In 1957 Hemsworth recited and sang the narration ofLog Drive,aNational Film Board of Canadadocumentary about the annual spring log drive on theDu Lièvre Riverin Quebec.[2]
In the early 1960s, most of Hemsworth's songs were being sung by theMountain City Four,a now legendary folk ensemble that included the teenagedKate and Anna McGarrigle.The band's rendition of "The Log Driver's Waltz", with the McGarrigles on vocals, became famous as the soundtrack of an animated short film by theNational Film Boardin 1979.[2]Hemsworth himself also sometimes performed with the group, although he was not a regular member. The McGarrigles continued to perform Hemsworth's songs after branching out as a duo, including a cover of "Foolish You" on their 1975 albumKate and Anna McGarrigle.
Hemsworth retired from the CNR in 1977 and moved toMorin Heights, Quebec,a small village in theLaurentian Mountainsabout 70 kilometres north of Montreal. In 1990, he published a songbook,The Songs of Wade Hemsworth,which led to an appearance at theWinnipeg Folk Festivalthat was filmed for aCBC Televisiondocumentary.[2]
In 1995, at the age of 79, Hemsworth finally recorded his second album,The Songs of Wade Hemsworth,which included all 16 songs from the 1990 songbook.[2]
Hemsworth died at Ste. Anne's Hospital for Veterans inMontrealin 2002, following a lengthy illness.[2]On learning of Wade's death,Governor GeneralAdrienne Clarksonpaid tribute to Hemsworth, saying that his songs were "so much a part of our folklore and so familiar to us that we didn't realize anyone had written them."[5]
Musicologist Peter Weldon eulogized Hemsworth as "the first really original songwriter this country produced",[4]while Anna McGarrigle memorialized him by noting that when she and her sister were first starting out on the folk music scene, there were two essential influences to emulate: Hemsworth andBob Dylan.[5]
He was posthumously inducted into theCanadian Songwriters Hall of Famein 2003.[2]
Personal life
editHemsworth was married twice in his life. His first wife, Irene Heywood, died in 1989. He later married Shirley Singer.[5]
His great-nephew, also named Wade Hemsworth, worked as a journalist and columnist atThe Hamilton Spectator.[3]
Discography
edit- Folk Songs of the Canadian North Woods(1955)
- The Songs of Wade Hemsworth(1995)
Compilations
edit- The Unfortunate Rake(1960)
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Canada(2005)
- Classic Canadian Songs from Smithsonian Folkways(2006)
References
edit- ^Alan Hustak, "Canadian composer dies at 85".Calgary Herald,January 20, 2002.
- ^abcdefghiBetty Nygaard King,"Wade Hemsworth".The Canadian Encyclopedia,June 20, 2007.
- ^abc"Folk singer Hemsworth wrote of the Canada he loved".Hamilton Spectator,January 21, 2002.
- ^ab"City-born Hemsworth had seminal influence on folk-music scene".Brantford Expositor,January 22, 2002.
- ^abcdZev Singer, "Songwriter remembered as an exceptional uncle".Ottawa Citizen,January 22, 2002.