I was saddened to learn that Mr Peter Yarrow died today at 86.
This name may not mean much to many, but it means a lot to me.
Those of “a certain age” may know that Peter Yarrow was the “Peter” of the famous 1960s folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary. They wrote, recorded, and performed many hit songs to adoring audiences worldwide.
In addition to the acclaim they received for their music, standing up for human rights was just as important. They marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the “March on Washington” for equal rights for people of colour. They sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on the same day and place Dr. King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Perhaps their best-known and beloved song was “Puff the Magic Dragon”, written by Peter Yarrow. It was a song about growing up and losing innocence in childhood. No, it was NOT a “drug song,” as some have suggested. “Puff” was the first song I ever learned to play on my ancient Yamaha six-string acoustic guitar when I was studying to become a teacher at Queen’s Faculty of Education. If I was going to become a teacher of younger students, I wanted to have lots of music in my classes, and if I could learn how to play a few guitar chords, that would help. Some of my former students reading this might remember our Friday afternoon singalongs. Some might even have an old, weathered copy of the songbooks I created and gave to my students. (I’m sorry that I didn’t play or sing better!)
When Helene and I married, I remember playing and singing “The Wedding Song” by Paul Stookey to my wife at the church. He was the “Paul” of Peter, Paul, and Mary.
In an incredible twist of fate, and fast-forwarding quite a few years into my education career, I had created the anti-bullying Website, www. bullying.org (no longer online). For the better part of two decades, it was the most visited Website on the issue of bullying worldwide. In a live interview I did with Peter Mansbridge, the (then) anchor of CBC Television’s “The National”, he referred to it as “One of the best Websites in the world for young people”.
Shortly after this interview, I received a phone call. The caller said, “May I speak to Mr Belsey, please?” I answered, “Yes, please. May I say who’s calling?” The reply was, “My name is Peter, Peter Yarrow.” I nearly dropped the phone! I stammered, “Yes, Mr Yarrow!?!” “Call me Peter, please!” he replied.
In my calmest, fanboy voice, I told him that “Puff, the Magic Dragon” was the first song I learned to play on the guitar and that I regularly sang with my students.
Mr Yarrow, no, I couldn’t call him “Peter”, told me how happy this made him. (He was probably just being nice). He then went on to explain the reason for his phone call. He told me how much he loved my Website for young people and that he had recently written and recorded a song, “Don’t Laugh at Me”, about bullying in childhood. He also said that he had cleared it with his lawyer and music publishing company so that I could have permission to use his song on my Website and in any educational presentations I might share. I gushed that I was honoured that he would do such a thing and promised I would do right by his song.
Before our phone call ended, he said he would perform at the Canmore Folk Festival that summer and would like to invite my family and me to be his guests.
Sure enough, towards the end of his summer performance, which was capped off with a standing ovation, he dedicated his song “Don’t Laugh at Me” to me and my anti-bullying efforts. As if that wasn’t enough, after his show, he invited my family and me to be his guests in the V.I.P. tent, where he served us lunch!
Bless you, Peter! Your life and music exemplified compassion, caring, and championing human rights. I was so fortunate and honoured that our lives connected. My life and our world are better for it!