A Newfoundlander of considerable cultural importance passed peacefully away on January 2nd at the age of 75.

Dorman Ralph was born at Little Harbour Deep. Striken with blindness at a very early age, he soaked up the proud culture of all those who lived and worked around White Bay. He left his residence at Sop's Island 44 years ago to come into St. John's where he spent the remainder of his years.

Dorman was a gentleman. He spoke few words unless you gained his confidence, and even in the midst of great personal hardship and tragedy, he never complained.

But it was the man's skilled accordion playing and wonderful singing most people will remember, especially since he played regularly at the St. John's Folk Music Club during its early years. He was also a frequent performer at the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival in Bannerman Park, the Conception Bay Folk Festival, the Sound Symposium, and various other folk festivals, pubs and clubs throughout the Island.

Dorman was recorded on one album and appeared several times on CBC Radio. He was also an important part of an award-winning documentary on the St. John's Sound Symposium shown on Vision TV.

Dorman remembered some of the finest traditional songs and tunes and he recorded these gems for many students of folklore including Peter Narvaez and the late Kenneth Goldstein (these tapes are deposited at the Folklore and Language Archive at MUN). Some of Dorman's songs were found nowhere else in the world. He sang these wonderful songs in his robust, baritone voice with conviction, if required, or good humour, depending on the context. What fun! What laughter! And what pathos: what heart-destroying pain and anguish!

He also enjoyed "Books for the Blind," listening to KIXX Country, VOWR and local CBC Radio shows. He got a kick out of imitating other singers, playing the mouth organ a little bit, and telling interesting riddles and jokes.

Among his traditional songs, almost all the classic literary themes are represented: Love (Charming Blue-eyed Mary), Women's Liberation (Willie Taylor), Jealousy and brutal murder (Little Musgrave), War (The Valley of Kilbride and The Bonny Bunch of Roses), and adventure, horror, foolishness, great disguises and legendary brawls.

While Dorman did sing songs of Irish origin, much of his repertoire betrayed his West Country English roots. Dorman's songs are found in local song books such as "Come and I will Sing You", and on local recordings (the latest being the new Tickle Harbour's CD entitled "Battery Included" which samples Dorman's Beaumont Hamel classic, "The Valley of Kilbride"), so his legacy is assured.

Beyond traditional songs, Dorman learned many modern songs from contemporary sources as diverse as Elvis Presley; Peter, Paul and Mary; The Dubliners; Dick Nolan; Simani; Louis Armstrong; Hank Williams; and Buddy Wassiname and The Other Fellers. In between bouts of learning songs, he even wrote a few of his own. He never could recall all the words to his World War II opus, "Hitler and his Imps", but perhaps someone out there has the lyrics. He also wrote "The Pig Song" illustrating very well how village life in White Bay worked for little blind boys, and he penned a number of humourous ditties about local characters.

Of course, with time Dorman would write a song or tune about you! And the tunes! Sweet Lord! Sure you'd wear your legs to your knees dancing the night away to his jigs, reels and waltzes, my favourites being "Len Penton's Bread and Beer", and "Christina's Waltz" (after Christina Smith). Also memorable are "Fisherman's Jig, Jump the Fence, Charlie's and "Pamela's Waltz" (after Pamela Morgan, who he first met through Figgy Duff).

At the top of my personal rememberances is a little boy and a string. Dorman told me that his older sister Elsie (in her 80s and currently residing in Millertown) helped him a lot through his childhood. At some early point, as a very young child, she fixed a simple string to a nail in the wall of his home. The little boy would be left alone now and then as people did what they had to live, so he would pluck that string. When he was 12 years old he was given a mouth organ and before long he came up with a melody based on those single notes from that tiny string. He composed a riveting, beautiful waltz. When he was asked what he wanted to call his new tune, the little blind boy said, "The Lonely Waltz".

Dorman Ralph will never be lonely again. As Dorman was on social assistance all his life, the state paid the basic cost of a funeral but, did not cover the cost of a gravestone. As a result, several people got together (especially Hugh Scott, The Bannerman Park Band, Edgar and Marlene King) and organized a benefit concert January 10 at Erin's Pub on Water Street, to raise money for a monument.

In fitting tribute, several fine accordion players graced the stage, including Stan Pickett, Chris Beminster, Geoff Panting (of Rawlin's Cross), Art Stoyles, Bob Rutherford, and Graham Wells. We were also treated to some great songs and tunes from Fine Crowd, Tickle Harbour, Atlantic Union, Gayle Tapper, Peter Narvaez, Jim Fidler, Billy Diamond and others.

Although Dorman didn't like the term, Newfoundland has lost another "skipper", but his fine repertoire of songs and tunes will carry his memory through the uncharted waters of Newfoundland's future.

(note from Assistant Editor: This year's festival is dedicated to Dorman Ralph's memory and a commemorative CD of his music is being produced by Jim Payne and Peter Narvaez for the SingSong label).