Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 8, 2025 The Bands of Summer Continue A Atwater~Donnelly performed historical music and folk songs during a near-perfect evening at the iron Works By Laura Eisener ubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly have been performing for many years all over New England. This husband-and-wife duo from Rhode Island specializes in historical music and folk songs and often use unusual instruments in their concerts. “Tell Me Ma,” sometimes called “The Belle of Belfast City,” is played on the Irish whistle and guitar. It is a traditional tune that sometimes accompanied children’s games, and with variations had been sung 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! all over the British Isles in the 19th century. Lyrics such as “The boys won’t leave the girls alone. They pulled my hair and stole my comb” will bring back childhood memories for many people! Some of the old songs have different versions because they were passed along orally by many people, sometimes with changes along the way. An example of one of these is “The Conscript’s Sweetheart,” also known as “Jeannette and Jeannot,” which required some research and restoration work by Atwater and Donnelly. This is a 19th century song about parting lovers expressing fear that the other will forget during the impending separation. One song in particular refers to a historical person from Rhode Island; “My Bonny, Bonny Boat,” played on the mountain dulcimer, is sung from the point of view of Ida Lewis, first female lighthouse keeper. Ida Lewis Rock – off the shore of Rhode Island – is named for her. This song is on their album “The Boat You Row” in which they perform with some additional musicians. Their books and recordings www.810bargrille.com Aluminum Aluminum Everett Supplies 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 66 Years in Business! •Vinyl Siding Decks • • •Carpentry Work •Decks • Replacement Windows Carpentry Work • • • Fully Insured Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Free Estimates Fully Licensed • Roong •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roong Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! are available online at atwater-donnelly.bandcamp.com. They also have many recordings as well as a few songbooks and two volumes of Aubrey’s original poetry available on Atwater~Donnelly played several old-fashioned instruments, including these mountain dulcimers, during their concert last week. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) www.atwater-donnelly.com. In addition to singing and playing various instruments, Aubrey Atwater demonstrated some steps including scissors, silent scissors, and wheel dance, from traditional clogging dance styles. While many songs included guitar accompaniment, some of the less familiar instruments were bones, several types of Irish whistle (they have a collection of them), harmonica, tambourine and dulcimers. One of the more humorous songs was “The Mermaid from Ontario” written by Shel Silverstein, the author known for his book “The Giving Tree” and others. This one is known for its imaginative story line and impressive “vocabulario”! The concert finished up with “Cluck Old Hen (She lays eggs for the railroad men).” BANDS | SEE PAGE 14 Summer is Here!
5 Publizr Home