The land glowed misty green, golden in some lights. A unique blend of climate, terrain, and culture led many of the young people there to become poets and singers. Some composed for profit, most just experienced life in poetic terms. But in the 1840s and for a number of years thereafter, Ireland became like a mother whose breasts had gone dry. A terrible famine took hold and led many people in Ireland to look in another direction – west to America.

I don’t have a great deal of direct information about my great-great-great-grandfather, John Michael Doyle. I know he arrived in Ohio from Wexford, Ireland in the middle 1800s, near the time of the Civil War. During that most terrible war, he drummed his way through Georgia with General Sherman and later settled in the beautiful town of Savannah – my home town. Being an intelligent, industrious, and educated young man, he designed lighthouses and lived for a number of years as the lighthouse keeper at Bloody Point on Daufuskie Island – at the mouth of the Savannah River. He kept a journal of his time there on that isolated island and included accounts of his walks on the sands and his view of the restless ocean always to the east. I was not even aware of my ancestor’s identity until fairly recently. His journal and memory had been preserved by Joe Yocius (Low Country Joe), the present owner of what was once the Bloody Point Light.

Having something of a poetic nature myself, I wanted to write about John Michael Doyle, but since I was very busy with the demands of everyday living, the occasion seemed to never present itself. Then one day I sat down to compose a song about my mother – an amazing woman in her own right. When I tried to do that, I kept getting images about someone else, the lighthouse keeper. Soon I found myself artistically depicting a man who continues to have a subtle influence upon those of us who are his descendents. The more I thought of him, the more I envisioned a thoughtful, caring man doing his part to bring light. In my mind he was at once human and symbolic. He was a real man with whom I share a family bond, and he also stands as an example, encouraging us who follow to do something meaningful, do something well, and do something that matters.

Once I began combining the lyric and music, the song swept me forward. I had a great desire to complete the song, but I wanted the music to convey a sense of serenity in the face of turmoil. All of us, to a greater or lesser degree, float on a sea of uncertainty. We have obligations, we have goals, so we continue to move. But we also need those who have gone before to shine a light for us, reminding us that there are solid points of reference as we progress. Some things have always been true and will always be true; we should never lose sight of those things. When there is night, there is also light. In some ways I feel encouraged through the memory of my great-great-great grandfather to be part of that light.

The instrumentation for the song is pretty straightforward. The guitar leads, but Patty adds some nice touches through wistful vocals, light percussion, and xylophone slides to help create the atmosphere. When I hear the song, I close my eyes and watch a movie in my mind. I share a moment with an important family member whom I have never met.

Lighthouse Keeper

Lighthouse keeper, do you still scan the waters
To protect the lives and hopes of those on the sea
Looking forward, looking back
Recall the Emerald Isle of your father’s dreams
Did you think your children would remember you?

The work of your hands, you always built strong
Lighting the way to tomorrow and well beyond
To times unfamiliar in little touch with the past
But your hope and love continue and last
And through you — all your children, we are blessed.

All of your children, wherever they go
Whatever they know in their lives
All of your children, each will be as a lighthouse
Each will shine with a light that comes from within

You, Lighthouse Keeper with eyes on the water
With heart of warmth and love, you make it show
You make it glow

(Bridge)

Oooooooo Light across the waters
Oooooooo Light rippling across the sea
Love for one another
Love for you and me

(Instrumental)

All of your children, wherever they go
Whatever they know in their lives
All of your children, each will be as a lighthouse
Each will shine with a light that comes from within…

You Lighthouse Keeper
Do you still scan the waters
To protect the lives and hopes of those on the sea
Of those like me
We’re all on the sea
Make safe harbor for me
Shine your light on me…. (Words and Music: Bob Tatum/ Performed by Sound Traveler)

Sound Traveler had a great weekend. We spent Friday evening at the Café Unique in Cocoa. We had fun playing for some old friends and new ones as well. We went to a church workshop on Saturday and a dance Saturday night. On Sunday we played for the fine people at the Center for Spiritual Living in Rockledge. They were so kind and supportive. We came to share something with them, yet they gave so much more to us. On Sunday afternoon we played at the Sunday Market at Sam Flax Art and Design in Orlando. Wow! What a store and what an experience! We will be back for another market in November. – Bob Tatum