The Ballad Of Stan Rogers & Leo Kennedy

Hardly anybody goes to visit Leo
All but forgotten except by a few
I heard somebody speak so fondly of him
Made me wish I knew him
I got directions to the church yard
I took a walk on up the hill
That overlooks the Stan Rogers Folk Festival
The year that I was on the bill

It was in the local Lions Club
Which was the backstage dining hall
Saw a picture there of Leo
Framed & hanging on a wall
Such a good hearted fellow
So say all the people I know who knew him
It had to be someone who loved the man
Whoever the artist was that drew him

Leo in his uniform
Pins & medals decorate his vest
Rolled up shirtsleeves & a funny hat
Tilted slightly to the west
I figured maybe he was there
To keep a watch over the place
Smiling on everyone
He had a real familiar face

If you’re up in Canso, Nova Scotia
It’s just a flat stone on the ground
He lies just next to Lumsden
You might have to look around
It’s a simple little marker
Two hands clasped in prayer
I sat down beside it
And said a little one there

I’d only heard about Stan Rogers
Now it was time to listen to him
His songs brought back to life again
By people I know who knew him
And I thought about a campfire
And the Texas morning light
And that feeling that you leave with
After being there all night

So I’m saying farewell to Leo
It was nearly a quarter ‘til...
The Ballads of Stan Rogers
I’d been enjoying from the hill
“Stay for another song, son“
I thought I heard somebody say
For one more song, and I had to smile...
Before I walked away