Information/Write-up
Bernard Vance “Bernie” Bedore, born on March 3, 1923 at Crow Lake, Ontario was best known as the creator of the mythical Canadian folk hero who lived from 1802 to 1864, Canada's Gentle Giant Big Joe Mufferaw, which honoured Joseph Montferrand. Joe Montferrand worked as a timber raft boss for several decades and was an outstanding athlete. Big Joe Mufferaw has since been immortalized in song by Stompin' Tom Connors tune "Big Joe Mufferaw".
On this, Bernard's only recording, he is accompanied by Bill Berndt on vocals and John Calder on bass. Tales of the Ottawa Valley included on this recording are "Along the Opeongo", "Fiery Kate and Dickory Dan" and "The Hornets and the Fence Posts" a whistling ditty written in 1963 reciting a tale of Canada's Gentle Giant Big Joe Mufferaw.
Bernie Bedore has written 3 books on Joe Mufferaw's adventures:
Tall Tales of Joe Mufferaw (1979);
More Tall Tales of Joe Mufferaw (1981); and
Mythical Mufferaw (1994)
Characters of Mufferawland include Scotty the Pike, Broadaxe the Moose, Barrum the Frog, and Bucky the Beaver.
Bernie Bedore served in the Royal Canadian Navy and worked in Ontario tourism for 23 years. He continues to recite and write stories.
Lyrics: Along The Opeongo
Chorus
I walk along The Opeongo
Singing loud this happy song oh
How are things atop The Mountain Billy K?
How are things atop The Mountain, Billy Kertin
How are things upon The Mountain top today
How's your sister, how's your brother,
How's your daddy and your mother
How are things atop The Mountain Billy K?
Chorus
Just foine, me lad, says Billy, fair to middlin'
Most everything up here is bright and gay
But me sister Kate is smilin' at me brother Lornie's wilin'
How are things down in the flat with you today?
Chorus
Now Katey Brady married Red Joe Whalen
And went upon The Mountain top to live
There they raised a merry crew and brought them up on Valley Dew
And spuds and maple syrup so they say.
Chorus
Ah, the old folks were the tough ones hard and salty
Like Culhane who fought the bear at Rockingham
Big Mick stepped up and socked her and on her heels he rocked her
Laid her dead upon the road did Mick Culhane.
Chorus
Well, tonight we''ll shake a shoe in Killaloe Bill
When Mary Kate is wed to Pete McLaren
We'll swing and laugh and sing, and dance round in a ring
Sure these shindigs up here always last till morn.
Chorus
-Robert Williston
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