World Stamps
A debt of gratitude to Canadian songwriter Stan Rogers

U.S. Stamp Notes by John M. Hotchner
If I may stray into Canadian philately and some personal thoughts, I want to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to singer-songwriter Stan Rogers who was honored on a Canadian stamp issued July 21.
I discovered his music about 30 years ago and have loved it ever since. One song in particular sticks with me. Titled The Mary Ellen Carter, it was written in 1979 and describes the sinking of a ship of that name and its raising by a devoted group of its former crew.
By a confluence of events, namely the recent passing of my wife of nearly 55 years, having Canada issue this stamp reminds me of the ending refrain from this song:
And you, to whom adversity has dealt the final blow
With smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go,
Turn to, and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain
And like The Mary Ellen Carter, rise again.
Rise again! Rise again — though your heart it be broken
And life about to end.
No matter what you’ve lost; be it a home, a love, a friend.
Like The Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
My wife, the former Nanette Rose Merlino, was a determined person, a giving person, who fought stage IV cancer for five years, even when the short term looked grim. We had some victories, but we knew where it would end — just not when.
As I get used to life without her, I am reminded of a line from another song: Bed of Roses by the Statler Brothers: “Off life’s bramble bush, I picked a rose.”
Connect with Linn’s Stamp News:
Sign up for our newsletter
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
MORE RELATED ARTICLES
Headlines
-
Auctions
Jun 16, 2025, 12 PMRecently discovered second known on-cover use of U.S. 1875 3¢ reissue in June 25 Siegel Rarities of the World sale
-
World Stamps
Jun 14, 2025, 2 PMGuernsey Post commemorates 2024 royal visit
-
World Stamps
Jun 12, 2025, 3 PMNorway commemorates emigration to North America with June 12 issue
-
Postal Updates
Jun 12, 2025, 12 PMCanada Post, Canadian Union of Postal Workers continue negotiations