Bill Plaskett sent Joni this find, recently scanned from a Polaroid shot taken on South Pender Island in the 1960s. From the left, Eve Smith, my brother Jack, sister Joni and John Smith.
The Smith’s were family friends who lived on the island where Helen had a studio that Raabye built for her. Bill Plaskett is friend of Joni’s who has made his mark in Canadian music. Here he is, performing with his son Joel …
I wonder if I still have a tape somewhere of Joni and Bill performing their original tune “Wally the Whale”…. or was Wally a Walrus? Joni?
6 comments
Comments are closed.
Cool!
Wally the Whale lived under the Ortion
Thought he was a whale of big proportion
This is a wonderful entry, the lyrics and musical talents would make a delightful album for children…of all ages! Cute Joni!!
I am amused…is there more?
Wally the Whale is a Bill Plaskett song. I hope he reads your praise!
Bill actually sent the lyrics, so my bro can give you a peek.
Bill Plaskett also wrote ‘Gingerbread’ and ‘Oliver Onion’; 2 more great tunes displaying his talent.
Yes, there IS more … Joni tells me I have Bill Plaskett’s permission to show you the Wally lyrics. I love them, they are so light-hearted and whimisical. Here are the first 4 stanzas of the 6 stanza song. I’ll save some for Bill to reveal.
Wally the Whale
Wally the Whale lived under the Ortion
Thought he was a whale of big proportion
All because his friends were given to distortion
They were the ones who gave him the Nortion
Now Wally was such a gullible bloke
His friends all thought it was a very funny joke
Telling him lies about his size
Seeing the tears roll in his eyes …… in Wally’s eyes …. But:
Wally had seen Queenie
Queenie the frail Whale
Queenie was a sweetie
And Wally liked her tail
So Wally jumped for joy
Wally jumped for joy
Wally jumped for joy, oh joy, oh joy ….
He jumped right out of the water
Though he was such an inferior whale
And if he had not been this way
We would not sing this whale tale (way-ul-tay-ul)