Before passing away in 2015 Second World War veteran Bill Minnery could sometimes be found having a drink with veterans and friends at McGonagalls, an Irish pub in Brantford.
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When it was time to leave, Minnery would stand up, tap his cane on the table, and in a demanding British accent would shout: “Attention ladies and gentlemen. Bless this house and everybody in it.”
“I did not know my dad did this,” explained his daughter, Joan Minnery. “When he passed away, I started hearing about this.”
Joan is the lead singer for a Brantford-based band named SIVLE that includes her son Bill on guitar, with Dan Taylor on guitar, bass, and piano.
She said she didn’t know the magnitude of her father’s ritual when departing the pub until she met a gentleman who witnessed it.
“We, at the time, were writing our very first original (song),” Joan shared. “We were looking for some subject matter, and somebody put that guy right in front of us. I thought it was a gift from heaven.”
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Over in the corner, near the door
Sat an old sailor from the war.
He stood so tall while sitting down.
Kept war secrets close to his vest,
Proud of the medals on his chest,
An eloquent hero – like a Triple Crown.
“We debuted it at The Duke and people loved it,” Joan said. “It’s a real Irish sea shanty song.”
She said it had to be a drinking song, about her father, and McGonagalls Pub.
The lyrics also include an account of Minnery becoming an English bobby after serving three years in the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman, before coming to Canada with a mere $12 to his name.
“It’s becoming our anthem,” shared Joan. “We can’t finish a show now unless we sing this. People are humming and singing because it’s such a catchy tune.”
The sailor is gone now
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His stories no more
Yet there’s a plaque of gold
At his seat by the door.
His legacy as he faced us all
His words engraved on the wall
With his last sip of beer
His message rank clear.
Bless this house and everybody in it… bless this house.
The band has decided to film a music video for the song – their very first one – at McGonagalls Pub on August 13 at 2 pm
Photos of Minnery, his Legion coat and medals will be displayed at his favorite table, where a brass wall plaque bears the inscription “Bless this house and everybody in it. Bill Minnery—1925 to 2015.”
Joan encourages active service or retired veterans willing to show up in uniform and be part of the music video to contact her at [email protected] or call 519-771-5687.
“We are recording the song live,” she explained. “We want the crowd singing the chorus Bless This House. If we can pack the pub, that’s what it’s all about.”
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