Schooner Fare - The Ballad of Mad Jack

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True ballad written by Steve Romanoff about a very colorful American naval hero. This wonderful ballad is from their album "Classic Schooner Fare" released in 1989. It was also on an earlier album, "Closer to the Wind", released in 1981. (Sorry for the album cover. Should be the black and white cover.) Schooner Fare has been magnificent in every song I have heard them sing. Enjoy!

Schooner Fare is a local Portland, Maine folk band. It consisted of the late Tom Rowe (1950 - January 17, 2004), Steve Romanoff, and Chuck Romanoff. Chuck and Steve, now a duet, continue to write, perform, and record as Schooner Fare. Schooner Fare plays primarily maritime songs and Celtic and British folk music. They play throughout New England and North America, and their songs have been recorded by numerous major artists.

John Percival (Mad Jack)
Herman Melville and James Michener based characters in their novels on this colorful skipper. He was a true naval hero and did do things often in an unconventional manner...and got them done! John Percival was a legendary officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France, the War of 1812, the campaign against West Indies pirates, and the Mexican-American War. He became legendary for his exploits during his life they were so extraordinary. He saved the US Constitution almost single handedly from being scrapped. I think it is wonderful that Steve Romanoff of Schooner Fare chose this person to write a song about...and such a great song, too! I've also put a link in here for 'Mad Jack' with lots of info from the US Naval Site. Photos of the gentleman, commissioned navy ships named for him... If you like history there is lots here to explore. I'd like to thank a fellow utuber, Carrettk41, for the 'heads up' on a lot of this info. I appreciate him letting me know about these facts! As I said before, Enjoy!

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/298.htm