October 15^th., 1994

THE MUSIC PEOPLE
(Peggy and George Linton)

To: Joan Harris, Etobicoke Historical Society.

This past summer, my wife and I wrote a song about Applewood, the Shaver Homestead on the West Mall, and we performed the song at the Applewood Fall Fair in September.  Some of your members who were at the Fair may have heard the song there.

Enclosed is a copy of the song that we thought you might like for your records.

Peggy and George Linton
109 Ashbourne Drive
Etobicoke Ontario
M9B 4H6
 

SAVED FROM THE WRECKERS BALL
(Dedicated to Rev. Stewart B. East)

The years was 1980 and the wreckers came to call,
They thought they had a victim for their mighty wrecker's ball.
They laughed with glee and thought that with very little trouble,
They could turn the fine old house into just a pile of rubble.

But the citizens took action and they said a mighty "NO!"
It is so full of history that we cannot let it go;
A famous man was born here who helped Canada to grow,
His birthplace must be hallowed in Etobicoke!

"NO, NO, NO!" they cried, the homestead must not fall,
It stands here for something important to us all;
So they moved it for a quarter mile along the West Mall
And they rescued the old house from the wrecker's ball.

CHORUS:
Dear old Applewood, saved from the wrecker's ball!

On its former location the house just could not stay
For the land had been sold, the house was in the way,
It was tear it down or move it, so move it was the call,
Every inch took it farther from the wrecker's ball.

The neighbours still tell of that awesome feat,
Of a great big house, moving down the street,
It weighed 400 tons, it was wide and it was tall,
It held up all the traffic coming down the West Mall.

Was the house worth saving? Well, long ago, you see,
Famous man was born here, who did much for our country;
He was J. S. Woodsworth, he lived here as a boy,
He promoted social justice that now we all enjoy.

CHORUS:
Dear old Applewood, saved from the wrecker's ball!

The fight to save the house was led by Reverend Stewart East,
At six foot five, he feared neither man nor beast;
His aim was that always Applewood would be,
A tribute to the value of integrity.

He thought that to destroy it would surely be a pity
So he got a lot of people to serve on a committee,
To save the old house from certain demolition
And start it on the road to its present fine condition.

Was the house worth saving? Well, as you can plainly see,
It gives great service to the community;
More than 9,000 people come each year to take a tour
And marvel at the beauty of the architecture.

CHORUS:
Dear old Applewood, saved from the wrecker's ball!

Applewood's a great place, you can have a cup of tea,
You can celebrate a birthday or an anniversary;
The house can be yours on a sunny summer day,
To have a family party in the old time way.

Weddings by the hundreds are performed here every year,
And many a happy mom and dad have shed a quiet tear,
So when you have decided and you know the die is cast,
When you tie the knot at Applewood, your marriage has to last!

Now when you visit the old house you'll find more than history,
You'll find warmth and hominess as pleasant as can be.
The volunteers will greet you, you'll find it very good,
They'll all say, "Welcome, to Applewood!"

CHORUS:
Dear old Applewood, saved from the wrecker's ball!

And sometimes, so they say, if you pass by late at night,
The ghost of Applewood may be seen, all in white;
He dances on the lawn and he shouts to one and all,
"My house has been SAVED from the WRECKER'S BALL!

And so, now you see, there are very many reasons
That the house is enjoyed through the changing of the seasons:
The folks of old Etobicoke are standing mighty tall
In the knowledge that they saved it from the wrecker's ball!

"NO, NO, NO!" they cried, the homestead must not fall,
It stands here for something important to us all;
We did our best and moved it right along the West Mall,
And we rescued the old house from the wrecker's ball!

CHORUS:
Dear old Applewood, saved from the wrecker's ball!