Several months ago I recounted the ordeal of George B. Fell, a farmer swept away inside a covered bridge smashed by a winter freshet on the Delaware River in Solebury. Amid ice shards and flotsam that shattered two other bridges out ahead of him, George rode the crest through New Hope’s treacherous rapids. He appeared headed for certain doom in ice jams further down river. A dramatic rescue spared his life after a terrifying 16-mile journey. The Doylestown Democrat newspaper declared his survival “truly remarkable” on being “surrounded on every side by large masses of ice driving in every direction.”
That was 182 years ago. I expressed surprise no one in all that time had composed a ballad. That is, until now. Songwriter Mindy Murray was so attracted to my story she composed a soon-to-be released tribute to George Fell. The Bristol Borough physician and resident contacted me via email to announce the news:
“Back in February, you wrote an article titled ‘The Wild River Odyssey of Solebury’s Quaker George’. It started with the lines… ‘I’m surprised there isn’t a ballad about George B. Fell. There ought to be.’ As a songwriter who has written many songs about Bucks County, I took this as a challenge. And I wanted to send you the result – ‘George B Fell’. I hope you enjoy it! Hot off the presses – not officially recorded or released yet.
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“I perform both as a solo artist and also with my band, River Drivers. Our second CD titled ‘Big Oak Road’ contains three songs about Bucks County written using oral histories and historical sources. It tells the story of my dad’s family working the fields around Big Oak Road in the 1930s. ‘Going Once’ is about my grandparents losing their Torresdale farm at the start of the Great Depression. ‘Children’s March’ is about Mother Jones’s march through Bucks County on her way to Long Island to confront President Roosevelt about child labor practices.
“Thanks for a great article and for the inspiration!”
Mindy’s ballad is artfully crafted about a farmer who couldn’t swim but survived by overcoming incredible odds. From the lyrics:
“It had started far upriver, as the ice began to melt
“Huge chunks of ice became dislodged with a force that could be felt
‘The roar was heard from miles away, as the devil’s hand was dealt to
“George fell…George fell…George fell…George B Fell
“Dead center on the Center Bridge as the deck was ripped away
“He grabbed on to a jagged plank and he began to pray
“Houses, broken furniture and a coffin led the way for
“George fell…George fell…George fell…George B Fell.”
Mindy is a passionate singer and accomplished songwriter as well as guitar and banjo player. She told me her song will be featured in her first solo record due out later this year. “It will likely find its way into the band’s live setlist in time,” she said. “I just feel that music is a perfect way to preserve and share the history of a region. Songs can make the past feel familiar and relatable. Much like your stories do.”
At some future date, I’m looking forward to attending a live performance of “George B Fell” by Mindy and her River Drivers. The four-piece collective based in Philadelphia plays “Celtic-tinged folk rock” drawing on Celtic, Americana and Appalachian roots. The group credits the influence of Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, Ewan MacColl and others. High energy performances balance original songs with more obscure folk tunes.
As for me, I’m humbled. Mindy’s ballad is atop my playlist. I’ll tune it up the next time I make the round trip bike ride between Yardley and Centre Bridge.
You can watch Mindy perform “George B Fell” on the web at Other tunes by her and the River Drivers can be found on Spotify, YouTube and Soundcloud. Mindy can be reached via the web at www.MindyMurray.com where upcoming concert listings are posted.
Carl LaVO is the author of two volumes of “Bucks County Adventures”, signed and available at book stores in Newtown, Doylestown and Lahaska (Peddler’s Village). Carl can be reached at [email protected]