Wilkin, Marijohn

▪ 2007

      American songwriter (b. July 14, 1920, Kemp, Texas—d. Oct. 28, 2006, Nashville, Tenn.), was hailed as one of the greatest female country composers and lyricists. Wilkin wrote two hits in 1958: Stonewall Jackson's “Waterloo” (written with John D. Loudermilk) and Jimmy C. Newman's “Grin and Bear It,” which was followed by the 1959 classic “Long Black Veil” (with Danny Dill). The latter song was originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell and covered by the Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, and Johnny Cash, among others. After forming her own publishing company, Buckhorn Music, she hired Kris Kristofferson as a writer, and the two penned the gospel classic “One Day at a Time,” which was recorded by Marilyn Sellars and later by more than 200 other artists. Her song “P.T. 109,” recorded by Jimmy Dean, recounted the sinking in 1943 of John F. Kennedy's torpedo boat. Other notable songs included “I Just Don't Understand” (with Kent Westberry), “Scars in the Hands of Jesus,” “I Didn't Stop Dancin,' ” and “Take Time.” In 1975 Wilkin was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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