Will McLean

Who was Will McLean?

Will McLean was a Florida folk singer-songwriter. He was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 1996.

Will McLean is thought of as the "Father of Florida Folk." During his life, he wrote more than 3,700 songs and stories. He always said, "My soul is a hawk." Three of his most important songs were Hold Back the Waters, Wild Hog, and Ballad of the Green Turtle. Some of his good friends included Margaret Longhill, Gamble Rogers, Cousin Thelma Boltin, Dale Crider, Donna Green-Townsend, Kate Bostrum, Red Henry, Murphy Henry, David Beede, Bobby Hicks, Bob and Geri Mitchell, Pete Seeger, and banjo player Paul Champion.

McLean also wrote Osceola's Last Words, a stirring tribute to the Seminole chief. Michael Peter Smith, with his wife Barbara Barrow, recorded the best-known version of this song.