There are ocean sailors that won't sail Superior, it's that fierce. Bodies at the bottom are nearly perfectly preserved as they don't rise to the top to get bacteria in them and it's so cold down there. The line from the song that gets me are "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Youngest man aboard was 19. They didn't call those waves "The Witch Of November" for nothing! When Gordon died, they now ring the bell 30 times, once for him. I saw a touching political cartoon that showed him walking up to the Pearly Gates and St. Peter welcoming him and saying there were 29 men who were really looking forward to meeting him. It was so sad and sweet.
Gordon Lightfoot was a wonderful singer and was very famous in the USA as well. I love all his music and still listen to his songs. Having grown up in Michigan (with relatives still in Canada) and visited Canada many times, we are fortunate to have such wonderful neighbors along the Northern border of our entire country! A number of famous entertainers in the US have come from Canada.
They still do. it wasn't a one time thing. Im sure its because not only did he donate all proceeds from this song to the families... it also was the first, well, even now the only, popular expression of the story of their loved ones.
A very fitting tribute!! I was disapointed when I learned Gordon was not American!! Gordon consistently took tiny snapshots of life and enshrined his feeling and insught for eternity. Thanks, Gordo!!! 💚💚💚
This is the kind of man Gordon was: The profits from the song (it was a big hit) went to families of those who died in the wreck. Gordon visited and befriended them, and continued to do so regularly for decades after. He died last year, May 1, 2023. The church bells that had been rung 29 times every year then rang 30 times, the extra bell in his honour. He was a man born in a small Ontario town surrounded by lakes big and small, connected to the Great Lakes, and was happiest on the water. His family, like many in the area, traced its roots to Scotland. He sang in church choirs from the age of four and had local fame as a boy soprano, appearing in Toronto's venerable Massey Hall at the age of ten ---- and another 176 times over his lifetime! The border between Canada and the U.S., running through the lakes, was invisible to him. But he also loved his native country, and his complex song "Canadian Railway Trilogy," another masterpiece, evokes its history brilliantly. You should react to that one next. Then, perhaps, the magical "If You Could Read My Mind," "Early Morning Rain," "Sundown," "Carefree Highway" and many others. A brilliant song writer and a fantastic, subtle acoustic guitarist ---- he was still recording successful albums up until 2020, and was in the middle of a concert tour when he grew ill and died. Despite receiving many honours, even becoming a postage stamp, he remained a down-to-earth man, loyal to his friends and small town origins, and unspoiled by fame. He was no plaster saint --- and had some strife and rowdiness in his day --- but there was never anything phony about him. Other musicians looked up to him, especially Bob Dylan.
@@artemia79 I'm not in tip top condition, I admit, but not quite dying yet! I'm sufficiently ornery to stick to the old "ou"s. I've just been reading Chaucer, and I was sore tempted to say that Lightfoot was "a worthy man, that fro the tyme that he first began to riden out, he loved the chivalrie, trouthe and honour, fredom and curtesie."
If You Could Read My Mind is a must. One of my favourite songs ever. I had the 45 rpm record and almost wore it out. One thing to add to Gordon Lightfoot's songwriting talent and beautiful voice is his flawless elocution. You never have to strain to hear the lyrics, and that can't be said of too many other singers.
I'm Canadian and I still cry when I hear this song. Gordon Lightfoot is a hero here. I live right by the great lakes and to this day, I don't go on them in any boats. The great lakes are tough lakes with deadly waves. They are beautiful, but very dangerous.
I live right by Lake Ontario, where it connects to the St. Lawrence River, so it's more protected than the open lake. but we still get some fierce waves when it's stormy. I can't even imagine what it's like on the bigger lakes.
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" Such a powerful line! Gordon Lightfoot was a very prolific songwriter so there are lots of songs to choose from. Some of my favourites are: Rainy Day People, Sundown, Bittergreen, Black Day in July and of course If You Could Read My Mind.
Anyone that been in a Gale or Hurricane in a boat know the meaning to that line to their bones .... I been in a few sailing (29' and 45' footers). on the great lakes
I’m 64 years old. I grew up in Buffalo, New York. When I was 19, I got a call from Gordon after a late night of partying. He said he was Gordon Lightfoot and wanted to know if I would like a pass to his concert. I said “who the fuck is this? He laughed. My girlfriend was working at the hotel he was staying in and told him that I was a huge fan. He offered to call me and she was ecstatic. We saw him perform from front row seats and met him after the concert. He was so friendly and down to earth. Klienhans Music Hall. The symphony orchestra home, one of the best memories of my life. RIP Gordon Lightfoot
That's so cool. I'm 63 and grew up in Buffalo, but never saw him in concert. The line about the gales of November always reminded of the changeable weather on the lake that time of year. Great song from a great artist. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.
I put my daughter to bed at night by singing Gordon Lightfoot songs. This went on for years. I met Gordon 2 years ago and told him this. It brought a tear to his eye! A classic, amazing man.
@@catherinefitzgerald7291 I know, right , honey. You and I should have met him. It’s late and I’m babbling. Ok, I’ve lost my train of thought. Night, night, sweet Catherine ZZZZZZZZZ
When he says the lake never gives up her dead ... is because that lake is so deep and cold that the 'dead' do not rise to the top ... they stay at the bottom, which is one of the reason this song means so much. Just like the Titanic, so many died there that it remains a respected place. It is their watery graves. Every ship that pass where the Edmund is, ring their bell 29 times, each time, and when Gordon passed on, they started ringing their bell 30 times to include him. May they all RIP, including Gordon.
There is a wreck there from IIRC the early part of the last century where at least one sailor’s body can still be seen, trapped in the wreckage, in the flesh. It hasn’t decomposed at all. Since old ship wrecks are considered grave sites, he is left there.
I'm Canadian, and we consider Gordon Lightfoot to be a national treasure. His recent death was met with a wave of sadness and reflections about the effect his music has had upon several generations of Canadians. I grew up spending my summers on the shore of Lake Huron and watched these great ships, known to us as "lakers", going across the horizon as they went along the lake. The loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald was something that shocked us deeply and we still feel sadness about the loss of the ship and its crew. Thank you for covering this.
Goerdon Lightfoot was a Canadian National Treasure.. Bob Dylan said of Gordon, that he was one of his favourite songwriters. He told a story with his songs. His songs were covered by singers like Elvis, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, and many other well known singers. When the ship tragedy occurred, Gordon was upset at the news coverage it received. Some papers didn’t even regard it as first page news, some even mis spelled the name of the ship. So Gordon wrote the song, trying to be as faithful to the details as possible. All the proceeds from the sales of the record went to the families of the mariners families. Gordon attended every anniversary at the Detroit Cathedral….even into his old age. He got to know the families well. Gordon died May 1, 2023. That year they rang the bell 30 times, instead of 29, to honour Gordon as well. The line that reads “ Superior, they say, never gives up her dead……” is true. The crew is still there with the wreckage, more or less fully preserved by the extreme cold of the lake. Bodies do not eventually float to the surface, because of that cold. The families petitioned and that area was designated officially as a grave site. I think you would enjoy his songs, he has a catalogue of over 250 songs. In 1966 Gordon was commissioned to write a song for Canada’s centennial ( 1967 ) . He wrote “ The Canadian Railway Trilogy “ (. The building of Canada by the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway ). Some of his popular songs are “ If You Could Read My Mind “, “ Sundown “, “ In the Early Morning Rain “ and many, many more..
The Ojibwe name for the lake is gichi-gami, pronounced gitchi-gami or kitchi-gami in different dialects), meaning "great sea". Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this name as "Gitche Gumee" in the poem “The Song of Hiawatha”. - Wiki
He’s a Canadian Legend Canadian Railroad Trilogy Sundown In the Early Morning Rain If I could Read Your Mind Man there are so many but I can’t remember them all
Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours? Perfect description for the helplessness that one would feel against the awesome power of the storm. Chilling. R I P to the valiant crew. And of course, to Gordon, for telling it so well.
The Maritime Sailors Cathedral (known as the Mariners Church) is a church in downtown Detroit that caters to sailors who might be passing through Detroit & don’t have a home church to worship in.
Gordon is a Canadian national treasure. He is revered in Canada and is a favorite of citizens around the world. He is a master songwriter, performer and musician. He donated the proceeds of this song to the surviving family members of the sailors of the Fitzgerald. He didn’t just make monetary contributions but also gave of his time to the families. He was part of their community and even attended funerals of the families. We miss you Gordon. R.I.P. 👏👏🙏💔🇨🇦🇨🇦
"Does anyone know, where the love of God goes, When the waves turn the minutes to hours" Makes me want to cry, every time. Gordon Lightfoot, if I am not mistaken, refused to accept any musical awards throughout his career, stating the ONLY thing that mattered was making and selling his music. The only exception to that was 'Lifetime Achievement Award. That meant something. And yes, this song is big in Canada. The REASON Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song was because when the event happened, he noticed that the news coverage kept misspelling the ship's name in the newspaper, on the tv news they called the ship 3 different names on 3 different channels. So that kind of upset him. I think he did such a good job that nobody is ever likely to forget any time soon. The great lakes would be called seas in any other part of the world. I spent a year in Paris, and I razzed the friends I made there when I saw the river Seine. I didn't even notice until after we crossed. It was a 3 minute walk, crossing one street at the lights, and then the next set of lights were across the river. I told my friends that in Canada, that would be called a creek!! When I think rivers, I think of the St Lawrence, having lived in the Montreal area all my life. Takes closer to an hour to cross the bridge here, and there aren't any lights!! It is close to 3.5 km long. So to me, THAT is a RIVER!!
Love your videos by the way. As you are fascinated with Canada, I too am equally fascinated with Scotland. There are lots of Scots over here. My old neighbours were Scottish (sounded just like you) and they were such nice folks.
Another interesting fact about Gordon Lightfoot: 1967 was Canada's centennial and there were lots of celebrations. Of course, there was a large concert in Ottawa, and Gordon Lightfoot was asked to perform in it. 50 years later, in 2017, it was our 150-year anniversary celebration and there was another concert in Ottawa - and they asked Gordon Lightfoot to perform in it. It was a very touching moment for those of us who had known and loved him all that time.
that guitar just cries through the whole song, combine that with Gordon's voice and the story behind the song and it brings me to tears also FYI he donated all profits from this song to the family's of the crew. truly a saint of a man.
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian legendary singer-songwriter and composer. You should also do "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" about the building of the Trans-Canada Canadian Pacific Railway. "Black Day in July" about the uprising of black residents of Detroit protesting police abuse in 1967and many other great songs. Thank You!
sad that for 25 odd plus years the families had lived with being told it was the crews fault.(hatch open). new info came to light, the ship had a retro fit yrs prior and changed the structure and tonnage. the hatches were secured tight, and 3 - 4 rouge waves 90ft, hit the friz and breaking her back.
I have to say that Gordon Lightfoot is my favorite songwriter, singer and guitar player. He has several ship disaster songs in his catalog. "Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle", "Ghosts of Cape Horn" and "Marie Christine". His best songs are ones you didn't hear on the radio. My CD player is loaded with his boxed set. Enjoyed listening with you.
Here in Detroit the radio stations all recognize and play this song and remember all 29 souls every year. The Great lakes are no joke they create their own weather systems and can become treacherous in a very short time . Also superior is larger than the whole of Scotland ,just to put things into perspective
Lightfoot is a pure lyrical genius. His catalogue of music runs deep and dare, I say, he never wrote and/ or performed a poor song. You might want to start with "Gords Gold" for your listening pleasure. The album is pure magic.
Hi Mert - glad you're enjoying learning about Canada, sometimes we take ourselves for granted and these videos of yours remind us that we're living in a pretty great country. Question for you: is there anyone doing something like this for Scotland? I would love to learn more about your culture. PS Gord always was (RIP), and still is, a music hero in this country.
Gordon lightfoot was/is a canadian musical hero...he died may 2023...when he died the sailors cathedral in detroit rang the bell 30×...for the 29 sailors of the edmund fitzgerald and once for gordon He has some other great music... Some you might have heard of -if you could read my mind -sundown -carefree highway
@@curmudgeonaf 100 % on that, and it's generational in some cases, as I've heard a lot of young people still groove to The Hip. Good , no , great music never goes out of style !!
Gordon is only one of many great song masters from Canada. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998. In May 2003 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. He won many Juno awards throughout his long career.
Stan Rogers is another Canadian music icon. His "Northwest Passage" among many others is a testament to his great story telling. Stan was awarded the Diplomme d'honneur, Canadian Conference of the Arts (1984); Inductee, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2019). Thought you may like Stan since Lightfoot made such an impression on you :) Maybe you have already been introduced to Stan but just in case...
I was going to mention Stan Rogers as well. The Field Behind The Plow is also a great song of his. As a Saskatchewan farmer myself it hits the feelers. Northwest Passage tugs at the heartstrings too.
I think Stan Rogers' "Lies" is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. It's not about fluffy romantic love but the kind of love you get when you build a life together that spans decades.
Stan Rogers was another truly Epic Canadian musician and songwriter. "Northwest Passage" has to be one of the most powerful pieces of music ever written about this country, and it's an unaccompanied vocal song. Stan's voice was huge, and powerful. Of my long list of "Stan Favorites" my personal touchstone is "The Mary Ellen Carter." I'd been listening to Stan since before the terrible Air Canada fire in Cincinnati, and loved his work. When I was disabled, I understood exactly what the closing line about "Smiling Bastards lying to you everywhere you go" and it became something I kept going back to when things got rough. There's a particular spot on the highway from Edmonton to Jasper where you come out of the shadow of the foothills and there's just an enormous wall of mountains all across the horizon - Northwest Passage's "Land so wild and savage" and "Chase the roaring Fraser to the sea" hit so close to home. Stan's music never gets old, and his voice is so distinctive it's instantly recognizable. I bought all of Gordon Lightfoot's albums on vinyl in the late 1960's, and everything I can get of Stan's on CD, plus some of the "bootleg" concert tapes. Like many people, I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard this ong; driving east on a 2 land blacktop into Ontario, a long long way from home but close to Superior. There was only one station on the car radio, and when they played "Fitzgerald" for (I assume) the first time, I had to pull over and stop when he got to the line, Does anyone know where the love of God goes . . " and every other car on the highway was doing exactly the same thing - pulled over and stopped. The effect was pure Gordon Lightfoot, wonderful, but shattering. I couldn't help it - my eyes were leaking tears, and still do. We're very fortunate in Canada to have had so many truly great musicians - they've become part of our collective soul.
There is no surprise that nobody has ever covered this song because it belongs to Gordon Lightfoot and a true testament in dedication to the men lost and families that were affected by this terrible tragic event. Gordon did his own research about this and then sat down a wrote this epic well written story. No one can touch this song but Gordon Lightfoot.
Gordon was a gentle humble and down to earth man, I had the privileged of knowing and getting to sing with him in the choir at St Paul’s United Church in Orillia Ontario when he would return at Christmas to join the choir of his upbringing. This Canadian hero, once 0:15 even said to me before singing Christmas hymns that he hoped he could do them justice.
Gordon Lightfoot has another tragic maritime disaster song called Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle. He does have more upbeat songs though like Wherefore and Why, Did She Mention My Name and Walls.
This is a modern sea shanty. You can hear the swaying in time to the music. This song is like the state song of Michigan. We learn it as we learn about the Great Lakes that surround up. FYI, no bodies were recovered, but they are still down there. Lake Superior is freezing all year long in the depths, and preserves everything.
Gordon Lightfood was a great author, composer singer... This song if one of his most popular along with "If you could read my mind" that have been covered by so many other singers after him.
There are no words that accurately describe how I feel as a Canadian to the works of Gordon Lightfoot - epic, heartwarming, passionate, legendary, prolific, iconic - I could go on. I’ve seen him 4 times in concert from his early days to one of his last concerts here in Montreal. He was a proud Canadian (he said so in one of his concerts), a gem of Canadian culture. My children were educated entirely in French but my daughter, at the age of 10, could sing the Edmund Fitzgerald in its entirety. May he rest in peace.
Somewhere in RUclips there's a documentary that explains how Gordon researched this subject, traveling to the U.S.A. to interview the sailors' families, etc.
If you want to hear a song about Canada listen to Gordon’s ‘Canadian Railroad Trilogy’. It is the most amazing song about the building of the railroad through Canada. I think it was Gordon Lightfoot’s best song and tells you so much about Canada. Please give it a listen.
For more amazing Gordon Lightfoot Canadiana, check out "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy". Gordon composed this for Canada's Centennial in 1967. It's all about the building of the trans-Canada Canadian Pacific Railway.
Gord was one of Us, no matter who Us is. Every little town around the Lakes had a grain elevator where the ships stopped, and everyone knew sailors or retired sailors. We used to launch boats at a makeshift ramp where the grain boats tied up. You'd have guys sitting in the engine room door or watching from the bridge wing and giving "advice". When she went down, we all felt it. There's a good chance Gord wrote this looking out a window at a big laker either tied up or passing by.
I've listened to literally tens of thousands of songs over the last half-century, and I'm still unconvinced that this isn't my favourite one. Cheers from Across The Pond.🥃☮❤
This man and this song are very well known on both sides of the border. It is an anthem to the majesty of the great lakes region, where I grew up. It always brings tears to my eyes. Gordon is an amazing song writer and musician, playing the guitar in this song. Yes, you must listen to more of Gordon's music. He's a legend. I was once in a very bad storm on Lake Erie and a few people died on the lake that day. Me and my brothers were foolish and lucky. That's all I can say.
As a Canadian, I am on the West Coast though.I just wanted to thank you so much for looking into Canada.I love your reaction videos and i'm glad I found them.. This song is just beautiful Gordon.Lightfoot is such an awesome storyteller in his music. He wrote this song and the proceeds for this song went to the families of The Edmund Fitzgerald., It touched everyone in the US and Canada.It still brings tears my eyes because it's true.. Thank you so much merit for your reaction videos about Canada,👋🇨🇦. God bless.🕊🙏🕊♥️
Every Canadian knows this song and when it is played ya just stop and listen to the haunting music and remember the tragedy. Gordon immortalized the tragedy and the men!
saw somewhere that Jacques Cousteau was the first team on the wreck ... as they were scanning the ship with their DSUV the lights came on inside a port hole & he just about crapped his pants .. they figured their flood lights hit a mirror in a cabin & reflected back ... RIP to the crew
Gordon Lightfoot was a very significant singer, songwriter not only in Canada, but his works are known worldwide. He wrote over 500 songs, quite a few of which were covered by other famous singers. If you want another song like this, Ballade of The Yarmouth Castle is also great. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy was another song that instantly comes to mind, he was commissioned to write a song for Expo 67, the world's fair the wsas held in Montreal and this song was the result - it is another powerful song. Then moving away for that sort, other great songs by him would include Early Morning Rain, Sun Down, personally I love Don Quixote or one of his later songs that touched me was I Used to be A Country Singer, with more than 500 songs it is hard to know what to suggest. Oh, one last suggestion - Black Day in July. That song is a commentary on racism in general and the worst riot in US history in specific - he took a lot of flak over the song and many US radio stations banned it because they didn't like what he had to say, but to me, it was a song that was very meaningful and which people needed to hear.
A Canadian icon! This song is only 1 of his masterpieces; the lyrics powerful, thoughtful, and heart wrenching all at the same time. Thx for this reaction, Mert!
Gordon Lightfoot is one of our treasures. His songs are like Poetry. Gordon gave all the money he made on this song to the families of the men on the Edmund Fitzgerald and since his death the bell in the Mariners Cathedral now rings 30 times instead of 29 to honour Gordon. Love your reaction love from Canada
I remember when the Edmund Fitzgerald went down during the great storm of November '75. The searched every square inch of the area of the Superior that the FItz could have gone to and nothing, except a trashed lifeboat and a few odds and ends, were ever found. It is now considered a memorial site and no one can dive near it. In fact, they recently found that a body is still in the ship (not sure if he was identified). This song is so emotional and I defy anyone not to feel a shiver of fear or at least feel deep sadness. Gordon Lightfoot is a Legend. He has quite the compilation of music from over the past 50 years in the business. We love and miss him very much. Also, check out Tragically Hip another great Canadian band.
All baby boomers are very familiar with Gordon Lightfoot and 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald'. He was a great composer and singer. It's still frequuently plaed on fm stations, that play older folk/rock music.
Mert, I have said this before and I’ll say it again: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am always filled with joy watching/listening to your reactions in your presentations. Gordon Lightfoot’s lyrics and songs never fail to amaze me and fill my heart to overflowing. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “If You Could Read My Mind” start the tears within the first couple of notes. I do not have enough superlatives to give this beloved Canadian man the honour and gratitude he so deserves. ❤️
Superior never gives up her dead means that the lake literally holds onto the drowned. They get too cold to rot in the traditional way (although they still decompose, it's more of a mummification process, almost) and as such get stuck at the bottom, never surfacing for families to bury. Lake Superior is the coldest of the 5. I live in the GLB (Great Lakes Basin) on the Canadian side. The lakes affect a lot of our weather here. I grew up hearing stories about the Edmund Fitzgerald from my dad. The song I heard due to my moms obsession with Gordon Lightfoot. Thank God for it, though. His music was beautiful. His best songs in my estimation are: 1) Song for a Winters Night 2) Did She Mention My Name 3) Bitter Green 4) Beautiful 5) Pussywillows, Cattails 6) The Wherefore and The Why 7) The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald 8) Carefree Highway 9) Minstrel of the Dawn 10) If You Could Read My Mind Sidenote of interest, my exes nanny had a good friend who he dated. He wrote a song about her (allegedly).
Thank you so much for reminding me of "Did She Mention My Name," and "Pussywillows, Cattails." They are such beautiful songs, and I haven't thought about them in ages. Going to listen to them both right now... 💖
Finally I found someone who loves ❤Gordie's song , "Pussywillows and Cattails"❤!!!! T V M !!!! (IT ISN 'T ON ANY OF THE CD'S AND DVD THAT I BOUGHT AFTER HIS CONCERT)
After music icon Gordon’s death last year , the church bell at the maritimes cathedral rang 30 times Gordon’s most famous song was “ If you could read my mind” which is a great documentary
The ship was hit by a super wave around 25 ft tall in a hurricane strength wind. It caused the multi ton ore freighter to scrap the bottom of the lake almost vertical and it broke in half and sunk due to weight in minutes. That was how it was found many years and study later
Gordon Lightfoot is so revered there is a petition out to rename part of Highway 400 for him. More great songs from him would be Sundown, Rainy Day People, If You Could Read My Mind among many others.
I grew up on an island in Lake Michigan and remember the tragedy well. I've been a Gordon Lightfoot fan since I was a kid. Aside from being an amazing human being, Gordon was a next level artist. Besides writing and recording amazing songs that tell real stories about real lives, his performances were studio quality music. He didn't do a song I didn't like, but if you like his story telling history lessons, I'd recommend "Canadian Railroad Trilogy". It's a long, brilliant tribute to the unsung (until he came along) heroes who forged their way across North America. Great reaction!
My brothers and I used to swim in the Detroit River grown up and every single time that the Edmond Fitzgerald came down the river we were in owe of it. Very sad that in our history when we found out that it sunk.
Summertime Dream is one of my favourite Lightfoot albums. I actually bought the album just for this song. It was #1 on the Canadian RPM National Album Chart. Haunting lyrics and melody.
I was a 15 year old kid in 1975 in Michigan when the Edmond Fitzgerald sank, I still remember the news was everywhere about it. When this song came out it was played constantly on the Michigan radio stations.
If you want a reason to review another GREAT Gordon Lightfoot song, learn about the building of the Canadian National Railroad. How it was built, the obstacles and the dangers to the people who actually did it. Afterwards you can listen to “The Canadian Railroad Trilogy” Man was a legend and his songs are poetry, not to mention great fun to play guitar to.
We listen to this in November every year. I lived along Lake Erie where they were going. It was traumatic. I used to watch the iron ore boats go by from my balcony.
He was a true, national treasure. He was a songsmith, a craftsman carefully crafting music to tell a story. He passed on a year ago. The Mariner's Church in Detroit rang their bell 30 times on the anniversary of the Fitz's loss, an extra one for Gordon.
There are ocean sailors that won't sail Superior, it's that fierce. Bodies at the bottom are nearly perfectly preserved as they don't rise to the top to get bacteria in them and it's so cold down there. The line from the song that gets me are "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Youngest man aboard was 19. They didn't call those waves "The Witch Of November" for nothing!
When Gordon died, they now ring the bell 30 times, once for him. I saw a touching political cartoon that showed him walking up to the Pearly Gates and St. Peter welcoming him and saying there were 29 men who were really looking forward to meeting him. It was so sad and sweet.
LIGHTFOOT IS GODLIKE IN CANADA. WHEN GORDON LIGHTFOOT PAST AWAY THEY RANG THE BELL 30 TIMES.
Came to say the same thing...thank you Detroit ...from Ontario canada
*passed away
He was incredible, agreed
Gordon Lightfoot was a wonderful singer and was very famous in the USA as well. I love all his music and still listen to his songs. Having grown up in Michigan (with relatives still in Canada) and visited Canada many times, we are fortunate to have such wonderful neighbors along the Northern border of our entire country! A number of famous entertainers in the US have come from Canada.
They still do. it wasn't a one time thing. Im sure its because not only did he donate all proceeds from this song to the families... it also was the first, well, even now the only, popular expression of the story of their loved ones.
A very fitting tribute!! I was disapointed when I learned Gordon was not American!! Gordon consistently took tiny snapshots of life and enshrined his feeling and insught for eternity. Thanks, Gordo!!! 💚💚💚
This is the kind of man Gordon was: The profits from the song (it was a big hit) went to families of those who died in the wreck. Gordon visited and befriended them, and continued to do so regularly for decades after. He died last year, May 1, 2023. The church bells that had been rung 29 times every year then rang 30 times, the extra bell in his honour. He was a man born in a small Ontario town surrounded by lakes big and small, connected to the Great Lakes, and was happiest on the water. His family, like many in the area, traced its roots to Scotland. He sang in church choirs from the age of four and had local fame as a boy soprano, appearing in Toronto's venerable Massey Hall at the age of ten ---- and another 176 times over his lifetime! The border between Canada and the U.S., running through the lakes, was invisible to him. But he also loved his native country, and his complex song "Canadian Railway Trilogy," another masterpiece, evokes its history brilliantly. You should react to that one next. Then, perhaps, the magical "If You Could Read My Mind," "Early Morning Rain," "Sundown," "Carefree Highway" and many others. A brilliant song writer and a fantastic, subtle acoustic guitarist ---- he was still recording successful albums up until 2020, and was in the middle of a concert tour when he grew ill and died. Despite receiving many honours, even becoming a postage stamp, he remained a down-to-earth man, loyal to his friends and small town origins, and unspoiled by fame. He was no plaster saint --- and had some strife and rowdiness in his day --- but there was never anything phony about him. Other musicians looked up to him, especially Bob Dylan.
A meaningful summary. Thank you.
well said.
He was an incredible artist and human being ❤ RIP 🙏🏻
It's a dying breed that still spells honours here in Canada. My phone actually corrected it to honors before I fixed it 😂 kudos to you! 😊
@@artemia79 I'm not in tip top condition, I admit, but not quite dying yet! I'm sufficiently ornery to stick to the old "ou"s. I've just been reading Chaucer, and I was sore tempted to say that Lightfoot was "a worthy man, that fro the tyme that he first began to riden out, he loved the chivalrie, trouthe and honour, fredom and curtesie."
If You Could Read My Mind is a must. One of my favourite songs ever. I had the 45 rpm record and almost wore it out.
One thing to add to Gordon Lightfoot's songwriting talent and beautiful voice is his flawless elocution. You never have to strain to hear the lyrics, and that can't be said of too many other singers.
I'm a Canadian and Gordon Lightfoot is an icon. He is Canadian music.
I still cry every single time I hear this song.
🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦
Rest in Peace Gord!
Most of us do. 🇨🇦🤟🏻💖
I'm Canadian and I still cry when I hear this song. Gordon Lightfoot is a hero here. I live right by the great lakes and to this day, I don't go on them in any boats. The great lakes are tough lakes with deadly waves. They are beautiful, but very dangerous.
It's always heart-wrenching for me to hear💔 .
I am from Michigan. I was 13 when this happened. I remember.
Same, it is very haunting.
They’re more like inland seas.
I live right by Lake Ontario, where it connects to the St. Lawrence River, so it's more protected than the open lake. but we still get some fierce waves when it's stormy. I can't even imagine what it's like on the bigger lakes.
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" Such a powerful line! Gordon Lightfoot was a very prolific songwriter so there are lots of songs to choose from. Some of my favourites are: Rainy Day People, Sundown, Bittergreen, Black Day in July and of course If You Could Read My Mind.
Anyone that been in a Gale or Hurricane in a boat know the meaning to that line to their bones .... I been in a few sailing (29' and 45' footers). on the great lakes
I like Canadian Railroad Trilogy as well!
@@ozmaile7938 As someone who builds boats for a living, I'd feel a lot more comfortable on the 45', especially on open water like The Great Lakes.
@@ozmaile7938 100% true
@@gilmour73great great song👍🏽👍🏽
I’m 64 years old. I grew up in Buffalo, New York. When I was 19, I got a call from Gordon after a late night of partying. He said he was Gordon Lightfoot and wanted to know if I would like a pass to his concert. I said “who the fuck is this? He laughed. My girlfriend was working at the hotel he was staying in and told him that I was a huge fan. He offered to call me and she was ecstatic. We saw him perform from front row seats and met him after the concert. He was so friendly and down to earth. Klienhans Music Hall. The symphony orchestra home, one of the best memories of my life. RIP Gordon Lightfoot
What a rare opportunity and wonderful memory to have!
That's so cool. I'm 63 and grew up in Buffalo, but never saw him in concert. The line about the gales of November always reminded of the changeable weather on the lake that time of year. Great song from a great artist. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.
Dude that is awesome. And hilarious. Great memory
That is a great memory.
Wow. What a great memory. That’s fantastic.
I put my daughter to bed at night by singing Gordon Lightfoot songs. This went on for years. I met Gordon 2 years ago and told him this. It brought a tear to his eye! A classic, amazing man.
Lucky you!
Yes. he was.
@@catherinefitzgerald7291 I know, right , honey. You and I should have met him. It’s late and I’m babbling. Ok, I’ve lost my train of thought. Night, night, sweet Catherine ZZZZZZZZZ
One of the most haunting songs recorded.
Canada’s poet laureate along with Leonard Cohen. Brilliant man, extremely talented, revered, told our stories❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
Also robbie robertson and Gord downie.
@@MitchClement-il6iq yes! 🙌
Also the late Stan Rogers
@@scottbreon9448 yes!, and my dad loved the late Hank Snow ❤️
My top 2!
When he says the lake never gives up her dead ... is because that lake is so deep and cold that the 'dead' do not rise to the top ... they stay at the bottom, which is one of the reason this song means so much. Just like the Titanic, so many died there that it remains a respected place. It is their watery graves. Every ship that pass where the Edmund is, ring their bell 29 times, each time, and when Gordon passed on, they started ringing their bell 30 times to include him. May they all RIP, including Gordon.
There is a wreck there from IIRC the early part of the last century where at least one sailor’s body can still be seen, trapped in the wreckage, in the flesh. It hasn’t decomposed at all. Since old ship wrecks are considered grave sites, he is left there.
@@RyariosWow... that's quite the story
@@glenmcdonald375 check out SS Kamloops. The corpse is nicknamed "Gramps" or "Old Whitey". There are of course ghost stories about him.
As a Canadian, and a fan of Gordon Lightfoot, i must recommend his greatest hit: Sundown. the chorus will live in your head for weeks!
My favourite song of his is Early Morning Rain. It would play on the radio when we'd take road trips to visit our grandparents when I was a kid.
Was fortunate enough to see Gordon Lightfoot in concert. No pretension, no flash, no light show. Just him, a stool and his guitar. He was amazing
@LoveCats9220 yes! Wasn't he amazing live? Got to sit front row center once as well, incredible. ❤
I had tickets for the concert that never happened.😢
Don't forget Red, Terry, Rick, Barry, Mike, and Carter. 🙂
Are you in your 60’s or 70’s? I’m 63 and remember my parents seeing him in Winnipeg in 1968 ❤
@@Keekonuts - it was the early 2000’s in Toronto. His voice wasn’t what it once was but he was still amazing
I'm Canadian, and we consider Gordon Lightfoot to be a national treasure. His recent death was met with a wave of sadness and reflections about the effect his music has had upon several generations of Canadians. I grew up spending my summers on the shore of Lake Huron and watched these great ships, known to us as "lakers", going across the horizon as they went along the lake. The loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald was something that shocked us deeply and we still feel sadness about the loss of the ship and its crew. Thank you for covering this.
Goerdon Lightfoot was a Canadian National Treasure.. Bob Dylan said of Gordon, that he was one of his favourite songwriters. He told a story with his songs. His songs were covered by singers like Elvis, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, and many other well known singers.
When the ship tragedy occurred, Gordon was upset at the news coverage it received. Some papers didn’t even regard it as first page news, some even mis spelled the name of the ship. So Gordon wrote the song, trying to be as faithful to the details as possible. All the proceeds from the sales of the record went to the families of the mariners families. Gordon attended every anniversary at the Detroit Cathedral….even into his old age. He got to know the families well. Gordon died May 1, 2023. That year they rang the bell 30 times, instead of 29, to honour Gordon as well.
The line that reads “ Superior, they say, never gives up her dead……” is true. The crew is still there with the wreckage, more or less fully preserved by the extreme cold of the lake. Bodies do not eventually float to the surface, because of that cold. The families petitioned and that area was designated officially as a grave site.
I think you would enjoy his songs, he has a catalogue of over 250 songs. In 1966 Gordon was commissioned to write a song for Canada’s centennial ( 1967 ) . He wrote “ The Canadian Railway Trilogy “ (. The building of Canada by the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway ). Some of his popular songs are “ If You Could Read My Mind “, “ Sundown “, “ In the Early Morning Rain “ and many, many more..
If You Could Read My Mind and Sundown are two of Lightfoot's classic songs, among others.
The Ojibwe name for the lake is gichi-gami, pronounced gitchi-gami or kitchi-gami in different dialects), meaning "great sea". Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this name as "Gitche Gumee" in the poem “The Song of Hiawatha”. - Wiki
He’s a Canadian Legend
Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Sundown
In the Early Morning Rain
If I could Read Your Mind
Man there are so many but I can’t remember them all
I am Canadian and cherished all Gordon Lightfoot music. May he rest in peace
"Canadian Railroad Trilogy" is another excellent Gordon Lightfoot song.
Sundown as well
When Mr. Lightfoot passed, the same bells rang 30 times. His Canadian Railway Trilogy is also epic. His other music is still fantastic. Best to you.
Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours? Perfect description for the helplessness that one would feel against the awesome power of the storm. Chilling. R I P to the valiant crew. And of course, to Gordon, for telling it so well.
“And all that remains is the faces and names of the wives and the sons and the daughters.” That line chokes me up every time.
Yes. That line and also "does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours "
@colinmacvicar - Me too. THAT LINE. I'm sitting here blubbering over it.
Excellent the way ya covered this sad but true story , im glad you didnt stop the song .
The Maritime Sailors Cathedral (known as the Mariners Church) is a church in downtown Detroit that caters to sailors who might be passing through Detroit & don’t have a home church to worship in.
Heh Mert, I'd like to recommend "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy". I saw him a few times live and he didn't disappoint. Cheers
Gordon is a Canadian national treasure. He is revered in Canada and is a favorite of citizens around the world. He is a master songwriter, performer and musician. He donated the proceeds of this song to the surviving family members of the sailors of the Fitzgerald. He didn’t just make monetary contributions but also gave of his time to the families. He was part of their community and even attended funerals of the families. We miss you Gordon. R.I.P. 👏👏🙏💔🇨🇦🇨🇦
Him and the late Stan Rogers were IMHO the two greatest folk singers Canada has ever produced.
He has so many amazing songs. Please have a listen.
"Does anyone know, where the love of God goes,
When the waves turn the minutes to hours"
Makes me want to cry, every time. Gordon Lightfoot, if I am not mistaken, refused to accept any musical awards throughout his career, stating the ONLY thing that mattered was making and selling his music. The only exception to that was 'Lifetime Achievement Award. That meant something. And yes, this song is big in Canada. The REASON Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song was because when the event happened, he noticed that the news coverage kept misspelling the ship's name in the newspaper, on the tv news they called the ship 3 different names on 3 different channels. So that kind of upset him. I think he did such a good job that nobody is ever likely to forget any time soon.
The great lakes would be called seas in any other part of the world. I spent a year in Paris, and I razzed the friends I made there when I saw the river Seine. I didn't even notice until after we crossed. It was a 3 minute walk, crossing one street at the lights, and then the next set of lights were across the river. I told my friends that in Canada, that would be called a creek!! When I think rivers, I think of the St Lawrence, having lived in the Montreal area all my life. Takes closer to an hour to cross the bridge here, and there aren't any lights!! It is close to 3.5 km long. So to me, THAT is a RIVER!!
Love your videos by the way. As you are fascinated with Canada, I too am equally fascinated with Scotland. There are lots of Scots over here. My old neighbours were Scottish (sounded just like you) and they were such nice folks.
🤘Godspeed to the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald....49 years on
🇨🇦🤘11-10-1975🤘🇺🇸
Another interesting fact about Gordon Lightfoot: 1967 was Canada's centennial and there were lots of celebrations. Of course, there was a large concert in Ottawa, and Gordon Lightfoot was asked to perform in it. 50 years later, in 2017, it was our 150-year anniversary celebration and there was another concert in Ottawa - and they asked Gordon Lightfoot to perform in it. It was a very touching moment for those of us who had known and loved him all that time.
that guitar just cries through the whole song, combine that with Gordon's voice and the story behind the song and it brings me to tears also FYI he donated all profits from this song to the family's of the crew. truly a saint of a man.
Gordon’s song Canadian Railroad Trilogy gives listeners a sense of what this country is about. Pure Canadiana
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian legendary singer-songwriter and composer. You should also do "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" about the building of the Trans-Canada Canadian Pacific Railway. "Black Day in July" about the uprising of black residents of Detroit protesting police abuse in 1967and many other great songs. Thank You!
Gordon donates all royalties from this song to the families of the 29.
Sundown is another one of his big hits.
sad that for 25 odd plus years the families had lived with being told it was the crews fault.(hatch open). new info came to light, the ship had a retro fit yrs prior and changed the structure and tonnage. the hatches were secured tight, and 3 - 4 rouge waves 90ft, hit the friz and breaking her back.
I have to say that Gordon Lightfoot is my favorite songwriter, singer and guitar player. He has several ship disaster songs in his catalog. "Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle", "Ghosts of Cape Horn" and "Marie Christine". His best songs are ones you didn't hear on the radio. My CD player is loaded with his boxed set. Enjoyed listening with you.
I heard that Gordon gave the proceeds of this song to the families of the men.
Here in Detroit the radio stations all recognize and play this song and remember all 29 souls every year.
The Great lakes are no joke they create their own weather systems and can become treacherous in a very short time .
Also superior is larger than the whole of Scotland ,just to put things into perspective
Another fun fact all five Great lakes are larger than the whole of the United Kingdom , just saying lol
It's difficult for many Europeans to imagine the scope of water and land masses on this continent. Your comparison is spot on. 👍
And on top of all that, the Great Lakes are effectively inland freshwater seas, and there's nothing else like them anywhere else in the world.
Lightfoot is a pure lyrical genius. His catalogue of music runs deep and dare, I say, he never wrote and/ or performed a poor song. You might want to start with "Gords Gold" for your listening pleasure. The album is pure magic.
Hi Mert - glad you're enjoying learning about Canada, sometimes we take ourselves for granted and these videos of yours remind us that we're living in a pretty great country.
Question for you: is there anyone doing something like this for Scotland? I would love to learn more about your culture.
PS Gord always was (RIP), and still is, a music hero in this country.
Gordon lightfoot was/is a canadian musical hero...he died may 2023...when he died the sailors cathedral in detroit rang the bell 30×...for the 29 sailors of the edmund fitzgerald and once for gordon
He has some other great music...
Some you might have heard of
-if you could read my mind
-sundown
-carefree highway
You often explore the differences between US and Canadian culture. Our singer/songwriters are the best example of who we are.
❤❤ even forty years later I still remember as I was working in one of the Canadian Coast guard radio stations
Gordon is a Canadian treasure…a highly revered artist from coast to coast to coast. I’d defy any Canadian to speak ill of him.
@@curmudgeonaf 100 % on that, and it's generational in some cases, as I've heard a lot of young people still groove to The Hip. Good , no , great music never goes out of style !!
Speaking ill of our Gordie's? Fight's on!!
Never would anyone say bad of gordon! I met him in late 96 in Saskatchewan Canada... most humble man ever.
"All that remains is the faces and the names of the wives, and the sons, and the daughters. " gets me every time.😢
Me too
Gordon Lightfoot, was an amazing storyteller.
Still cant hear this song without tearing up
Gordon is only one of many great song masters from Canada. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998. In May 2003 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. He won many Juno awards throughout his long career.
Gordon was a Canadian icon. ❤️🇨🇦
Stan Rogers is another Canadian music icon. His "Northwest Passage" among many others is a testament to his great story telling. Stan was awarded the Diplomme d'honneur, Canadian Conference of the Arts (1984); Inductee, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2019). Thought you may like Stan since Lightfoot made such an impression on you :) Maybe you have already been introduced to Stan but just in case...
White Squall is a timeless classic, so well sung, played, produced and recorded.
Went to my highschool.
I was going to mention Stan Rogers as well. The Field Behind The Plow is also a great song of his. As a Saskatchewan farmer myself it hits the feelers. Northwest Passage tugs at the heartstrings too.
I think Stan Rogers' "Lies" is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. It's not about fluffy romantic love but the kind of love you get when you build a life together that spans decades.
Stan Rogers was another truly Epic Canadian musician and songwriter. "Northwest Passage" has to be one of the most powerful pieces of music ever written about this country, and it's an unaccompanied vocal song. Stan's voice was huge, and powerful. Of my long list of "Stan Favorites" my personal touchstone is "The Mary Ellen Carter." I'd been listening to Stan since before the terrible Air Canada fire in Cincinnati, and loved his work. When I was disabled, I understood exactly what the closing line about "Smiling Bastards lying to you everywhere you go" and it became something I kept going back to when things got rough. There's a particular spot on the highway from Edmonton to Jasper where you come out of the shadow of the foothills and there's just an enormous wall of mountains all across the horizon - Northwest Passage's "Land so wild and savage" and "Chase the roaring Fraser to the sea" hit so close to home. Stan's music never gets old, and his voice is so distinctive it's instantly recognizable. I bought all of Gordon Lightfoot's albums on vinyl in the late 1960's, and everything I can get of Stan's on CD, plus some of the "bootleg" concert tapes. Like many people, I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard this ong; driving east on a 2 land blacktop into Ontario, a long long way from home but close to Superior. There was only one station on the car radio, and when they played "Fitzgerald" for (I assume) the first time, I had to pull over and stop when he got to the line, Does anyone know where the love of God goes . . " and every other car on the highway was doing exactly the same thing - pulled over and stopped. The effect was pure Gordon Lightfoot, wonderful, but shattering. I couldn't help it - my eyes were leaking tears, and still do. We're very fortunate in Canada to have had so many truly great musicians - they've become part of our collective soul.
There is no surprise that nobody has ever covered this song because it belongs to Gordon Lightfoot and a true testament in dedication to the men lost and families that were affected by this terrible tragic event. Gordon did his own research about this and then sat down a wrote this epic well written story. No one can touch this song but Gordon Lightfoot.
Gordon was a gentle humble and down to earth man, I had the privileged of knowing and getting to sing with him in the choir at St Paul’s United Church in Orillia Ontario when he would return at Christmas to join the choir of his upbringing. This Canadian hero, once 0:15 even said to me before singing Christmas hymns that he hoped he could do them justice.
Gordon Lightfoot has another tragic maritime disaster song called Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle. He does have more upbeat songs though like Wherefore and Why, Did She Mention My Name and Walls.
Early Morning Rain, Sun Down and Rainy Day People are all great songs by Gordon Lightfoot.
Carefree Highway is another good one.
My personal favourite song from Gord is
If You Could Read My Mind
I believe Paul McCartney put him at the top of his list of favorite song writers. High praise
This is a modern sea shanty. You can hear the swaying in time to the music. This song is like the state song of Michigan. We learn it as we learn about the Great Lakes that surround up. FYI, no bodies were recovered, but they are still down there. Lake Superior is freezing all year long in the depths, and preserves everything.
He was a wonderful story teller.
Gordon Lightfood was a great author, composer singer... This song if one of his most popular along with "If you could read my mind" that have been covered by so many other singers after him.
There are no words that accurately describe how I feel as a Canadian to the works of Gordon Lightfoot - epic, heartwarming, passionate, legendary, prolific, iconic - I could go on. I’ve seen him 4 times in concert from his early days to one of his last concerts here in Montreal. He was a proud Canadian (he said so in one of his concerts), a gem of Canadian culture. My children were educated entirely in French but my daughter, at the age of 10, could sing the Edmund Fitzgerald in its entirety. May he rest in peace.
Somewhere in RUclips there's a documentary that explains how Gordon researched this subject, traveling to the U.S.A. to interview the sailors' families, etc.
If you want to hear a song about Canada listen to Gordon’s ‘Canadian Railroad Trilogy’. It is the most amazing song about the building of the railroad through Canada. I think it was Gordon Lightfoot’s best song and tells you so much about Canada. Please give it a listen.
For more amazing Gordon Lightfoot Canadiana, check out "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy". Gordon composed this for Canada's Centennial in 1967. It's all about the building of the trans-Canada Canadian Pacific Railway.
Gord was one of Us, no matter who Us is. Every little town around the Lakes had a grain elevator where the ships stopped, and everyone knew sailors or retired sailors. We used to launch boats at a makeshift ramp where the grain boats tied up. You'd have guys sitting in the engine room door or watching from the bridge wing and giving "advice". When she went down, we all felt it. There's a good chance Gord wrote this looking out a window at a big laker either tied up or passing by.
I was living in Thunder Bay at the time...always gives Me chills...
I've listened to literally tens of thousands of songs over the last half-century, and I'm still unconvinced that this isn't my favourite one. Cheers from Across The Pond.🥃☮❤
Try listening to the Canadian Railroad Trilogy. So good.❤
This man and this song are very well known on both sides of the border. It is an anthem to the majesty of the great lakes region, where I grew up. It always brings tears to my eyes. Gordon is an amazing song writer and musician, playing the guitar in this song. Yes, you must listen to more of Gordon's music. He's a legend. I was once in a very bad storm on Lake Erie and a few people died on the lake that day. Me and my brothers were foolish and lucky. That's all I can say.
My wife's favorite singer
As a Canadian, I am on the West Coast though.I just wanted to thank you so much for looking into Canada.I love your reaction videos and i'm glad I found them.. This song is just beautiful Gordon.Lightfoot is such an awesome storyteller in his music. He wrote this song and the proceeds for this song went to the families of The Edmund Fitzgerald., It touched everyone in the US and Canada.It still brings tears my eyes because it's true.. Thank you so much merit for your reaction videos about Canada,👋🇨🇦. God bless.🕊🙏🕊♥️
Every Canadian knows this song and when it is played ya just stop and listen to the haunting music and remember the tragedy. Gordon immortalized the tragedy and the men!
I must have heard this a zillion times and it still gives me chills. It's so hauntingly beautiful.
He's a legend here in Canada. When Gordon passed away all of Canada mourned.
saw somewhere that Jacques Cousteau was the first team on the wreck ... as they were scanning the ship with their DSUV the lights came on inside a port hole & he just about crapped his pants .. they figured their flood lights hit a mirror in a cabin & reflected back ... RIP to the crew
Gordon Lightfoot was a very significant singer, songwriter not only in Canada, but his works are known worldwide. He wrote over 500 songs, quite a few of which were covered by other famous singers.
If you want another song like this, Ballade of The Yarmouth Castle is also great. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy was another song that instantly comes to mind, he was commissioned to write a song for Expo 67, the world's fair the wsas held in Montreal and this song was the result - it is another powerful song. Then moving away for that sort, other great songs by him would include Early Morning Rain, Sun Down, personally I love Don Quixote or one of his later songs that touched me was I Used to be A Country Singer, with more than 500 songs it is hard to know what to suggest. Oh, one last suggestion - Black Day in July. That song is a commentary on racism in general and the worst riot in US history in specific - he took a lot of flak over the song and many US radio stations banned it because they didn't like what he had to say, but to me, it was a song that was very meaningful and which people needed to hear.
May he rest in peace love from Canada. He’ll truly be missed
Gordon Lightfoot was a great song writer and story teller. One of Canada's true icons.
As far as Canadian folk music goes, this and Northwest Passage are hands down my favorite. As soon as I here the very first note, I start choking up.
A Canadian icon! This song is only 1 of his masterpieces; the lyrics powerful, thoughtful, and heart wrenching all at the same time. Thx for this reaction, Mert!
Any of his songs would be terrific for a reaction
Gordon Lightfoot is one of our treasures. His songs are like Poetry. Gordon gave all the money he made on this song to the families of the men on the Edmund Fitzgerald and since his death the bell in the Mariners Cathedral now rings 30 times instead of 29 to honour Gordon. Love your reaction love from Canada
I remember when the Edmund Fitzgerald went down during the great storm of November '75. The searched every square inch of the area of the Superior that the FItz could have gone to and nothing, except a trashed lifeboat and a few odds and ends, were ever found. It is now considered a memorial site and no one can dive near it. In fact, they recently found that a body is still in the ship (not sure if he was identified). This song is so emotional and I defy anyone not to feel a shiver of fear or at least feel deep sadness. Gordon Lightfoot is a Legend. He has quite the compilation of music from over the past 50 years in the business. We love and miss him very much. Also, check out Tragically Hip another great Canadian band.
Lake Superior never gives up her dead. It's too cold for decomposition.
Me to. It was all over the old A.M radio...
Seems like yesterday.
All baby boomers are very familiar with Gordon Lightfoot and 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald'. He was a great composer and singer. It's still frequuently plaed on fm stations, that play older folk/rock music.
The song was a hit.
Mert, I have said this before and I’ll say it again: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am always filled with joy watching/listening to your reactions in your presentations. Gordon Lightfoot’s lyrics and songs never fail to amaze me and fill my heart to overflowing. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “If You Could Read My Mind” start the tears within the first couple of notes. I do not have enough superlatives to give this beloved Canadian man the honour and gratitude he so deserves. ❤️
Superior never gives up her dead means that the lake literally holds onto the drowned. They get too cold to rot in the traditional way (although they still decompose, it's more of a mummification process, almost) and as such get stuck at the bottom, never surfacing for families to bury.
Lake Superior is the coldest of the 5. I live in the GLB (Great Lakes Basin) on the Canadian side. The lakes affect a lot of our weather here. I grew up hearing stories about the Edmund Fitzgerald from my dad. The song I heard due to my moms obsession with Gordon Lightfoot. Thank God for it, though. His music was beautiful. His best songs in my estimation are:
1) Song for a Winters Night
2) Did She Mention My Name
3) Bitter Green
4) Beautiful
5) Pussywillows, Cattails
6) The Wherefore and The Why
7) The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
8) Carefree Highway
9) Minstrel of the Dawn
10) If You Could Read My Mind
Sidenote of interest, my exes nanny had a good friend who he dated. He wrote a song about her (allegedly).
Thank you so much for reminding me of "Did She Mention My Name," and "Pussywillows, Cattails." They are such beautiful songs, and I haven't thought about them in ages. Going to listen to them both right now... 💖
Finally I found someone who loves ❤Gordie's song , "Pussywillows and Cattails"❤!!!! T V M !!!! (IT ISN 'T ON ANY OF THE CD'S AND DVD THAT I BOUGHT AFTER HIS CONCERT)
After music icon Gordon’s death last year , the church bell at the maritimes cathedral rang 30 times
Gordon’s most famous song was “ If you could read my mind” which is a great documentary
The ship was hit by a super wave around 25 ft tall in a hurricane strength wind. It caused the multi ton ore freighter to scrap the bottom of the lake almost vertical and it broke in half and sunk due to weight in minutes. That was how it was found many years and study later
Gordon Lightfoot is so revered there is a petition out to rename part of Highway 400 for him. More great songs from him would be Sundown, Rainy Day People, If You Could Read My Mind among many others.
Song for a Winters Night doesn't get enough love.
For me at least.
Obvious choice: change the name of 400 to Carefree Highway
loved his music , he's a beloved Canadian
I grew up on an island in Lake Michigan and remember the tragedy well. I've been a Gordon Lightfoot fan since I was a kid. Aside from being an amazing human being, Gordon was a next level artist. Besides writing and recording amazing songs that tell real stories about real lives, his performances were studio quality music. He didn't do a song I didn't like, but if you like his story telling history lessons, I'd recommend "Canadian Railroad Trilogy". It's a long, brilliant tribute to the unsung (until he came along) heroes who forged their way across North America. Great reaction!
My brothers and I used to swim in the Detroit River grown up and every single time that the Edmond Fitzgerald came down the river we were in owe of it. Very sad that in our history when we found out that it sunk.
Summertime Dream is one of my favourite Lightfoot albums. I actually bought the album just for this song. It was #1 on the Canadian RPM National Album Chart. Haunting lyrics and melody.
I was a 15 year old kid in 1975 in Michigan when the Edmond Fitzgerald sank, I still remember the news was everywhere about it. When this song came out it was played constantly on the Michigan radio stations.
If you want a reason to review another GREAT Gordon Lightfoot song, learn about the building of the Canadian National Railroad. How it was built, the obstacles and the dangers to the people who actually did it. Afterwards you can listen to “The Canadian Railroad Trilogy” Man was a legend and his songs are poetry, not to mention great fun to play guitar to.
We listen to this in November every year. I lived along Lake Erie where they were going. It was traumatic. I used to watch the iron ore boats go by from my balcony.
He was a true, national treasure. He was a songsmith, a craftsman carefully crafting music to tell a story.
He passed on a year ago. The Mariner's Church in Detroit rang their bell 30 times on the anniversary of the Fitz's loss, an extra one for Gordon.