When Gordon Lightfoot died, the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral bell chimed 29 times for the men aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the final knell, the 30th, was for Gordon Lightfoot.
Why does someone always insist on chopping onions each and every time I hear this song. I was a kid when this happened while living near Superior. I still remember the news alert coming across the TV screen.
My father worked on the boats as a cook for many years.....including the Fitz.... I've been aboard her a few times myself.... We knew many of the men personally...... Rest in Peace.... Michael Armagost- 37- Third Mate- Iron River, Wisconsin Fred Beetcher- 56- Porter- Superior, Wisconsin Thomas Bentsen- 23- Oiler- St. Joseph, Michigan Edward Bindon -47- First Asst. Engineer- Fairport Harbor, Ohio Thomas Borgeson -41- Maintenance Man- Duluth, Minnesota Oliver Champeau- 41-Third Asst. Engineer- Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Nolan Church -55 -Porter -Silver Bay, Minnesota Ransom Cundy- 53- Watchman- Superior, Wisconsin Thomas Edwards-50- Second Asst. Engineer- Oregon, Ohio Russell Haskell -40- Second Asst. Engineer- Millbury, Ohio George Holl -60- Chief Engineer- Cabot, Pennsylvania Bruce Hudson- 22- Deck Hand -North Olmsted, Ohio Allen Kalmon -43- Second Cook- Washburn, Wisconsin Gordon MacLellan- 30- Wiper- Clearwater, Florida Joseph Mazes- 59- Special Maintenance Man -Ashland, Wisconsin John McCarthy -62-First Mate -Bay Village, Ohio Ernest McSorley -63 -Captain -Toledo, Ohio Eugene O'Brien- 50- Wheelsman -Toledo, Ohio Karl Peckol -20- Watchman -Ashtabula, Ohio John Poviach -59- Wheelsman- Bradenton, Florida James Pratt -44- Second Mate- Lakewood, Ohio Robert Rafferty -62 -Steward -Toledo, Ohio Paul Riippa -22 -Deck Hand -Ashtabula, Ohio John Simmons -63 -Wheelsman -Ashland, Wisconsin William Spengler -59- Watchman- Toledo, Ohio Mark Thomas -21- Deck Hand- Richmond Heights, Ohio Ralph Walton -58- Oiler- Fremont, Ohio David Weiss -22 -Cadet -Agoura, California Blaine Wilhelm -52- Oiler- Moquah, Wisconsin
As a US citizen, I would like to thank Canada for giving the world Gordon Lightfoot. Rest in peace Gordon, you didn’t just have a gift, you WERE the gift.
We loved out Gords; Gord Downey of the Tragically Hip, Gordon Lightfoot, Gordon Pinsent, of stage and screen, and Gordie Howe (Gordie!) of Hockey fame.
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" What a haunting line, but brilliant. He was a master storyteller and singer. Great reaction!
Lake Superior is.... different. I grew up on the great lakes and inland lakes, and the water is nothing to take lightly, you NEED to be careful. But Superior (especially during a storm) had a near-spiritual effect on me and that's coming from a guy who really does not believe in the supernatural. I definitely just don't understand whatever is going on with that lake but the only way I can describe it DIFFERENT. I've lived on both coasts and the Pacific with a raging storm coming in comes the closest, but Superior if just something else. I've kayaked on it multiple times but stayed extremely close to shore and even then had "red flag" feeling of "I should get back to shore like right now.".Everyone who is able to should visit Superior once in their lives. And if you're into crazy weather experiences, visit during a storm in the winter. That shit is absolutely WILD and beautiful at the same time.
One thing I wish people would speak more of, is the captain and crew of the Arthur M Anderson. They were the ones that were in communication and were traveling approximately 15 miles behind the Edmund Fitzgerald. When the Arthur Andersen was able to make it safely to Harbor, the Coast Guard asked for their help to locate the Edmund Fitzgerald. They had just got away from that dangerous storm yet they willingly went back into it. That to me is true bravery.
True they took a big risk going back into the beast to try to help save lives. Their actions were extremely heroic and they deserve to be recognized for their risks.
To give a little more context, the Edmund Fitzgerald was at the time of her sinking the largest ship sailing the great lakes. What made her wreck so interesting and scary is the fact in one moment she was above water, and then the next she was completely gone without a trace. The sailors who were on board didn't have a chance to even try to save themselves the ship sank so quickly. Many believe a massive wave overtook the ship and the ships bow nose dive directly into the floor of Lake Superior causing the whole ship to get Pulled Under Water within a matter of moments. The entire 29 person crew probably had no idea what even happened by the time the ship hit bottom. For those of us who live up near the great lakes, and go boating and sailing on them, it's definitely a tale that a lot of us know and appreciate because we're around all of these Freighters and ships that sail the lakes. For those who don't live around the lakes, it's hard to really put into perspective for them just how large and dangerous these Lakes actually are. The Great Lakes are basically miny oceans, they are beautiful and elegant, but are also deadly and dangerous and are not to be underestimated. Gordon I think really did a good job putting that into perspective with this song for sure. Amazing reaction as always, thank you for checking this one out❤🤘
The report on the massive waves slamming into the Fitz in her stern had came from her sister ship The Arthur M . Anderson who had dropped in behind the Ftzgerald and they were the ones that reported that the Fitzgeralds light dissapeared.driving her under In the susspected hard drive forward under the waves and how the Fitzgerald looks under water seems to cooberate a hard hit and slide as the Fitzgerald was 700+ feet long but the lake where she hit bottom is 500+ feet deep. = = feet deepts
It's very unlikely that they hit bottom there, the lake is over 500' deep in that area. And had they shoaled in a different location, they definitely would've heard and felt it. It's more likely the ship split apart due to the stresses of the waves, which could've been over 35'. There also could've been unknown previous damage that contributed to the ship breaking up. After this incident, they came to realize how much stress the Great Lakes storms put on a ship.
@@ffjsb Possibly, other investigators figure as the tonnage of water inside the Fitz moved the taconite pellets forwards into the bow it added to it's bow weight because the forward secton hit the bottom and plowed up a trench under it and the anchors hit hard enough to shoot forwards of the bow . Heck of it is if the Fitz stood on the transom / stern at a 90 degree angle her bow would have been 200 feet above water.
I was a young teen when this song came out and I had no idea that there even WAS a great lakes merchant marine...Another artist that was involved in great lakes marine safety in great lakes is Loreena Makennit ...she lost her fiance in a boating accident...all profits from her double live in Paris album...you would like her music
I think the line "Does any one know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours?" is one of the most devastating lines in rock. It gets me every time.
It's the next one that always gets me. "The searchers all say they'd made Whitefish Bay, if they put fifteen more miles behind her... " Safe harbor was so close, but it may as well have been on the moon.
Gordon Lightfoot’s song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" raised thousands of dollars for the families of the sailors lost in the 1975 shipwreck. Lightfoot donated a portion of the song’s royalties to support the families, and the song itself has helped raise awareness about the tragedy for decades. Upon his death, the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral held a ceremony and rang the bell 30 times instead of 29. One extra ring for Gordon Lightfoot!
All these years and I still cry. Gordon was a treasure...such a songwriter. And sorely missed. The reason for the line "Superior it's said never gives up her dead" is because the water is so cold, there is little or no decomposition of the body, and no internal gasses which would make a body come to the surface after some time, in warmer waters. Superior is considered an inland sea. And I saw him in concert a few months after the song was released, and played it. When it was over, the whole auditorium was so quiet, you could hear the concert goers crying.
I live in Detroit and every year the church bells chime 29 times and the relatives come and remember, the radio stations play this song and we remember. they will never be forgotten 😢
My dad took a vacation to the UP and on his way there, he stopped at the museum for the ceremony to pay his respects. This is one of his favorite songs. According to him, it was surreal.
He did not donate all the money to the families. He kept in touch with the families throughout his life, and created a scholarship fund for the children of the sailors, but he did not donate all the proceeds. Google it.
The reason they say, "Superior Never Gives up Her Dead", is because at depth the water is too cold for for decomposition gasses to form and therefore bodies do not bloat and eventually rise to the surface. The following is a direct quote from the S.S.Edmund Fitzgerald's Website concerning Gordon Lightfoot ... "Gordon Lightfoot usually is very protective of this song and the wishes of the family members and is in no way "for" exploiting the victims, or their family members. He has also appeared at several 25th anniversary memorial services in support of the families and is in personal contact with many of them. Every family member that we have interviewed on this website agrees that Lightfoot is "a good guy," "a genuine man," and even "blessed."
Aileen you don't have to apologize for talking. Your reaction was wonderful. It was heartfelt and sincere. You expressed your feelings for the song at the moment . Thank you for being so genuine.
This was not history when Gordon wrote and created this masterpiece. It came out less than a year after the wreck, and it is a brilliant tribute to some of the men who make America work. Incidentally, after Gordon died, the Maritime Sailors Cathedral rang it's bell 30 times....one for each man on the Edmund Fitzerald, and one for the troubador who immortalized them.
@joeday4293 That song is written by Alan Jackson called "where we're you, when the world stopped turning" and sung at the country music awards a few days later!...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 👋🤠
It’s impossible for me to hear this song without getting at least misty-eyed. So beautiful. So haunting. So heartbreaking. Gordon Lightfoot is a treasure.
Don't apologize for expressing you feelings, Aileen - ANYONE who can hear this song and not be touched isn't fully human. This is one of the most touching songs ever, and thanks sincerely for your reactions.
Someone once described this song as "terrible," and nothing could've enraged me deeper than such a statement and I wonder how one could feel such a way about this song which is a beautifully poetic telling of a historical tragedy and not in an exploitative way in the least, so I'm convinced that anyone who has such an opinion has to be at the least, a sociopath to dismiss this as not just bad but "terrible," was the word used to describe this masterpiece by some random person on the internet and I'm still heated at this wildly bad take and can't help but wonder what their reasoning is for such a strong dislike of this song. Maybe it's too sad for some folks? That's the best benefit of the doubt I can give this person but I think they're likely less than human for holding as close to an objectively wrong opinion as one can have. (I know that's a paradox but it illustrates how hard it is to bash this song with any critical merit whatsoever)
@@OnionsMakeYouCry9 You never know what anonymous strangers on the internet are going through. Maybe that poster recently lost a loved one in a boating accident? Maybe they're stressed in other ways and find the sad tale of 29 more deaths a "tragedy." I find it best not to take negative internet posts to heart (if I can avoid it). Better to give the benefit of the doubt and wish everyone the best. And on that note, may I wish you and yours safe and happy holidays! Glenn
Gordon Lightfoot is called "Canada's Greatest Storyteller", and rightfully so! This man truly weaves a story and makes you imagine what he's singing... While he is lost, he is 100% remembered by Canadians like me
No one could weave a tale in such beautiful ways like Gordon. He was a treasure! Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind should be next. Brilliant songwriter.
This song is sacred to us Michiganders. I was very young when the Fitz sank but I remember it. We were at my grandmas when the local news broke into the normal TV programming. I didn’t understand what had happened but I knew something very bad had happened based on the grown ups’ reactions. RIP Mr. Lightfoot. Thank you for the amazing stories.
remember the national coverage on TV. it was a heartbreaking time when the search was called off and no trace of the crew was found. A terrible period of mourning settled in .
Gordon Lightfoot was the guy Bob Dylan listened to. Lightfoot was a major inspiration for generations of songwriters. Every Canadian is proud of Gordon Lightfoot and Gord Downie.
I'm a former US Navy sailor. I did my basic training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, right on the shore of Lake Michigan. I started there, in November of 1990. Our instructors played us this song, on the 15th Anniversary of the loss of the Fitzgerald. To this day, when I hear that instantly-recognizable electric guitar riff, it reminds me of those high winds blowing off the lake. Even in the hottest part of the summer, I get chills.
I did my basic training in the AF in the same year. My point isn't about being in the military, but more so about being about the same age and maybe even hearing this song as a kid, and about a deep respect for those waters, and those that died on that day. The guitar is brilliant, and also the time signature.
I remember listening to this song when i was a kid in the 70's. It paints such a picture in my mind. It's haunting. I picture the crew and the pain of the families. I'll always enjoy listening to it and feel the emotions that come with it. God bless you, Gordon Lightfoot. Thank for giving us such amazing music to enjoy forever.
It's been said we don't just learn history to not repeat past mistakes, we learn to learn to be better. Having a good history teacher that makes it interesting/engaging is a incredible benefit.
The Fitz was the largest ship to go down on the lakes, but she was just one of countless wrecks on the lakes. Gordon Lightfoot made sure the name Edmund Fitzgerald would never be forgotten.
I'm 61 years old. I remember when this happened. It made the National news. All through the years, there were a lot of shows about the Edmond Fitzgerald. what happened, how it happened and etc. I served in the US Navy after high school. 1981-1985. All 4 years was on the USS New Jersey BB-62. When you go to sea, you already know what can happen. You already accept it. I've been through 3 hurricanes/typhoons at sea. I've seen 40-80 foot waves. all you can do is your job and trust everyone else to do theirs. In this situation, from what I've seen and read, they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. NOAA and the coast guard, believe the she was struck by a rouge wave. That caused the wave peaks to shorten between them and drove her bow straight into the bottom. That's why she is sitting on the bottom relatively intact. I was watching when they sent the remote sub down to retrieve the bell and place another in its place. They didn't show it, but they spotted remains on the bridge.
Great song from a great poet, storyteller and musician. This song was released just one year after the tragedy. If "You Could Read My Mind" is his best in my view. "Sundown" is great too.
Each year on the anniversary of the wreck, at split rock lighthouse in Minnesota, they read the names of each of the crew members. They ring a bell as they read each name and then turn on the lighthouse light. It truly is amazing.
It was a sad story to have heard. I had lived in Upstate New York near Lake Ontario but had moved back down to Tennessee. I was in the 11th grade and I so much remember when it happened. When Gordon Lightfoot released the song, I cried every time it was played on the radio. I still tear up when I hear it and it is the one song I will always watch a "First Time Hearing" video, even though I still get emotional about it. An old Sailor like me still sheds tears when I hear this song, but you do not know how much I appreciate when the younger generations take the time to learn about the events.
I was a paper boy delivering the Detroit News. I remember the day I delivered the paper with the headline stating the Fitzgerald was lost. I've literally seen that boat come down the Detroit river in the late season. That year it didn't. I'll never forget that day.
That was an awesome reaction Aileen. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the most heartfelt songs ever written and performed and I am glad you reviewed it.
This is such a great song not just because it tells a story of a famous shipwreck. It illustrates the native American names of the places they were which were known by the crew. The nicknames for weather that the crew would have been using as they prepared to face a dire situation. It puts us on the decks as a crewman. Men for whom bravery was a such a routine part of the job they express their bonds, and camaraderie right to the end. Then among the community who had lost these brave men. Immersion in the story is the best of story telling. Only poetry, and song can tell so much is so few words. It's not a despairing song. It illustrates how we want to face adversity, with grace, and courage to do the best we can. The ship was lost but not because of any weakness of the ship or crew. If they had made just 15 miles more. They were against an implacable nature. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you don't. But facing it with all you have is how it's won. They are remembered. They are celebrated. It is right to do so. They lived life as winners, and did not leave as losers.
Lake Superior can be worse than the ocean. Can't imagine what went through those guy's heads. What a great tribute to the men who lost their lives keeping this country going. Thankless, but dangerous jobs. Gordon was a poet. You couldn't have written more beautiful and haunting lyrics than this.
Raised in Minnesota my whole life, was in high school when the mighty Fitz went down with all hands on November 10, 1975, It was so tragic and shocked all of us native Minnesotans who live on the shores of Superior, History has not don justice to the event or memory of the 29 souls lost that horrible day, It was a land locked hurricane that took the Fitz, Thank You for sharing!
I might have been only 8 years old and living in Wisconsin when the wreck happened. But I remember it like yesterday. It was all over the local news. This affected everyone that lives in the Great Lakes area. Every time I hear this song it brings tears to my eyes. November 10th it will be 49 years since it happened. I don't know why but the wreck of the Edmunds Fitzgerald is ingrained in my mind forever.
Gordon Lightfoot was amazing singer and songwriter, I hope you do react to some more of his songs " Sundown" or "If you could read my mind" Thank you for your reactions!
They finally found the Edmund Fitzgerald. They recovered the ships bell. The Edmund Fitzgerald is a grave site. From a Gordon Lightfoot song "if you could read my mind love, what a story my thoughts could tell. Just like a paperback novel about a ghost from a wishing well." Find the song and fall in love with it.
Aileen - your "ramblings, incessant talking and babbling .." are appreciated and well-spoken. Thank you for your heartfelt commentary on this iconic tune from Gordon Lightfoot. Keep on keeping on Aileen!
When Gordon Lightfoot passed the Maritime Sailors Cathedral rang its bell 30 times 29 for the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald and one for him RIP Mr Fitzgerald you are missed
I have seen numerous reactions to this song and I never really hear anyone mention how this song is done in a very "Irish folk song" style. I think that is what makes this song so unique and beautiful. Your reaction video was done very well,..kudos to you. You could really see the genuine emotion on your face. Edmund Fitzgerald, namesake of the ship: The namesake of the ship was the president and chairman of the board of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, which built the ship. Fitzgerald was from a family with a history in shipping, and was also a civic leader in Milwaukee.
You're such a beautiful, empathetic soul, that your reaction was really moving. As far as history goes, the Fitzgerald went down on November 10, 1975. Gordon Lightfoot read about it in the news and was so moved to write this song which was a big hit in 1976. I've known this song all these years and I still get all choked up when I hear it (especially when someone such as yourself reacts to it). Lighfoot did such a great job making you feel like you were there.
My Grandfather was a cop in the North parts of Michigan he told the family about the S.O.S. call from lake superior. As a cop my grandfather try to get to the safety boats and they where gone they have them on shore to save shipping man.
Hello Eileen from Northern British Columbia, Canada. I'm so glad you chose a song from Gordon Lightfoot's incredible catalogue. I'm not going to make comments that duplicate those below. They're pretty good. I just have a few things to say as I'm sure you're very busy. First, you apologize more than a Canadian (lol). It is so refreshing to see someone in the public view with such honesty and emotional integrity. I have enjoyed your reactions for sometime now. You are in my top three RUclipsrs because of your authenticity. This is what characterizes Canadian music although I can't be sure that applies to more modern music, which, of course will offend some folks and bring out the haters. You are far from a hater. Please take these compliments as genuine to a genuine person. I do hope you explore more Gordon. There are some good suggestions below which are more known because of their commercial success. Other songs will take you away the sadness eviked by this song, which still brings a tear to my eye when I hear it being listened to by someone who is new to it. A couple tunes that you probably won't get recommended are "on the Lee of Christian island" which is a small place in Lake Huron (Canadian side), and "sit down young stranger." To conclude, I so appreciate that you listened in a heartfelt and open way without interrupting this beautiful and poignant work by a master storyteller. It's the folk tradition. I encourage you to continue your important work. With respect.
Boomer cranky old man says. This is how history has been passed down for thousands of years, stories and truths set to song. (I was alive when this song was released) still makes me cry. Gordon Lightfoot a true artist.
This song will always hold a special place in my heart because i have 2 family members who died and one who survived a shipwreck on Lake Michigan. Two uncles (Alfred Pilarski & Raymond Kowalski) went down on the SS Carl D. Bradley November 18th 1958 and another uncle Frank Mayes was one of the two survivors of that sinking. I was once told a saying by another sailor "The Great Lakes are an unforgiving mistress" and its so true. RIP to all those brave sailors and may you have fair winds and following seas.
Once upon a time, music was for telling stories to pass down to future generations, rather than the production mill it's become today. Gordon Lightfoot is well renowned in his home country as a poet among musicians.
Fun fact: This was actually supposed to be a recorded first run/rehearsal (with Gordon nodding at the band for ques when the drums and lead guitar should start playing, as the band learned the song), and they tried to record it again, but this first take was magic.
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Describes the personal terror these men must have felt as well as I could ever imagine. Gets me right in the heart.
I remember this song from when I was a kid. It made me love history to search for the truth, He was a great story teller and made us remember this tragedy.
I grew up by one of a great lakes. As a Navy man I was at sea through 2, hurricanes and a monster Typhoon and remember the rivets snapping and to this day i get chills at natures power. I remember that storm. Gordon Lightfoot's lyrics still haunts me to this day. God's blessings 🙏🙏
We rented a cottage on Lake Erie one July 4th weekend. Sitting near a campfire on a chaise lounge when this song came on...I could see the freighters lights moving slowly across the lake. It gave me chills
When you were sitting at the fire hearing this song and saw the lights of those big freighters off in the distance it had to grip your emotions at that point. What better way to understand what those 29 souls endured during that November night in 1975. Gordon Lightfoot was in my opinion was the best song writer. When this single was finally released in July 1976 he gave all the profits from this song to the families of the crew that were lost in this tragic ship wreck.
Gordon is one of the greatest story tellers in folk and rock music. If You Could Read My Mind, Sundown, In the Early Morning Rain, The Way I Feel are some of my favorites.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was a freighter on the Great Lakes that sank during a fierce storm on November 10, 1975. All 29 men of that crew perished. So next month will be the 49th anniversary. Aileen, thank you for reacting to this song. Always enjoy your reactions. BB. Jon
There is a version if this with a listing of all 29 crew from the Fitz named and a bell toll for each. The names of those men will live on in history thanks to Mr. Lightfoot.
Art is supposed to make you feel. This song is so powerful in the emotions it invokes. The line, "And all that remains is the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters," gets to me every time. I really enjoyed your reaction to this memorable song, young lady. RIP Gordon. 💚
It's beautiful, it's tragic and it's terrifying. Gordon's lyrics are so vivid that he puts me right on that ship with those men, and I can feel every one of those waves.
I grew up on Lake Superior there ain’t much that shakes me but some thing that’s always put genuine fear in my heart is being out in 20’ rollers on Lake Superior 20 miles out off the peninsula. Some of the scariest moments of my life. A lot of men say they are ready to go but, when you get out in those waves it’s a different type of fear when you know you’ll sink straight down a 1,000’ the water is so cold year round. “ does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours” paints a vivid picture of sheer despair with no hope in sight. I’m 33 and an adrenaline junkie but I have the utmost respect for that lake. I’ve almost died on it several times.
It takes an incredible gift to tell a complete story in only three minutes and make you feel as if you were there. Gordon Lightfoot possessed that gift, as did Bob Dylan and the underrated and overlooked Stan Rogers. When Dylan said that he can wish a Lightfoot song never ended you know even one of the most gifted songwriters is in awe. Other Gordon Lightfoot songs to check out are If You Could Read My Mind, Black Day In July, Ribbon Of Darkness, Rainy Day People, Early Morning Rain, Sundown, Carefree Highway just to name a few.
This song came out just a year after the shipwreck, and nearly half a century has passed since then. And yet when I really listen to this song, as I just did with you, it still brings tears to my eyes. That is the power of a great singer/songwriter. Do visit Gordon Lightfoot again. I swear that not all of his songs are this sad.
Gordon Lightfoot wrote this song when a newspaper spelled some of the sailors names wrong. It made him so mad he honored them with this song. The families of the crew became very close to Gordon.
There's a great documentary about this tragedy. Part of it talks about modern searchers finding the wreck on the bottom. Divers went down and retrieved the Ship's Bell and replaced it with a memorial bell. When the Ship's Bell broke the surface, it rang out.
Aileen, you have now entered the rabbit hole that is Gordon Lightfoot; one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, and one of the greatest musical storytellers to ever live. RIP Mr. Lightfoot, we miss you dearly. You deserved that 30th bell toll in your honor. Peace.
In the early 1970s my father was headed to California , he pulled over to help someone with a flat tire. It was Gordon. My dad had a late 1960s thunderbird and Gordon did too. They kept in touch for a few years. Times are different 😢
This song is history! The Edmund Fitzgerald had some personal significance to me - it was put into service on the day I was born - June 7, 1958. I went to Parris Island on November 3, 1975. The "Big Fitz" went down on November 10th, 1975 - the 200th birthday of the Marine Corps, while I was in boot camp.
I grew up in Whitefish Bay and I was 11 years old when we had that storm. The waves were 25 ft high and the winds over 75 mph but that was where I lived you could go ten miles away and it was completely different. My uncle’s were all merchant marines and worked on the boats running iron ore, steel and copper. My older brother was a welder and was supposed to start working the summer of 76 right after graduation at Soo High School and go to work on the Fitzgerald but it went down in November of 75. He just retired from the shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
I always loved this song, hats off to Mr. Lightfoot. The music has such a funereal, dirge-like quality, perfect for this story. He had several really great songs, do keep exploring his catalog, Aileen, many more ahead that you'll love, too. As always, thank you for today's lovely reaction. You really make my day.
One of Canada's great troubadours, It's ironic that it took a Canadian to immortalize this American tragedy and he donated all the proceeds of the song to the wives, the sons, and the daughters of the crew of The Edmund Fitzgerald. Another great song by Gordon was the autobiographical song "Sundown". It was a song about a woman he was involved with. He was drinking too much and was in a song writing frenzy. While he was lost in this creative explosion, the woman he was seeing was stepping out every night to party. "Sundown" was his name for the men chasing after her. She later did time in a US jail as she was present when the great John Bolushie overdosed and died.
I'm from Cleveland Ohio and born in Detroit Michigan, and this song hits hard. Being from the Great Lakes region we were taught about this. I'm 56 yrs old and still get choked up hearing this great song. I'm really glad you got to hear this and maybe learned from it. Btw, love your channel ♥️👍
Gordon was a once in a lifetime lyrical story teller. The line "Does anyone know where the love God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" is one of the most haunting lyrics that I've ever heard. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Keep up the great reactions!
When Gordon Lightfoot died, the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral bell chimed 29 times for the men aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the final knell, the 30th, was for Gordon Lightfoot.
😢Rip to all of the crew and Gordon Lightfoot.❤️😢🙏
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I love that anecdote. It never loses its emotive impact.
That's one of the most thoughtful things I've ever heard.
Such a beautiful tribute to the captain and crew
I saw a drawing when he died. It was Gordon at Heaven's Gate. Peter looked at him saying, "There are 29 men waiting to meet you."
That's really touching. Thank you for sharing that!
That's awesome
I HOPE
Why does someone always insist on chopping onions each and every time I hear this song. I was a kid when this happened while living near Superior. I still remember the news alert coming across the TV screen.
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My father worked on the boats as a cook for many years.....including the Fitz....
I've been aboard her a few times myself....
We knew many of the men personally......
Rest in Peace....
Michael Armagost- 37- Third Mate- Iron River, Wisconsin
Fred Beetcher- 56- Porter- Superior, Wisconsin
Thomas Bentsen- 23- Oiler- St. Joseph, Michigan
Edward Bindon -47- First Asst. Engineer- Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Thomas Borgeson -41- Maintenance Man- Duluth, Minnesota
Oliver Champeau- 41-Third Asst. Engineer- Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Nolan Church -55 -Porter -Silver Bay, Minnesota
Ransom Cundy- 53- Watchman- Superior, Wisconsin
Thomas Edwards-50- Second Asst. Engineer- Oregon, Ohio
Russell Haskell -40- Second Asst. Engineer- Millbury, Ohio
George Holl -60- Chief Engineer- Cabot, Pennsylvania
Bruce Hudson- 22- Deck Hand -North Olmsted, Ohio
Allen Kalmon -43- Second Cook- Washburn, Wisconsin
Gordon MacLellan- 30- Wiper- Clearwater, Florida
Joseph Mazes- 59- Special Maintenance Man -Ashland, Wisconsin
John McCarthy -62-First Mate -Bay Village, Ohio
Ernest McSorley -63 -Captain -Toledo, Ohio
Eugene O'Brien- 50- Wheelsman -Toledo, Ohio
Karl Peckol -20- Watchman -Ashtabula, Ohio
John Poviach -59- Wheelsman- Bradenton, Florida
James Pratt -44- Second Mate- Lakewood, Ohio
Robert Rafferty -62 -Steward -Toledo, Ohio
Paul Riippa -22 -Deck Hand -Ashtabula, Ohio
John Simmons -63 -Wheelsman -Ashland, Wisconsin
William Spengler -59- Watchman- Toledo, Ohio
Mark Thomas -21- Deck Hand- Richmond Heights, Ohio
Ralph Walton -58- Oiler- Fremont, Ohio
David Weiss -22 -Cadet -Agoura, California
Blaine Wilhelm -52- Oiler- Moquah, Wisconsin
James Pratt was my Aunt's husband. His kid Sue, my cousin, still lives around Erie, PA.
Thank you for posting names, such a tragedy
Blaine Wilhelm....... That's gonna stick in my head.
Well played, well played
Damn good job my man... Damn good job
As a US citizen, I would like to thank Canada for giving the world Gordon Lightfoot. Rest in peace Gordon, you didn’t just have a gift, you WERE the gift.
Amen
Canada's favorite son, singer and songwriter.
We loved out Gords; Gord Downey of the Tragically Hip, Gordon Lightfoot, Gordon Pinsent, of stage and screen, and Gordie Howe (Gordie!) of Hockey fame.
Gordon Lightfoot sadly passed away in May 2023 at 84 years old. I recommend his songs “Sundown” and “If You Could Read My Mind”
They also added his name to the memorial for the men that sadly passed in the tragedy. Actually several memorials on the lake.
You must listen to the Live version of ' If You Could Read My Mind ' It's such a beautiful song
Oh,and have your tissues close by ❤
@@TannerHemmingsen
Also Carefree highway 👍❤️
YES, two more mega hits. Watch the live version of Sundown.
@MILVO17 specifically the '74 verson not the '79 version lol
My uncle died on this ship. He was James Pratt - Second Mate.
His widow still lives around Erie, PA.
❤
Respect
My condolences 🙏
So sad. Sorry to hear that.
God Bless him...St. Peter opened the gate for each one of those brave men....
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" What a haunting line, but brilliant. He was a master storyteller and singer. Great reaction!
Totally 100% agree.
Best line of the song. So damn haunting.
My favorite line. Perhaps the most beautifully, painfully, artistically accurate definition of the word "Despair". (or "hopelessness")
Lake Superior is.... different. I grew up on the great lakes and inland lakes, and the water is nothing to take lightly, you NEED to be careful. But Superior (especially during a storm) had a near-spiritual effect on me and that's coming from a guy who really does not believe in the supernatural. I definitely just don't understand whatever is going on with that lake but the only way I can describe it DIFFERENT. I've lived on both coasts and the Pacific with a raging storm coming in comes the closest, but Superior if just something else.
I've kayaked on it multiple times but stayed extremely close to shore and even then had "red flag" feeling of "I should get back to shore like right now.".Everyone who is able to should visit Superior once in their lives. And if you're into crazy weather experiences, visit during a storm in the winter. That shit is absolutely WILD and beautiful at the same time.
That’s actually one of my favorite lines on the song
One thing I wish people would speak more of, is the captain and crew of the Arthur M Anderson. They were the ones that were in communication and were traveling approximately 15 miles behind the Edmund Fitzgerald. When the Arthur Andersen was able to make it safely to Harbor, the Coast Guard asked for their help to locate the Edmund Fitzgerald. They had just got away from that dangerous storm yet they willingly went back into it. That to me is true bravery.
Absolutely correct!
The Arthur M. Anderson still sails into Duluth/Superior. She gets love from everyone at the channel when she moves under the lift bridge.
There is a song honoring Cpt. Cooper and the Anderson
True they took a big risk going back into the beast to try to help save lives. Their actions were extremely heroic and they deserve to be recognized for their risks.
@@redwolfpiping5701what is the song? I would really love to hear it
To give a little more context, the Edmund Fitzgerald was at the time of her sinking the largest ship sailing the great lakes. What made her wreck so interesting and scary is the fact in one moment she was above water, and then the next she was completely gone without a trace. The sailors who were on board didn't have a chance to even try to save themselves the ship sank so quickly. Many believe a massive wave overtook the ship and the ships bow nose dive directly into the floor of Lake Superior causing the whole ship to get Pulled Under Water within a matter of moments. The entire 29 person crew probably had no idea what even happened by the time the ship hit bottom.
For those of us who live up near the great lakes, and go boating and sailing on them, it's definitely a tale that a lot of us know and appreciate because we're around all of these Freighters and ships that sail the lakes. For those who don't live around the lakes, it's hard to really put into perspective for them just how large and dangerous these Lakes actually are. The Great Lakes are basically miny oceans, they are beautiful and elegant, but are also deadly and dangerous and are not to be underestimated. Gordon I think really did a good job putting that into perspective with this song for sure.
Amazing reaction as always, thank you for checking this one out❤🤘
And because of her length they also figure the bow and stern were on separate waves causing the hull to buckle under its weight.
The report on the massive waves slamming into the Fitz in her stern had came from her sister ship The Arthur M . Anderson who had dropped in behind the Ftzgerald and they were the ones that reported that the Fitzgeralds light dissapeared.driving her under In the susspected hard drive forward under the waves and how the Fitzgerald looks under water seems to cooberate a hard hit and slide as the Fitzgerald was 700+ feet long but the lake where she hit bottom is 500+ feet deep.
=
= feet deepts
It's very unlikely that they hit bottom there, the lake is over 500' deep in that area. And had they shoaled in a different location, they definitely would've heard and felt it. It's more likely the ship split apart due to the stresses of the waves, which could've been over 35'. There also could've been unknown previous damage that contributed to the ship breaking up. After this incident, they came to realize how much stress the Great Lakes storms put on a ship.
@@ffjsb Possibly, other investigators figure as the tonnage of water inside the Fitz moved the taconite pellets forwards into the bow it added to it's bow weight because the forward secton hit the bottom and plowed up a trench under it and the anchors hit hard enough to shoot forwards of the bow . Heck of it is if the Fitz stood on the transom / stern at a 90 degree angle her bow would have been 200 feet above water.
I was a young teen when this song came out and I had no idea that there even WAS a great lakes merchant marine...Another artist that was involved in great lakes marine safety in great lakes is Loreena Makennit ...she lost her fiance in a boating accident...all profits from her double live in Paris album...you would like her music
This song is a eulogy. Thank you for listening.
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian icon. I've listened to him most of my life. Rest in peace. 😔
Me too. I grew up hearing this and John Prine a lot more than the top 40 radio stuff.
I think the line "Does any one know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours?" is one of the most devastating lines in rock. It gets me every time.
It's the next one that always gets me. "The searchers all say they'd made Whitefish Bay, if they put fifteen more miles behind her... " Safe harbor was so close, but it may as well have been on the moon.
Yeah, you don't have to be religious to see the terrible beauty of that line.
Hate to say it but the love of God goes to the wives son and doughters
Epic song. I appreciate that you appreciate the story and the history.
Amen
Gordon's "If You Could Read My Mind" is a true masterpiece.
You just found one of the most famous folk songs ever written. Haunting and forever memorable.....
Gordon Lightfoot’s song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" raised thousands of dollars for the families of the sailors lost in the 1975 shipwreck. Lightfoot donated a portion of the song’s royalties to support the families, and the song itself has helped raise awareness about the tragedy for decades. Upon his death, the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral held a ceremony and rang the bell 30 times instead of 29. One extra ring for Gordon Lightfoot!
He donated all the royalties to the families.
@@markbarney Not all. It was proportionate. Good story though.
All these years and I still cry. Gordon was a treasure...such a songwriter. And sorely missed. The reason for the line "Superior it's said never gives up her dead" is because the water is so cold, there is little or no decomposition of the body, and no internal gasses which would make a body come to the surface after some time, in warmer waters. Superior is considered an inland sea. And I saw him in concert a few months after the song was released, and played it. When it was over, the whole auditorium was so quiet, you could hear the concert goers crying.
One of my favorite songs. I still can't remember all the words in the right order.
I live in Detroit and every year the church bells chime 29 times and the relatives come and remember, the radio stations play this song and we remember. they will never be forgotten 😢
My dad took a vacation to the UP and on his way there, he stopped at the museum for the ceremony to pay his respects. This is one of his favorite songs. According to him, it was surreal.
From all of Canada to this legendary Canadian. We miss you Gordie - RIP.
When Gordon, who donated most of the income of this song to the familes, died in May 2023 the church bells chimed 30 times
He donated ALL of it. They still get residuals.
He did not donate all the money to the families. He kept in touch with the families throughout his life, and created a scholarship fund for the children of the sailors, but he did not donate all the proceeds. Google it.
The reason they say, "Superior Never Gives up Her Dead", is because at depth the water is too cold for for decomposition gasses to form and therefore bodies do not bloat and eventually rise to the surface.
The following is a direct quote from the S.S.Edmund Fitzgerald's Website concerning Gordon Lightfoot ...
"Gordon Lightfoot usually is very protective of this song and the wishes of the family members and is in no way "for" exploiting the victims, or their family members. He has also appeared at several 25th anniversary memorial services in support of the families and is in personal contact with many of them. Every family member that we have interviewed on this website agrees that Lightfoot is "a good guy," "a genuine man," and even "blessed."
Interesting
In the words of Bob Dylan about Lightfoot, Lightfoot died "without ever having made a bad song".
He did have a song banned in some states.
Black Day in July.
@@stephenolan5539 Probably Michigan?
@@tomroome4118
One source says 30 states banned it.
@@stephenolan5539 I live north of the border so I don't know it was banned. I'm just assuming Michigan as the song is about the Detroit riots.
Whereas Dylan is still alive and has yet to make a good song at all.
Aileen you don't have to apologize for talking. Your reaction was wonderful. It was heartfelt and sincere. You expressed your feelings for the song at the moment . Thank you for being so genuine.
This was not history when Gordon wrote and created this masterpiece. It came out less than a year after the wreck, and it is a brilliant tribute to some of the men who make America work. Incidentally, after Gordon died, the Maritime Sailors Cathedral rang it's bell 30 times....one for each man on the Edmund Fitzerald, and one for the troubador who immortalized them.
Yeah - the equivalent in my adult life would be if a song this good came out about 9/11, in 2002. This was current events when this song came out.
@joeday4293 That song is written by Alan Jackson called "where we're you, when the world stopped turning" and sung at the country music awards a few days later!...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 👋🤠
It’s impossible for me to hear this song without getting at least misty-eyed. So beautiful. So haunting. So heartbreaking.
Gordon Lightfoot is a treasure.
Same.
Don't apologize for expressing you feelings, Aileen - ANYONE who can hear this song and not be touched isn't fully human. This is one of the most touching songs ever, and thanks sincerely for your reactions.
Someone once described this song as "terrible," and nothing could've enraged me deeper than such a statement and I wonder how one could feel such a way about this song which is a beautifully poetic telling of a historical tragedy and not in an exploitative way in the least, so I'm convinced that anyone who has such an opinion has to be at the least, a sociopath to dismiss this as not just bad but "terrible," was the word used to describe this masterpiece by some random person on the internet and I'm still heated at this wildly bad take and can't help but wonder what their reasoning is for such a strong dislike of this song. Maybe it's too sad for some folks? That's the best benefit of the doubt I can give this person but I think they're likely less than human for holding as close to an objectively wrong opinion as one can have. (I know that's a paradox but it illustrates how hard it is to bash this song with any critical merit whatsoever)
@@OnionsMakeYouCry9 You never know what anonymous strangers on the internet are going through. Maybe that poster recently lost a loved one in a boating accident? Maybe they're stressed in other ways and find the sad tale of 29 more deaths a "tragedy." I find it best not to take negative internet posts to heart (if I can avoid it). Better to give the benefit of the doubt and wish everyone the best. And on that note, may I wish you and yours safe and happy holidays! Glenn
Gordon Lightfoot is called "Canada's Greatest Storyteller", and rightfully so! This man truly weaves a story and makes you imagine what he's singing... While he is lost, he is 100% remembered by Canadians like me
Once more they are remembered. Thank you for choosing this song.
No one could weave a tale in such beautiful ways like Gordon. He was a treasure! Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind should be next. Brilliant songwriter.
This song is sacred to us Michiganders. I was very young when the Fitz sank but I remember it. We were at my grandmas when the local news broke into the normal TV programming. I didn’t understand what had happened but I knew something very bad had happened based on the grown ups’ reactions.
RIP Mr. Lightfoot. Thank you for the amazing stories.
Ohioans too, much of the crew were from Ohio.
Also to us Wisconsinities.
I was just a kid at the time but this song played a lot on the Chicago radio stations.
Ontario also
remember the national coverage on TV. it was a heartbreaking time when the search was called off and no trace of the crew was found. A terrible period of mourning settled in .
Gordon Lightfoot was the guy Bob Dylan listened to. Lightfoot was a major inspiration for generations of songwriters. Every Canadian is proud of Gordon Lightfoot and Gord Downie.
I'm a former US Navy sailor. I did my basic training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, right on the shore of Lake Michigan. I started there, in November of 1990. Our instructors played us this song, on the 15th Anniversary of the loss of the Fitzgerald. To this day, when I hear that instantly-recognizable electric guitar riff, it reminds me of those high winds blowing off the lake. Even in the hottest part of the summer, I get chills.
On the open ocean too. It’s eerie.
I did my basic training in the AF in the same year. My point isn't about being in the military, but more so about being about the same age and maybe even hearing this song as a kid, and about a deep respect for those waters, and those that died on that day. The guitar is brilliant, and also the time signature.
October 98, the lake effect is no joke.
One of Canada's best exports: a singer / songwriter / musician / poet / storyteller / troubadour all in one package.
I will happily go down the Gordon Lightfoot rabbit hole with you; he was an amazing songwriter, singer, storyteller.
I remember listening to this song when i was a kid in the 70's. It paints such a picture in my mind. It's haunting. I picture the crew and the pain of the families. I'll always enjoy listening to it and feel the emotions that come with it. God bless you, Gordon Lightfoot. Thank for giving us such amazing music to enjoy forever.
It's been said we don't just learn history to not repeat past mistakes, we learn to learn to be better. Having a good history teacher that makes it interesting/engaging is a incredible benefit.
The Fitz was the largest ship to go down on the lakes, but she was just one of countless wrecks on the lakes. Gordon Lightfoot made sure the name Edmund Fitzgerald would never be forgotten.
Don't apologize for the breaks and your commentary. That's why we watch. Thank you for your videos.
I'm 61 years old. I remember when this happened. It made the National news. All through the years, there were a lot of shows about the Edmond Fitzgerald. what happened, how it happened and etc. I served in the US Navy after high school. 1981-1985. All 4 years was on the USS New Jersey BB-62. When you go to sea, you already know what can happen. You already accept it. I've been through 3 hurricanes/typhoons at sea. I've seen 40-80 foot waves. all you can do is your job and trust everyone else to do theirs. In this situation, from what I've seen and read, they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. NOAA and the coast guard, believe the she was struck by a rouge wave. That caused the wave peaks to shorten between them and drove her bow straight into the bottom. That's why she is sitting on the bottom relatively intact. I was watching when they sent the remote sub down to retrieve the bell and place another in its place. They didn't show it, but they spotted remains on the bridge.
Great song from a great poet, storyteller and musician. This song was released just one year after the tragedy. If "You Could Read My Mind" is his best in my view. "Sundown" is great too.
Each year on the anniversary of the wreck, at split rock lighthouse in Minnesota, they read the names of each of the crew members. They ring a bell as they read each name and then turn on the lighthouse light. It truly is amazing.
It was a sad story to have heard. I had lived in Upstate New York near Lake Ontario but had moved back down to Tennessee. I was in the 11th grade and I so much remember when it happened. When Gordon Lightfoot released the song, I cried every time it was played on the radio. I still tear up when I hear it and it is the one song I will always watch a "First Time Hearing" video, even though I still get emotional about it. An old Sailor like me still sheds tears when I hear this song, but you do not know how much I appreciate when the younger generations take the time to learn about the events.
I was a paper boy delivering the Detroit News. I remember the day I delivered the paper with the headline stating the Fitzgerald was lost. I've literally seen that boat come down the Detroit river in the late season. That year it didn't. I'll never forget that day.
That line. "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Tears my soul out every time.
That was an awesome reaction Aileen. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the most heartfelt songs ever written and performed and I am glad you reviewed it.
Thank you Aileen. Gordon Lightfoot is worth the journey down the music rabbit hole. He was so good at painting visuals with his music.
This is such a great song not just because it tells a story of a famous shipwreck. It illustrates the native American names of the places they were which were known by the crew. The nicknames for weather that the crew would have been using as they prepared to face a dire situation. It puts us on the decks as a crewman. Men for whom bravery was a such a routine part of the job they express their bonds, and camaraderie right to the end. Then among the community who had lost these brave men. Immersion in the story is the best of story telling. Only poetry, and song can tell so much is so few words.
It's not a despairing song. It illustrates how we want to face adversity, with grace, and courage to do the best we can. The ship was lost but not because of any weakness of the ship or crew. If they had made just 15 miles more. They were against an implacable nature. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you don't. But facing it with all you have is how it's won.
They are remembered. They are celebrated. It is right to do so. They lived life as winners, and did not leave as losers.
"If you could read my mind ", Gordon Lightfoot. Another Heartbreaker. Thanks Aileen. Yer awesome.
This song had a haunting feel to it but I think is one of the best songs ever
Lake Superior can be worse than the ocean. Can't imagine what went through those guy's heads. What a great tribute to the men who lost their lives keeping this country going. Thankless, but dangerous jobs. Gordon was a poet. You couldn't have written more beautiful and haunting lyrics than this.
Raised in Minnesota my whole life, was in high school when the mighty Fitz went down with all hands on November 10, 1975, It was so tragic and shocked all of us native Minnesotans who live on the shores of Superior, History has not don justice to the event or memory of the 29 souls lost that horrible day, It was a land locked hurricane that took the Fitz, Thank You for sharing!
If someone tells you a boat along time ago, you wouldn’t remember it. Gordon Lightfoot brought it to life and we will have it for a long time.
I might have been only 8 years old and living in Wisconsin when the wreck happened. But I remember it like yesterday. It was all over the local news. This affected everyone that lives in the Great Lakes area. Every time I hear this song it brings tears to my eyes. November 10th it will be 49 years since it happened. I don't know why but the wreck of the Edmunds Fitzgerald is ingrained in my mind forever.
When Gordon Lightfoot passed away, they added one more bell. Now it chimes 30 times.
Only that year.
@@lauraclark427 I didn’t know that thank you very much
Gordon Lightfoot was amazing singer and songwriter, I hope you do react to some more of his songs " Sundown" or "If you could read my mind" Thank you for your reactions!
They finally found the Edmund Fitzgerald. They recovered the ships bell. The Edmund Fitzgerald is a grave site. From a Gordon Lightfoot song "if you could read my mind love, what a story my thoughts could tell. Just like a paperback novel about a ghost from a wishing well." Find the song and fall in love with it.
I remember watching this on TV, fascinating. 😊
Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind are MUST listens. Gordon was an absolutely amazing artist and songwriter. Rest in peace.
Aileen - your "ramblings, incessant talking and babbling .." are appreciated and well-spoken. Thank you for your heartfelt commentary on this iconic tune from Gordon Lightfoot.
Keep on keeping on Aileen!
What a lovely young lady giving such honest thoughts and comments about such a tragic song!
When Gordon Lightfoot passed the Maritime Sailors Cathedral rang its bell 30 times 29 for the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald and one for him RIP Mr Fitzgerald you are missed
Wow I didn't know that. What a lovely tribute!
I have seen numerous reactions to this song and I never really hear anyone mention how this song is done in a very "Irish folk song" style. I think that is what makes this song so unique and beautiful. Your reaction video was done very well,..kudos to you. You could really see the genuine emotion on your face.
Edmund Fitzgerald, namesake of the ship:
The namesake of the ship was the president and chairman of the board of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, which built the ship. Fitzgerald was from a family with a history in shipping, and was also a civic leader in Milwaukee.
You're such a beautiful, empathetic soul, that your reaction was really moving. As far as history goes, the Fitzgerald went down on November 10, 1975. Gordon Lightfoot read about it in the news and was so moved to write this song which was a big hit in 1976. I've known this song all these years and I still get all choked up when I hear it (especially when someone such as yourself reacts to it). Lighfoot did such a great job making you feel like you were there.
Others have mentioned as well that song “if you could read my mind” is a masterpiece, beautiful song.
Gordon is an absolute Legend! One of the Greatest Storytellers of all time! One of the Major Musical Acts hailing from Canada....
My Grandfather was a cop in the North parts of Michigan he told the family about the S.O.S. call from lake superior. As a cop my grandfather try to get to the safety boats and they where gone they have them on shore to save shipping man.
Hello Eileen from Northern British Columbia, Canada. I'm so glad you chose a song from Gordon Lightfoot's incredible catalogue. I'm not going to make comments that duplicate those below. They're pretty good. I just have a few things to say as I'm sure you're very busy. First, you apologize more than a Canadian (lol). It is so refreshing to see someone in the public view with such honesty and emotional integrity. I have enjoyed your reactions for sometime now. You are in my top three RUclipsrs because of your authenticity. This is what characterizes Canadian music although I can't be sure that applies to more modern music, which, of course will offend some folks and bring out the haters. You are far from a hater. Please take these compliments as genuine to a genuine person. I do hope you explore more Gordon. There are some good suggestions below which are more known because of their commercial success. Other songs will take you away the sadness eviked by this song, which still brings a tear to my eye when I hear it being listened to by someone who is new to it. A couple tunes that you probably won't get recommended are "on the Lee of Christian island" which is a small place in Lake Huron (Canadian side), and "sit down young stranger." To conclude, I so appreciate that you listened in a heartfelt and open way without interrupting this beautiful and poignant work by a master storyteller. It's the folk tradition. I encourage you to continue your important work. With respect.
My neck of the woods! Hello from the Peace!
Boomer cranky old man says. This is how history has been passed down for thousands of years, stories and truths set to song. (I was alive when this song was released) still makes me cry. Gordon Lightfoot a true artist.
This song will always hold a special place in my heart because i have 2 family members who died and one who survived a shipwreck on Lake Michigan. Two uncles (Alfred Pilarski & Raymond Kowalski) went down on the SS Carl D. Bradley November 18th 1958 and another uncle Frank Mayes was one of the two survivors of that sinking. I was once told a saying by another sailor "The Great Lakes are an unforgiving mistress" and its so true. RIP to all those brave sailors and may you have fair winds and following seas.
I remember the day the Fitzgerald went down. Your comments on this lovely song honors this great ship, Captain and crew. Lovely narrative, Miss. ❤
Once upon a time, music was for telling stories to pass down to future generations, rather than the production mill it's become today.
Gordon Lightfoot is well renowned in his home country as a poet among musicians.
Fun fact: This was actually supposed to be a recorded first run/rehearsal (with Gordon nodding at the band for ques when the drums and lead guitar should start playing, as the band learned the song), and they tried to record it again, but this first take was magic.
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Describes the personal terror these men must have felt as well as I could ever imagine. Gets me right in the heart.
I am one of the fortunate that has seen the Edmund Fitzgerald above water when I lived in Duluth, Minnesota from 1965-1967.
It's cool that a Canadian singer felt moved to write an ode to a tragic American event.
I remember this song from when I was a kid. It made me love history to search for the truth, He was a great story teller and made us remember this tragedy.
As a decades long fan of his THANKS ... im writing to you now a half hour away from where mr lightfoot was born and raised 🕯🕯🕯
I grew up by one of a great lakes. As a Navy man I was at sea through 2, hurricanes and a monster Typhoon and remember the rivets snapping and to this day i get chills at natures power. I remember that storm. Gordon Lightfoot's lyrics still haunts me to this day. God's blessings 🙏🙏
We rented a cottage on Lake Erie one July 4th weekend. Sitting near a campfire on a chaise lounge when this song came on...I could see the freighters lights moving slowly across the lake. It gave me chills
When you were sitting at the fire hearing this song and saw the lights of those big freighters off in the distance it had to grip your emotions at that point. What better way to understand what those 29 souls endured during that November night in 1975. Gordon Lightfoot was in my opinion was the best song writer. When this single was finally released in July 1976 he gave all the profits from this song to the families of the crew that were lost in this tragic ship wreck.
Gordon is one of the greatest story tellers in folk and rock music. If You Could Read My Mind, Sundown, In the Early Morning Rain, The Way I Feel are some of my favorites.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was a freighter on the Great Lakes that sank during a fierce storm on November 10, 1975. All 29 men of that crew perished. So next month will be the 49th anniversary. Aileen, thank you for reacting to this song. Always enjoy your reactions. BB. Jon
There is a version if this with a listing of all 29 crew from the Fitz named and a bell toll for each.
The names of those men will live on in history thanks to Mr. Lightfoot.
Art is supposed to make you feel. This song is so powerful in the emotions it invokes. The line, "And all that remains is the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters," gets to me every time. I really enjoyed your reaction to this memorable song, young lady.
RIP Gordon. 💚
This is a classic song...heartbreaking cuz it is of a true story. It is an amazing story told via song and will live on for many years to come.
It's beautiful, it's tragic and it's terrifying. Gordon's lyrics are so vivid that he puts me right on that ship with those men, and I can feel every one of those waves.
I can hear this song in Miami in July and still get shivers.
I grew up on Lake Superior there ain’t much that shakes me but some thing that’s always put genuine fear in my heart is being out in 20’ rollers on Lake Superior 20 miles out off the peninsula. Some of the scariest moments of my life. A lot of men say they are ready to go but, when you get out in those waves it’s a different type of fear when you know you’ll sink straight down a 1,000’ the water is so cold year round.
“ does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours” paints a vivid picture of sheer despair with no hope in sight. I’m 33 and an adrenaline junkie but I have the utmost respect for that lake. I’ve almost died on it several times.
It takes an incredible gift to tell a complete story in only three minutes and make you feel as if you were there. Gordon Lightfoot possessed that gift, as did Bob Dylan and the underrated and overlooked Stan Rogers. When Dylan said that he can wish a Lightfoot song never ended you know even one of the most gifted songwriters is in awe.
Other Gordon Lightfoot songs to check out are If You Could Read My Mind, Black Day In July, Ribbon Of Darkness, Rainy Day People, Early Morning Rain, Sundown, Carefree Highway just to name a few.
This song came out just a year after the shipwreck, and nearly half a century has passed since then. And yet when I really listen to this song, as I just did with you, it still brings tears to my eyes. That is the power of a great singer/songwriter. Do visit Gordon Lightfoot again. I swear that not all of his songs are this sad.
Gordon Lightfoot wrote this song when a newspaper spelled some of the sailors names wrong. It made him so mad he honored them with this song. The families of the crew became very close to Gordon.
There's a great documentary about this tragedy. Part of it talks about modern searchers finding the wreck on the bottom. Divers went down and retrieved the Ship's Bell and replaced it with a memorial bell. When the Ship's Bell broke the surface, it rang out.
Aileen, you have now entered the rabbit hole that is Gordon Lightfoot; one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, and one of the greatest musical storytellers to ever live. RIP Mr. Lightfoot, we miss you dearly. You deserved that 30th bell toll in your honor. Peace.
In the early 1970s my father was headed to California , he pulled over to help someone with a flat tire. It was Gordon. My dad had a late 1960s thunderbird and Gordon did too. They kept in touch for a few years. Times are different 😢
What make it so moving is it is based on a true story.
This song is history! The Edmund Fitzgerald had some personal significance to me - it was put into service on the day I was born - June 7, 1958. I went to Parris Island on November 3, 1975. The "Big Fitz" went down on November 10th, 1975 - the 200th birthday of the Marine Corps, while I was in boot camp.
Love your reaction. Its a amzing song and story of 29 people. You are kind hearted and very right on how we forget our past so easy.
I grew up in Whitefish Bay and I was 11 years old when we had that storm. The waves were 25 ft high and the winds over 75 mph but that was where I lived you could go ten miles away and it was completely different. My uncle’s were all merchant marines and worked on the boats running iron ore, steel and copper. My older brother was a welder and was supposed to start working the summer of 76 right after graduation at Soo High School and go to work on the Fitzgerald but it went down in November of 75. He just retired from the shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
He has so many great songs you have to listen to. Sundown, and if you could read my mind are awesome.
I haven't sobbed like that for a long time. I've heard this song plenty of times and it still gets me.
I always loved this song, hats off to Mr. Lightfoot. The music has such a funereal, dirge-like quality, perfect for this story. He had several really great songs, do keep exploring his catalog, Aileen, many more ahead that you'll love, too. As always, thank you for today's lovely reaction. You really make my day.
One of Canada's great troubadours, It's ironic that it took a Canadian to immortalize this American tragedy and he donated all the proceeds of the song to the wives, the sons, and the daughters of the crew of The Edmund Fitzgerald. Another great song by Gordon was the autobiographical song "Sundown". It was a song about a woman he was involved with. He was drinking too much and was in a song writing frenzy. While he was lost in this creative explosion, the woman he was seeing was stepping out every night to party. "Sundown" was his name for the men chasing after her. She later did time in a US jail as she was present when the great John Bolushie overdosed and died.
I'm from Cleveland Ohio and born in Detroit Michigan, and this song hits hard. Being from the Great Lakes region we were taught about this. I'm 56 yrs old and still get choked up hearing this great song. I'm really glad you got to hear this and maybe learned from it.
Btw, love your channel ♥️👍
Gordon was a once in a lifetime lyrical story teller. The line "Does anyone know where the love God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" is one of the most haunting lyrics that I've ever heard. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Keep up the great reactions!