The Church in the song is called Mariner’s Church in Detroit which was built in 1849. After Gordon Lightfoot died, the church bells rang 30 times, 29 for each life on the Edmund Fitzgerald and once for Gordon Lightfoot.
Definitely great line, but I just listened to their reaction to Vincent by Don McLean and this line IMO beats it. "When no hope was left in sight on that Starry, Starry, night you took your life as lovers often do. But I could have told you Vincent. This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." Also have to consider about a 100 great lines by Jim Steinman.
@@n5uge12A Minnesotan from Up North. That line always makes me weep. The Anderson was behind her and was in the hunt for the Fitzgerald. The Anderson is still in service and sails into Duluth on a regular basis.
The waves on the great lakes can get to 30 -40 feet and in a November gale the winds are so strong. A big ship like the Edmond Fitzgerald...in those conditions? she was on her own.
Same here brother, an artist by the name Brian Burns, did a remake of the song, but at the end he added the name of each crew member followed by the ringing of the ship's bell after each name.
Up until Gordon's passing, it had been 29 times they'd toll the bell after Gordon passed, They'd chimed it one additional time, essentially making Gordon Lightfoot an honorary crew member of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Brought a tear for the respect. Just awesome. Something to use as a high bar both for the respect for those that perished but also the gratitude of those who knew them.
When Gordon Lightfoot died, The bell rang 30 times adding him as an honorary member to be remembered because he wrote the song for the lost men. He felt it was too important to be covered so lightly and incorrectly by media at the time and wanted the whole story to come out. All the money he made from that song was donated to the families of those sailors, his goal being all their kids could go to college.
When Gordon Lightfoot passed away they rang the bells at the Maritime Sailors Cathedral 30 times. 29 times for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald and one time for Gordon. Amazing .
He gave EVERY PENNY he made from this song to the survivor families. He was TRULY part of their families. The final ring was to acknowledge that he'd given his life, as those on board had done, to support the families.
Here’s the history behind the song: “Gitchee Gumee” is the Objibwe word for “Great Sea” and it is used to refer to Lake Superior, which is known as an inland sea because of its size and conditions. They say it never gives up its dead because bodies at the bottom of the lake don’t float to the top or even decompose because of the low temperature and lack of oxygen down there. The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald was a freighter. According to one of the victims’ nephews (who’s also in the shipping industry), if someone was chosen to be a crew member on the ship, they had a lot of seniority, experience, and a good reputation. This is reflected in the fact that most of the victims were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and had decades of experience. The captain, Ernest McSorley, had over 40 years of experience alone. He planned to retire after the voyage. On November 9, 1975, the ship left Wisconsin with 26-27,000 tons of taconite iron ore pellets. It was an unseasonably warm, sunny day. The ship was headed for Zug Island in Detroit to drop off the iron ore, then on to Cleveland to harbor for the winter (Gordon took a bit of poetic license with this). By the morning of November 10, the weather had shifted on Lake Superior. It was raining with high winds and high waves. It steadily got worse as the day went on. The weather knocked out both of the ship’s radars, and the Whitefish Point lighthouse and beacon were not working properly, so the ship was essentially sailing blind. They stuck close to another ship, the Arthur Anderson, who tried to help the Fitzgerald navigate. The two ships planned to sail to Whitefish Bay and shelter from the storm there. At some point in the afternoon, the two ships passed a shoal (an area of shallow water that can be dangerous for ships). It is believed that the Fitzgerald ran aground on it (likely not seeing it), suffered structural damage to the bottom of the ship, and began taking on water from the bottom. By this time, the weather was also freezing rain, which combined with the wind and high waves made the ship top heavy. The Fitzgerald began listing to one side and water went on deck too, which only got worse as the storm continued. They informed the Arthur Anderson of their predicament and the two ships continued towards Whitefish Bay. At about 7:10 pm, the Arthur Anderson radioed the Fitzgerald and asked how they were holding up. Captain McSorley said the Fitzgerald was “holding its own.” Those were the last words heard from the Edmund Fitzgerald. Within the next 5-10 minutes, the Arthur Anderson lost the Fitzgerald on radar and couldn’t physically see it either. By this point, the ship had already sank. No one knows for sure what happened, but it happened so fast the Fitzgerald didn’t even have time to send a distress signal. A common theory is that a rogue (much higher than normal) wave came up and took them under, which can happen without warning. Because the ship was weighed down by the water on deck, the iron ore inside of it, and the water from the bottom, it simply did not come back up. The ship and all 29 crewmen were lost. They were only 15 miles away from the safety of Whitefish Bay, which probably would have taken only a couple more hours at the rate they were going. The Arthur Anderson safely made it to Whitefish Point, but actually went back out into the storm a few hours later to look for wreckage and survivors. They found nothing. The Coast Guard said the crewmen failed to secure the hatches (an unlikely mistake for a crew that experienced at that time of year). In 2010, it was found that human error did not cause the sinking. In live performances, Gordon changed the line to reflect this new development. The crewmen are all still down there. In the 1990s, divers went down to the wreckage, brought up the ship’s bell, and placed a replica with the engraved names of the crewmen. The real bell is now in the Whitefish Point museum. The families did not want the crewmen recovered, seeing the wreckage as their final resting place. Every year, memorials are held for the crew members. Ships will also stop and ring their bells 29 times when passing the wreck site. In a lot of the memorials this year, the bell also rang a 30th time for Gordon Lightfoot himself. The reason this song is so beloved is because of how factually accurate it is, and Gordon even changed the lyrics over the years to reflect new findings about the wreck. The reason he wrote the song in the first place was because he was upset about the careless news coverage of the sinking (a news article even misspelled the ship’s name). He also donated the money from the song to the families of the crewmen, and anyone who wanted to use the song had to get permission from the families too.
I never bought into the Coast Guard findings that blamed the deck hands not securing the latches properly. My theory is the combination of taking on water after hitting six fathom shoal and a rogue wave. The captain of the Arthur Anderson was quoted saying the Fitz was far closer than he would want to be to the shoal and also commented on the giant wave that overtook them from behind. Given that the AA was following the Fitz, this same wave likely hit the Fitz as well. The heavy load (the Fitz's load limit was increased several times over the years decreasing draft each time) coupled with the additional water they were taking on along with such a large wave, pushed the nose under and she couldn't recover.
I was 10 years old, on November 10, 1975 being raised in Southern Michigan. I remember everything about the storm and its enormous winds, rain, hail and finally snow from the night before and the beautiful sunshine and crisp fall air of the following day when it was announced that the Edmund Fitzgerald was lost with all hands. I was naturalist even at this age and this song moved me to dream about going to Superior. I wanted to feel the legend of Superior and all it's power and majesty. I met my soulmate at age 15 and a few years later after college, we moved very close to Lake Superior. So many times in the past 30 years, when the wind whips up and a storm starts roaring on the big lake, we make our way to Whitefish Point where simply standing upright can be a struggle and the noise from the wind sounds as if you are standing inside a rocket at takeoff. We look out into the lake seeing exactly where this ship went down and exactly where it needed to get to reach safety and think just how close they were. Two days from now, another "blow" will happen, and again we will make our way to nature's temple and pay our respects to Superior and to the people that call its icy depths home. And once again, we will turn the page.
Each year, they ring the bell 29 times at the Mariner's Church (what Gordon called the Maritime Sailors Cathedral). The proceeds for this song went to the sailor's charity. We must remember that in the 70s, there were no social media outlets, no GoFundMe, and nothing like that. If you needed to raise money for a cause or a need, it needed to be in the print media (newspapers/magazines), television, or radio. Through the decades after this song, Mr. Lightfoot stayed connected to the Maritime Church and the lost sailors' families. When he passed, the Maritime Church rang the bells for him.
Nov 10th, 1975. I was working at Great Lakes Steel on Zug Island in Detroit. We were asked to stay overtime, as we were expecting a large shipment of Ore & materials. After 2 hours our foreman told us the Edmund was running late due to bad weather & we left for the day. The next morning we heard on the local news that the ship was missing, maybe throw so far off course & possibly capsized. Layer that day we were advised the ship went down. We all knew several of the men on the Edmund. R.I.P.
It was one of the largest ships sailing the great lakes at the time......right now one of the biggest ships that runs in the same area is the Paul R. Tragurtha.
Michael E. Armagost, 37, Third Mate Fred J. Beetcher, 56, Porter Thomas D. Bentsen, 23, Oiler Edward F. Bindon, 47, First Asst. Engineer Thomas D. Borgeson, 41, Maintenance Oliver J. Champeau, 41, Third Asst. Engineer Nolan S. Church, 55, Porter Ransom E. Cundy, 53, Watchman Thomas E. Edwards, 50, Second Asst. Engineer Russell G. Haskell, 40, Second Asst. Engineer George J. Holl, 60, Chief Engineer Bruce L. Hudson, 22, Deck Hand Allen G. Kalmon, 43, Second Cook Gordon F. MacLellan, 30, Wiper Joseph W. Mazes, 59, Special Maintenance Man John H. McCarthy, 62, First Mate Ernest M. McSorley, 63, Captain Eugene W. O'Brien, 50, Wheelsman Karl A. Peckol, 20, Watchman John J. Poviach, 59, Wheelsman James A. Pratt, 44, Second Mate Robert C. Rafferty, 62, Steward Paul M. Riippa, 22, Deck Hand John D. Simmons, 63, Wheelsman William J. Spengler, 59, Watchman Mark A. Thomas, 21, Deck Hand Ralph G. Walton, 58, Oiler David E. Weiss, 22, Cadet Blaine H. Wilhelm, 52, Oiler
I turned ten years old a week after this happened. My stepdad's family had a cabin up at paradise which is a few miles from whitefish point. We were up there snowmobiling over Christmas break. On a snowmobiling night trip we stopped on the edge of a cliff overlooking Lake superior by white fish point and I remember the adults talking about what had happened. They then pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniel's, pasted it around and poured the rest over the edge of the cliff and told me it was in honor of sailors on the ship. I'm 58 now and it still brings me to tears every time I hear this song and remember that night.
I was 19 when this song was released. It was a, “ Stop and listen, “ song from the very beginning. Lightfoot never a dime from this song. All proceeds were donated to the families of the 29 sailors.
Gordon wrote this song to memorialize the lives of the sailors lost. The news coverage of the sinking was so little, he had to bring this tragedy as well as all the other ship loses to light. I had just finished my US Navy training and was home on leave before going to my first ship. What an eye opener.
People would dive down to the wreak but when they found that the bodies were still down there they made it a grave site. It's ice cold fresh water, she truly never gives up her dead. Haunting lyrics.
I don't think most folks appreciate the size of this "Lake." The area of this lake is greater than the COMBINED areas of Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. I used to live up there and got to see some of these storms... amazing power! This "Lake" contains 10% of the World's fresh water and if you poured it out, it would cover all of North and South America to a depth of about one foot.
@davidfoxall8765 I think what you say is true. I have lived on Lake Michigan my whole life but have gone to Superior many times. It is amazing to me how little people understand these bodies of water. They are inland seas. Especially Superior. I was 21 when this happened but I grew up on boats and lakes. I remember the awe inspired in me the first time I visited the port in Duluth and Superior was angry. My dad and I walked along the breaker rocks and the power took my breath away. Gordon did a great honor to memorialize this historic event of modern shipping and those men and the ones who still to this day take the risks to sail big waters.
I have a friend from Australia who laughed that Michiganders would call going to the Great Lakes, “Going to the beach”. She, at that time, didn’t realize how massive the Great Lakes are.
Gordon Lightfoot ~ “If You Could Read My Mind” has always been one of my favorite songs…beautiful! I think you will love it too! Gordon is a bit like Bob Seger…fantastic catalogues! RIP Gordo…you will always be missed!
I have the 45 too. Poor Little Allison is superb. I had the original Sit Down Young Stranger album which is now, If You Could Read My Mind. I don't like it when they make changes like that. I sold it but at least my 45 refers to the original album title. IMO, his Reprise stuff is good but his best was when he was with United Artists. @thethirdrail8397
In the late Morning / early afternoon of November 9th, 1975, two huge Iron Ore Carriers were shouldering the brunt of a quickly growing weather system as they worked their way along the north end of Lake Superior for cover. The biggest one of the two ships was out front. The Edmund Fitzgerald under the command of Captain Ernest M. McSorley. Fallowed at about fifteen miles by the Arthur M. Anderson under the command of Captain Jesse B. "Bernie" Cooper. At about 330PM to report that Edmund Fitzgerald was taking on water and had lost two vent covers and a fence railing. The vessel had also developed a list. Captain McSorley radioed Arthur M. Anderson to report that Edmund Fitzgerald was taking on water and had lost two vent covers and a fence railing. The vessel had also developed a list. with the smaller Aurther M Anderson following about fifteen miles back. Some time that night the Fitz lost radar. Captain Ernest M. McSorley Commander of the Fitz asked Captain Jesse B. "Bernie" Cooper of the Arthur M to close to visual of Fitz and provide them with radar plots for cores corrections. There is some speculation that before the Aurther M could close and get a firm plot of the Fitzgeralds position she might have inadvertently gone over a shallow area and bottomed out a bit causing some leaking that was hidden by the ore pellets in her cargo holds. By 630 PM the Anderson had the Fitz on radar and their crew could see her on the horizon. at about 650 the Arther was hit by a freakishly large swell from behind but with the sea topping out at 30-40 feet every swell was a toe curler. However, the event shook the captain of the trailing ship enough to make him worry about the Fitz. So, within a moment of recovering the captain of the Arther M Anderson called and made a point of asking the Fits; "How are you holding up", The captain of the Fitz replied, "We are holding our own, going along like an old shoe". After that the Captain of the Anderson went below and they did a shift change. At 705 the captain of the Anderson came back up and was thinking of calling the Fitz again because he was worried about the way the other captain had sounded and the reference to plodding along got him thinking what if he bottomed out on a shole they passed earlier, and the Fitz was taking on more than they knew. Thats when another big swell swung the Aurther hard, and he was takin up with maneuvering and checking on his ship for a bit. At 708 he looked up and watched the Fitz disappear into a snow squall. Something made him walk to the Radar to double check her position, but she was not showing up on his radar. It was 710 PM November 10th, 1975, and the Fitz was off radar, yet it was working, and he had literally just seen her a few miles ahead. He called numerous times and had all able crew up scanning with lights and looking for her. My cousin was one of the wreck divers hired to give an assessment as to the cause of the sinking and fate of the crew. He dove the wreck and found the ship was in two parts and there was some bow damage. The structural damage in the center was massive, as if the Fitz twisted herself in two. He keeps Recalling the big swell that rocked the Aurther M. just before they lost sight of the Fitz in the snow that night and looking at the damage. His final summery was; The Edmond Fitzgerald being overloaded and taking on water in her forwerd holds was overcome by the first of three rouge swells from her stern. Her bow shot under the water and gained momentum from the next big rouge hitting her. This pushed the bow down with the weight of the water and cargo shifting and the bow hit lake bottom, (Fitz was 728 feet long and rests now in 530 feet but the shole she passed over was 310 feet), the stern sheared off instantly and both halves would have been completely submerged in a matter of moments thus preventing any one getting off and the crew of the Aurther M who passed over the verry spot not a few minutes later from seeing any sign of the ship. To him this was the only way to explain her disappearing so fast. As someone who has lost family and friends to the sea I have spent nights in weather like that. Some while I listened to others calling out for help on the radio. The radio calls from that night are surreal to listen to. Professional yet heart breaking. Its here on youtube at; ruclips.net/video/W1fOWi0teiY/видео.html
They have a relatively new theory out that tries to explain the damage. What they say is that the area is known for monstrous rouge waves with high peaks and low valleys. The theory is that the Edmund Fitzgerald got caught between two swells which were under the bow and the stern with no support for the middle. This stressed the hull causing a corkscrew twist that tore the vessel in to pieces and caused it to sink almost instantly. We will never know truly what happened but it certainly makes you stop and think about the strength of nature when you consider stuff like this. I don’t know how big the ship was but he says it was the best of the american side and was twenty six thousand tons heavier when loaded.
@@stevedavis5704 The Edmund Fitzgerald was 730 ft. long, 75 ft. wide with a 25 ft. draft. That sounds big, but compared to an ocean going freighter, she's quite a bit smaller, even for back then. She had to be to fit thru the various locks between the lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Amazing information… I remember when it sank… But I didn’t have any of this information… I have always felt this was such a moving tribute to the men on this ship… and their families
Gorden Lightfoot is a saint on any shore of Lake Superior. The old timers up here say that this winter has been the mildest of any since 1938. But not so tonight. As I sit here, I can see where the Ontonagon River flows into Superior...And she is worked up tonight. There is a 60 MPH wind coming off the lake, and a 20 foot tide. My well build house is shaking and covered with ice...I can only imagine what it is like out there!
Gordon was such a selfless man. He not only donated proceeds to the family members of those who perished, he also gave of his time and visited family members for many years. He wrote the song because it bothered him that the news coverage of the tragedy was minimal. He certainly kept the story of the tragedy in the hearts and minds of people through his beautiful songwriting and recording. Well done Gordon. R.I.P. 💔
Nationwide the coverage was minimal. Many small communities on the lakes, like mine, heard nothing else for weeks. This song and the impact it had helped to balance that equation in an era where there was no internet. Truly amazing looking back on it. That one man could lift such a cry to a whole country at that time... That is what achieving true greatness in the pursuit of good for others looks like.
@@Lakeshore14 As was yours! I was shocked by the emotion this song was able to wring out of me after all of these years. Everyone associated with Lakes shipping and communities at the time was hammered by this knowing that at any time that could be their brother, their father, their son, their friend. The immediate and abundant aid to families and community is well represented in the posts here. The long term benefits, not so much. Over thirty laws and safety regulations came out of the attention brought to this issue by the song, helping to insure that this never happens again. Sorry for droning on. Thank you for 'listening' to this old man.
@@CoolClearWaterNM You’re not droning on. Your thoughts and emotion about the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy are important. As a resident of a small lake community (on the Canadian side) we are probably more focused on Great Lakes shipping and vessels than others. It does give comfort to know how much Gordon’s song contributed and comforting to know that out of the tragedy, laws and safety regulations were changed. It’s also gratifying to know that people are continuing to learn of what happened through Gordon’s song. Enjoyed your input. 👍
We were at the Whitefish point maritime museum watching a live feed when the raised the bell from the shipwreck. There wasn't a dry eye in the entire place. The bell is now at the museum along with pieces of the wreckage. Also.. on a good day, 15 miles can take a freighter an hour. Much longer with storm waves and headwinds. Lake Superior can have waves up to 30 feet high during storms. Just this past Dec. There were waves engulfing 40ft cliffs at the pictured rocks shoreline.
I remember the first time I heard this song. Listening to WLS late at night on my AM clock radio. I was 14 and I loved this song the first time, and each and every time I hear it, it's a haunting memorial to to a grave tragedy and mark's a very memorable point of time in my life. R.I.P. all who bravely gave their lives on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Also, to Mr. Gordon Lightfoot, who memorialized it in a beautifully told story, R.I.P. sir.
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
I was a Senior in High School when this happened, and this song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Gordon Lightfoot did such a great job immortalizing this tragedy. I was saddened when I heard that he had died. The thing that really gets me is that reportedly the last radio message from the captain was "We are holding our own." You can't write this stuff.
As a former sailor I don't know any person that worked on ships that doesn't get a tear in their eye listening to this song. Thanks for what you two do. I always enjoy tuning in.
The Gales of November on Lake Superior from 3 Directions known AS the Three Sisters ! For some reason the Authorities DIDNT Think the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was Caused by Them ! .
Even though they had a radio, rescuers couldn't necessarily go out in a big storm. Thankfully, now weather radar is available easily and boats can avoid big life-threatening storms like this so tragedies like this are much more rare.
I'm a former Navy sailor, and did my basic training on the shores of Lake Michigan just fifteen years after the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. This song gives me chills down my spine and a lump in my throat, to this day.
Anyone who’s spent time on the Great Lakes, or sailing the ocean gets chills when they hear this song. I sailed through some rough seas, lucky to have come out the other side
@@canucksfan9332 I got to ride out a couple of hurricanes off the VaCapes. I was posted to the Signal Bridge, just on top of the ship's Bridge. My area was 80 feet above the waterline, and the waves were hitting me in the face. I lashed myself to the binacle, and held on for dear life. Great ride!!
We live in Minnesota and weekend along Lake Superior a few times each year. The lake is special to us and so are all the freighters we see leaving and arriving at the Duluth/Superior ports. When we heard about this and then heard the song on the radio, it really moved us. Our daughter's birthday is Nov. 10th, so it had special meaning to her also. Love the song. Thanks for your reaction and thoughts.
My Dad was on the Anderson that evening . He remembered the storm , and said it wasn’t abnormal for that time of season . Was surprised the Fitz succumbed to the weather and waves , as they had been through many before on the Great Lakes . Many of the crew lost were friends , but my Dad said it was part of the job , and you just carry on . Told me the song always brought back memories of working on those ships , and not specifically the Fitz .
It is thought that a "rogue wave" may have hit the ship, that is a wave that is more than two times the significant height of surrounding waves. Such a wave would have hit the ship harder than she could handle, thus causing her to sink.
All 29 crew perished in the wreck. Just last year, when Mr. Lightfoot passed, the Maritime Church in Detroit chimed the church bells 30 times... I am sure I was not the only one with tears in my eyes when that happened, though I get choked up everytime I listen to this song..
Lightfoot wrote the song, walked into the studio, and handed their parts to each member of the band, told them what he wanted, and without rehearsal they played and recorded it in one take. Amazing. The bodies of the crew are still in the ship because the lack of oxygen and the cold means that the bodies do not decay. There is a 500 meter exclusion zone around the wreck and it is a grave site at the request of the families. There is a park and bench so they can go site and look over the water that holds their menfolk. Lightfoot donated the profits from the song to the families. When the ship went down the whole world held its breath for days as the search for the ship was conducted, and hopes faded for finding any survivors.
There wasn't a Canadian growing up that didn't hear this growing up. Many generations grew up with this as sing-along, parents taught their kids music and history through lyrics by this great Man.
One of the crewman told his family that if anything had happened, that it would be quick, because the lake is so cold and they didn't have time to put on any of their life saving gear, meaning their dry suits or anything. That's how fast this happened. I was 10 years old when the mighty Fitz (the Edmond Fitzgerald) sank. The ship was known as the mighty Fitz. Lake Superior is the coldest of the Great Lakes. In summertime it warms to about 50 degrees or so. It's a spring fed lake and it's 1,333 feet deep. It's the deepest of the 5 Great Lakes.
the only thing more popular than Gordon in Canada, maybe hockey. he was a national treasure, great writer, singer, have all he did, love it all and am American.
What is crazy is that crews that have gone down to see the wreck, have seen some of the dead sailors and they are preserved and look ageless. RIP, to those who died on that fateful night! God bless them and their Families!!!
Gordon stated in interviews that he read many different papers that published the tragedy, he said "I felt like I was being drawn to honor men lost without any hope, they never went down, nor did they drown, I am still here". The odd thing about this story was the west wind was a very small corridor. There were ships 5 miles from their port that were okay & rushed to call their emergency, but the ship had sunk before they arrived. They just so happened to have left either too early or too late on the fateful date of November, 10, 1975, twas the jet stream curvature that caused the deaths. If they had the current technology, they would have never left the mill port, which would have made it had they waited an hour & 5 minutes, they would have been okay. Lake Superior has some 350 recorded shipwrecks, accounting for some 10,000+ lives lost. That is why he included the lyrics, "It never gives up her dead". As he recollected the history of even the natives lost sailing the lake.
Ya the Fitz went down fast... There was a trailing ship who had her on radar. The trailing ship got hit by a big wave, and when it cleared the Fitz was nowhere to be seen. Not by eye nor radar.. One ping she was there then next gone...
Being from Michigan, I've always been fascinated by this story. I watched a documentary on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Captain McSorely's son recounted how the shipping company modified the Fitz, removing a bulkhead to allow for greater carrying capacity. He said his father commented that he wouldn't want to be caught in rough seas in that ship......kind of half joking. Then Captain McSorely was in a rotation of captains to fill in for one another when another captain was taking vacation. McSorely was selected to captain the Fitz temporarily, even as he was nearing his final voyages approaching retirement. Talk about FATE - the confluences of all these seemingly random, individual occurances, coming together in one tragic moment. I cry every time I hear this song. Gordon was a beautiful talent. Try "If I Could Read Your Mind" for another lyrically brilliant, emotional song.
From what I heard, the ship was grossly overloaded. In the rough waters, the ship was caught between two waves. This caused the center to come up out of the water, and crack.
I remember seeing this in the News when she went missing. It was many years before they found the wreck. They brought up the ships bell. These ships don't travel very fast. Gordon donated all the money from this song to the families of those who went down with the ship. Another Gordon song I like is "Sundown".
They have actually also had exploratory dives down to the wreck. They then saw a crew member still sitting in a berth, still wearing a life jacket. They determined the body was so well preserved because the water is so cold. They decided NOT to bring the man up, and not to dive down to the wreck ever again. The families of the deceased also wanted these men to be left in peace-and so they are. It’s because of Lightfoot’s vision and artistry that the world knows the name EDMUND FITZGERALD. Lightfoot is widely viewed as one of the finest songwriters of the modern era. This song shows why he deserves the laudatory comments. This song is a masterpiece.
“The mariners all say they’d have made Whitefish Bay if they’d put 15 more miles behind them “ refers to the shelter the bay would provide from the storm.
When Gordon wrote this, no one knew for sure what had happened, why they sank, and they still hadn't found the ship. That took some years for them to finally discover where it lay and figure out what happened. Every year on the anniversary, they ring that bell at the museum 29 times. After Mr. Lightfoot died, they started to ring it 30 times. A fitting tribute.
I was born in 68 and was a kid when this first came out. My older brothers listened to this on the radio. Folk music was common but not necessarily pop. It was easy to understand and follow. When I became a young adult and went to college, I was re-exposed to this music and found that is was better than most. it came out in the era of Disco and Rock and so didn't make it big at the time. Music that tell stories will last forever.
One of my grandfather's friends was a crewman on the Edmund Fitzgerald. I grew up in a small town near Mackinaw, Michigan and grew up hearing stories about this tragedy 😢 Rest in Peace to all those lost souls 🌹Rest in Peace Gordon 😢
He could paint a picture with the lyrics of his songs . A proud Canadian . Note the line " and it rang 29 times each man .... at the request of the families the bell now rings 30 times to include Gordon .
Great song but he has so many great tunes.. He is one of the great songwriters of all time. Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind are both amazing songs.
I'm a retired Navy man and I love this song. I've seen up close and personal how powerful mother nature can be and it is frightening how destructive water can be in a storm when you're on a ship off shore. Gordon had a wonderful way of telling stories like this.
The highest wave recorded was a height of 29 feet (8.8 meters) on October 24, 2017 on 'Lake Superior' just north of Marquette, Michigan. ” “Most storms over the oceans of the world can produce average wave heights of 30 feet. But, 'Lake Huron' was hit by the worst storm ever to hit one of the Great Lakes on November 3, 1913. The storm produced wind gusts of 90 mph (145 kph) and ocean-like waves of more than 35 feet. The storm lasted 16 hours, sank 10 ships, and killed 235 seamen. They called it the "The Big Blow!"
For a freighter, 15 miles is significant. For example, if the ship could make 5 knots in these storm conditions (EDIT: the common, calm sea, speed for Great Lakes freighters is 10.4 knots (12 miles an hour)), it would still be 3 hours to cover the distance. Edit was inspired by gnar's comment.
I grew up hearing this on the radio daily. He gave his poignant lyrics the perfect cadence between stanzas to allow the listener to process the weight of them. A perfect delivery of such a story.
As someone born in Superior Wisconsin. This song is a tribute and a taboo in that city, many family members of the departed still reside there and love/hate this song. It's a duel edge sword.... a tribute and reminder of what was lost.
Gordon was traveling and read a story one morning in a motel/hotel and it made a huge impact on him, He inquired approval from each of the 29 families before he released his recording of the tragedy. He donated all his profits of the song through the years that followed to the families, because it touched him so deeply.
Gordon said had they put just 15 more miles behind them before the storm hit, they would have escaped the worst part of the storm and likely survived as just a normal delivery, probably not knowing how close they had come to disaster. I grew up in Michigan and there are shorelines where you'd swear you were at an ocean, not a lake. Lake Michigan is 118 miles wide at its widest point and you can't see the distant shore. They are fresh water lakes, very deep and very, very cold at the bottom. Some ships that sunk in the 1800s have been discovered still in a pristine, and preserved condition. This is because there's no salt to rust the metal and few fresh water fish that deep to feed off of it. Yes, this song honors those lost on the Fitz but I think it also praises all the unsung heroes lost to dangerous jobs. "The Perfect Storm" is the true story about a swordfishing boat named the Andrea Gail and how it, and the crew from Gloucester, Massachusetts, was lost in storm that had 100 foot waves. It gives a little insight into what the Fitz's crew may have gone through. It has a stellar cast and is well worth watching.
You need only to know the quote from Bob Dylan...."I love any song written by Gordon Lightfoot "...... I saw him in concert around 1976, shortly after he released the Edmond Fitzgerald. Great concert!
As a child, this was my first memory of community tragedy. We had just moved to Duluth, Minnesota. I was in kindergarten. Those bells were haunting. The easels set up with the pictures in memoriam in our school & at church. It's strange to see adults tear up at that age. This never fails to make me teary now.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was found in two pieces. As Gordon mentioned, it was a big ship. If it became suspended between two large ("rogue") waves, one at the bough and one at the stern with nothing supporting the middle, the stress would be too much and the boat would collapse from its own weight. This seems to be what happened. The crew had no chance. This song came out when I was in elementary school and I had NO IDEA that this was 'current events'. Gordon's storytelling style made the tale seem ancient and timeless, as if handed down through generations.
I saw it mentioned that one of the bulkheads had been removed to carry more ore by someone with family knowledge of the Fitz. Many safety regulations have changed thanks to this song shining light on the desister. You can add Hero to Gordon's titles. RIP.
In addition to the brilliant storytelling and the poetic lyrical flow, I just love how it all comes together with the cadence and dynamic instrumentation to make you feel like you're rolling on the waves right along with the Edmund Fitzgerald. R.I.P. to the crew and to Gordon Lightfoot 😞🙏
I have always loved the way he wrote about the weight of the cargo. "With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighted empty..." Such a neat turn of a phrase. He was one of my favorite singers. Got the chance to see him right before the pandemic closed everything. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.
This was recorded in one take, but what maoes it even more amazing is that the band was playing it for the very first time. Lightfoot talks about it in the documentary about him called "If You Could Read My Mind".
I'm from Michigan, this is a part of our shared memories here, i wasn't even born yet when it happened, but i sang this song in school. 1975 is when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank
What a great song for a reaction. I remember this tragedy very well when it happened. Here in Michigan, the loss of this ship and crew was felt deeply at the time. When the ship was eventually located, the ship's bell was removed and is now in a museum in Michigan's Upper Peninsula bordering Lake Superior. Thank you very much for your reaction.
The genius of Gordon Lightfoot! I am so thankful I saw him in concert a decade ago. It was a somber show, my dog (son) passed away that day and it was on Father's Day 2014. Not great timing for such a catalog of hits. The fullness of the playing is from his 12-string guitar. Those 12-stringers are a folk song's best friend!
I was fortunate enough to be born & raised in Western New York, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. As such, Canadian radio stations were a way of life. Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian National Treasure. I remember when the Fitz went down in November 1975. My great grandfather was a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes so this event hit home. Many years later I became a 5th generation sailor. Having seen Ontario in her fury more than once helped me face my time at sea. When he died, the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral rang the bells 30 times. 29 for the crew & 1 for the legend who kept their memories alive. Next song of Gordon's I'd recommend is Sundown
I’ve loved this song as a kid in the 70’s. I actually looked up the history of the Edmund Fitzgerald in the Encyclopedia Brittanica’s Book of the Year (now inherited and on my shelf) after first hearing the song (yes, that’s what we did before in the Internet).
I grew up, and still live and work in the Cleveland area. About a year ago, one of my co-workers retired. I remember him telling us a story about when he graduated high school. He and his friend applied to Cleveland Cliffs to work on the freighters. He was rejected, but his friend was accepted. His friend was Bruce Hudson who went down on the Edmund Fitzgerald. He still has the rejection letter, and brought it in to show us. On a separate note, before my current job I worked at steel mill. One of my co-workers there also had a connection to the ship. His wife's uncle was on it when it went down. I have always loved this song, and Lightfoot's ability to tell such wonderful stories through his songs. Lightfoot became friends with Bruce's mother because of this song, and would visit her every time he was in the area until she passed.
Few songs music bed match the story being delivered lyrically. The Animals "House Of The Rising Sun' has its horror film Vox Continental organ. The Jefferson Airplanes "White Rabbit" evokes the mind-altering state of an LSD trip. The Beatles "She Loves You' emotes the experience of the overwhelming flush of first love. But The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald impeccably manages to put the listener on board the doomed freighter. Even faced with the terror of the water coming in, one senses the captain and his crew's professionalism in the face of certain death. But it's the electric guitar (harmonized in spots towards the end of the song) that provides the motion for the song. By recreating the actual tilling of the great ship as she slowly loses her battle with the forces of nature. An instant classic and a song for the ages. RIP Gordon. May your soul rest in eternal peace. Something tells me there were 29 men greeting you upon your arrival at the Pearly Gates of Heaven, RNB
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Best line ever imo
I tear up when I hear the line, "And all that remains is the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters."
Totally agree, it makes you feel what is must have been like to have time slow down to a crawl. Amazing song.
Gordon has had so many great lines that it is so hard to pick one phrase. I actually prefer the music of The Canadian Railroad Trilogy!
I know from experience😩
It certainly ranks very high in popular music. And good for you, it should not go unnoticed in the comments.
The Church in the song is called Mariner’s Church in Detroit which was built in 1849. After Gordon Lightfoot died, the church bells rang 30 times, 29 for each life on the Edmund Fitzgerald and once for Gordon Lightfoot.
That’s amazing, and very fitting
Beautiful 🙏❤️🇺🇸
It was the sweetest tribute ever and I sobbed.
My mother used this song to teach her students Michigan history. She would say Ojibwa instead of Chippewa but she was like that.
Gordon was one of the greatest balladeers of his time!
"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes into hours" is probably the greatest line in all of popular music.
Only a Sailor who has been through a Hurricane or Typhoon knows how true those words are. USN(ret)
Definitely great line, but I just listened to their reaction to Vincent by Don McLean and this line IMO beats it. "When no hope was left in sight on that Starry, Starry, night you took your life as lovers often do. But I could have told you Vincent. This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you." Also have to consider about a 100 great lines by Jim Steinman.
@@n5uge12A Minnesotan from Up North. That line always makes me weep. The Anderson was behind her and was in the hunt for the Fitzgerald. The Anderson is still in service and sails into Duluth on a regular basis.
The waves on the great lakes can get to 30 -40 feet and in a November gale the winds are so strong. A big ship like the Edmond Fitzgerald...in those conditions? she was on her own.
@@n5uge12No true words. USMC (Ret). USS OKINAWA LPH-3 WESTPAC 1984-85 went thru TWO TYPHOONS. SHIP GOT BEAT UP BAD.
I don’t care how many times I have listened to this song it brings a tear to my eye
Always does for me too.
best tribute song I've heard
Same here brother, an artist by the name Brian Burns, did a remake of the song, but at the end he added the name of each crew member followed by the ringing of the ship's bell after each name.
So true.
Me too, all the way from New Zealand
When Gordon passed they rang the bell 30 times for Gordon not 29 😪
That is beautiful and totally fitting. Thank you for that information.
Yes, on the day after he died.
@@cbobwhite5768 That is really cool!
Up until Gordon's passing, it had been 29 times they'd toll the bell after Gordon passed, They'd chimed it one additional time, essentially making Gordon Lightfoot an honorary crew member of the Edmund Fitzgerald
@@karlsmith2570 that's what I said?...he had some other great hits also 🎸😪
When Gordon died, the Detroit Maritime Cathedral rang the bell 30 times. the 30th for Gordon.
Brought a tear for the respect. Just awesome. Something to use as a high bar both for the respect for those that perished but also the gratitude of those who knew them.
was out side when they rang the bell ,
When Gordon Lightfoot died, The bell rang 30 times adding him as an honorary member to be remembered because he wrote the song for the lost men. He felt it was too important to be covered so lightly and incorrectly by media at the time and wanted the whole story to come out. All the money he made from that song was donated to the families of those sailors, his goal being all their kids could go to college.
What an amazing man.. I didn't know that.. thank you
I did not know that, what a wonderful tribute.
Thanks for that. 🫶🏾🤲🏾
I was at his 1st concert after releasing this song in Traverse City, MI. It was absolutely haunting. The audience was dead silent.
When Gordon Lightfoot passed away they rang the bells at the Maritime Sailors Cathedral 30 times. 29 times for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald and one time for Gordon. Amazing .
😊❤
very touching
He gave EVERY PENNY he made from this song to the survivor families. He was TRULY part of their families. The final ring was to acknowledge that he'd given his life, as those on board had done, to support the families.
@@mikeh8416Truly amazing knowledge. Gordon was more than a singer telling a horrible time for a well known ship. So poetic and endearing.
I watched that on tv. My eyes leaked. They leaked a lot. Gordon remained in touch with families throughout his career.
Here’s the history behind the song:
“Gitchee Gumee” is the Objibwe word for “Great Sea” and it is used to refer to Lake Superior, which is known as an inland sea because of its size and conditions. They say it never gives up its dead because bodies at the bottom of the lake don’t float to the top or even decompose because of the low temperature and lack of oxygen down there.
The S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald was a freighter. According to one of the victims’ nephews (who’s also in the shipping industry), if someone was chosen to be a crew member on the ship, they had a lot of seniority, experience, and a good reputation. This is reflected in the fact that most of the victims were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and had decades of experience. The captain, Ernest McSorley, had over 40 years of experience alone. He planned to retire after the voyage.
On November 9, 1975, the ship left Wisconsin with 26-27,000 tons of taconite iron ore pellets. It was an unseasonably warm, sunny day. The ship was headed for Zug Island in Detroit to drop off the iron ore, then on to Cleveland to harbor for the winter (Gordon took a bit of poetic license with this). By the morning of November 10, the weather had shifted on Lake Superior. It was raining with high winds and high waves. It steadily got worse as the day went on.
The weather knocked out both of the ship’s radars, and the Whitefish Point lighthouse and beacon were not working properly, so the ship was essentially sailing blind. They stuck close to another ship, the Arthur Anderson, who tried to help the Fitzgerald navigate. The two ships planned to sail to Whitefish Bay and shelter from the storm there.
At some point in the afternoon, the two ships passed a shoal (an area of shallow water that can be dangerous for ships). It is believed that the Fitzgerald ran aground on it (likely not seeing it), suffered structural damage to the bottom of the ship, and began taking on water from the bottom.
By this time, the weather was also freezing rain, which combined with the wind and high waves made the ship top heavy. The Fitzgerald began listing to one side and water went on deck too, which only got worse as the storm continued. They informed the Arthur Anderson of their predicament and the two ships continued towards Whitefish Bay.
At about 7:10 pm, the Arthur Anderson radioed the Fitzgerald and asked how they were holding up. Captain McSorley said the Fitzgerald was “holding its own.” Those were the last words heard from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Within the next 5-10 minutes, the Arthur Anderson lost the Fitzgerald on radar and couldn’t physically see it either. By this point, the ship had already sank. No one knows for sure what happened, but it happened so fast the Fitzgerald didn’t even have time to send a distress signal. A common theory is that a rogue (much higher than normal) wave came up and took them under, which can happen without warning. Because the ship was weighed down by the water on deck, the iron ore inside of it, and the water from the bottom, it simply did not come back up. The ship and all 29 crewmen were lost. They were only 15 miles away from the safety of Whitefish Bay, which probably would have taken only a couple more hours at the rate they were going.
The Arthur Anderson safely made it to Whitefish Point, but actually went back out into the storm a few hours later to look for wreckage and survivors. They found nothing.
The Coast Guard said the crewmen failed to secure the hatches (an unlikely mistake for a crew that experienced at that time of year). In 2010, it was found that human error did not cause the sinking. In live performances, Gordon changed the line to reflect this new development.
The crewmen are all still down there. In the 1990s, divers went down to the wreckage, brought up the ship’s bell, and placed a replica with the engraved names of the crewmen. The real bell is now in the Whitefish Point museum. The families did not want the crewmen recovered, seeing the wreckage as their final resting place. Every year, memorials are held for the crew members. Ships will also stop and ring their bells 29 times when passing the wreck site. In a lot of the memorials this year, the bell also rang a 30th time for Gordon Lightfoot himself.
The reason this song is so beloved is because of how factually accurate it is, and Gordon even changed the lyrics over the years to reflect new findings about the wreck. The reason he wrote the song in the first place was because he was upset about the careless news coverage of the sinking (a news article even misspelled the ship’s name). He also donated the money from the song to the families of the crewmen, and anyone who wanted to use the song had to get permission from the families too.
I never bought into the Coast Guard findings that blamed the deck hands not securing the latches properly. My theory is the combination of taking on water after hitting six fathom shoal and a rogue wave. The captain of the Arthur Anderson was quoted saying the Fitz was far closer than he would want to be to the shoal and also commented on the giant wave that overtook them from behind. Given that the AA was following the Fitz, this same wave likely hit the Fitz as well. The heavy load (the Fitz's load limit was increased several times over the years decreasing draft each time) coupled with the additional water they were taking on along with such a large wave, pushed the nose under and she couldn't recover.
@@Uller1967 I agree. Not to mention the weight the Fitz was taking on from the top with the waves and freezing rain.
. Thing is the coast guard dived on the shoal and never found any evidence of her hitting it.
Great recap of the event. Thanks.
The Arthur Anderson regularly visits the port of Green Bay, Wisconsin, to this day, and I think of this tragic event every time I see her.
It's difficult to believe that there are people who have never heard of this tragedy or this song. I'm old.
LoL, wait till they hear Robeson sing, "Old Man River."
They've heard it, all these reviewers lie.
@@MrChiangching Yep he knew right when the drums came in
I was 10 years old, on November 10, 1975 being raised in Southern Michigan. I remember everything about the storm and its enormous winds, rain, hail and finally snow from the night before and the beautiful sunshine and crisp fall air of the following day when it was announced that the Edmund Fitzgerald was lost with all hands. I was naturalist even at this age and this song moved me to dream about going to Superior. I wanted to feel the legend of Superior and all it's power and majesty. I met my soulmate at age 15 and a few years later after college, we moved very close to Lake Superior. So many times in the past 30 years, when the wind whips up and a storm starts roaring on the big lake, we make our way to Whitefish Point where simply standing upright can be a struggle and the noise from the wind sounds as if you are standing inside a rocket at takeoff. We look out into the lake seeing exactly where this ship went down and exactly where it needed to get to reach safety and think just how close they were. Two days from now, another "blow" will happen, and again we will make our way to nature's temple and pay our respects to Superior and to the people that call its icy depths home. And once again, we will turn the page.
Each year, they ring the bell 29 times at the Mariner's Church (what Gordon called the Maritime Sailors Cathedral). The proceeds for this song went to the sailor's charity. We must remember that in the 70s, there were no social media outlets, no GoFundMe, and nothing like that. If you needed to raise money for a cause or a need, it needed to be in the print media (newspapers/magazines), television, or radio. Through the decades after this song, Mr. Lightfoot stayed connected to the Maritime Church and the lost sailors' families. When he passed, the Maritime Church rang the bells for him.
Exactly, Gordon never made a dime off of this song, which says a lot about his character.
They rang 30 times after he passed.
One of my favorite songs...makes me choke up.
This song was based on the true incident that happened in 1975. The Edmund Fitzgerald went missing and sank in the Great Lakes.
@@Walton-F-Ramp Great respect and deservedly so for Mr. Gordon Lightfoot . ❤️
Nov 10th, 1975. I was working at Great Lakes Steel on Zug Island in Detroit. We were asked to stay overtime, as we were expecting a large shipment of Ore & materials. After 2 hours our foreman told us the Edmund was running late due to bad weather & we left for the day. The next morning we heard on the local news that the ship was missing, maybe throw so far off course & possibly capsized. Layer that day we were advised the ship went down. We all knew several of the men on the Edmund. R.I.P.
Thank you for sharing that experience.
strange that was the EXACT Same Day my dad died Nov 10th 1975......and Exactly 10 years later to the day my son was born Nov 10th, 1985
It was one of the largest ships sailing the great lakes at the time......right now one of the biggest ships that runs in the same area is the Paul R. Tragurtha.
Wow that would be so sad waiting for that ship and she goes down in a big storm
I was just one year old when it happened. So sad that some of the kids grew up never knowing their family members that died on that ship.
Michael E. Armagost, 37, Third Mate
Fred J. Beetcher, 56, Porter
Thomas D. Bentsen, 23, Oiler
Edward F. Bindon, 47, First Asst. Engineer
Thomas D. Borgeson, 41, Maintenance
Oliver J. Champeau, 41, Third Asst. Engineer
Nolan S. Church, 55, Porter
Ransom E. Cundy, 53, Watchman
Thomas E. Edwards, 50, Second Asst. Engineer
Russell G. Haskell, 40, Second Asst. Engineer
George J. Holl, 60, Chief Engineer
Bruce L. Hudson, 22, Deck Hand
Allen G. Kalmon, 43, Second Cook
Gordon F. MacLellan, 30, Wiper
Joseph W. Mazes, 59, Special Maintenance Man
John H. McCarthy, 62, First Mate
Ernest M. McSorley, 63, Captain
Eugene W. O'Brien, 50, Wheelsman
Karl A. Peckol, 20, Watchman
John J. Poviach, 59, Wheelsman
James A. Pratt, 44, Second Mate
Robert C. Rafferty, 62, Steward
Paul M. Riippa, 22, Deck Hand
John D. Simmons, 63, Wheelsman
William J. Spengler, 59, Watchman
Mark A. Thomas, 21, Deck Hand
Ralph G. Walton, 58, Oiler
David E. Weiss, 22, Cadet
Blaine H. Wilhelm, 52, Oiler
I turned ten years old a week after this happened. My stepdad's family had a cabin up at paradise which is a few miles from whitefish point. We were up there snowmobiling over Christmas break. On a snowmobiling night trip we stopped on the edge of a cliff overlooking Lake superior by white fish point and I remember the adults talking about what had happened. They then pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniel's, pasted it around and poured the rest over the edge of the cliff and told me it was in honor of sailors on the ship. I'm 58 now and it still brings me to tears every time I hear this song and remember that night.
November 10th 1975 was my birthday, I turned 14.
I was 19 when this song was released. It was a, “ Stop and listen, “ song from the very beginning. Lightfoot never a dime from this song. All proceeds were donated to the families of the 29 sailors.
Gordon wrote this song to memorialize the lives of the sailors lost. The news coverage of the sinking was so little, he had to bring this tragedy as well as all the other ship loses to light. I had just finished my US Navy training and was home on leave before going to my first ship. What an eye opener.
I did my basic at Great Lakes, in November of 1990. Just 15 years after the sinking.
People would dive down to the wreak but when they found that the bodies were still down there they made it a grave site. It's ice cold fresh water, she truly never gives up her dead. Haunting lyrics.
I don't think most folks appreciate the size of this "Lake." The area of this lake is greater than the COMBINED areas of Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. I used to live up there and got to see some of these storms... amazing power! This "Lake" contains 10% of the World's fresh water and if you poured it out, it would cover all of North and South America to a depth of about one foot.
@davidfoxall8765 I think what you say is true. I have lived on Lake Michigan my whole life but have gone to Superior many times. It is amazing to me how little people understand these bodies of water. They are inland seas. Especially Superior. I was 21 when this happened but I grew up on boats and lakes. I remember the awe inspired in me the first time I visited the port in Duluth and Superior was angry. My dad and I walked along the breaker rocks and the power took my breath away. Gordon did a great honor to memorialize this historic event of modern shipping and those men and the ones who still to this day take the risks to sail big waters.
I have a friend from Australia who laughed that Michiganders would call going to the Great Lakes, “Going to the beach”. She, at that time, didn’t realize how massive the Great Lakes are.
There's a reason the lake is called Superior.
All the royalties he received for the song, he passed to the families of those lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Glad someone posted this. I was going to if I didn't see it.
And if anyone wanted to use the song, they had to get permission from the families too, not just him.
Gordon Lightfoot ~ “If You Could Read My Mind” has always been one of my favorite songs…beautiful! I think you will love it too! Gordon is a bit like Bob Seger…fantastic catalogues!
RIP Gordo…you will always be missed!
The flip side of the 45 which I have, Poor Allison" was another!
I have the 45 too. Poor Little Allison is superb. I had the original Sit Down Young Stranger album which is now, If You Could Read My Mind. I don't like it when they make changes like that. I sold it but at least my 45 refers to the original album title. IMO, his Reprise stuff is good but his best was when he was with United Artists. @thethirdrail8397
@@festidious2644 I have At least two if not three GL's Lp's! One of them may be a comp.
One of the greatest story tellers I’ve ever listened too, he was a Canadian icon
No shit??? I thought was Irish lol 😊
He gave all of the proceeds from this song to the grieving families!!!
This is incorrect. He set up scholarships for the sailors' children but he did not donate all the proceeds from the song.
@@lauraclark427how do you know this? I only ask because I’ve read several comments saying the same thing as the comment you responded to.
When Gordon passed,those church bells rang 30 times ,the 29 for the crew and once for Gordon
It's awesome that they honored him as much as he honored the lost sailors and their families!
In the late Morning / early afternoon of November 9th, 1975, two huge Iron Ore Carriers were shouldering the brunt of a quickly growing weather system as they worked their way along the north end of Lake Superior for cover. The biggest one of the two ships was out front. The Edmund Fitzgerald under the command of Captain Ernest M. McSorley. Fallowed at about fifteen miles by the Arthur M. Anderson under the command of Captain Jesse B. "Bernie" Cooper. At about 330PM to report that Edmund Fitzgerald was taking on water and had lost two vent covers and a fence railing. The vessel had also developed a list. Captain McSorley radioed Arthur M. Anderson to report that Edmund Fitzgerald was taking on water and had lost two vent covers and a fence railing. The vessel had also developed a list. with the smaller Aurther M Anderson following about fifteen miles back. Some time that night the Fitz lost radar. Captain Ernest M. McSorley Commander of the Fitz asked Captain Jesse B. "Bernie" Cooper of the Arthur M to close to visual of Fitz and provide them with radar plots for cores corrections. There is some speculation that before the Aurther M could close and get a firm plot of the Fitzgeralds position she might have inadvertently gone over a shallow area and bottomed out a bit causing some leaking that was hidden by the ore pellets in her cargo holds. By 630 PM the Anderson had the Fitz on radar and their crew could see her on the horizon. at about 650 the Arther was hit by a freakishly large swell from behind but with the sea topping out at 30-40 feet every swell was a toe curler. However, the event shook the captain of the trailing ship enough to make him worry about the Fitz. So, within a moment of recovering the captain of the Arther M Anderson called and made a point of asking the Fits; "How are you holding up", The captain of the Fitz replied, "We are holding our own, going along like an old shoe". After that the Captain of the Anderson went below and they did a shift change. At 705 the captain of the Anderson came back up and was thinking of calling the Fitz again because he was worried about the way the other captain had sounded and the reference to plodding along got him thinking what if he bottomed out on a shole they passed earlier, and the Fitz was taking on more than they knew. Thats when another big swell swung the Aurther hard, and he was takin up with maneuvering and checking on his ship for a bit. At 708 he looked up and watched the Fitz disappear into a snow squall. Something made him walk to the Radar to double check her position, but she was not showing up on his radar. It was 710 PM November 10th, 1975, and the Fitz was off radar, yet it was working, and he had literally just seen her a few miles ahead. He called numerous times and had all able crew up scanning with lights and looking for her. My cousin was one of the wreck divers hired to give an assessment as to the cause of the sinking and fate of the crew. He dove the wreck and found the ship was in two parts and there was some bow damage. The structural damage in the center was massive, as if the Fitz twisted herself in two. He keeps Recalling the big swell that rocked the Aurther M. just before they lost sight of the Fitz in the snow that night and looking at the damage. His final summery was; The Edmond Fitzgerald being overloaded and taking on water in her forwerd holds was overcome by the first of three rouge swells from her stern. Her bow shot under the water and gained momentum from the next big rouge hitting her. This pushed the bow down with the weight of the water and cargo shifting and the bow hit lake bottom, (Fitz was 728 feet long and rests now in 530 feet but the shole she passed over was 310 feet), the stern sheared off instantly and both halves would have been completely submerged in a matter of moments thus preventing any one getting off and the crew of the Aurther M who passed over the verry spot not a few minutes later from seeing any sign of the ship. To him this was the only way to explain her disappearing so fast. As someone who has lost family and friends to the sea I have spent nights in weather like that. Some while I listened to others calling out for help on the radio. The radio calls from that night are surreal to listen to. Professional yet heart breaking. Its here on youtube at; ruclips.net/video/W1fOWi0teiY/видео.html
They have a relatively new theory out that tries to explain the damage. What they say is that the area is known for monstrous rouge waves with high peaks and low valleys. The theory is that the Edmund Fitzgerald got caught between two swells which were under the bow and the stern with no support for the middle. This stressed the hull causing a corkscrew twist that tore the vessel in to pieces and caused it to sink almost instantly. We will never know truly what happened but it certainly makes you stop and think about the strength of nature when you consider stuff like this. I don’t know how big the ship was but he says it was the best of the american side and was twenty six thousand tons heavier when loaded.
Thank you so much for the clarity you added that report! Great perspective!
@@stevedavis5704 The Edmund Fitzgerald was 730 ft. long, 75 ft. wide with a 25 ft. draft. That sounds big, but compared to an ocean going freighter, she's quite a bit smaller, even for back then. She had to be to fit thru the various locks between the lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Thanks for sharing👍
Amazing information… I remember when it sank… But I didn’t have any of this information…
I have always felt this was such a moving tribute to the men on this ship… and their families
Gorden Lightfoot is a saint on any shore of Lake Superior. The old timers up here say that this winter has been the mildest of any since 1938. But not so tonight. As I sit here, I can see where the Ontonagon River flows into Superior...And she is worked up tonight. There is a 60 MPH wind coming off the lake, and a 20 foot tide. My well build house is shaking and covered with ice...I can only imagine what it is like out there!
😳😱
My Dad (88 years old) and I still crank this song top volume for the neighborhood while grilling Johnsonville Brats with a cocktail or beer or both.😊❤
"If You Could Read My Mind " and "Sundown" are another two of his hits. But he has many more songs than I can sit here and name.
One more thing. His first album was in 1966 and his last in 2020. So he had A LOT of songs.
Sundown is my favorite of his. Excellent guitar work on it, imho.
Gordon was such a selfless man. He not only donated proceeds to the family members of those who perished, he also gave of his time and visited family members for many years. He wrote the song because it bothered him that the news coverage of the tragedy was minimal. He certainly kept the story of the tragedy in the hearts and minds of people through his beautiful songwriting and recording. Well done Gordon. R.I.P. 💔
Nationwide the coverage was minimal. Many small communities on the lakes, like mine, heard nothing else for weeks.
This song and the impact it had helped to balance that equation in an era where there was no internet. Truly amazing looking back on it.
That one man could lift such a cry to a whole country at that time... That is what achieving true greatness in the pursuit of good for others looks like.
@@CoolClearWaterNM Yes, well said.
@@Lakeshore14 As was yours! I was shocked by the emotion this song was able to wring out of me after all of these years.
Everyone associated with Lakes shipping and communities at the time was hammered by this knowing that at any time that could be their brother, their father, their son, their friend.
The immediate and abundant aid to families and community is well represented in the posts here. The long term benefits, not so much. Over thirty laws and safety regulations came out of the attention brought to this issue by the song, helping to insure that this never happens again.
Sorry for droning on. Thank you for 'listening' to this old man.
@@CoolClearWaterNM You’re not droning on. Your thoughts and emotion about the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy are important. As a resident of a small lake community (on the Canadian side) we are probably more focused on Great Lakes shipping and vessels than others. It does give comfort to know how much Gordon’s song contributed and comforting to know that out of the tragedy, laws and safety regulations were changed. It’s also gratifying to know that people are continuing to learn of what happened through Gordon’s song. Enjoyed your input. 👍
And still bringing it to light today! RIP!
We were at the Whitefish point maritime museum watching a live feed when the raised the bell from the shipwreck. There wasn't a dry eye in the entire place. The bell is now at the museum along with pieces of the wreckage. Also.. on a good day, 15 miles can take a freighter an hour. Much longer with storm waves and headwinds. Lake Superior can have waves up to 30 feet high during storms. Just this past Dec. There were waves engulfing 40ft cliffs at the pictured rocks shoreline.
😳
I remember the first time I heard this song. Listening to WLS late at night on my AM clock radio. I was 14 and I loved this song the first time, and each and every time I hear it, it's a haunting memorial to to a grave tragedy and mark's a very memorable point of time in my life.
R.I.P. all who bravely gave their lives on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Also, to Mr. Gordon Lightfoot, who memorialized it in a beautifully told story, R.I.P. sir.
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
I live in Alaska, we lose many people. The pain is real...
I was a Senior in High School when this happened, and this song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Gordon Lightfoot did such a great job immortalizing this tragedy. I was saddened when I heard that he had died.
The thing that really gets me is that reportedly the last radio message from the captain was "We are holding our own." You can't write this stuff.
Thanks for posting the crews names , so sad .
❤ RIP to all these men.
Thank you for remembering these names.
As a former sailor I don't know any person that worked on ships that doesn't get a tear in their eye listening to this song. Thanks for what you two do. I always enjoy tuning in.
Thanks for your service Shipmate. OS1 USN Retired here
@@RetiredSailor60 Thank you too. And all that serve or served.
I was in the Navy, this song resonates.😢
Navy here. 1964 to 1970. Excuse me while I blot my eyes... (for real)
As a sailor, I only can 😢
He is simply.....the great poet. RIP Gordon.
"If You could read my mind", "Sundown". ;) S.C. American here that gives respect to not forget.
If they had made Whitefish Bay they would have been sheltered from the worst of the wind
And 15 miles in a ship, fighting through a bad storm could be more than an hour!
The Gales of November on Lake Superior from 3 Directions known AS the Three Sisters ! For some reason the Authorities DIDNT Think the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was Caused by Them ! .
Even though they had a radio, rescuers couldn't necessarily go out in a big storm. Thankfully, now weather radar is available easily and boats can avoid big life-threatening storms like this so tragedies like this are much more rare.
I'm a former Navy sailor, and did my basic training on the shores of Lake Michigan just fifteen years after the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. This song gives me chills down my spine and a lump in my throat, to this day.
Thanks for your service.
Was born in Duluth and saw the Fitz many times growing up. Was at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in boot camp when it sunk 9 Nov 1975.
Anyone who’s spent time on the Great Lakes, or sailing the ocean gets chills when they hear this song. I sailed through some rough seas, lucky to have come out the other side
@@canucksfan9332 I got to ride out a couple of hurricanes off the VaCapes. I was posted to the Signal Bridge, just on top of the ship's Bridge. My area was 80 feet above the waterline, and the waves were hitting me in the face. I lashed myself to the binacle, and held on for dear life. Great ride!!
Me too. RTC GLAKES Co. 016 January 1988
We live in Minnesota and weekend along Lake Superior a few times each year. The lake is special to us and so are all the freighters we see leaving and arriving at the Duluth/Superior ports. When we heard about this and then heard the song on the radio, it really moved us. Our daughter's birthday is Nov. 10th, so it had special meaning to her also. Love the song. Thanks for your reaction and thoughts.
My Dad was on the Anderson that evening . He remembered the storm , and said it wasn’t abnormal for that time of season . Was surprised the Fitz succumbed to the weather and waves , as they had been through many before on the Great Lakes . Many of the crew lost were friends , but my Dad said it was part of the job , and you just carry on . Told me the song always brought back memories of working on those ships , and not specifically the Fitz .
The Anderson still sails. Have seen her on the St Clair river many times.
She still comes into Duluth Minn.. Seen her few times on the webcam that streams the view from the harbor mouth into the lake..
It is thought that a "rogue wave" may have hit the ship, that is a wave that is more than two times the significant height of surrounding waves. Such a wave would have hit the ship harder than she could handle, thus causing her to sink.
Look at the size of that Ship! .... And a Storm on one of the Great Lakes just Chewed it Up! Most folks have no Idea how huge the Great Lakes are!
Superior especially is the size of a state in itself.
😮 Mother Nature is a game you can't win. Father time undefeated. Live life to the fullest or just be alone and angry.
Or how deadly. An estimated 550 wrecks in Superior.
RIP to Gordon. A Canadian icon .
All 29 crew perished in the wreck. Just last year, when Mr. Lightfoot passed, the Maritime Church in Detroit chimed the church bells 30 times... I am sure I was not the only one with tears in my eyes when that happened, though I get choked up everytime I listen to this song..
Lightfoot wrote the song, walked into the studio, and handed their parts to each member of the band, told them what he wanted, and without rehearsal they played and recorded it in one take. Amazing.
The bodies of the crew are still in the ship because the lack of oxygen and the cold means that the bodies do not decay. There is a 500 meter exclusion zone around the wreck and it is a grave site at the request of the families. There is a park and bench so they can go site and look over the water that holds their menfolk. Lightfoot donated the profits from the song to the families.
When the ship went down the whole world held its breath for days as the search for the ship was conducted, and hopes faded for finding any survivors.
Not only was Gordon Lightfoot a great writer and singing artist, he was a great humanitarian. He is definitely missed, but never to be forgotten.
Pure brilliance from Gordon, one of canadas best songwriters.
Not one of Canada's best...the best! One of the worlds greatest singer/songwriter
There wasn't a Canadian growing up that didn't hear this growing up. Many generations grew up with this as sing-along, parents taught their kids music and history through lyrics by this great Man.
One of the crewman told his family that if anything had happened, that it would be quick, because the lake is so cold and they didn't have time to put on any of their life saving gear, meaning their dry suits or anything. That's how fast this happened. I was 10 years old when the mighty Fitz (the Edmond Fitzgerald) sank. The ship was known as the mighty Fitz. Lake Superior is the coldest of the Great Lakes. In summertime it warms to about 50 degrees or so. It's a spring fed lake and it's 1,333 feet deep. It's the deepest of the 5 Great Lakes.
I have always considered this song as the most moving and beautiful eulogy I have ever heard.
Yes and to this day I tear up every single time I hear it.
the only thing more popular than Gordon in Canada, maybe hockey. he was a national treasure, great writer, singer, have all he did, love it all and am American.
Neil. Robiei stole the $$$ from "The Band"!!! 😬
Tragically hip!! Cmon now
What is crazy is that crews that have gone down to see the wreck, have seen some of the dead sailors and they are preserved and look ageless. RIP, to those who died on that fateful night! God bless them and their Families!!!
Gordon stated in interviews that he read many different papers that published the tragedy, he said "I felt like I was being drawn to honor men lost without any hope, they never went down, nor did they drown, I am still here".
The odd thing about this story was the west wind was a very small corridor. There were ships 5 miles from their port that were okay & rushed to call their emergency, but the ship had sunk before they arrived.
They just so happened to have left either too early or too late on the fateful date of November, 10, 1975, twas the jet stream curvature that caused the deaths.
If they had the current technology, they would have never left the mill port, which would have made it had they waited an hour & 5 minutes, they would have been okay.
Lake Superior has some 350 recorded shipwrecks, accounting for some 10,000+ lives lost.
That is why he included the lyrics, "It never gives up her dead".
As he recollected the history of even the natives lost sailing the lake.
Ya the Fitz went down fast... There was a trailing ship who had her on radar. The trailing ship got hit by a big wave, and when it cleared the Fitz was nowhere to be seen. Not by eye nor radar.. One ping she was there then next gone...
😳😳😳 That’s a LOT of shipwrecks and people lost at sea.
Being from Michigan, I've always been fascinated by this story. I watched a documentary on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Captain McSorely's son recounted how the shipping company modified the Fitz, removing a bulkhead to allow for greater carrying capacity. He said his father commented that he wouldn't want to be caught in rough seas in that ship......kind of half joking. Then Captain McSorely was in a rotation of captains to fill in for one another when another captain was taking vacation. McSorely was selected to captain the Fitz temporarily, even as he was nearing his final voyages approaching retirement. Talk about FATE - the confluences of all these seemingly random, individual occurances, coming together in one tragic moment. I cry every time I hear this song. Gordon was a beautiful talent. Try "If I Could Read Your Mind" for another lyrically brilliant, emotional song.
From what I heard, the ship was grossly overloaded. In the rough waters, the ship was caught between two waves. This caused the center to come up out of the water, and crack.
A.M.E.N.!!!
But it was not captain or the doors that sank her.
I remember seeing this in the News when she went missing. It was many years before they found the wreck. They brought up the ships bell. These ships don't travel very fast. Gordon donated all the money from this song to the families of those who went down with the ship. Another Gordon song I like is "Sundown".
The wreck was located by a US Navy CURV-III unmanned submersible in May of 1976, about 6 months after the sinking.
They have actually also had exploratory dives down to the wreck. They then saw a crew member still sitting in a berth, still wearing a life jacket. They determined the body was so well preserved because the water is so cold. They decided NOT to bring the man up, and not to dive down to the wreck ever again. The families of the deceased also wanted these men to be left in peace-and so they are. It’s because of Lightfoot’s vision and artistry that the world knows the name EDMUND FITZGERALD. Lightfoot is widely viewed as one of the finest songwriters of the modern era. This song shows why he deserves the laudatory comments. This song is a masterpiece.
The music is so haunting. Gordon created a sound that is like nothing ever heard before.
29 died.. . And when he died, the bell in Mariners Church in Detroit rang 30 times... 29 fir the crew and one for Gordon Lightfoot
“The mariners all say they’d have made Whitefish Bay if they’d put 15 more miles behind them “ refers to the shelter the bay would provide from the storm.
15 miles would have taken the ship most, if not all, of an hour on a good day, let alone in a storm.
When Gordon wrote this, no one knew for sure what had happened, why they sank, and they still hadn't found the ship. That took some years for them to finally discover where it lay and figure out what happened. Every year on the anniversary, they ring that bell at the museum 29 times. After Mr. Lightfoot died, they started to ring it 30 times. A fitting tribute.
Thank You for sharing this... It meant a lot. Especially for the families that will never be able to forget 😢
I was born in 68 and was a kid when this first came out. My older brothers listened to this on the radio. Folk music was common but not necessarily pop. It was easy to understand and follow. When I became a young adult and went to college, I was re-exposed to this music and found that is was better than most. it came out in the era of Disco and Rock and so didn't make it big at the time. Music that tell stories will last forever.
One of my grandfather's friends was a crewman on the Edmund Fitzgerald. I grew up in a small town near Mackinaw, Michigan and grew up hearing stories about this tragedy 😢 Rest in Peace to all those lost souls 🌹Rest in Peace Gordon 😢
Gordon Lightfoot’s style is Gordon Lightfoot. Like no other.
I haven't heard this in a minute. Thanks for the memories man👌🎸😎
RIP Gordon.😇
1975
A lyrical and musical masterpiece.
He could paint a picture with the lyrics of his songs . A proud Canadian . Note the line " and it rang 29 times each man .... at the request of the families the bell now rings 30 times to include Gordon .
Great song but he has so many great tunes.. He is one of the great songwriters of all time.
Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind are both amazing songs.
All the money and contributions was donated to the families of the lost ones , Gordon was a true Canadian legend ,❤❤🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦with this song
The story is real, as Gordan always was. ❤
I'm a retired Navy man and I love this song. I've seen up close and personal how powerful mother nature can be and it is frightening how destructive water can be in a storm when you're on a ship off shore. Gordon had a wonderful way of telling stories like this.
The highest wave recorded was a height of 29 feet (8.8 meters) on October 24, 2017 on 'Lake Superior' just north of Marquette, Michigan. ” “Most storms over the oceans of the world can produce average wave heights of 30 feet.
But, 'Lake Huron' was hit by the worst storm ever to hit one of the Great Lakes on November 3, 1913. The storm produced wind gusts of 90 mph (145 kph) and ocean-like waves of more than 35 feet. The storm lasted 16 hours, sank 10 ships, and killed 235 seamen. They called it the "The Big Blow!"
Hurricane winds were recorded steadily at 70 mph with gusts up to 86 mph throughout the day on November 10, 1975 the day the Fitz went down.
😳😱😳😱😳
@@Uller1967 😳😱😳😱😳
Goosebumps every single time.
Brings a tear to my eye every November when this is played each year.
For a freighter, 15 miles is significant.
For example, if the ship could make 5 knots in these storm conditions (EDIT: the common, calm sea, speed for Great Lakes freighters is 10.4 knots (12 miles an hour)), it would still be 3 hours to cover the distance.
Edit was inspired by gnar's comment.
5kts is not a common speed in normal sea state.
I grew up hearing this on the radio daily. He gave his poignant lyrics the perfect cadence between stanzas to allow the listener to process the weight of them. A perfect delivery of such a story.
As someone born in Superior Wisconsin. This song is a tribute and a taboo in that city, many family members of the departed still reside there and love/hate this song. It's a duel edge sword.... a tribute and reminder of what was lost.
Spouse from Duluth and he sailed the Great Lakes, on the ship following the Fitz. He won't listen to the song.
Gordon was traveling and read a story one morning in a motel/hotel and it made a huge impact on him, He inquired approval from each of the 29 families before he released his recording of the tragedy. He donated all his profits of the song through the years that followed to the families, because it touched him so deeply.
Gordon said had they put just 15 more miles behind them before the storm hit, they would have escaped the worst part of the storm and likely survived as just a normal delivery, probably not knowing how close they had come to disaster. I grew up in Michigan and there are shorelines where you'd swear you were at an ocean, not a lake. Lake Michigan is 118 miles wide at its widest point and you can't see the distant shore. They are fresh water lakes, very deep and very, very cold at the bottom. Some ships that sunk in the 1800s have been discovered still in a pristine, and preserved condition. This is because there's no salt to rust the metal and few fresh water fish that deep to feed off of it. Yes, this song honors those lost on the Fitz but I think it also praises all the unsung heroes lost to dangerous jobs. "The Perfect Storm" is the true story about a swordfishing boat named the Andrea Gail and how it, and the crew from Gloucester, Massachusetts, was lost in storm that had 100 foot waves. It gives a little insight into what the Fitz's crew may have gone through. It has a stellar cast and is well worth watching.
You need only to know the quote from Bob Dylan...."I love any song written by Gordon Lightfoot "......
I saw him in concert around 1976, shortly after he released the Edmond Fitzgerald. Great concert!
Me too… in Duluth no less.
Dang!!! What a powerful song, man.
As a child, this was my first memory of community tragedy. We had just moved to Duluth, Minnesota. I was in kindergarten. Those bells were haunting. The easels set up with the pictures in memoriam in our school & at church.
It's strange to see adults tear up at that age.
This never fails to make me teary now.
I was 12 when this happened, I remember hearing it on the news. The Men are still there frozen in time underwater
The man was a master of telling a story in song we miss you Brother very much.
1975 I was 10 this song still makes my arm hair stand up what a chill after all these years ❤❤❤❤
Love him. Great story teller. RIP❤
The Edmund Fitzgerald was found in two pieces. As Gordon mentioned, it was a big ship. If it became suspended between two large ("rogue") waves, one at the bough and one at the stern with nothing supporting the middle, the stress would be too much and the boat would collapse from its own weight. This seems to be what happened. The crew had no chance. This song came out when I was in elementary school and I had NO IDEA that this was 'current events'. Gordon's storytelling style made the tale seem ancient and timeless, as if handed down through generations.
And in generations, it will be timeless and actually handed down through generations.
I saw it mentioned that one of the bulkheads had been removed to carry more ore by someone with family knowledge of the Fitz. Many safety regulations have changed thanks to this song shining light on the desister. You can add Hero to Gordon's titles. RIP.
In addition to the brilliant storytelling and the poetic lyrical flow, I just love how it all comes together with the cadence and dynamic instrumentation to make you feel like you're rolling on the waves right along with the Edmund Fitzgerald.
R.I.P. to the crew and to Gordon Lightfoot 😞🙏
I have always loved the way he wrote about the weight of the cargo. "With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighted empty..." Such a neat turn of a phrase. He was one of my favorite singers. Got the chance to see him right before the pandemic closed everything. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.
This was recorded in one take, but what maoes it even more amazing is that the band was playing it for the very first time. Lightfoot talks about it in the documentary about him called "If You Could Read My Mind".
This was a hit even on am radio in the 70s despite the length
I'm from Michigan, this is a part of our shared memories here, i wasn't even born yet when it happened, but i sang this song in school. 1975 is when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank
Gives me shivers every time I hear this song. Canadian Royalty!!!
What a great song for a reaction. I remember this tragedy very well when it happened. Here in Michigan, the loss of this ship and crew was felt deeply at the time. When the ship was eventually located, the ship's bell was removed and is now in a museum in Michigan's Upper Peninsula bordering Lake Superior. Thank you very much for your reaction.
You can listen to this song in Miami in August and STILL feel a chill. Lightfoot makes you feel like you're right there.
The genius of Gordon Lightfoot! I am so thankful I saw him in concert a decade ago. It was a somber show, my dog (son) passed away that day and it was on Father's Day 2014. Not great timing for such a catalog of hits. The fullness of the playing is from his 12-string guitar. Those 12-stringers are a folk song's best friend!
I was fortunate enough to be born & raised in Western New York, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. As such, Canadian radio stations were a way of life. Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian National Treasure. I remember when the Fitz went down in November 1975. My great grandfather was a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes so this event hit home. Many years later I became a 5th generation sailor. Having seen Ontario in her fury more than once helped me face my time at sea. When he died, the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral rang the bells 30 times. 29 for the crew & 1 for the legend who kept their memories alive.
Next song of Gordon's I'd recommend is Sundown
I've teared up every time I have heard this song for the last 40 years, including this time.
I’ve loved this song as a kid in the 70’s. I actually looked up the history of the Edmund Fitzgerald in the Encyclopedia Brittanica’s Book of the Year (now inherited and on my shelf) after first hearing the song (yes, that’s what we did before in the Internet).
I grew up, and still live and work in the Cleveland area. About a year ago, one of my co-workers retired. I remember him telling us a story about when he graduated high school. He and his friend applied to Cleveland Cliffs to work on the freighters. He was rejected, but his friend was accepted. His friend was Bruce Hudson who went down on the Edmund Fitzgerald. He still has the rejection letter, and brought it in to show us. On a separate note, before my current job I worked at steel mill. One of my co-workers there also had a connection to the ship. His wife's uncle was on it when it went down. I have always loved this song, and Lightfoot's ability to tell such wonderful stories through his songs. Lightfoot became friends with Bruce's mother because of this song, and would visit her every time he was in the area until she passed.
A new song to me - absolutely great mix of music and fabulous lyrics - another one to get for my collection. Thanks for showing this!
Few songs music bed match the story being delivered lyrically. The Animals "House Of The Rising Sun' has its horror film Vox Continental organ. The Jefferson Airplanes "White Rabbit" evokes the mind-altering state of an LSD trip. The Beatles "She Loves You' emotes the experience of the overwhelming flush of first love. But The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald impeccably manages to put the listener on board the doomed freighter. Even faced with the terror of the water coming in, one senses the captain and his crew's professionalism in the face of certain death. But it's the electric guitar (harmonized in spots towards the end of the song) that provides the motion for the song. By recreating the actual tilling of the great ship as she slowly loses her battle with the forces of nature. An instant classic and a song for the ages. RIP Gordon. May your soul rest in eternal peace. Something tells me there were 29 men greeting you upon your arrival at the Pearly Gates of Heaven, RNB
Well said.