Canada and Canadians are all about the land. Gordon was commissioned to write a song to commemorate our 100th birthday in 1967. He wrote the song overnight and it instantly become a hit "Across This Mighty Land". Miss ya Gordie!
I belong to an adult choir and we sang this song at our concert when we celebrated Canada's 150th birthday. This one of my favourite songs. Gordon Lightfoot was an amazing artist and musician! RIP....
@@karenschneberger2655 I have never heard this song sung by a choir but I imagine it would sound phenomenal. It is one of my favourite songs as well - but I love all of Gordon Lightfoot's music. It's been a year this month since he passed so it is lovely to remember him this way. RIP
@@michaelhamm6805 There is no place for disrespect to a man who was one of Canada's finest entertainers. None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes whether we want to admit it or not. Gordon is not here to tell us why he did this nor is he here to defend his actions but you just told the world that we better all damn well hate his guts for having done such a thing.
@@michaelhamm6805 I'm curious. Aside from a Wikipedia page and other vague comments in Billboard, is there proof of this occurrence? Were charges laid and was Mr. Lightfoot found guilty? Did Mr. Lightfoot admit to this accusation? Ms Cathy Smith - in her own word admits "I killed John Belushi. I didn't mean to, but I am responsible." Would like some clarification.
As impressive as "Edmund Fitzgerald" is I have always felt that this was Gordon's best work. You can feel the train crossing the country then slowing down once it hits the Rockies then building to a climax in coastal British Columbia as the tempo goes within this song. We are so lucky in Canada to have such a songwriter who could translate this into words! We lost a great man and Canadian when Gordon died, I listen to his music every day because he is one man who could translate to all of us what it meant to be "Canadian"!
I know Michigan adopted Gordo as their own! This Canadian has seen nothing but love from that State in places I know they wouldn't have be so kind to their own! Proud to have them as siblings! People in the D kinder to me than Torontards have ever been!
Barrie, Ont. here - 1\2 from his hometown. I was so very lucky to see him six times in concert, once in the front row, at Massey Hall in Toronto, which has internationally known “best acoustics”. This song should almost be a national anthem.
Ditto from the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail in BC... and I'm 72! My first ever concert was Gordon at the then state-of-the-art Place des Arts in Montreal in 1969. He sang his controversial Black Day in July, among many other hits.
Credit to the Chinese immigrants to have come from an impoverished land for the opportunity to earn some money. Many died along the way of this dangerous job and might be the only ones who came to be buried here. I hope their people who now live here have come to appreciate them, even as we must. Canada's first Prime Minister was Scottish! Tough, but a fierce trailblazer himself. Thanks Mert.
I've been to the Cumberland Chinese graveyard on Vancouver Island. It's a provincial heritage site, with descriptive plaques informing on the sacrifice of the Chinese workers and the danger pay incentives to place explosives. They sent the bulk of their wages back home. For their families. I hope most made it back home. Too many didn't.
A couple of years ago, the CBC (which ironically originally commissioned this song, but perhaps to their credit?) produced this short documentary which re-examined the song with a more contemporary eye: ruclips.net/video/hh7xNDcA6f4/видео.htmlsi=fD8BURxV9Yrihuuh
In his last concert in Montreal a few years ago, he had difficulty finishing this song. So we in the crowd helped him. In a predominantly French province, we all sang in English. May he rest in peace.
I saw him live in Winnipeg at the concert hall. He stood and sang for about 2 hours with a break. He had to arrange his songs to accommodate his older vocal chords, but the magic was still there. It was a great feeling to have him make tangible money for the joy he'd brought us through the decades. Mom bought his "Summertime Dream" album, I think that was the name. Such a genius.
One of the things I love is that you can hear the "beat" of rail travel in the music, something you can't miss if you've travelled often by rail. I have always loved Canadian trains.
Agreed. You hear the beat of rail travel the same way you hear the waves rolling in The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Gordon Lightfoot was a multidimensional musical genius.
Gordon Lightfoot was one of the few musicians I'd spend my itsty-bitsy allowance on. (It mostly went to books) I grew up in the sixties and seventies, and matured in the eighties, probably his most productive period. I got to hear him live and in real time and was never disappointed. What an amazing talent. CRT is one of my all time favorites. It's musically divided in three, (hence the title). It celebrates an amazing number of sets of three: owners, workers, workers' families. Dream to construction to completion. East coast to prairies to west coast. Past to present to future. The cycle of work, food/drink, sleep. There are almost certainly more, but that's part of each person's personal communion with Lightfoot.
Gordon Lightfoot, a real Canadian, with the deepest understanding of our now dissolved nation, was one of if not the finest Canadian lyricist. The images and deep meaning from his story book songs; well, I simply cannot find much to compare. Brilliant song writer and musician and we are so proud of you Gordon. Thank you for the endless gifts you left us all. RIP,
I am proud to be a Canadian and equally honored to have known him. I am truly blessed. We are diminished by his passing but he left an unsurpassed legacy.
Yes, the building of the railway unified Canada as a nation, physically and collectively as Canadians. It was the way Gord used the acceleration and deceleration of the music to imitate the rhythm of the building of railway, as well as its use in transporting people and goods. His reverence, respect and gratitude to those who worked so hard, sacrificed much, especially those whose lives were lost. An incredible song! ❤🇨🇦
My favourite of all Lightfoot. I believe it was written at the request of the Canadian Gov’t in 1967 for the Canadian Centennial. Always lovely to know that those outside our country know and appreciate a Canadian treasure, our Gordon Lightfoot!🇨🇦❤️
Canadian icon❤ I saw Gordon many times live here in Canada 🇨🇦. Some with a band and some just Gordon and his guitar. Brilliant songwriter singer storyteller. ❤
1974, I was 22 and leaving Vancouver Island for Toronto, Ontario. What a trip! I had just read "The Last Spike" by Pierre Berton and every mile we drove resounded in my head with the Canadian Railroad Trilogy. I found this to be particularly true through the Fraser Canyon. When you come to Canada, please allow yourself lots of time to visit and relive our heritage. And think of this Trilogy. I loved your reaction!
I have heard Gordon Lightfoot over 40 times on stage live in my life. Back to the late 1960s. As a singer songwriter myself , he was my absolute hero. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy and “If you can read my mind “ which you have also featured are two of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard. Love your content Cheers from Canada Bob
Pierre Berton, a noted journalist/writer in his day , wrote the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway in a thousand page book called The Last Spike. At a party he is reputed to have remarked to Lightfoot, “Gordon in your song you have told the story better that I did in 1,000 pages!” High praise but so very true. RIP Gordon and Peter, you were both great Canadians!
Some songs age like fine wine or whisky. This is one of them and it is almost 60 years old. My goodness how time flies. I'm 66 and don't even remember the first time I ever heard this one, but I keep coming back to it and it remains my favourite by Gordon Lightfoot. 👌👀🎸💖🤠
Since I was born, raised, and continue to live in Gordon Lightfoot's home town, I grew up in the '60s and '70s hearing his songs almost every day on the local AM radio station. My best friend's father had all the Gordon Lightfoot albums that were released, so I often heard his songs when playing inside the house on rainy days. I never got sick of listening to his music.
Wow, Thanks for paying tribute to Gordon Lightfoot and this song. It is very special to me as a Canadian. Your thoughts about it are spot on. Bless you man.
This song always brings tears to my eye. I worked for the CPR and you feel this song in every mile. You need to cross the country to appreciate what went they went through. I still get excited every spring to hear the track laying or the haunting sound of a diesel fully loaded and hard on the horn
The first steam engine to make the historic cross country journey to Vancouver was eventually placed in the middle of a beach parking lot for us ‘70’s kids to climb on, even conquering the tall smoke stack if we were brave enough. A great time to be a Canadian kid listening to Gordon Lightfoot on the radio.
I walked by Engine 374 today, which was the first train to arrive in Vancouver after the railway was completed. It's now preserved at the old Roundhouse but it used to be set up at Kitsilano Beach when I was a kid and we all spent many hours climbing all over it and pretending to drive it and burning our feet on the hot, black metal. lol Having seen this reaction, it struck me how really important that old engine is. Thanks for that!
Wonderful tribute song with a touch of history. Good reminder that most work constructing railways in the 1800s was daily manual back breaking labor. Gordon Lightfoot is one of Canada's richest treasures. Wonderful reaction video.
And also the process of getting this railway built (politically and physically). "We're moving too slow" reflects the delays and the urgency of getting it done. That's when Van Horne was brought in and construction really picked up pace, just like the song. It's perfect.
Really enjoying your discovery of Gordon Lightfoot. There is another Canadian folk singer that you may be interested in exploring: Stan Rogers was a big name in Canada in the mid to late 70s and early 80s, and his music compares very favourably to Gordon Lightfoot's. Stan Rogers died during a plane fire in Cincinnati Ohio where he saved the lives of a number of his fellow passengers - a real hero and a real gentle giant. Barrett's Privateers is probably his best known song, but songs like The Mary Ellen Carter and Northwest Passage are also great.
As a young 9 year old kid riding the train from Halifax to Vancouver there in the lounge car was a young man with his guitar come to find out it was a young Gordon Lightfoot just riding the train to his next gig the next 2 hours just blew by what a great memory for a 9 year old kid I still love his music today
I agree, the greatest Canadian song ever written. I had the great pleasure to see Gord play numerous times and he always closed the show with the Trilogy, and brought the house down every time. I don’t know how many Lightfoot songs I can sing along with and not miss a word. I also play guitar and love to play and sing his songs. Gordon Lightfoot was and is a Canadian national treasure . And missed by his huge legion of fans. A once in a generation talent.
As a French Canadian I have heard these songs all my youth. But I never understood the language and did not know what they were about. Now that I see the words written and understand their poetry, I regret immensely that my youth was not lifted by that singer in the manner that it could have been. Learning a second language opens doors to a world of discoveries.
This song was commissioned for the 100th birthday of Canada (1967), and hence is very patriotic. On the one hand, the building of the railroad brought British Columbia into confederation, or else it may have become part of the U.S. It was quite a feat to build, especially through the rocky mountains. On the other hand, the Indigenous and Métis people of the plains saw their lands being taken away to make way for the railroad and there definitely was an exploitation of the Chinese railroad workers. There is a good documentary of the "dark" side of the railway being built and of Gordon's song: ruclips.net/video/hh7xNDcA6f4/видео.html
Try Sundown! Gordie wrote such wide variety of music. I love all his songs. I grew up listening to his music and unlike other Canadian musicians he stayed in Canada. There are wonderful interviews with him almost right up to the day he died. He was singing concerts almost till he died too. He loved to entertain and Canadians loved him. RIP Gordie!
Dear Mert. I had the pleasure of hearing and seeing Gordon Lightfoot sing this song in person, in concert back in 1967 (the very year of it's release). POW!! That happened at the Yates Center in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was very handsome and charismatic in those days. All I can say is that was an absolutely beautiful experience. I followed Gordon's music for the next 40 years and was never disappointed by any of it. What an incredible storyteller he was. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your interest in Canadian history, my own history (as a descendant of Ireland) 🙏
This song was written for Expo 67, the world exposition in Montreal - Lightfoot was asked if he could write a song to express Canada for the exposition and this is what he did.
Lightfoot in concert was amazing - just and his two guitarists. As has been said here, you could hear a pin drop. Look out for his early albums - very country and folksy - all his own compositions. I had 14 of his albums by the time I ended my teens.
Greetings from the Canadian Rockies! I'm glad you are enjoying Gordon Lightfoot, he was salt of the earth. Building the railroads cost many men their lives, I know the Spiral Tunnel in BC claimed many lives alone. It is also important to remember that we imported workers from China to aid construction, which is why every small railroad town seems to have a Chinese restaurant. Another musical suggestion: Stompin' Tom Connors.
Behind the blue Rockies the sun s is declining….. we moved out west in 1989. Our favourite sunsets… Blue Rockies seen from home deck in Calgary every night.
I'm a big Gordon fan and I saw him many times in concert. He was amazing. I don't think I could pick a "favorite" Lightfoot song, but I do think this song is definitely one of his very best. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" got much more play on the radio, actually I don't think I've ever heard "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" on the radio, but as an epic ballad I think it's better. RIP Gord, we miss you.
You might be ready for Stompin' Tom Connors. Stompin' Tom was Canadian music for a Saturday night at the bar. Fun songs about miners, fishermen, truck drivers, and bugs. All with a Down East voice and a bootheel stomping a hole in a piece of plywood. Simpler stuff than Gord, but essential to the Canadian experience.
Queen Elizabeth 2 stated how much she loved this song which was actually commissioned for Canada's 100th birthday... one of my favourites as CV a Canadian.
As an elderly Canadian, I appreciate your ode to this song. I have heard many of Lightfoot's songs but never felt such joy from his work as I have listening to it along with your reaction. Thank you for your work to bring this to us.
I live real close to where the Edmund Fitzgerald sank and his song “ the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald “ brings tears and chills to me every time I hear it
I have so many thoughts on this song, which is by all means a masterpiece and one of my favourite songs not just of Gord's but of all time. As someone with a background in history, I will say that it's important to remember that this song was very much a product of its time in terms of Canadian historiography: it paints an extremely romanticised picture of the transcontinental railway's construction and of the westward expansion of Canadian settlers, and completely ignores the unspeakable horrors and violence the government used to acquire the land for the railway to run on. These uncomfortable aspects would most certainly be taught in a modern history of Canadian railways, but not in the 1960s when the romantic notion of the frontier myth was alive and well. That being said though, the song is by all means a classic, and I love that Gord never fails to sing about the lives of average everyday working people even when covering monumental historical events like this. It keeps the story grounded and gets the listener really invested in listening and learning more. Add on top of the phenomenal writing his flawless musical talent and you get a truly amazing piece of art.
Thank you for giving this song and Gordon the respect they deserve. I did a stint on a summer gang on the railroad back in '73 in the BC interior, and this song went through my head a lot back then. It's said that Bob Dylan said that the worst thing about a Gordon Lightfoot song was that it had to end.
Gordon Lightfoot was definitely the greatest Canadian writer , his music is fantastic. He told the stories of the common folk and most of the struggle of life
"When The Green Dark Forest was To Silent to be Real" hits hard, this song like so many of his reminds me of what it is like to be Canadian. Something that is fading daily.
One of his hardest song to do a cover.....Trying to match his cadence throughout, along with the words is very hard. Love his music, been singing and playing it in Pubs and Buskers fairs for years now...
Thanks so much Mert, the people asked and you delivered. Canadian Railroad Trilogy is a monumental song detailing a very important part of our Canadian history. Lightfoot has a huge, extensive catalogue to delve into and I know you've reacted to some of his songs already but this one here stands at the very top of Canadian lore. For me it's an essential song if you want to know Gord's music and what he meant to us Canadians. Cheers from southern Ontario!
Black Day In July was great commentary on the Detroit race riots in the 60's. It struck a nerve with me in my very early teens. If you closed your eyes and listened to the words, he painted a vivid picture
🍁 Built between 1881- Nov 7, 1887. the "Last spike" came when West met East in Craiggellachie, Eagle Pass, BC . The Importance both practically and politically for the unification of this country The CPR Trans Canada Railway cannot be overstated❤🤠 Thanks again Mert.! Bob Dylan once said that when he listened to Gordon Lightfoot he wished the songs would never end
This is one of my two favourite "Lightfoot" songs. The other one is "Home from the Forest". You might want to listen to that one as well. Very sad and thought provoking.
Absolutely his best song...my favorite... Our 4th grade teacher made us learn Gordon Lightfoot songs when she didn't feel like teaching us actual lessons. 😅 Been a fan since the mid 90s
Pierre Burton a great Canadian historian and author said to the effect "Lightfoot had said more in the 7 ish minutes of the song than he had in his books about the history of Canada and the Canadian Pacific railway. " Truly a literary and melodic masterpiece.🎉
I grew up in the country where the western edge of the Prairies, in Alberta, becomes "the Foothills" and then *suddenly* (or so it seems if you're driving west in a car, there are the mountains - not just one mountain range, but three enormous ranges stretching north and south - wild, deep, majestic but very unforgiving ranges, one beside the other. When we look back at the route that ultimately was carved through what was (and still is) the hardest, steepest, deepest and most treacherous piece of a railroader's nightmare - possibly anywhere in the world, it's mind-boggling. When you look at the final stretch, where the tracks turn south, first through the canyon that is the valley of the enormous Thompson river, and then where it joins up in the enormous, sheer-sided and vastly treacherous portion that is the Fraser Canyon, where the rails literally hang on the edges of rock shelves that were blasted out of the vertical rock walls, and cross periodically from one side of the Canyon to the other on bridges that seem to be hanging onto the canyon walls by their fingernails - and all of it a grade (down to the sea-level or up into and east across all three ranges, it's not hard to see why many railroad builders said, "it can't be done." And that is just one section of the 'canyon road." What is even more astonishing - today - is that not one, but two railroads both have tracks traversing the Canyons. The Canadian Pacific, who were there first, had some leeway in choosing their route. But when the Canadian National came along (upstarts!) and built their right of way on the opposite walls of the Canyons to those of the CP, and likewise threw insane bridges, tunnels and snow- or avalanche- sheds along the route where necessary (and that's many places) and then ran trains up and down the Canyons hauling ever more enormous loads, it is truly astounding. Finally, about 14 years ago, the two railroads got tired of banging their heads against the granite mountains (and each other) and so that entire section of railroad is now operated in tandem by both railroads, with both loaded CP and CN trains carrying wheat, potash, metallurgical coal and hundreds of thousands of containers down one set of tracks, while trains for both roads, coming fully loaded with cargo from the Port of Vancouver, or pulling enormous strings of empty hopper or tank cars are dragged up the opposite set of trackage, with one railroad dispatcher coordinating the movements of trains from both railroads, as well as controlling work crews, clearing the track of fallen rock or other hazards, and keeping all of what have become enormous strings of rail cars, many of them "unit trains" made up of a single type of rolling stock, the whole thing looks even more amazing, especially when you realize just how long the trains are - hundreds of cars each, how heavy the loads, and how much raw power is needed either to bring the trains up the Canyons, or acting mainly as braking systems for the trains rolling down the canyon and then turning west to the Pacific ocean. A good friend of mine lives near the southern end of the Fraser Canyon, and he has a RUclips channel (Trackside Tyson) where he posts video of the truly amazing rail traffic that moves through each and every day. He is a superb videographer, and the area where he lives and works contains some of the most extreme trackage, bridges and train movements. (I normally don't like to mention other creators' channels, but Tyson's videos show the incredible scale of the Canyon, as well as the enormously long trains, and the huge locomotives that move them). That area is only one of several breathtaking places on the railroad paths though the mountains, and they are all still magnets for tourists who like the magnificent scenery, whether or not they are "rail fans." There is also a pair of real-time Internet cameras located at Revelstoke, B.C. - part of the enormous group effort known as the "Virtual Railfan" network. Revelstoke is a crew-change point on the Canadian Pacific route. The original CP line is the southernmost of the CP and CN railways, and there is much to see, as well as a tremendous amount of history - each of which by themselves are amazing stories. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy was written by Gordon Lightfoot to commemorate Canada's 100th birthday, 1967, and history says that Gordon Lightfoot was commissioned to compose, record and perform it. Regardless of the commission, my own thought has always been that Gordon Lightfoot had been thinking about telling this story, or parts of it, for some time. Combining them into the Trilogy was another of Lightfoot's masterworks. However long he'd been thinking about it, the story is told that he wrote it down in its final form in only a day or two. (This pattern would happen again, with "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Regardless, the song was an immediate and very big hit, not only in Canada, and is another example of his artistry as a musician, and his brilliance as a storyteller. It's certainly still one of his very best and most memorable works.
It's so nice for you to realize the brilliance of Gordon Lightfoot. Better late than never! I've been fortunate to listen to him for over 50 years. Had the pleasure of meeting him twice while Gord was performing at the NAC here in Ottawa. We love you Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. RIP
As Canadians, we were lucky to have Lightfoot. An incredible talent. Love this song … it takes you on a journey of how Canada was built and how important the railway was to the country’s growth.
An Ontario boy, Gordon wrote the soundtrack for the whole country. I'm a prairie child and thought he was too, for many years, because his imagery reflected what I knew. There are other artists I can think of who have contributed to that soundtrack, The Tragically Hip immediately come to mind.
Thank you for your fascination with Canada. I am discovering and rediscovering the remarkableness of our Canadian identity through your delight in Canadian culture. As for this song, Lightfoot had a singular artistic vision and brilliance. Many of his songs were more typical 3.5 minute, radio length, accessible works. This one was not. But there's another Canadian history lesson in a very long song that shockingly DID make it as a radio hit - The Wreck of the Edmund Fiztgerald - another masterpiece. Thanks again for your love of Canada!
This song always haunted me. The story and the imagery makes me feel great pride in being part of this land. It makes me miss a time that I was never a part of and has me longing to see this country from sea to sea.
Like so many Canadians, I am a huge fan of his music and storytelling. Regrettably, I never took the opportunity to see him live. I have to say, it’s very touching to see you so captivated by his music and to feel the impact of his stories. Might I suggest you review Early Morning Rain
Canada and Canadians are all about the land. Gordon was commissioned to write a song to commemorate our 100th birthday in 1967. He wrote the song overnight and it instantly become a hit "Across This Mighty Land".
Miss ya Gordie!
It actually took Gordon Lightfoot three days to write the song, which is still phenomenal considering the intricacies of this masterpiece.
I belong to an adult choir and we sang this song at our concert when we celebrated Canada's 150th birthday. This one of my favourite songs. Gordon Lightfoot was an amazing artist and musician! RIP....
@@karenschneberger2655 I have never heard this song sung by a choir but I imagine it would sound phenomenal. It is one of my favourite songs as well - but I love all of Gordon Lightfoot's music. It's been a year this month since he passed so it is lovely to remember him this way. RIP
on
I think this is the greatest Canadian song ever. PERIOD
There is a reason Gordon Lighfoot is a Canadian Legend. He wasn't just a musician, he was a troubador, a story teller, and a fine man.
Well,,,he did break his mistresses cheekbone after punching her in the face...so I wouldn't go so9 far as calling him a "Fine" man....
Pushy willows cat tails might even be better😂
@@michaelhamm6805 There is no place for disrespect to a man who was one of Canada's finest entertainers. None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes whether we want to admit it or not. Gordon is not here to tell us why he did this nor is he here to defend his actions but you just told the world that we better all damn well hate his guts for having done such a thing.
He admitted to being an alcoholic for decades and a poor husband. A far better singer than a good man.
@@michaelhamm6805 I'm curious. Aside from a Wikipedia page and other vague comments in Billboard, is there proof of this occurrence? Were charges laid and was Mr. Lightfoot found guilty? Did Mr. Lightfoot admit to this accusation? Ms Cathy Smith - in her own word admits "I killed John Belushi. I didn't mean to, but I am responsible." Would like some clarification.
As impressive as "Edmund Fitzgerald" is I have always felt that this was Gordon's best work. You can feel the train crossing the country then slowing down once it hits the Rockies then building to a climax in coastal British Columbia as the tempo goes within this song. We are so lucky in Canada to have such a songwriter who could translate this into words! We lost a great man and Canadian when Gordon died, I listen to his music every day because he is one man who could translate to all of us what it meant to be "Canadian"!
You have to listen to Black day in July with the video and photos of the Detroit riots - drums like cannon roar.
He also mentions how many lives were unnecessarily lost
Agree completely.
I know Michigan adopted Gordo as their own! This Canadian has seen nothing but love from that State in places I know they wouldn't have be so kind to their own! Proud to have them as siblings! People in the D kinder to me than Torontards have ever been!
I feel lucky growing up listening to Gordon lightfoot
Still makes me weep with pride, every time I hear it - and I’m 66!
Peace - from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
Kamloops, here. We are pretty lucky to have Canada and Gordon.
@@MaryHemmings Kamloops too! Howdy neighbour!
Barrie, Ont. here - 1\2 from his hometown. I was so very lucky to see him six times in concert, once in the front row, at Massey Hall in Toronto, which has internationally known “best acoustics”. This song should almost be a national anthem.
Ditto from the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail in BC... and I'm 72! My first ever concert was Gordon at the then state-of-the-art Place des Arts in Montreal in 1969. He sang his controversial Black Day in July, among many other hits.
@@patakel my brother is in Angus! All the best from Langley, BC ❤️🇨🇦
I heard somewhere that when Gordon Lightfoot met Queen Elizabeth, she told him that she "just loved" this song.
Credit to the Chinese immigrants to have come from an impoverished land for the opportunity to earn some money.
Many died along the way of this dangerous job and might be the only ones who came to be buried here. I hope their people who now live here have come to appreciate them, even as we must. Canada's first Prime Minister was Scottish! Tough, but a fierce trailblazer himself.
Thanks Mert.
I've been to the Cumberland Chinese graveyard on Vancouver Island. It's a provincial heritage site, with descriptive plaques informing on the sacrifice of the Chinese workers and the danger pay incentives to place explosives. They sent the bulk of their wages back home. For their families. I hope most made it back home. Too many didn't.
A couple of years ago, the CBC (which ironically originally commissioned this song, but perhaps to their credit?) produced this short documentary which re-examined the song with a more contemporary eye:
ruclips.net/video/hh7xNDcA6f4/видео.htmlsi=fD8BURxV9Yrihuuh
he was a legend , hurt my heart to see his dog keeping vigil at his coffin , RIP Gordon ❤
Broke my heart
In his last concert in Montreal a few years ago, he had difficulty finishing this song. So we in the crowd helped him. In a predominantly French province, we all sang in English. May he rest in peace.
I first saw him Montreal, Place des Arts… with my BFF…. 70’s….. I dodged Good Friday.
I saw him live in Winnipeg at the concert hall. He stood and sang for about 2 hours with a break. He had to arrange his songs to accommodate his older vocal chords, but the magic was still there. It was a great feeling to have him make tangible money for the joy he'd brought us through the decades. Mom bought his "Summertime Dream" album, I think that was the name. Such a genius.
@@redelfshotthefood82139
😊😊
I have memorized the trilogy song. Time for a new Canadian anthem.
@@redelfshotthefood8213 My favourite album. I sing every song on it.
One of the things I love is that you can hear the "beat" of rail travel in the music, something you can't miss if you've travelled often by rail. I have always loved Canadian trains.
Agreed. You hear the beat of rail travel the same way you hear the waves rolling in The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Gordon Lightfoot was a multidimensional musical genius.
This Canadian has chills running up my spine and tears filling my eyes. RIP Gord.
Gordon Lightfoot was one of the few musicians I'd spend my itsty-bitsy allowance on. (It mostly went to books) I grew up in the sixties and seventies, and matured in the eighties, probably his most productive period. I got to hear him live and in real time and was never disappointed. What an amazing talent. CRT is one of my all time favorites. It's musically divided in three, (hence the title). It celebrates an amazing number of sets of three: owners, workers, workers' families. Dream to construction to completion. East coast to prairies to west coast. Past to present to future. The cycle of work, food/drink, sleep. There are almost certainly more, but that's part of each person's personal communion with Lightfoot.
Gordon Lightfoot, a real Canadian, with the deepest understanding of our now dissolved nation, was one of if not the finest Canadian lyricist. The images and deep meaning from his story book songs; well, I simply cannot find much to compare. Brilliant song writer and musician and we are so proud of you Gordon. Thank you for the endless gifts you left us all. RIP,
I am proud to be a Canadian and equally honored to have known him. I am truly blessed. We are diminished by his passing but he left an unsurpassed legacy.
"we have opened up the soil, with our tear drops and our toil"...truth. 🇨🇦
Proud to be Canadian.Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, K.D. Lang, and the list goes on,the calibre of our artists are incredible.
Yes, the building of the railway unified Canada as a nation, physically and collectively as Canadians. It was the way Gord used the acceleration and deceleration of the music to imitate the rhythm of the building of railway, as well as its use in transporting people and goods. His reverence, respect and gratitude to those who worked so hard, sacrificed much, especially those whose lives were lost. An incredible song! ❤🇨🇦
My favourite of all Lightfoot. I believe it was written at the request of the Canadian Gov’t in 1967 for the Canadian Centennial.
Always lovely to know that those outside our country know and appreciate a Canadian treasure, our Gordon Lightfoot!🇨🇦❤️
Your reaction to the song as you were listening to the lyrics is how i still hear it some 1000 times later
Canadian icon❤ I saw Gordon many times live here in Canada 🇨🇦. Some with a band and some just Gordon and his guitar. Brilliant songwriter singer storyteller. ❤
1974, I was 22 and leaving Vancouver Island for Toronto, Ontario. What a trip! I had just read "The Last Spike" by Pierre Berton and every mile we drove resounded in my head with the Canadian Railroad Trilogy. I found this to be particularly true through the Fraser Canyon. When you come to Canada, please allow yourself lots of time to visit and relive our heritage. And think of this Trilogy. I loved your reaction!
Yes. Passed through Craigalache to let my dog have a pee. I was blown away by where I live to think how unified Canada became.
I have heard Gordon Lightfoot over 40 times on stage live in my life. Back to the late 1960s. As a singer songwriter myself , he was my absolute hero. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy and “If you can read my mind “ which you have also featured are two of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard.
Love your content
Cheers from Canada
Bob
If you could read my mind….. got me right there!
One of my top three solo artist in North America.
Pierre Berton, a noted journalist/writer in his day , wrote the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway in a thousand page book called The Last Spike. At a party he is reputed to have remarked to Lightfoot, “Gordon in your song you have told the story better that I did in 1,000 pages!” High praise but so very true. RIP Gordon and Peter, you were both great Canadians!
Some songs age like fine wine or whisky. This is one of them and it is almost 60 years old. My goodness how time flies. I'm 66 and don't even remember the first time I ever heard this one, but I keep coming back to it and it remains my favourite by Gordon Lightfoot. 👌👀🎸💖🤠
Since I was born, raised, and continue to live in Gordon Lightfoot's home town, I grew up in the '60s and '70s hearing his songs almost every day on the local AM radio station. My best friend's father had all the Gordon Lightfoot albums that were released, so I often heard his songs when playing inside the house on rainy days. I never got sick of listening to his music.
Wow, Thanks for paying tribute to Gordon Lightfoot and this song. It is very special to me as a Canadian. Your thoughts about it are spot on. Bless you man.
A great guy
I knew him well
May he RIP
This song always brings tears to my eye. I worked for the CPR and you feel this song in every mile. You need to cross the country to appreciate what went they went through. I still get excited every spring to hear the track laying or the haunting sound of a diesel fully loaded and hard on the horn
The first steam engine to make the historic cross country journey to Vancouver was eventually placed in the middle of a beach parking lot for us ‘70’s kids to climb on, even conquering the tall smoke stack if we were brave enough. A great time to be a Canadian kid listening to Gordon Lightfoot on the radio.
I walked by Engine 374 today, which was the first train to arrive in Vancouver after the railway was completed. It's now preserved at the old Roundhouse but it used to be set up at Kitsilano Beach when I was a kid and we all spent many hours climbing all over it and pretending to drive it and burning our feet on the hot, black metal. lol Having seen this reaction, it struck me how really important that old engine is. Thanks for that!
Wonderful tribute song with a touch of history. Good reminder that most work constructing railways in the 1800s was daily manual back breaking labor. Gordon Lightfoot is one of Canada's richest treasures. Wonderful reaction video.
The whole arrangement of this song evokes the movement of the train. It's perfect.
And also the process of getting this railway built (politically and physically). "We're moving too slow" reflects the delays and the urgency of getting it done. That's when Van Horne was brought in and construction really picked up pace, just like the song. It's perfect.
I have been fortunate to see him many times over the years.
Really enjoying your discovery of Gordon Lightfoot. There is another Canadian folk singer that you may be interested in exploring: Stan Rogers was a big name in Canada in the mid to late 70s and early 80s, and his music compares very favourably to Gordon Lightfoot's. Stan Rogers died during a plane fire in Cincinnati Ohio where he saved the lives of a number of his fellow passengers - a real hero and a real gentle giant. Barrett's Privateers is probably his best known song, but songs like The Mary Ellen Carter and Northwest Passage are also great.
As a young 9 year old kid riding the train from Halifax to Vancouver there in the lounge car was a young man with his guitar come to find out it was a young Gordon Lightfoot just riding the train to his next gig the next 2 hours just blew by what a great memory for a 9 year old kid I still love his music today
I am a proud Canadian and so lucky to have Gordon as a fellow proud Canadian
I agree, the greatest Canadian song ever written. I had the great pleasure to see Gord play numerous times and he always closed the show with the Trilogy, and brought the house down every time. I don’t know how many Lightfoot songs I can sing along with and not miss a word. I also play guitar and love to play and sing his songs. Gordon Lightfoot was and is a Canadian national treasure . And missed by his huge legion of fans. A once in a generation talent.
As a French Canadian I have heard these songs all my youth. But I never understood the language and did not know what they were about. Now that I see the words written and understand their poetry, I regret immensely that my youth was not lifted by that singer in the manner that it could have been. Learning a second language opens doors to a world of discoveries.
How can you not love Gordon Lightfoot! 💖💖
This song was commissioned for the 100th birthday of Canada (1967), and hence is very patriotic. On the one hand, the building of the railroad brought British Columbia into confederation, or else it may have become part of the U.S. It was quite a feat to build, especially through the rocky mountains. On the other hand, the Indigenous and Métis people of the plains saw their lands being taken away to make way for the railroad and there definitely was an exploitation of the Chinese railroad workers. There is a good documentary of the "dark" side of the railway being built and of Gordon's song: ruclips.net/video/hh7xNDcA6f4/видео.html
Superb singer, song writer that may never have an equal in Canada
Try Sundown! Gordie wrote such wide variety of music. I love all his songs. I grew up listening to his music and unlike other Canadian musicians he stayed in Canada. There are wonderful interviews with him almost right up to the day he died. He was singing concerts almost till he died too. He loved to entertain and Canadians loved him. RIP Gordie!
Dear Mert. I had the pleasure of hearing and seeing Gordon Lightfoot sing this song in person, in concert back in 1967 (the very year of it's release). POW!!
That happened at the Yates Center in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was very handsome and charismatic in those days. All I can say is that was an absolutely beautiful experience. I followed Gordon's music for the next 40 years and was never disappointed by any of it. What an incredible storyteller he was. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your interest in Canadian history, my own history (as a descendant of Ireland) 🙏
The song is the history of Canada coast to coast. He is a national treasure in our country.
This song was written for Expo 67, the world exposition in Montreal - Lightfoot was asked if he could write a song to express Canada for the exposition and this is what he did.
I was always a big Gordon Lightfoot fan. I loved his music.
Lightfoot in concert was amazing - just and his two guitarists. As has been said here, you could hear a pin drop. Look out for his early albums - very country and folksy - all his own compositions. I had 14 of his albums by the time I ended my teens.
Greetings from the Canadian Rockies! I'm glad you are enjoying Gordon Lightfoot, he was salt of the earth. Building the railroads cost many men their lives, I know the Spiral Tunnel in BC claimed many lives alone. It is also important to remember that we imported workers from China to aid construction, which is why every small railroad town seems to have a Chinese restaurant. Another musical suggestion: Stompin' Tom Connors.
I’m from Canada and the vary first time I heard this tune. I love his music
Behind the blue Rockies the sun s is declining….. we moved out west in 1989. Our favourite sunsets… Blue Rockies seen from home deck in Calgary every night.
I'm a big Gordon fan and I saw him many times in concert. He was amazing. I don't think I could pick a "favorite" Lightfoot song, but I do think this song is definitely one of his very best. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" got much more play on the radio, actually I don't think I've ever heard "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" on the radio, but as an epic ballad I think it's better. RIP Gord, we miss you.
You might be ready for Stompin' Tom Connors. Stompin' Tom was Canadian music for a Saturday night at the bar. Fun songs about miners, fishermen, truck drivers, and bugs. All with a Down East voice and a bootheel stomping a hole in a piece of plywood. Simpler stuff than Gord, but essential to the Canadian experience.
Not a Lightfoot music fan.. but I am a Lightfoot person fan and a fan of your insightful comments - so I still enjoyed watching.
This is the song, upon my first hearing it fifty-some years ago, which immediately made me a Gordon Lightfoot fan.
Queen Elizabeth 2 stated how much she loved this song which was actually commissioned for Canada's 100th birthday... one of my favourites as CV a Canadian.
I grew up listening to this. A brilliant song, and a brilliant proof that the Canada we knew no longer exists. So Sad
As an elderly Canadian, I appreciate your ode to this song. I have heard many of Lightfoot's songs but never felt such joy from his work as I have listening to it along with your reaction. Thank you for your work to bring this to us.
"Black Day In July" was written about the 67 riots in Detroit. It has a darker tone, similar to "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald."
Black day in July - so immensely powerful based on truth!
It was banned in the states
We don’t have a railway in Newfoundland but it really did connect Canada. ❤ this song and Gordon RIP
A great song by a great Canadian. Another you might enjoy is Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers. I am sure you would like it too.
I live real close to where the Edmund Fitzgerald sank and his song “ the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald “ brings tears and chills to me every time I hear it
I have so many thoughts on this song, which is by all means a masterpiece and one of my favourite songs not just of Gord's but of all time. As someone with a background in history, I will say that it's important to remember that this song was very much a product of its time in terms of Canadian historiography: it paints an extremely romanticised picture of the transcontinental railway's construction and of the westward expansion of Canadian settlers, and completely ignores the unspeakable horrors and violence the government used to acquire the land for the railway to run on. These uncomfortable aspects would most certainly be taught in a modern history of Canadian railways, but not in the 1960s when the romantic notion of the frontier myth was alive and well. That being said though, the song is by all means a classic, and I love that Gord never fails to sing about the lives of average everyday working people even when covering monumental historical events like this. It keeps the story grounded and gets the listener really invested in listening and learning more. Add on top of the phenomenal writing his flawless musical talent and you get a truly amazing piece of art.
Thank you for giving this song and Gordon the respect they deserve. I did a stint on a summer gang on the railroad back in '73 in the BC interior, and this song went through my head a lot back then.
It's said that Bob Dylan said that the worst thing about a Gordon Lightfoot song was that it had to end.
Crafty guitar playing in a beautiful voice and a brilliant storyteller
I had a chance to see him sing this live. So lucky. He is Canada’s pride and joy.
Gordon Lightfoot was definitely the greatest Canadian writer , his music is fantastic. He told the stories of the common folk and most of the struggle of life
I used to sing this in coffee houses with my guitar partner way back in the day.🍁great song!
"When The Green Dark Forest was To Silent to be Real" hits hard, this song like so many of his reminds me of what it is like to be Canadian. Something that is fading daily.
One of his hardest song to do a cover.....Trying to match his cadence throughout, along with the words is very hard. Love his music, been singing and playing it in Pubs and Buskers fairs for years now...
This brought a little nostalgic tear to my eye ... Thanks for the share ... he was a brilliant songwriter.
Gordon Lightfoot is an icon in Canada! He was an amazing singer-songwriter and his music defines Canada! Thanks for showcasing this amazing man!
I love this song because it is so positive. Even the workers were keen to build the railway for Canada even though it was such a difficult job.
Can’t you just feel and see the imagery of a train chugging along a steep hill, when the tempo changes at 2:05. He nailed it
One of his best no question. Totally underrated. Probably too long for popular radio play back in the day.
Thanks so much Mert, the people asked and you delivered. Canadian Railroad Trilogy is a monumental song detailing a very important part of our Canadian history. Lightfoot has a huge, extensive catalogue to delve into and I know you've reacted to some of his songs already but this one here stands at the very top of Canadian lore. For me it's an essential song if you want to know Gord's music and what he meant to us Canadians. Cheers from southern Ontario!
Well said! And I couldn't agree more
We have lost so much of what this song represents (and it's not coming back), but this is beautiful song.
Beautiful song about a beautiful land, my home.
Black Day In July was great commentary on the Detroit race riots in the 60's. It struck a nerve with me in my very early teens. If you closed your eyes and listened to the words, he painted a vivid picture
Bob Dylan said that listening to a Lightfoot song he wished they'd never end. Gordo is a complete original musical giant.
It was such a shame he got sick. Although he wasn't as great as he was he was still a top notch entertainer
🍁 Built between 1881- Nov 7, 1887. the "Last spike" came when West met East in Craiggellachie, Eagle Pass, BC . The Importance both practically and politically for the unification of this country The CPR Trans Canada Railway cannot be overstated❤🤠 Thanks again Mert.! Bob Dylan once said that when he listened to Gordon Lightfoot he wished the songs would never end
This is one of my two favourite "Lightfoot" songs. The other one is "Home from the Forest". You might want to listen to that one as well. Very sad and thought provoking.
Absolutely his best song...my favorite... Our 4th grade teacher made us learn Gordon Lightfoot songs when she didn't feel like teaching us actual lessons. 😅 Been a fan since the mid 90s
Pierre Burton a great Canadian historian and author said to the effect "Lightfoot had said more in the 7 ish minutes of the song than he had in his books about the history of Canada and the Canadian Pacific railway. "
Truly a literary and melodic masterpiece.🎉
I grew up in the country where the western edge of the Prairies, in Alberta, becomes "the Foothills" and then *suddenly* (or so it seems if you're driving west in a car, there are the mountains - not just one mountain range, but three enormous ranges stretching north and south - wild, deep, majestic but very unforgiving ranges, one beside the other. When we look back at the route that ultimately was carved through what was (and still is) the hardest, steepest, deepest and most treacherous piece of a railroader's nightmare - possibly anywhere in the world, it's mind-boggling. When you look at the final stretch, where the tracks turn south, first through the canyon that is the valley of the enormous Thompson river, and then where it joins up in the enormous, sheer-sided and vastly treacherous portion that is the Fraser Canyon, where the rails literally hang on the edges of rock shelves that were blasted out of the vertical rock walls, and cross periodically from one side of the Canyon to the other on bridges that seem to be hanging onto the canyon walls by their fingernails - and all of it a grade (down to the sea-level or up into and east across all three ranges, it's not hard to see why many railroad builders said, "it can't be done." And that is just one section of the 'canyon road." What is even more astonishing - today - is that not one, but two railroads both have tracks traversing the Canyons. The Canadian Pacific, who were there first, had some leeway in choosing their route. But when the Canadian National came along (upstarts!) and built their right of way on the opposite walls of the Canyons to those of the CP, and likewise threw insane bridges, tunnels and snow- or avalanche- sheds along the route where necessary (and that's many places) and then ran trains up and down the Canyons hauling ever more enormous loads, it is truly astounding. Finally, about 14 years ago, the two railroads got tired of banging their heads against the granite mountains (and each other) and so that entire section of railroad is now operated in tandem by both railroads, with both loaded CP and CN trains carrying wheat, potash, metallurgical coal and hundreds of thousands of containers down one set of tracks, while trains for both roads, coming fully loaded with cargo from the Port of Vancouver, or pulling enormous strings of empty hopper or tank cars are dragged up the opposite set of trackage, with one railroad dispatcher coordinating the movements of trains from both railroads, as well as controlling work crews, clearing the track of fallen rock or other hazards, and keeping all of what have become enormous strings of rail cars, many of them "unit trains" made up of a single type of rolling stock, the whole thing looks even more amazing, especially when you realize just how long the trains are - hundreds of cars each, how heavy the loads, and how much raw power is needed either to bring the trains up the Canyons, or acting mainly as braking systems for the trains rolling down the canyon and then turning west to the Pacific ocean. A good friend of mine lives near the southern end of the Fraser Canyon, and he has a RUclips channel (Trackside Tyson) where he posts video of the truly amazing rail traffic that moves through each and every day. He is a superb videographer, and the area where he lives and works contains some of the most extreme trackage, bridges and train movements. (I normally don't like to mention other creators' channels, but Tyson's videos show the incredible scale of the Canyon, as well as the enormously long trains, and the huge locomotives that move them).
That area is only one of several breathtaking places on the railroad paths though the mountains, and they are all still magnets for tourists who like the magnificent scenery, whether or not they are "rail fans." There is also a pair of real-time Internet cameras located at Revelstoke, B.C. - part of the enormous group effort known as the "Virtual Railfan" network. Revelstoke is a crew-change point on the Canadian Pacific route. The original CP line is the southernmost of the CP and CN railways, and there is much to see, as well as a tremendous amount of history - each of which by themselves are amazing stories.
The Canadian Railroad Trilogy was written by Gordon Lightfoot to commemorate Canada's 100th birthday, 1967, and history says that Gordon Lightfoot was commissioned to compose, record and perform it. Regardless of the commission, my own thought has always been that Gordon Lightfoot had been thinking about telling this story, or parts of it, for some time. Combining them into the Trilogy was another of Lightfoot's masterworks. However long he'd been thinking about it, the story is told that he wrote it down in its final form in only a day or two. (This pattern would happen again, with "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Regardless, the song was an immediate and very big hit, not only in Canada, and is another example of his artistry as a musician, and his brilliance as a storyteller. It's certainly still one of his very best and most memorable works.
Nice video, this happens to be my all time favorite Gordon Lightfoot song, it really does paint a great picture of Canada's past.
It's so nice for you to realize the brilliance of Gordon Lightfoot. Better late than never! I've been fortunate to listen to him for over 50 years. Had the pleasure of meeting him twice while Gord was performing at the NAC here in Ottawa. We love you Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. RIP
As a proud Canadian via Liverpool you can sense his pride in Canada
No prouder Canadian than Mr Lightfoot
His face should adorn the 100 dollar bill
Haha getting chills and tearing up just thinking about this song.
As Canadians, we were lucky to have Lightfoot. An incredible talent. Love this song … it takes you on a journey of how Canada was built and how important the railway was to the country’s growth.
An Ontario boy, Gordon wrote the soundtrack for the whole country. I'm a prairie child and thought he was too, for many years, because his imagery reflected what I knew.
There are other artists I can think of who have contributed to that soundtrack, The Tragically Hip immediately come to mind.
Thank you for your fascination with Canada. I am discovering and rediscovering the remarkableness of our Canadian identity through your delight in Canadian culture. As for this song, Lightfoot had a singular artistic vision and brilliance. Many of his songs were more typical 3.5 minute, radio length, accessible works. This one was not. But there's another Canadian history lesson in a very long song that shockingly DID make it as a radio hit - The Wreck of the Edmund Fiztgerald - another masterpiece. Thanks again for your love of Canada!
Commissioned by the CBC for Canada's centennial in 1967. I cry every time I hear this.
This song always haunted me. The story and the imagery makes me feel great pride in being part of this land. It makes me miss a time that I was never a part of and has me longing to see this country from sea to sea.
very few were/are at his level of story telling--a great great musician
This is nothing short of a masterpiece!
Always loved Gordon Lightfoot since I saw him live in concert in the 70s. I cried when he died. A true Canadian icon. So beloved.
Like so many Canadians, I am a huge fan of his music and storytelling. Regrettably, I never took the opportunity to see him live. I have to say, it’s very touching to see you so captivated by his music and to feel the impact of his stories. Might I suggest you review Early Morning Rain