Edmund Fitzgerald song--I can't get away from it!
 

Back story first:

I was 8 years old in 1975 when my older brother was killed in a car crash, November 1. During the weeks after was the sinking of the Fitz. Living on Lake Huron, it was big news as they searched and we learned of the tragic results.

A year later Mr. Lightfoot's song was on the radio. The songs still takes me back to those days when my family was in turmoil over my brother as well as the story of the sinking. For many years, I would get creeped out when I heard it.

Only a visit to the Whitefish Bay memorial site helped me get over the stigma. I don;t know why but it helped me understand why I was affected by the story. I've followed the site visits and just about eery news story on the ship over the years. I even have several pictures hanging in our loft of her.



Fast forward to a month ago: I had to buy a car as my job was eliminated as well as my company car.

I bought a Grand Prix from a local dealer. I was on my way home yesterday and hit the CD player by mistake and found the PO had a mix CD with various songs on it. As I'm sampling the tunes the song starts. HOLY CRAP!!! What are the chances of the car I buy has this song on a homemade CD?!!

As well, I was setting my radio/alarm before ved and turned the radio on by mistake. Yep, there's the freakin' song again.:eek:



Oh, and the capper?







Gordon Lightfoot played in Saginaw last Sunday night!!!!!!!

I didn't go but maybe it's best that I didn't.



The mind is a very strange thing.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is a powerful song..

Memorial to all those lost.

Guess I am an old fart but I like Gordon Lightfoots music

The line where he sings "As the big freighters go it was bigger than most" needs a little more work.

I actually really enjoy that song. I've never listened to it without getting goose bumps. Can't imagine what it feels like to you.

Most people look at things as this to be nothing more than random chance. That is probably right on. But I've always felt that there are great mysteries out there. Things we do not know, that we do not understand because they are part of a greater pattern that our close vision does not allow us to see. We are not alone in this world even when it feels like it. Those who have left watch over us. Obviously they can't drop you a note or send you a gorilla-gram, but maybe maybe your brother figured out a way to send you a message.

I am an eternal optimist, so I hope that this message is to remind you that even when things are difficult, in great turmoil (in this case economic, job loss, etc), that you are loved. That you will make it through this time just as you made it through the other when you were just eight.

As for Gordon Lightfoot? I think you should have gone to see him. Bet it was a great night.

angela

Wayne , where do you live now ? I"m a Bridgeport guy originally. The first porsche I ever really saw in person was on M-46 that I used to pass everyday on my way to working at Saginaw Steering Gear... silver Targa I can still see it in my head.

I love that song. I guess I was about 5 when it sank, but don't remember hearing about it, but the song gives me chills when I hear it. Great song. And another song to add to my "classic rock" itunes library.

He came to my university years ago when everyone still sat in circles and passed reefers around. Lovely guy. Great songs.

Pity he never traded the folk music biz for something edgier.

I also like Gordon Lightfoot. I was under the impression that he vowed to never sing the song live again.

Bill

Perhaps.

But the following verse "Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" more than compensates.

I'm in Detroit on business with some frequency (at least while we still have a domestic auto industry), and almost reflexively think of that song when passing The Mariners Church next to the RennCen.

Lightfoot was not a great writer, but a competent Canadian folkie with moments of brilliance. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was one of those, along with his Canadian Railroad Trilogy, which help offset all the rest of Sundown era, mid '70's dreck that made him rich and famous.







Tim

'dreck' is a bit harsh...

the first time ever i saw your face

if you could read my mind

early morning rain

etc.etc.

not my taste really, but good tunes all the same...

Great song number one played on our jute box in the basement growing up late 70's early 80's in the mid west. Still love to hear it!

funny i heard it yesterday morning on my way to work! first thing i envisioned was the murky water when divers finally found her and started figuring out what exactly happened. hell of a dive for those guys. like really really hairy dive at that depth.

IMHO..................an undersee-booten sank her and osama was the kapitan!

I have some Gordon Lightfoot on my Ipod including The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It reminds me of long (fun) road trips in the car with my parents while growing up.

Except HE didn't share HIS reefer when I fixed the hifi in HIS house in Rosedale. He just sat in the kitchen & said . . ."Don't tell anybody. He he."

True story btw.

Ian

Great story! :)

Funny I was never a big Lightfoot fan until the last few years when for some reason it just started clicking with me. I wouldn't at all say I'm a big fan now, but whereas I used to hate it, now I enjoy his music. Our band does a pretty wild version of "Carefree Highway".

The whole album the song is on, "Summertime Dream" was one of my favorites when it came out in the 70's. I was living in Germany at the time and living in the barracks in the Army. I could put this album on the turntable, close my eyes, and dream of home.

If You Could Read My Mind. Written by Lightfoot, sung by Johnny Cash, unbelievable.
I had a similiar experience when I was 16. Friend killed. Some REO Speedwagon song. Put me into panic mode for about 6 months.

The Bell http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1237567329.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1237567431.jpg

Play Edmund Fitzgerald as a lottery ticket, convert letters into numbers.

me too...i have had it for long time and it has a deep emotional effect on me. Most other people i know cannot understand until i explain the actual meaning of it...and then they become emotional too.
Godspeed Captain Mcsorley and crew!
BTW, this song is a great one to write a paper on, i used it in a Pyscology course to show how words and music create feelings and attuitudes in people