Gordon Lightfoot became an international celebrity. But, to me, he was quintessentially Canadian. Back in 1965, as a university freshman, I attended a concert he gave as part of our Winter Carnival festivities. He ended the concert with his Canadian Railroad Trilogy.
He sang of a country that had existed
Long before The White Man
And long before The Wheel
When the green dark forest
Was too silent to be real.
He made Canada real.
Image: WDIO.com/AP
The CBC commissioned the Railroad Trilogy for Canada's centenary. But defund the CBC says the man who would be PM. What a short-sighted fool.
ReplyDeleteI suspect Poilievre doesn't listen to Ligthfoot's music, Cap -- with the exception of "Alberta Bound."
ReplyDeleteI saw him introduce the Trilogy as a centennial project at an Ottawa concert.
ReplyDeleteA tragic loss. Condolences to his friends and family. My favourite interpreter of his songs was Tony Rice, who has also left us far too early.
ReplyDeleteIt was always popular at his concerts, rumley.
ReplyDeleteTragic, indeed, Anon.
ReplyDelete1965!
ReplyDeleteYou beat me by 3 years!
I was lucky to be in row 3/center for his 1968 summertime gig at "The Kee to Bala") (Ontario)
I also was lucky to catch many of his annual Massey Hall concerts.
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You were one of a kind, Gord and the world is diminished today.
He was indeed one of a kind, PoV.
ReplyDelete"Sometimes I think it's a shame
ReplyDeleteWhen I get feeling better, when I'm feeling no pain"
I don't know why but these were my favourite words to my favourite Lightfoot tune and the beat, wow. RIP Mr.Lightfoot
He penned lots of memorable lines, zoombats.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the minutes turn into hours” DJF
ReplyDeleteA terrible situation, DJF.
ReplyDelete1965-9 were great years, for students everywhere, except for the massacres in Vietnam. Thanks to Mr Lightfoot and others, they were my best years as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great time to come of age, hels.
ReplyDeleteI have one of his cds in the vehicle. It was done when he was younger. His voice was so pure and clear. He was a brilliant writer. He will be missed. He wrote about Canada and the things we knew
ReplyDeleteHe will be missed.
I totally agree, e.a.f.
ReplyDelete