Tuesday, May 02, 2023

Gordon Lightfoot

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

16 comments:

Cap said...

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.

Owen Gray said...

I suspect Poilievre doesn't listen to Ligthfoot's music, Cap -- with the exception of "Alberta Bound."

rumleyfips said...

I saw him introduce the Trilogy as a centennial project at an Ottawa concert.

Anonymous said...

A 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.

Owen Gray said...

It was always popular at his concerts, rumley.

Owen Gray said...

Tragic, indeed, Anon.

Northern PoV said...

1965!

You 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.
.....................................................................

You were one of a kind, Gord and the world is diminished today.

Owen Gray said...

He was indeed one of a kind, PoV.

zoombats said...

"Sometimes I think it's a shame
When 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

Owen Gray said...

He penned lots of memorable lines, zoombats.

Anonymous said...

My favourite is “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the minutes turn into hours” DJF

Owen Gray said...

A terrible situation, DJF.

hels said...

1965-9 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.

Owen Gray said...

It was a great time to come of age, hels.

e.a.f. said...

I 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

He will be missed.

Owen Gray said...

I totally agree, e.a.f.