Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald Gordon Lightfoot

[ironrick46]

nobody does it better than gordon as a storyteller him harry chapin and jim croce were the best ever glad to see he s alive and singing

[The31415927]

You can shout "Gordon" till you get your Fitzgerald's right... that's just not how it works...on little Provincial or jurisdictional stages for the sheep cloning..

PRINT BARF BAGS...

[wonderfulman2456]

The 'might fitz' was a hell of a ship, McSorley was a heck of a Captain, and the crew were nothing short of extraordinary.

[bunkieb00]

@wonderfulman2456 but the great lakes are a wet hell in late fall-early winter; my late dad worked on freighters as a young man and said that the waves could get scary...

[darkstriker3452]

i cry every time i hear this song tho's ppl that died will all ways be missed i still pray 4 thos familys that lost there loved one's

[SilverBen54]

@darkstriker3452 i actually know the daughter of one of the crewmen Porter Nolan Frank Church on the EDMUND FITZGERALD he was from the little port town i live in SIlverBay MN the fitzgearld loaded in 90%of the time here she sailed her last load was a rare trip for her to load in superior wisconson she only loaded 4 times durin the 1975 season in superior other wise the other 46trips she made that season wher here to Silverbay

[1polonium210]

"Does anyone know

"Where the love of God goes

"When the waves turn the minutes

"To hours ..."

A great poet wrote that.

[ugmodude]

Happy Birthday Gord!

[DionysusForever]

amazing song... too bad whoever put this song up can't spell the name of the ship right... way to remember the dead GKLAKEMAN

[Lowdenjim]

This is as good as it gets - brilliant; I love jamming along to this video.

[raidersfan58]

this is a dam good song

[beauwulff]

Still in great voice as he sings his extraordinary, heart-rending ballad!

[sixtiesunflowergirl]

I'll never grow tired of this great song.  It has such an eerie sound to it. Love it!

[takemeback2]

Really creepy, stirring and quite powerful.

[TheSubMan1969]

He's comming to Colorado Springs. Wahoooo.

[camp69]

Absolutely Awsome!!

[cholt68]

fantastic!!!!!!!

[cholt68]

fantastic

[gmvalentine]

There will never be another like Gordon Lightfoot.

It makes me sad to see him looking so frail. i remember him in his heyday.

His performance is just as awesome as ever.

Carry on, Gordon! Love you.

[Telstar62a]

Wow...sounds nearly the same as when it came out 30+ years ago. Never fails to put a lump in my throat.

[PamelaRP]

love this song and what it says how important life is and how it can be taken away from you just like that. Beautiful song and love it so much and thanks for this wonderful post and these beautiful lyrics.

[cmarracco]

That is an awesome song. Not many musicians are lucky enough to write such a beautiful song.

[BC129sdn]

Saw Gordon last night with my 9 year old son in Akron. I grew up on Lake Erie, and remember that day well. I wanted to make certain I passed along the story of the event to him. He loves the song, and I can think of no better way to etch it in his memory. This evening we stood 200 yards from where the "Griffth" sank in 1850 killing over 200 people in Lake Erie. Another story to never forget.

[shooterman20kills]

I saw the documentary on the ship when they brought the ship's bell it chimed with no help from the lake or the wind the bell just chimed. it was a message from the men of the ship to thier loved ones that everything is alright we are together and we will be waiting for you.I know this to be true cause i went to the other side and let me say it is beautiful and calming.

[walkingpictures]

Brilliant

[MrNiccholas]

i have heard this song put "the legend lives how boat she down and the people all died bummer"

[knb416]

@MrNiccholas THE STORY LIVES ON, HOW THE BOAT SHE WENT DOWN, AND THE PEOPLE ALL DIED......BUMMER. Tim Hawkins on how most songs can be just one verse long.

[MOSKII58]

@MrNiccholas  whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttt­????

[MrNiccholas]

@MOSKII58 what



[benjamin975]

POWERFULL...........

[david1693]

Just as wingsndagger said, one of the all time classics...

[623696CAP]

The words are almost exactly the same as the "Time" magazine article on the wreck published at the time. The greatness is in the story.

[speedburnervideo]

he is simply....genious lyrically and melodically. this comes from God.

His sole spoke when he wrote this.

[sludge27]

Absoluttly one of the most beautiful songs ever written...

[grannydyess]

one of my favorite singers.

[kenzbt]

I love this song

it's so eeriie

[am2boni]

A classic!!! God Bless Gordon!!!

[pkr40]

love this song

[fireguy1985]

lol 4:54

[trew45ify]

Nice Moustache Gord!

[Sphinn]

An absolute timeless classic.

You just don't hear music like this any more unfortunately.

[WOODYSKYM]

The Precussion In This Song Is Unmatched By No Other. An Awesome Tune By A Great Artist & Performer

[340polaristxl]

my great grandfather was one of the men who went down with the fitzgerald

[jordan1231067]

wow!

[fleshstripper]

@340polaristxl well let this song be a everlasting tribute to your brave grandfather and his fellow crew

[starlightgirlrules]

Despite the rumours gordon has not died and is still alive.

[MegaLawnmowerman]

I grew up in upper Michigan and had friends who,s relatives had worked on the fitz. Well i thank whosoever put this on here god bless you. I didn't know much about it but every time i heard it as a child i felt so sorry for the men who lost there lives. very respectable song in there names if you ask me wish i had it on my computer i would play it every day.

[ladyfromkansas]

what year was this please? thank you.

[ChurchloveTex]

Gotta love this song really makes you remember those that we've lost and how Amazing Gordan Is 5*****

[jossy2112]

good chord progression too

[AllRacingfan]

This song gets me every time I hear it.

[hellagood1967]

Gordon Lightfoot has always been a favourite of mine and this song will remain high on my list of favourite songs by him, along with Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind. What a brilliant talent this man is. Bravo.

[DConS81]

I've always liked Carefree Highway, Summertime Dream and Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

[marko511d]

I get a tear in my eye every time I hear this song.

[ucbiryder]

my great grandfather helped build this ship. it was built by the mahons steel company.

[wingsndagger]

Probably among the top of the greatest songs ever written and performed.

[MOSKII58]

@wingsndagger yes def & also "If you could read my mind"

two gems...Gordon writes quality 1st not quantity...these tunes bleed into my heart & opem my mind...

[kodachromefilm]

@wingsndagger If not, pretty darn close.

[FmrUSMCRnTX]

@wingsndagger Indeed & AMEN! Truly a great song, very haunting and moving! By one of the greatest artists we've known in our lifetime!

[newtronn1project]

How can you not want to cry a little hearing this, even 35 or so years later. Coasties Rules!..

[brianchylinski]

good version of this on birdlivesinme ytube page

[Pistolero7081]

To all:

If you were there, then you would know just what it was like. We, of the United State Coast Guard did our best to find (any) survivors. Yet, we found only the ghosts of the crew members. Gordon, who is a very dear friend of mine also did his best to recount the events of this terrible tragedy.

[DORSEY12100]

Thank God for the coast guard,saved my life in 1980 .chartered a fishing boat on lake superior ,took on water 12 miles out ,called in and the coast guard was there in 20 minutes.we were all on top deck waiting .don't know who owned the boat ,but thank God for you guys

[sherrywine1941]

This song has been sung by many, but Gordon Lightfoot is the only one to ever do it justice.

The emotion and feelings can be felt when he sings it. Excellent posting. (5*) Sherry

Thanks Paul for the share.

[wyliesnyder]

Great posting. I live in Mi. I have been up to Whitefish Point many times. It's a eerie place when cloudy....or night.

Thank you HerkyHawk1985

[CDmagz]

as everyone has said, exceptional perform, a real big song, all will be remembered..

thank you..very nice

cheers love and respect to all

CDm

M

[weeyin1155]

Thanks to you for posting and to Paul for sharing your wonderful video. Stars and hugs. ♥

[shakedydogshake]

Very calm and quiet on Lake Superior tonight- from this part anyways at Beaver Bay,MN.....compared to 34 years ago tonight. Gordon rocks! Fitz forever!

[johndh85]

I think you have to remember Gord Lightfoot was sick for a long time and he hadnt done shows for a long long time I am just glad that is back singing. His songs are classics.

[jimmyb227]

Go to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point, Michigan. It has an absolutely sensational tribute to the Fitzgerald-including thae actual ship's bell. Very moving-you will not forget it!

[jmstowe]

This song gives us an appreciation for the dangers of Great Lake sailing especially in November.

It is a great song and a great tribute not only to the crew of the Fitz, but everyone who sailes on the Great Lakes.

[Nicktimus]

I only just thought to look this song up... The Dandy Warhols do an amazing cover of it and I've always meant to check out the original... brilliant song...

(if anyone reading this decided to check out the Dandy Warhols version, they did two, make sure you listen to the one called simply "The Wreck" which is 9 minutes, as opposed to the full titled one which is shorter, as it is a much much better version

[chiefnut48]

Great song and nice tribute

[RegLeachFan]

Hey everybody, it's me...

Swine flu :D

[iLikeWholesomeBread]

Thanks for the link Greg, lol lol.

[TheSwingingnutsack]

the guy has the biggest ears i've ever remember seeing.  I bet he can receive signals from the space shuttle

[kilthosemk]

Has sort of an "old man" voice now--but he is still awesome!!!!!!

[storminthedistance]

What an amazing song it is...ageless.. thanks Gord

[blairzel]

Every time I look at Lake Ontario I think of this song. The wreck Happened in Superior...but Mother Nature doesnt like any of the Great Lakes in November...

[revrod22]

It's called age. The man also was in a coma for 5 weeks a few years ago from a stomach issue. Great musician!  And he is still going strong!!

[mercuryoak2]

my god did he get old... but my fav songs and

sundown

[TheSwingingnutsack]

wow check those ears.

[rstapp374]

your an idiot

[staceyman]

Damn he is playing a 12 string...awesome!

[ALIKHANWEB]

Legendary.

[tootieanme]

this makes me so old but omg!!! how wonderful to hear itaagain

[halifaxboyns]

This song is amazing and he is such a great story teller.

[deezynar]

Chills.

[pawalegal]

One of the best music story tellers ever born.

[yooperlooper]

FOR ALL OF US who are haunted by this orrowful song, who remember that night, who knew someone who went down on the big ship, or a family member, LETS ALL PLAY IT NOV 10 and sing it - sing it loud - for the 29 lost souls.

[nnrrtt]

I was on duty on the bridge of the C.C.G.S. Verendrye at the Soo that night and listened to the radio transmissions.Was a bad night for sure.

[kilthosemk]

I had gotten away from Gordon for awhile. It's good to see the interest again. He has an amazing voice and this song is amazing. I play it over and over.

[UnseenAGT]

one of those songs that makes ya cry a little

[TunesNorth]

I live about 75 miles from Whitefish Point and I still remember where I was when the Edmund went down. That song still gives me a chill.

[blitzkrieg4334]

amazing song my aunt went out with him when they were young

[jocelynli]

This is the best version of this song on Youtube.

[VFA103JollyRogers]

Still as haunting as ever

[GemmBakko]

Absolutely.

[gekko14]

he's still got it...amazing

[chuckf2000]

Just as good as when he sang it in the 70s. What a voice.

[donnyp1966]

I visited Lake Superior once. Coldest water I ever felt in my life! A timeless song written by a master storyteller.

[1958packerfan]

I know it is sad song but I live in Wis. and I was only a few months old when it happen.

[wolfstyle68]

Almost saw you with dad and sis @ Humphry's in San Diego back in 1999Mister.I guess it was'nt meant to be! Another seafaring tale..

[paulyshack]

Love the music, love his story telling in music and the legend lives on!!!

[QWZXM]

Awesome, but so sad. RIP brave sailors, and Gordon Lightfoot, you are truly a Canadian icon.

[dlew71662]

well said dajon . it truly is a goosebumper.. .. and a great melody to a tragic story..

[jeepingitreal]

epic

[dajon76]

i love this song. I always get goosebumps when i hear it.

[MultiCowboy22]

lightfoot is awsome period

[airdoc123]

no shit  he was her in wichita and i got to see him

[orbison]

I am going to see him when he plays Las Vegas in October. I was struggling to find something interesting to see in Vegas, thank you Gordon and i really look forward to seeing you.

FYI- agree with theekrose

[hop2171]

going to see him tomorrow night at 8 in NY!!

[Tom4699]

cool...the ships belll rang as it broke the surface. Goosebumps here

[theekrose]

Sir, you belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Plus the Songwriter's HofF. You are awesome.

[rkt739]

this song is SO FREAKING AWESOME it's unexplainable. and Gordon Lightfoot is a great singer.

[TheCaptainLulz]

makes me wanna go back to pancake bay again. thats as much both our nations man!!! come to the canadian side of the lake anytime.

[Thebenefitman54]

The Chippawas are an Indian Tribe that lived near the big lake and they called it Getchigumi which was Lake Superior

[Shireburngent]

I am from the UK and have several albums of Gordon Lightfoot. This song has always been one of my favourites. The whole thing is quite haunting and the lyrics are so thought provoking. This live version is wonderful. I only wish he did some gigs this side of the pond.

[bigdrive22]

Always found ship wrecks so darkly facinating. Stilled for all time. Gordon conveys the peril and terminal silencing so well.

[usv76]

the u.s. is sinking, with obama in charge. we all better run to canada !

[danteVEC725]

you know why your country is sinking, ask the last administration, they created war in Iraq and Afghanistan

and spent millions of dollar for they so called war on terror, your government is the terrorist killing thousand of innocent people for the war you created that is why US is sinking, wake up you asshole, open your eyes....

[usv76]

fuck you hodgie, your moms a camel, and your dad's a sand queer. I'm surprised you even know how to type, you rag headed camel fucker. Kiss my white-American ass !!

[danteVEC725]

THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY i was wrong, go to hell fagot..eat your rag headed camel and fuck your white American ass......INGOT AND GAGO..ULOL KA PA.....

[danteVEC725]

usv76 R I P red headed camel fucker, kiss you own

American ass.....TARANTADO...UNGAS....

[danteVEC725]

your mind is full of shit

[liamtz]

The 'Chippewa' to which he refers is a river in Wisconsin.

I'm looking down at it as I type.

[james9333333333]

lol Chippewa is my schools name

[mrklavin]

unfortunately they were but 25 miles from safety. RIP

This song has moved me since I was a young boy, I didn't understand it, now I do and I love it more.

[grose1213]

July 1st.  Happy Canada Day Everybody!

[yappydog8m]

No studio cut can match this version. When was this recorded?

[kinshasaAPP]

I think mid to late 90's in Reno, NV.

[harpandshamrock]

Love Gord

[nikko601]

thank you for posting...RIP all 29 crew.

[wolfgar50]

he looks just like my oldman heres to you dad save me a beer and a seat by the fire

[2020ric]

wolfgar50..LOOKS like my oldman too..DAD, MISS ya..HAPPY FATHERS DAY in heaven with MOM..SAVE some SEAGRAMS 7 for me. HOPEFULLY...I WILL be there someday..RIC...RSP all 29 crew.....................

[basserase]

Awesome! That guitar break is just as haunting as the lyrics.; and the drummer and bass player work the song so perfectly.

[Crazyman1212]

nice a song about my area of the world.

[kaw803]

The wreckage was found not long after it sank.

[soleniak]

I can't believe that they never found one body or the wreck...this is a large ship and I'm amazed that they couldn't pick it up with sonar/radar.

[KaySkywalker]

Like the song says and it's true, they never find the dead because the lake is really deep and there's a ton of ground to cover.

[jadams113]

Actually the lake is so cold at the bottom, bodies do not decompose so the never rise to the surface. They did bring up the ships bell and it rang as it broke the surface.

J.

[svance13]

i would think the bottom of the atlantic is pretty cold, but bodies still decompose there.....salt water tho, so i dunno

[jadams113]

Bodies still rot in those conditions, but they do not produce decomposition gasses that cause them to rise to the surface. I believe it is the same with the ocean. I am no expert. That is just what I heard on a history channel show about it.

-J.

[johnny316b]

lake superior is not a saltwater body of water

[dlew71662]

what you dont know about lake superior could fill the atlantic ocean.. kid

[gvork]

They did find the wreck. But the families chose to leave the wreckage and bodies at the bottom of the lake and to allow that site to be the burial ground.

[freddysthedevil]

26000 tons more than she weighed empty can anyone with experience crunch the numbers on this and tell me if by todays transport standards would this be a prudent load for this ship?tks.

[tranq45]

26000 tons was actually 600 tons *under* her design cargo capacity. I actually sailed with a former crew member of the Arthur M. Anderson, the ship that was escorting/convoyed with the Eddy-F. The Eddy-F was listing sharply, decks partially awash, and shipping water when she was lost. In all liklihood, her cargo shifted, which would've been near-disasterous in even *good* weather.

[bmxfreeride]

well we researched the lyrics in my english class. We came to find out that a contribution to the sinking of the ship was because it was overloaded.. the ship was top-heavy and the huge waves from the high winds caused the ship to capsize. God rest those 29 men who parished

[DANLEO5]

Also the unique wave action of a lake- this might not have happened in the ocean. The ship's keel broke before it capsized.

[bmxfreeride]

regardless of the wave action, if a boat is top heavy it will capsize no matter what wave action is present.. as long as the waves are big enough..

[DANLEO5]

Not saying you are wrong - an over-loaded ship in a gale sure can't be good.

[TroyRichards]

What a song and this great ship, Gordon done a great job with this one. I went to the Greatlakes Shipwreck Museum a few years ago and i was just aw struck by the bell and just being able to saute her crew. THE LEGEND LIVES ON!

[lothy59]

yea i was too but what a great time that was.. thanks

[DetroitMarauder]

I was just a punk kid in the 70's when this song first came out.

I remember telling my Mom or my Pop's to turn it up, depending on who was driving.

At the time we only listened to CKLW AM Based out of Canada.

I remember my mother crying once when I asked her to turn the radio up.

I didn't understand why she was crying till my father explained to me what the song was really about.

Weird how you remember childhood memories by listening to a tune.

Still love the song.

[caslox]

Just rediscovered this awesome song, what hunting lyrics sung to perfection by Gordon Lightfoot, one of the greatest folk singers I ever heard. Be proud of him Canada.

[izzydye]

wow, amazing song and story, may God bless them all and Gordan too. Simply amazing.

[Flap999]

What an amazing story teller this man is. Said it before, Gordon is one of the best of many gifts Canada has given to the world.

[cbrugh]

Canada may claim Gordon. He is a natural treasure for all of us. We need more songs and song writers like this. Gordy was and still is the man.

[alvask8z2000]

November 18 - 21 2009 Massey Hall Toronto....the most incredible venue to see Gord period.

[anton188]

06harleybabe, you must have heard it for the 1st time around the same time I did. It was on AM radio in '77 like you said and I remember being amazed that I heard and felt every lyric of this tale. I shivered for days after realizing that it was not just a song but a story. With 4 kin in the Navy and 2 in Merchant Marine, I heard & felt every chord. I still have the 45 I bought when I was 13 y/o. Thank You GL!

[piper72]

" Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" Any Sailor who has been caught out in a Big Storm knows how true this is. I've rode two Hurricanes

[lookingoutpfunk]

a haunt-filled masterpiece. oh yes...... it's a straight jam.

[yooperlooper]

I live in Marquette Michigan, right on the big lake. I've watched the great lakes surfers in March surfing 20 foot waves when there's still huge ice chunks on the lake. It makes me shiver just thinking about what those men endured that night in that freezing gale. Every November 10th I walk down to the lake and say a prayer.

[BubbaFartinski]

1:45 is the best part

[DeathbyPianos]

"this song gives me goosies"

seconded

[GareauRA]

You too eh?

[kinshasaAPP]

Just did. Creepy... the good kind.

[06harleybabe]

I fell in love with this song when it came out in '77. It's so haunting. The Big Fitz was found in '83 500' down. She's sitting upright, and even the lights in the rigging are unbroken. My favorite line? "Fellas, it's been good to know ya." RIP, Fitz.

[asianwannabeamerican]

I first heard this song in music class in fourth grade. Amazing. Haven't heard it for years until today.

[tropicjester12]

gitchagoomie is there such a thing?

[DieKolkrabe]

Yes, it's the Chippewa name for the lake

[tropicjester12]

thanks

[DieKolkrabe]

Welcome