gordon lightfoot canadian railroad trilogy live in concert bbc 1972

[snowdog070]

As much as I'm a Rush freak with all of the unprecedented musicianship and ever-changing time signatures that define Rush (another Canadian institution) Gordy brings a flag-waving tear to my eye whenever I hear Canadian Railroad Trilogy. My eyes are welling up a bit as I write this and listen. Saw the man at Massey Hall about 15 years ago. God love this man!!!

[NelsonRodrigoMartins]

I get goosebumps. This is a very touching song and tells the history of a land far far away from Brazil... Gordon Lightfoot's masterpiece.

[neener420420420]

One of the best musicians ever. Makes me proud to be Canadian..

[rlf22755]

Saw him 3 times in concert. Its almost a privilege to spend an evening with Lightfoot. He truly is a treasure. This song is a perfect example of his greatness.

[stoma4]

A word for Red Shea please?

[jamco1953]

@stoma4 & stockfish - these guys are such pros!

[sltomsik]

@stoma4 Red Shea made a brought some of Gord's songs from really-good to truly-extraordinary, and you almost can't tell he's there. Dan Fogelberg said Red was his all-time favorite back-up musician. For me, this band re-defined this this type of music forever.

[robtuohy1]

I think it is pretty fitting that when in 1986 when Gord won a Lifetime JUNO Award, that the presenter was no other than Mr. BOB DYLAN. Dylan always said he was a big fan of Gord's. Very nice. Two true great folk legends.  Go Canada!!!

[letsif]

@robtuohy1 Dylan said that when he listens to Gord, he doesn't want it to stop.

[robtuohy1]

@letsif Very Cool comment you wrote here. Yes, Bob Dylan was always a big fan of Gord. Ever since they met at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 1967. Cheers.

[stevessn]

This is a fantastic performance of a very poetic song. He really paints a beautiful picture with music and words. Thanks for posting this on YT.

[BigChiefLtd1]

Gordon Lightfoot is one of the many ways God has blessed us. Over his long and fruitful career, Gordy has passed that blessing on to us with songs that cover just about every aspect of our lives. I can't imagine having lived my 62+ years without his music as a soundtrack. Thank you, Gordy and thank you, God, for sending him and his talent to us! May we enjoy this blessing for years to come!

[savantleo]

I thank the powers that be for bringing these videos to youtube.I have been attending Massey Hall concerts from 1969 to present to connect with Gordy .God bless you Gordy.

[CharlieBrown7100]

Gordon Lightfoot is the Canadian version of Bob Dylan and was always regarded as a poet and a lyricist in his own right .I,m proud to be an American and that Canada is our best neigbor.

[MrJylong]

Hey Gordon, many greetings from Germany -- your songs are Canada for me !

Go on, and read my mind...cold on my shoulder...into sundown...

[jackperry47]

Gord rocks. Keep politics out of it. If he advocates anything it is "use your head AND your heart"...your soul too if you happen to have one.



[gubbie2u]

King of the 12-string. No one does it like Gord, that's for sure. He makes it look easy, but it's not at all! This is such a great song, a perfect blend of lyrics and music. Used to love watching him play this one in concert.

[sardonic12]

Perfection. The lyrics...astonishing. A real storyteller. The cadence picking up, as a rolling train would. Tears just listening to this. Captures my Canada. Love this man.

[canadiancrooner]

awseome

[danpdg65]

my god this is amazing!

[pickerman4]

Ah, I've been looking for a good video of Gord playing CRRT, and this is it!! Thanks for posting!

[Syzygy60]

if u don't know it shut the fuck up and listen

[LordGroundhog]

It's hard even to find words for how good this song is, and how good Lightfoot is. What astonishes me is how many of my Canadian friends act as if they're a bit embarrassed by him. This man is Canada's Woody Guthrie, Canada's Pete Seeger. He's a musical treasure and the voice of so much that's uniquely Canadian. If I were Canadian I'd be proud to be his countryman.

[faehurry23]

@LordGroundhog Boston , Massachusetts knows how great Gord is and how right you are !

[whiskeyjack59]

Oh, Canada! Don't do to your natural resources as your neighbor to the south has done.

[faehurry23]

The Canadian Chambers of Commerce picked Gord to write a song to tribute the making of the Canadian Railroad and IMO thy couldn't have picked a better man ! He did a phenomenal job of writing this one !

[sharonsouthsimcoe]

@faehurry23 I am troubled by his daughter and Occupy toronto, a privileged child acting out/.

[edcore1]

This song always draws a standing ovation at all of his shows! So much respect for the common man does this man show! The true "minstrel of the Dawn." Never stop writing and singing Gordon. We love you!

[hopdoehop]

so good that it makes me cry

[skiscot]

@hopdoehop I know,, I know,, and Im a 52 yrs old guy ! Give me chills. Just dont let Harper sell the whole country off to Corporate America

[jaclm]

I spent the summer working on a section gang in northern Ontario; this song has taken on an very poignant meaning to me.

[TheMandolineer]

I am proud to own and play a 12-string guitar.

I am humble to witness a master play one.

[yamahonkawazuki]

@TheMandolineer ive been humbled twice in person. once to hold his 12 string. albeit for a few seconds after a concert. BUT i plan on learning this intrument. this man has insired me to play

[rcole1958]

The key and tempo changes in this song are sublime.

[ronrogers2]

This is a jewel of a performance. I am amazed at the quality of the video - from 1972!

[BobbieJeanS]

I believe this is one of Gordon Lightfoot's most beloved tunes. I will always respect this as one of the greatest stories he has told.

[shsnj]

Everything about this song is exquisite: the lyrics, melody, and certainly the performance. Truly one of the best songs written in my lifetime.

[BobbieJeanS]

The Master Storyteller Gordon Lightfoot

"The Song Of The Future Has Been Sung All the Battles Have Been Won On The Mountain Tops We Stand All The World At Our Command

We Have Opened Up the Soil

With Our Teardrops And Our Toil..."

[nomadicone69]

"when the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun" "when the green dark forest was too silent to be real": these two lines are poignant given the destruction of Canada's wilderness character. We are losing our forests, losing our connection to the natural world, and selling our natural resources off to foreign interests. Sad times, incredible song.

[weinbergalan65]

Killer song. Best version ever, with Red Shea (deceased) on lead 6-string

[yamahonkawazuki]

@weinbergalan65 i heard terry clements ( now sadly gone too) play this one. subtle differences in both players , BUT both are masters. and BOTH are greatly missed. anyone notice how prophetic this song is/was to both canada, as well as worldwide?

[sebradfield]

I first heard 'Early Morning Rain' in 1968, but wasn't a true fan until I saw him in Salt Lake City in '77. I've made a point of buying every album since. One of the all-time greats.

[IncredableDrE]

I listened to this song while riding my bicycle down the abandoned railroad bed at Algonquin park. Its a good song

[mikastu]

tell me that didn't just bring tears to your eyes!!!



[zerotolerance4u]

@mikastu It did. It always does.

[twoee999]

Simply the best!

[IMperfectlive]

another under rated genius

[BadLieut17]

Frikkin' incredible ... sums up the totality of Canada in the most brilliant way, ever ... thanks Gordie, wherever you are ...

[tapper1477]

Fantastic.

[beaupride9]

No flashing lights, no dancers, no bullshit. Pure talent.. This is as good as it gets..

[7761864]

@beaupride9

I couldn't agree more with that statement. I once heard him say at a concert,"you didn't pay good money to hear me talk"

[Spiritdancedogs]

GREAT song and voice of Canada. Why is it not viewed more! I just posted this to my FB wall. Thanks for sharing.

[PREGO1966]

"There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run"

[whiskeyjack57]

I sure miss this kind of raw, no-pretense talent.

[ahmamike]

Thank You. It means so much to me. I saw Gordon for the first time in 1970 and since then many times all across North America.

[Danh103663]

I grew up across Lake Ontario from Toronto and remember hearing this song on CHUM-FM. I learned a great deal about Canadian geography from this song and still love it to this day!

[susancanadamorrier]

lightfoot at his bet.  this song breaks my heart.

[chuck8917]

This is the best one on this sight. glad I looked farther on.

[EnnySteffens]

I'm from Germany, and I've been in Canada last year because my godfather is living there.

First, I thought:

what the fuck! that's the music for an old man, but not for a young father.

The time came, that I fell in love in the song.

and now, i love this song, and i'm only 16 years old, but not an old man..!

[jrushmen]

This is absolutely fantastic ! Thank you so very much for this incredible version !

[Silvermac27]

This is brilliant,thanks for posting.