Tuesday, May 02, 2023

"So I'd best be on my way In the early morning rain"

 
Sad news today -- Gordon Lightfoot has passed. 
I included some tweets and songs of his in a post from September, when he was at the CNE
Here are some of tonight's best tweets: He was a storyteller as well as a poet and songwriter. 

"And many are the dead men, too silent to be real"  

 "through the smoke and cinders 
You can hear it far and wide 
The doors are quickly bolted 
And the children locked inside"  

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes 
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"


8 comments:

Cap said...

Thanks for this, Cathie. It's a sad day. Gordon Lightfoot's music was often on the radio as I was growing up. Later, I had no time for that as I gravitated to Rush, Max Webster, 54-40, Chilliwack, BTO, and so on.

But about 30 years ago, I was on a train from Nagoya to Tokyo, and I sat down beside the only other obvious foreigner. We nodded, and as I could hear Sundown leaking from the earbuds of his Walkman, I asked if he was Canadian. He was, of course, and was playing a Gord's Gold CD. He passed me an earbud and we chatted while listening to this Canadian icon for the next hour and a half. It was a surreal experience.

I went to uni with Gord's son, and haven't heard from him since. Seems like a good time to look him up and offer condolences.

zoombats said...

Truly a sad day. At sixty nine years of age Gordon Lightfoot has been a part of my up bringing. His music was wide spread and I remember feeling a strong sense of pride during my seven years in Hong Kong hearing him on the radio constantly.

Anonymous said...

A tragic loss of a national treasure. Condolences to his family and friends. Although countless other artists covered his songs, my favourite interpreter was Tony Rice, who also left us far too early.

Cathie from Canada said...

I am struck by the poetry in his lyrics. He had such range. Its fascinating to look at Google News and see how many people were affected by his death - there have been news stories from around the world.

the salamander said...

I believe Brad Wheeler clearly fabricated that Tweet..
I suggested he re-write or delete it
My lips are sealed but that didn’t happen
not like that .. he was notified by phone

Bernie Fiedler a huge & close pal
but only Promoted the Massey Hall dates
& early Riverboat gigs way way back

Gord was doing 60-75 Concerts annually
via Promoters in Canada, US & other Internationals
so many dozens of Promoters

The absurd myth that he was Gord’s Manager
is simply Bernie’s myth.. and arrogance

����‍☠️ .. the salamander ..

Cathie from Canada said...

Thanks for the info, salamandar. It was such a great quote - "we've had a good run" -- but perhaps too pat to be real!
It amazed me that Lightfoot was still performing but obviously he loved doing it and sharing his gift with the world.

the salamander said...

Oh I believe the quote.. of course Gord would say that
among other great tales that Bernie can tell..
and he’s surely devastated.. such great pals
It’s Brad Wheeler I take issue with ..
fabricating a breathless melodrama
That’s plain tasteless

Gord Lightfoot could no longer tour..
had the best of care, love, loyalty, admiration
Family, friends, his band, his team .. his ‘footies’ too

I too ‘have had a great run - at only seventy one’
& you may quote me.. on that

Unknown said...

Ai Cover letter - https://simplified.com/?fpr=varun39