Evelyn Day 47
Good morning, everybody!
(Sometimes I’d like to open with “Good news, everybody”, and see how many people say they read that hearing the Professor’s voice from “Futurama”. If you did, you are my special friend)
It is 2 May 2023. I start a three-day virtual get-together with my teammates starting in a few hours, hopefully just as my morning coffee is reaching peak effectiveness. I’ve got a chicken-bacon ranch salad on standby in case of an emergency.
Read this morning of the passing of someone I consider to be a legend. Gordon Lightfoot passed at the age of 84. He was a singer and songwriter, known for writing songs for others and kicking out a few pretty good songs on his own as well. I think the first song of his I recall hearing was “If You Could Read My Mind”.
“If you could read my mind, love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old-time movie
‘Bout a ghost from a wishin’ well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free
As long as I’m a ghost you can’t see”
He had a number of other great songs, like “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown”. My favorite, however, became a huge hit while I was in 7th grade, about 12 or 13 years old, and this eery and sad song came on the air about a ship on Lake Superior. It was a haunting melody, with compelling lyrics about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It was likely his biggest hit and the first song I ever recall being written of such a tragedy. This was in an era when lots of performers had songs with sad lyrics and melodies – think “Seasons in the Sun” by Terry Jacks, or “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey.
One thing I do recall from that time. I regularly wrote a bit for the 8th-grade newspaper, just regurgitating the Guinness Book of World Records that I thought was interesting. Primarily, the whole point was to get out of class and duck the ridicule of classmates (one in particular), but any library time is a good time. If you can find a copy of the Guinness Book of World Records from that era, you might find an entry about “jive” dancing. I recall Gordon Lightfoot was the record holder, having danced continuously for a protracted period of time. I can’t find a reference to it right now… but doggone it, I know it’s there.
Thank you for the songs, Mr. Lightfoot.
I hope the world is treating you better than you deserve.
Peace y’all.
(255) “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” – Gordon Lightfoot (HD w/ Lyrics) – YouTube
