The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Gordon Lightfoot

About The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is a song written, composed, and performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot to commemorate the sinking of the bulk carrier SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. Lightfoot drew his inspiration from Newsweek's article on the event, "The Cruelest Month", which it published in its November 24, 1975, issue. Lightfoot considers this song to be his finest work. Appearing originally on Lightfoot's 1976 album Summertime Dream, the single version hit number 1 in his native Canada (in the RPM national singles survey) on November 20, 1976, barely a year after the disaster. In the United States, it reached number 1 in Cashbox and number 2 for two weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 (behind Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night"), making it Lightfoot's second-most-successful single, behind only "Sundown". Overseas it was at best a minor hit, peaking at number 40 in the UK Singles Chart. The song is written in Dorian mode. Lightfoot re-recorded the song in 1988 for the compilation album Gord's Gold, Vol. 2. 


Year:
1976
21,430 
#19

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The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'gitche gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early

The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashin'
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin'
Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya
At seven pm a main hatchway caved in, he said
Fellas, it's been good t'know ya
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searches all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her
They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters

Lake Huron rolls, superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the maritime sailors' cathedral
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'gitche gumee'
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early

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Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. CC OOnt (born November 17, 1938) is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s. He has been referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter and internationally as a folk-rock legend. more »

21 fans

Written by: Gordon Lightfoot

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Background Facts
The song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is written, composed and performed by Canadian singer-songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot. - Lightfoot released the song in 1976 on his album named "Summertime Dream." - The song ushered his commercial peak in the United States by climbing to number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Inspiration
The song chronicles the true incident of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a bulk freighter, on Lake Superior, during November 1975. - The tragic incident led to the death of 29 crew members on board, and no bodies were recovered.
Composition
The song runs for approximately 6 minutes and 28 seconds, offering a haunting, melancholic melody paired with a detailed narrative. - The music uniquely features a 12-string acoustic guitar, creating a distinctive, repeating riff.
Reception
The song is considered one of Gordon Lightfoot's best and most popular works and has received considerable praise for its lyrical complexity. - In 2016, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Cultural Impact
The ballad has been covered by several artists over the years, reiterating its impact and relevance in the music industry. - It has also been used in multiple films and TV shows, elevating its popularity.
Legacy
Lightfoot's song is believed to have played a significant role in promoting awareness about maritime safety, resulting in updated regulations and policies. - The song has become an anthem of sorts for the Great Lakes and has helped keep the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald alive to this day.
Live Performances
Gordon Lightfoot has been performing this song for many years, and it is often a highlight of his live concerts. - He usually introduces the song by paying tribute to the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald and their families.

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    The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1976

    Billboard #2


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