About The Song

Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”

“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a narrative ballad written by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. The song tells the story of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a Great Lakes freighter that went down in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, with the loss of all 29 crew members.

Lightfoot wrote the song after reading about the disaster in a newspaper. He was struck by the tragedy of the story and wanted to write a song that would commemorate the lost sailors. The song was released in 1976 and quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Canadian charts and Top 10 in the United States.

“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a powerful and moving song that captures the tragedy of the disaster. Lightfoot’s lyrics are vivid and descriptive, and his melody is haunting and memorable. The song has been praised by critics and fans alike, and it is considered one of Lightfoot’s best songs.

The song’s popularity has helped to keep the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald alive. It has been covered by many other artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and The Tragically Hip. The song has also been featured in several films and television shows.

“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a more than just a song about a disaster. It is a song about loss, grief, and the power of the human spirit. It is a song that will continue to be sung and remembered for many years to come.

Here are some of the key elements of the song:

• The song is a narrative ballad, which means that it tells a story.
• The story is about the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a Great Lakes freighter that went down in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, with the loss of all 29 crew members.
• The song was written by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot.
• The song was released in 1976 and quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Canadian charts and Top 10 in the United States.
• The song is considered one of Lightfoot’s best songs.
• The song’s popularity has helped to keep the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald alive.

Here are some additional details about the song:

• The song is based on a real event, but Lightfoot took some liberties with the story. For example, he changed the name of the ship’s captain from Ernest McSorley to William Leitch.
• The song is sung from the perspective of a fictional observer who watches the ship sink.
• The song’s lyrics are full of vivid imagery and symbolism. For example, the ship is described as a “ghost ship” and a “steel leviathan.”
• The song’s melody is haunting and memorable. It has been described as a “dirge” and a “lament.”

The song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a powerful and moving ballad that tells the story of a tragic disaster. It is a song that will continue to be sung and remembered for many years to come.

Video