US Navy Veteran. Storms at sea will make you believe in God. I remember the news about the search. When Gordon Lightfoot died, they rang the bell 30 times. He will always be held in the hearts of all mariners as a member of the crew.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in a storm on Lake Superior on Nov 10, 1975. It was carrying 26,116 tons of taconite pellets when it went down 17 miles from Whitefish Point. All 29 crewmen aboard were lost. Since recording the song which was nominated for 2 Grammys, he has changed a couple of the lyrics in his live shows to be a little bit more accurate with some of the minor details. The cause has never been determined, but the current thinking as of 2010 is that 3 rogue waves hit the ship. Every year on the anniversary, the the Mariners Church of Detroit holds a service to honor the lives lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald. The ceremony is not open to the public, as only family members are permitted to attend. A bell tolls 29 times for each life lost during the disaster. Because of COVID, they held the ceremony online and opened it to the public. When Gordon Lightfoot died, the Mariners Church in Detroit rang their bells 30 times. 29 times for every man lost and once for Gordon Lightfoot.
My father worked on the boats as a cook for many years.....including the Fitz.... I've been aboard her a few times myself.... We knew many of the men personally...... Rest in Peace.... Michael Armagost- 37- Third Mate- Iron River, Wisconsin Fred Beetcher- 56- Porter- Superior, Wisconsin Thomas Bentsen- 23- Oiler- St. Joseph, Michigan Edward Bindon -47- First Asst. Engineer- Fairport Harbor, Ohio Thomas Borgeson -41- Maintenance Man- Duluth, Minnesota Oliver Champeau- 41-Third Asst. Engineer- Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Nolan Church -55 -Porter -Silver Bay, Minnesota Ransom Cundy- 53- Watchman- Superior, Wisconsin Thomas Edwards-50- Second Asst. Engineer- Oregon, Ohio Russell Haskell -40- Second Asst. Engineer- Millbury, Ohio George Holl -60- Chief Engineer- Cabot, Pennsylvania Bruce Hudson- 22- Deck Hand -North Olmsted, Ohio Allen Kalmon -43- Second Cook- Washburn, Wisconsin Gordon MacLellan- 30- Wiper- Clearwater, Florida Joseph Mazes- 59- Special Maintenance Man -Ashland, Wisconsin John McCarthy -62-First Mate -Bay Village, Ohio Ernest McSorley -63 -Captain -Toledo, Ohio Eugene O'Brien- 50- Wheelsman -Toledo, Ohio Karl Peckol -20- Watchman -Ashtabula, Ohio John Poviach -59- Wheelsman- Bradenton, Florida James Pratt -44- Second Mate- Lakewood, Ohio Robert Rafferty -62 -Steward -Toledo, Ohio Paul Riippa -22 -Deck Hand -Ashtabula, Ohio John Simmons -63 -Wheelsman -Ashland, Wisconsin William Spengler -59- Watchman- Toledo, Ohio Mark Thomas -21- Deck Hand- Richmond Heights, Ohio Ralph Walton -58- Oiler- Fremont, Ohio David Weiss -22 -Cadet -Agoura, California Blaine Wilhelm -52- Oiler- Moquah, Wisconsin
Thank you for the names of these men. I have grown up on this song and wish nothing but the best for the wives the sons and the daughters. Rip to them all.
Lake Superior is ice cold year-round. It's so cold that bacteria don't build up in the bodies of drowning victims, so the bodies don't float. That's why "the lake never gives up her dead."
One of the best reactions to this song. You get it. Thank you. I'm a retired Merchant Marine Captain and, yes, you never think a trip won't end successfully. "Boys it's been good to know you". Again, you get it. Keep the faith brother.
I was so sad to hear of Gordon Lightfoot's passing away recently. Loved his music. One of the best songwriters & storytellers. He was a Canadian legend. This song is a beautiful tribute & is based on a true story & the lyrics tell the sad tale of the sinking of the ship & loss of lives in 1975. Gordon Lightfoot has had many hits through his long career such as "If You Could Read My Mind", "Sundown", "Early Morning Rain", "Steel Rail Blues", "Ribbon Of Darkness", "Carefree Highway", "Rainy Day People", "Cotton Jenny", "Black Day In July", "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" etc.
I was in the Navy in the 70's on an old WWII destroyer, also called tin cans. They are slender ships sometime it felt like we were part submarine because we usd to hit horrible storms in the north pacific, waves would be in the 40' range. The captain would turn the ship into the waves and we would literally go through the waves. I've seen huge landing craft ships that came back from storms with all the windows on the bridge blown out, and the bridge was 60' above the water. Yeah, storms like that will scare you like nothing else could.
The wreck was a big deal in Detroit. I was a kid when this happened, yet the date is still etched into my mind. Gordon Lightfoot did an amazing job telling the story and bringing it to so many more people.
In Nov '69, my ship the USS Yellowstone AD-27 left Mayport, FL for the Med. We rode the edge of a major Nor'easter. While standing watch on the bridge, I saw that we were within 2 degrees of our redline. There was a Destroyer over a day behind me and they came within 1 degree of their redline.
The lake is so deep and cold that bodies don't decompose. Those sailors are still down there. Rip and prayers for their families. Peace from Northern Michigan. Love your reaction!
No bacteria or animals to disturb them. I think it’s important to remember there are actually thousands of bodies down there from today to pre-history.
The Great lakes around Michigan has the most ship wrecks then any ocean or sea.. I live on the Great Lakes and you respect the water! This is a true story about the Edmund Fitzgerald.
A beautiful but hauntingly sad song. Lightfoot was a real talent; he put you there in the water on that ship. I was alive back when this happened, when this ship sank up in Lake Superior. It was sad when I saw the news But, it was remote for me until I heard this song. Then, when I heard that line "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours", well crap, it just chilled me to the bone. It still disturbs me when I hear it.
Thanks for covering a legendary song. Lightfoot made a touching tribute to those who were lost, and then gave all of the proceeds from this song to the families impacted. This one really hits you in the gut. In another reaction to this song I saw a couple of comments from men who were working at the dock where they were expected. Their boss asked them to stay late because the Edmund Fitzgerald was running late. They waited and waited...but the ship was lost. People who were affected by this tragedy are still around.
RIP to the 29 crew members and to Gordon...The church bell chimes 29 times plus one for Gordon now...I was about 9 when this happened and I still remember it being on the news...I do my best to play this song every Nov. 10th.
The bell for the Edmund Fitzgerald is rung 30 times to commemorate the lives lost in the sinking, and sometimes a 31st ring is added to honor others, as it was the year of Lightfoot's death.
I was a child when this happened. From Michigan, my dad really took this hard. He talked about this all the time. He died a few years ago at the age of 93. This song reminds me of him and all the families . Truly a tragedy
I remember this incident luke it was yesterday. I just moved to Miami from Tallahassee when that happened. I remember watching the memorial service on the news.
I grew up with Gordon Lightfoot being played on the stereo by my older brother when I first heard this song I was 13 years old and went straight to my school library looking for information on this ship they had nothing and since then I became a huge history nut and still am at 62yrs old Gordon lightfoot is a part of Canadas history musical D.N A my parents would go on their boats with us all through the Trent canal up to Georgian bay and from lake ontario all the way to lake simcoe I was thought at a very young age how to respect the lakes and in all weather and all types of seas I owned three cabin cruisers also and never forgot those rules of the water even the small lake Simcoe can get nasty in a hurry
Gordon passed, a little while back, and they hold the memorial for the Fitz, every year, and when they ring the bell 29 times....they ring it one more time to honor Gordon for all his generosity (all the proceeds from that song went to the families of the crew! Read the history of Gordon and this song. You will not be disappointed.....
This is untrue. He was close to the families and set up a scholarship for the children, but did not donate all royalties. Google it. The bell for the Edmund Fitzgerald is rung 30 times to commemorate the lives lost in the sinking, and sometimes a 31st ring is added to honor others.
Yes ! You are so right in saying the music is tribal. Good ear. In Canada ...we regard the haunting music ..in between the verses as a moment to just think and honor the 29 men on board..and the tragedy that was happening in real time. God bless their souls and their families ❤ Thank you for listening to this song ❤ 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ❤
When this comes on in the car I can’t get out until it ends . Respect I think for all the above . This is a true story and he donated all proceeds to the families .
So good, Greg.. Thank you! I was very young when this happened.. When this song came out, I told my father I really liked it. He went on to explain that it was a real event and that I should feel for those who work hard at risk and the families they have.. I think it was the most compassionate conversation I ever had with my father. He was corporate executive and had seemingly little empathy to those who 'worked' for a living.. xo
This is one of my absolute favorite songs ever done by Gordon Lightfoot... the families gave their approval when they heard it I understand...The great Lakes are just like being on the open ocean...they are huge and the weather deadly...I can't imagine knowing your going to drown in the gale winds and freezing ice... at least with the cold people probably died of exposure first...1975 loss of The Edmund Fitzgerald...Gordon took care of the families with proceeds set aside for them.
I've rarely watched these kind of videos until I came across your channel. You are so genuine! You listen to the music and lyrics without prejudice, and give very heartfelt reactions. Thank you for giving an old guy hope in the young people of our great country! 🤠❤️🇺🇲
I live right on Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. This happened when I was a junior in high school, this song got quite a bit of air play. Later I would experience the fear of every sailor when I was in the Marine Corp, On our way to the Philippines, we had to navigate through a typhoon. Man those seas were scary as hell!
I grew up on the shores of Lake Superior, and there are museums all over up there with memorabilia from the shipping industry there, especially "The Fitz".
Thank you Greg, I always appreciate you really taking the time to truly listen to the lyrics - you felt the gravity and heartbreak of this song. Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian music legend and still did concerts in his latter years. He was our 🇨🇦 (unofficial) poet laureate and a truly gifted story-teller and song-writer.
A family member of mine was captain on a ship close by that same time. They couldn’t reach the Edmund Fitzgerald in time. They thought they would sink too. He cries every time he tells that story. November 10, 1975.
Just turned 50 last year on the 29th. I went to the whitefish bay museum and saw the bell. Gordon Lightfoot passed that same year. Such a sad and haunting song. Lake Superior is a massive lake that’s more like an ocean.
The Great Lakes have over 6000 wrecks on their bottoms. Superior doesn't give up her dead because it's so deep and so cold bodies don't float. The wreck is a graveyard and diving to it is forbidden. It lies on the Canadian side of the lake. Gordon Lightfoot is beloved in Canada. His death saddens us all!!!
Michigan is proud of our Native American past and the native peoples. Proud to be a Michigander and this was a huge tragedy for us all in the 70s. We still honor the dead every year. RIP
All the proceeds that Gordon got from this song went to the families of those that were on that ship. It's a very eerie song but, Gordon was a master of words and music. What a tribute to the brave men on that ship. Have a great day!
I was workung with a bunch of yuppers on a job one time. I attended their memorial on the anniversary of the Edmond Fitzgerald. Every single one of them had lost at leaast one family member in this. It was a very somber night as they all named off their family members.
For those who don't know... the Great Lakes are larger in sheer size than most states. It's more accurate to think of them all as freshwater oceans. Their very presence so close together bends the jet stream and ends up creating unique weather effects to the region. Ask a fisherman, or Navy soldier or veteran, what "the scariest thing is when at sea" - it's the weather... and weather's also something the Great Lakes are known for. As an example, in winter here, there's potential for what's called "lake effect" snow - because the Great Lakes are a moderator to drops in local temperature, they can hold on to blizzards in that -2 to -7°C (65-50F) range for enormous snow squalls. Each of the Great Lakes handles it's weather differently too, as if they have personalities to them. For example, Georgian Bay - a gigantic offshoot of Lake Huron - is relatively shallow with rocky bottom throughout... which makes waves easy to whip up. Bad winds alone can turn a day from calm water to dangerous waves - and by that I mean sharp-tipped 2-7ft whitecaps - in hours... ...but when it comes to dangerous weather, Lake Superior aka "Gitche Gumi" is the most notorious. Late fall is brutal for a type of storm nicknamed "the Witch" that will form from "nothing on the forecast" one day to "30ft monsters" the next. Finally, the reason why Lightfoot sings "she never gives up her dead" is that Lake Superior is the only Great Lake cold enough all-year to prevent a body's decomposing. So, if you drown in Lake Superior... you'll never float back to the surface again
He sings the phrase "the witch of November". That refers to the strong winds that blow across the great lakes in autumn when the weather starts to get cold. Low pressure on the lakes pull Canadian and Arctic air from the north and warm air from the south, and this clash of winds creates destructive hurricane force winds that ships on the lakes often have to contend with. It wasn't an actual hurricane, that's only on the oceans. But the winds get close to those of a hurricane. This was the case with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, and all 29 crew members on board went down with the ship. I had just turned 7 years old 2 and a half weeks before the ship sank on November 10, 1975 and I remember it well because they played the song on the radio all the time. It is not even close to some of the worst shipping disasters of all time, but because of Lightfoot's song, it became ingrained into the public consciousness to this day.
Minnesota here. They play this song every year to this day in Minnesota on the anniversary of the wreck. Top o the hour every hour on that anniversary, and they still gather in the Harbor on the anniversary, which GREATLY creeps me out. They're gathered there like they're still waiting for them to come home. It was, sadly, decided that their bodies would be left in the wreck, together forever. Lake Superior is so cold, the bodies never expand with gases. They never float to the top. That's what he means when the singer says "she never gives up her dead." The water's too cold. They stay down there, in the cold, dark water, nearly frozen, never floating. Creepy ass song, creepy ass memorials every year, and creepy ass situation that they're alllllll still down there. EEsh. Still, Minnesota never forgets. And everyone from Minnesota knows when the storm is coming from the north in November, you're fucked. Truly fucked. The museum shows the pictures of the Edmund when they found it. It had been SPIKED to the bottom so hard and so fast (full load of iron ore) that the bitch broke into 3 pieces. Get OUT the way when Northern winds come in November in MN, y'all. No joke.
Nice job with this difficult story. We lost a young man from our small town in Michigan on this night. I remember going down to the lake, about 2 miles from my home, to look at the waves. We knew nothing of the wreck at that hour but it was a fearsome night to be anywhere near Lake Michigan and, I assume, Lake Superior.
the song is done in a Irish Sea Shanty beat, that is the tribal beat you hear. The waves on Lake Superior are supposed to have been 30-40 feet or higher that night. They still don't know what sunk the ship, but the Coast Guard said it was the hatch, but it was found out later it wasn't the case. They also don't know what did sink it. The best guess is from the Captain that was on the ship behind, it looked like the Edmund hit a shoal and was taking on some water (but that alone wouldn't sink it) but the added weight might have contributed to her riding lower. Just to let you know, the Captain was on his last voyage, he was retiring after the Ore was dropped off in Detroit, and docked in Cleveland for the winter. All the Great Lakes are actually inland seas, but Lake Superior is by far the largest. All the other 4 could fit inside of her. Some other facts, all the radar on the ship was knocked out. The captain was being sent directions by the ship behind him. If it wasn't for the ship behind, they might not have made it that far. The Ship the Arthur M. Anderson, made it through the storm, and every man when asked to go look for survivors of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Only 1 man refused to go back out. No body was ever recovered, no lifeboat launched, only debris was ever found. Being on the great lakes, this is one of the most told stories when i was growing up, the song is played all the time on the date and time of the ship going down, and i have been to the museum that has the bell. thank you for the reaction.
It's a true story. It happened in 1975 on Lake Superior. I remember the news. They had ships, planes, and helicopters searching for them. It was a huge cargo ship, but they couldn't find it. Later, they found the ship broken in half on the bottom of Lake Superior. Gordon Lightfoot talked to all of the families before he wrote this song.
@@terripanzarella6832 I couldn't remember the year. I only remember that I was in high school when it happened so I went online check to the year. Of course, facts online are pretty much worth the same as a grain of rice.
There was a severe thunderstorm forecast to move south of Lake Superior. After the Edmund Fitzgerald set sail, the weather turned to go directly over Lake Superior, catching her in open water with waves up to 50 feet and winds up to 90 mph. She was travelling the same route with another freighter, the Arthur M Anderson. They kept in contact, and when the Fitz lost her electronics, the Anderson used hers to assist them. The captain of the Fitz said that they had water coming in, had developed a list, and were using bilge pumps to keep water out. The Anderson asked them how they were doing, and the last report from the Fitgerald's skipper was "We're holding our own". It was shortly after that the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared from the Anderson's radar. The Anderson reported the Fitz missing and was able to reach shelter at Whitefish Bay, but had taken a beating. The Coast Guard was swamped by distress calls and asked the Anderson to go back out and search for survivors. The skipper put it up to the crew and they voted to go back. So, this battered ship, who had been safely in port, went back out into the storm, leading the search. All they found were the remains of a lifeboat and debris. No one knows exactly what happened, even after almost 50 years, because there was no distress call. The Arthur M Anderson is still sailing on the Great Lakes, hauling cargo, a living legend of survival and heroism.
That actually happened in the Great lakes. They were just shy of getting to detroit. Those lake, so deep and cool, most are not recovered. When they say the winds of November come calling and the hurricane West winds, the storms on the Great lakes are different from the storms on the ocean. Because on the ocean you can go around the storms on the Great lakes you can't go around them you have to go through them. And from what I'm told most of the captains of the Great lakes ships they are greatly wanted on the ocean because they can handle the ships better.
Grew up in Michigan! Love it!!!!! Love reaction!!! ♥♥♥ Maybe listen .... Mans world James Brown and Pavarotti ????? :) ♥♥♥AND, or... Victor Wooten bass music????????? :) Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14
Several factors make Lake Superior dangerous. It is huge and pretty much landocked except for the several inflow rivers and its one primary outflow river that feeds Lake Huron. Lake Superior alone holds 10% of the entire world's fresh water and is almost the size of Ireland and has a maximum depth of 1332 feet resulting in quite cold water temperatures. The breaking of its waves come faster than ocean waves because of being basically landocked so they bounce off each shoreline faster. With added rapid weather and low pressure systems developing suddenly, and the many different structural aspects of Superiors shorelines and its lakebed, waves can reach 25 feet or taller when factoring in other conditions like weather, wind speed, and its strong currents, etc. all enter into the development of very hazardous conditions. Weather can change rapidly, visibility fall to almost nothing as temperatures drop suddenly causing the lake effect, and waves become much more powerful, much larger, or rogue waves easily can develop and catch seasoned mariners by surprise. Add to all that the fact that sea water, because of its salt content is more bouyant than freah water...and Lake Superior, and her sisters are all fresh water lakes. The potential for tragic circumatances is a reality for any professional sailors or even recreational boaters that have it's shores in sight. This song always brings tears to my eyes with the lines...Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours.... And the two stanzas of...And all that remains is the faces and the names Of the wives and the sons and the daughters. My heart breaks for the mariners, and their families everytime i hear those words.
Great Lakes especially Superior are not a walk in the park. If you talk to most sailors they do not take the next day for granted, especially on the water. The Great Lakes are like small oceans.
This song is sad but we need to remember these guys. Think how terrifying it must be an 🎉 hour or 2 ahead of time when you know you and your friends are all going to die.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 84 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องศึก vs เมืองไทย"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3kuzsAIDf1c/mqdefault.jpg)
US Navy Veteran. Storms at sea will make you believe in God. I remember the news about the search. When Gordon Lightfoot died, they rang the bell 30 times. He will always be held in the hearts of all mariners as a member of the crew.
The man who wrote 'Amazing Grace' first believed during a storm on the ocean. There's more to that story of course, but yeah.
Couple other places too fox holes and under ground mining
I love the video
I never felt unsafe on a navy ship. And being in early 90s and huge swells . If i was on the edmond fg, i woulda pointed out stuff..
Thank you for your service.
True story and all proceeds were donated to the families
He did not. He started a scholarship fund for the children, and kept in touch with the families, but he did not donate all the proceeds. Google it.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in a storm on Lake Superior on Nov 10, 1975. It was carrying 26,116 tons of taconite pellets when it went down 17 miles from Whitefish Point. All 29 crewmen aboard were lost. Since recording the song which was nominated for 2 Grammys, he has changed a couple of the lyrics in his live shows to be a little bit more accurate with some of the minor details. The cause has never been determined, but the current thinking as of 2010 is that 3 rogue waves hit the ship.
Every year on the anniversary, the the Mariners Church of Detroit holds a service to honor the lives lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald. The ceremony is not open to the public, as only family members are permitted to attend. A bell tolls 29 times for each life lost during the disaster. Because of COVID, they held the ceremony online and opened it to the public.
When Gordon Lightfoot died, the Mariners Church in Detroit rang their bells 30 times. 29 times for every man lost and once for Gordon Lightfoot.
When Gordon Lightfoot died, they rang the bell 30 times in his honor.
No , a ring of the bell once for every crewman. And one ring for Gordon.
Gordon Lightfoot was a wonderful storyteller. Every time I hear this song I get chills. Always have.
My father worked on the boats as a cook for many years.....including the Fitz....
I've been aboard her a few times myself....
We knew many of the men personally......
Rest in Peace....
Michael Armagost- 37- Third Mate- Iron River, Wisconsin
Fred Beetcher- 56- Porter- Superior, Wisconsin
Thomas Bentsen- 23- Oiler- St. Joseph, Michigan
Edward Bindon -47- First Asst. Engineer- Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Thomas Borgeson -41- Maintenance Man- Duluth, Minnesota
Oliver Champeau- 41-Third Asst. Engineer- Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Nolan Church -55 -Porter -Silver Bay, Minnesota
Ransom Cundy- 53- Watchman- Superior, Wisconsin
Thomas Edwards-50- Second Asst. Engineer- Oregon, Ohio
Russell Haskell -40- Second Asst. Engineer- Millbury, Ohio
George Holl -60- Chief Engineer- Cabot, Pennsylvania
Bruce Hudson- 22- Deck Hand -North Olmsted, Ohio
Allen Kalmon -43- Second Cook- Washburn, Wisconsin
Gordon MacLellan- 30- Wiper- Clearwater, Florida
Joseph Mazes- 59- Special Maintenance Man -Ashland, Wisconsin
John McCarthy -62-First Mate -Bay Village, Ohio
Ernest McSorley -63 -Captain -Toledo, Ohio
Eugene O'Brien- 50- Wheelsman -Toledo, Ohio
Karl Peckol -20- Watchman -Ashtabula, Ohio
John Poviach -59- Wheelsman- Bradenton, Florida
James Pratt -44- Second Mate- Lakewood, Ohio
Robert Rafferty -62 -Steward -Toledo, Ohio
Paul Riippa -22 -Deck Hand -Ashtabula, Ohio
John Simmons -63 -Wheelsman -Ashland, Wisconsin
William Spengler -59- Watchman- Toledo, Ohio
Mark Thomas -21- Deck Hand- Richmond Heights, Ohio
Ralph Walton -58- Oiler- Fremont, Ohio
David Weiss -22 -Cadet -Agoura, California
Blaine Wilhelm -52- Oiler- Moquah, Wisconsin
🙏🙏🙏😥 May they rest in peace... blessings
Thank you for sharing their names.
Thank you for the names of these men. I have grown up on this song and wish nothing but the best for the wives the sons and the daughters. Rip to them all.
Largest ship lost on the Great lakes. 1975 - 29 people lost on Lake Superior.
Lake Superior is ice cold year-round. It's so cold that bacteria don't build up in the bodies of drowning victims, so the bodies don't float. That's why "the lake never gives up her dead."
The "wreck" is considered a grave and can't be scavenged.
You're correct! I also believe there is a million dollar fine for a violation.
One of the best reactions to this song. You get it. Thank you.
I'm a retired Merchant Marine Captain and, yes, you never think a trip won't end successfully.
"Boys it's been good to know you".
Again, you get it.
Keep the faith brother.
Amen!!
Maybe the Best story ever told in a song.
I am from Michigan and am a distant cousin to one of the crew. It was so cold that night very sad. RIP GL.
So sad and sorry for your historical loss.
I was so sad to hear of Gordon Lightfoot's passing away recently. Loved his music. One of the best songwriters & storytellers. He was a Canadian legend. This song is a beautiful tribute & is based on a true story & the lyrics tell the sad tale of the sinking of the ship & loss of lives in 1975. Gordon Lightfoot has had many hits through his long career such as "If You Could Read My Mind", "Sundown", "Early Morning Rain", "Steel Rail Blues", "Ribbon Of Darkness", "Carefree Highway", "Rainy Day People", "Cotton Jenny", "Black Day In July", "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" etc.
I was in the Navy in the 70's on an old WWII destroyer, also called tin cans. They are slender ships sometime it felt like we were part submarine because we usd to hit horrible storms in the north pacific, waves would be in the 40' range. The captain would turn the ship into the waves and we would literally go through the waves. I've seen huge landing craft ships that came back from storms with all the windows on the bridge blown out, and the bridge was 60' above the water. Yeah, storms like that will scare you like nothing else could.
True story.
Every time the chills and the tears. Such a heart-wrenching tragedy.
The wreck was a big deal in Detroit. I was a kid when this happened, yet the date is still etched into my mind. Gordon Lightfoot did an amazing job telling the story and bringing it to so many more people.
In Nov '69, my ship the USS Yellowstone AD-27 left Mayport, FL for the Med. We rode the edge of a major Nor'easter. While standing watch on the bridge, I saw that we were within 2 degrees of our redline. There was a Destroyer over a day behind me and they came within 1 degree of their redline.
The lake is so deep and cold that bodies don't decompose. Those sailors are still down there. Rip and prayers for their families. Peace from Northern Michigan. Love your reaction!
No bacteria or animals to disturb them. I think it’s important to remember there are actually thousands of bodies down there from today to pre-history.
The Great lakes around Michigan has the most ship wrecks then any ocean or sea.. I live on the Great Lakes and you respect the water!
This is a true story about the Edmund Fitzgerald.
A beautiful but hauntingly sad song. Lightfoot was a real talent; he put you there in the water on that ship. I was alive back when this happened, when this ship sank up in Lake Superior. It was sad when I saw the news But, it was remote for me until I heard this song. Then, when I heard that line "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours", well crap, it just chilled me to the bone. It still disturbs me when I hear it.
Such a beautiful tribute to such a terrible tragedy.
Thanks for covering a legendary song. Lightfoot made a touching tribute to those who were lost, and then gave all of the proceeds from this song to the families impacted. This one really hits you in the gut.
In another reaction to this song I saw a couple of comments from men who were working at the dock where they were expected. Their boss asked them to stay late because the Edmund Fitzgerald was running late. They waited and waited...but the ship was lost. People who were affected by this tragedy are still around.
He did not. He started a scholarship fund for the children, and kept in touch with the families, but he did not donate all the proceeds. Google it.
did it without fanfare or glory unlike many today
It is sad, but a wonderful tribute to those who perished.
RIP to the 29 crew members and to Gordon...The church bell chimes 29 times plus one for Gordon now...I was about 9 when this happened and I still remember it being on the news...I do my best to play this song every Nov. 10th.
The bell for the Edmund Fitzgerald is rung 30 times to commemorate the lives lost in the sinking, and sometimes a 31st ring is added to honor others, as it was the year of Lightfoot's death.
Such a tragic true story.
I was a child when this happened. From Michigan, my dad really took this hard. He talked about this all the time. He died a few years ago at the age of 93. This song reminds me of him and all the families . Truly a tragedy
Excellent composition. Lightfoot was a master painter with words and music.
One of my favorite singers and one of my favorite songs!
I remember this incident luke it was yesterday. I just moved to Miami from Tallahassee when that happened. I remember watching the memorial service on the news.
He was an amazing story teller. This is a true story.❤️❤️❤️
I grew up with Gordon Lightfoot being played on the stereo by my older brother when I first heard this song I was 13 years old and went straight to my school library looking for information on this ship they had nothing and since then I became a huge history nut and still am at 62yrs old Gordon lightfoot is a part of Canadas history musical D.N A my parents would go on their boats with us all through the Trent canal up to Georgian bay and from lake ontario all the way to lake simcoe I was thought at a very young age how to respect the lakes and in all weather and all types of seas I owned three cabin cruisers also and never forgot those rules of the water even the small lake Simcoe can get nasty in a hurry
I have always loved this song.❇ riding the great lakes can be hard.
Canada's National Treasure ❤ RIP
Gordon passed, a little while back, and they hold the memorial for the Fitz, every year, and when they ring the bell 29 times....they ring it one more time to honor Gordon for all his generosity (all the proceeds from that song went to the families of the crew! Read the history of Gordon and this song. You will not be disappointed.....
This is untrue. He was close to the families and set up a scholarship for the children, but did not donate all royalties. Google it. The bell for the Edmund Fitzgerald is rung 30 times to commemorate the lives lost in the sinking, and sometimes a 31st ring is added to honor others.
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian icon.
I am old enough to remember this happening. Gordon Lightfoot's tribute is beautiful and haunting.
Yes ! You are so right in saying the music is tribal. Good ear.
In Canada ...we regard the haunting music ..in between the verses as a moment to just think and honor the 29 men on board..and the tragedy that was happening in real time.
God bless their souls and their families ❤
Thank you for listening to this song ❤
🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ❤
When this comes on in the car I can’t get out until it ends . Respect I think for all the above . This is a true story and he donated all proceeds to the families .
Gordon Lightfoot is Canadian music royalty. Yes indigenous/tribal drums. Yes a ship. Hauntingly true. November 10, 1975. All crew perished.
So good, Greg.. Thank you! I was very young when this happened.. When this song came out, I told my father I really liked it. He went on to explain that it was a real event and that I should feel for those who work hard at risk and the families they have.. I think it was the most compassionate conversation I ever had with my father. He was corporate executive and had seemingly little empathy to those who 'worked' for a living.. xo
This is one of my absolute favorite songs ever done by Gordon Lightfoot... the families gave their approval when they heard it I understand...The great Lakes are just like being on the open ocean...they are huge and the weather deadly...I can't imagine knowing your going to drown in the gale winds and freezing ice... at least with the cold people probably died of exposure first...1975 loss of The Edmund Fitzgerald...Gordon took care of the families with proceeds set aside for them.
Gordon also had been s sailor so this hit close to home for him when it happened.
I've rarely watched these kind of videos until I came across your channel. You are so genuine! You listen to the music and lyrics without prejudice, and give very heartfelt reactions. Thank you for giving an old guy hope in the young people of our great country! 🤠❤️🇺🇲
I live right on Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. This happened when I was a junior in high school, this song got quite a bit of air play. Later I would experience the fear of every sailor when I was in the Marine Corp, On our way to the Philippines, we had to navigate through a typhoon. Man those seas were scary as hell!
Well done, Sir....excellent reaction. I'm sure you know by now that this is a true story. I was a young teenager when this happened.
Thank you Mr. Lightfoot for not letting this tragedy fade away.
I grew up on the shores of Lake Superior, and there are museums all over up there with memorabilia from the shipping industry there, especially "The Fitz".
Thank you Greg, I always appreciate you really taking the time to truly listen to the lyrics - you felt the gravity and heartbreak of this song. Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian music legend and still did concerts in his latter years. He was our 🇨🇦 (unofficial) poet laureate and a truly gifted story-teller and song-writer.
So sad!
A family member of mine was captain on a ship close by that same time. They couldn’t reach the Edmund Fitzgerald in time. They thought they would sink too. He cries every time he tells that story. November 10, 1975.
I'm old enough to remember when this happened. love your channel, from Ohio
Love the video Greg stay motivated dream big 1 mill on the way
Just turned 50 last year on the 29th. I went to the whitefish bay museum and saw the bell. Gordon Lightfoot passed that same year. Such a sad and haunting song. Lake Superior is a massive lake that’s more like an ocean.
Lightfoot donated all of the proceeds of this song to the families of the 29.
He did not. He started a scholarship fund for the children, and kept in touch with the families, but he did not donate all the proceeds. Google it.
Thanks jumper!! I’m a little older but thanks for your service!!
Some more great songs by him are Sundown. If You Could Read my Mind. Cotton Jenny
The Great Lakes have over 6000 wrecks on their bottoms. Superior doesn't give up her dead because it's so deep and so cold bodies don't float. The wreck is a graveyard and diving to it is forbidden. It lies on the Canadian side of the lake. Gordon Lightfoot is beloved in Canada. His death saddens us all!!!
Gordon Lightfoot said that this was the work he was most proud of! He donated all proceeds from the song to the families of the crew members.💔💖
Michigan is proud of our Native American past and the native peoples. Proud to be a Michigander and this was a huge tragedy for us all in the 70s. We still honor the dead every year. RIP
It has a sea shanty sound to it but slower
All the proceeds that Gordon got from this song went to the families of those that were on that ship. It's a very eerie song but, Gordon was a master of words and music. What a tribute to the brave men on that ship. Have a great day!
I was in grade school when this happened. I remember it. I love this song.
I was workung with a bunch of yuppers on a job one time. I attended their memorial on the anniversary of the Edmond Fitzgerald. Every single one of them had lost at leaast one family member in this. It was a very somber night as they all named off their family members.
The video takes you there😢😢😢.Truelly heartbreaking 💔 9
Amazing how much of history is learned through songs.
This song is about the ship Edmund Fitzgerald that sank in one of the finger lakes. I live by lake Erie in Buffalo we all know this song.
Not a finger lake. The largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior.
Finger lakes?? Lake Superior is where it happened
@@lauradorsey2061 finger lakes? Are you kidding? You don't know Superior is a Great Lake?
Thank you thank you thank you❤
We've all seen video of hurricanes hitting land. ...can you imagine being out on the open water going thru it!?!
For those who don't know... the Great Lakes are larger in sheer size than most states. It's more accurate to think of them all as freshwater oceans. Their very presence so close together bends the jet stream and ends up creating unique weather effects to the region.
Ask a fisherman, or Navy soldier or veteran, what "the scariest thing is when at sea" - it's the weather... and weather's also something the Great Lakes are known for. As an example, in winter here, there's potential for what's called "lake effect" snow - because the Great Lakes are a moderator to drops in local temperature, they can hold on to blizzards in that -2 to -7°C (65-50F) range for enormous snow squalls.
Each of the Great Lakes handles it's weather differently too, as if they have personalities to them. For example, Georgian Bay - a gigantic offshoot of Lake Huron - is relatively shallow with rocky bottom throughout... which makes waves easy to whip up. Bad winds alone can turn a day from calm water to dangerous waves - and by that I mean sharp-tipped 2-7ft whitecaps - in hours...
...but when it comes to dangerous weather, Lake Superior aka "Gitche Gumi" is the most notorious. Late fall is brutal for a type of storm nicknamed "the Witch" that will form from "nothing on the forecast" one day to "30ft monsters" the next.
Finally, the reason why Lightfoot sings "she never gives up her dead" is that Lake Superior is the only Great Lake cold enough all-year to prevent a body's decomposing. So, if you drown in Lake Superior... you'll never float back to the surface again
He sings the phrase "the witch of November". That refers to the strong winds that blow across the great lakes in autumn when the weather starts to get cold. Low pressure on the lakes pull Canadian and Arctic air from the north and warm air from the south, and this clash of winds creates destructive hurricane force winds that ships on the lakes often have to contend with. It wasn't an actual hurricane, that's only on the oceans. But the winds get close to those of a hurricane. This was the case with the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, and all 29 crew members on board went down with the ship. I had just turned 7 years old 2 and a half weeks before the ship sank on November 10, 1975 and I remember it well because they played the song on the radio all the time. It is not even close to some of the worst shipping disasters of all time, but because of Lightfoot's song, it became ingrained into the public consciousness to this day.
Minnesota here. They play this song every year to this day in Minnesota on the anniversary of the wreck. Top o the hour every hour on that anniversary, and they still gather in the Harbor on the anniversary, which GREATLY creeps me out. They're gathered there like they're still waiting for them to come home. It was, sadly, decided that their bodies would be left in the wreck, together forever. Lake Superior is so cold, the bodies never expand with gases. They never float to the top. That's what he means when the singer says "she never gives up her dead." The water's too cold. They stay down there, in the cold, dark water, nearly frozen, never floating. Creepy ass song, creepy ass memorials every year, and creepy ass situation that they're alllllll still down there. EEsh. Still, Minnesota never forgets. And everyone from Minnesota knows when the storm is coming from the north in November, you're fucked. Truly fucked. The museum shows the pictures of the Edmund when they found it. It had been SPIKED to the bottom so hard and so fast (full load of iron ore) that the bitch broke into 3 pieces. Get OUT the way when Northern winds come in November in MN, y'all. No joke.
Thanks!
Nice job with this difficult story. We lost a young man from our small town in Michigan on this night. I remember going down to the lake, about 2 miles from my home, to look at the waves. We knew nothing of the wreck at that hour but it was a fearsome night to be anywhere near Lake Michigan and, I assume, Lake Superior.
My eyes tear up everytime.
the song is done in a Irish Sea Shanty beat, that is the tribal beat you hear.
The waves on Lake Superior are supposed to have been 30-40 feet or higher that night. They still don't know what sunk the ship, but the Coast Guard said it was the hatch, but it was found out later it wasn't the case. They also don't know what did sink it. The best guess is from the Captain that was on the ship behind, it looked like the Edmund hit a shoal and was taking on some water (but that alone wouldn't sink it) but the added weight might have contributed to her riding lower.
Just to let you know, the Captain was on his last voyage, he was retiring after the Ore was dropped off in Detroit, and docked in Cleveland for the winter.
All the Great Lakes are actually inland seas, but Lake Superior is by far the largest. All the other 4 could fit inside of her.
Some other facts, all the radar on the ship was knocked out. The captain was being sent directions by the ship behind him. If it wasn't for the ship behind, they might not have made it that far. The Ship the Arthur M. Anderson, made it through the storm, and every man when asked to go look for survivors of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Only 1 man refused to go back out. No body was ever recovered, no lifeboat launched, only debris was ever found.
Being on the great lakes, this is one of the most told stories when i was growing up, the song is played all the time on the date and time of the ship going down, and i have been to the museum that has the bell.
thank you for the reaction.
It's a true story. It happened in 1975 on Lake Superior. I remember the news. They had ships, planes, and helicopters searching for them. It was a huge cargo ship, but they couldn't find it.
Later, they found the ship broken in half on the bottom of Lake Superior.
Gordon Lightfoot talked to all of the families before he wrote this song.
@@johnstrome007 it was 1973, I believe.
@@terripanzarella6832
I couldn't remember the year. I only remember that I was in high school when it happened so I went online check to the year. Of course, facts online are pretty much worth the same as a grain of rice.
@@johnstrome007 you were right. It was 1975. My bad 😊
The great Lakes are far from the ocean or are they?
Count our blessings bro. Great reaction.
There was a severe thunderstorm forecast to move south of Lake Superior. After the Edmund Fitzgerald set sail, the weather turned to go directly over Lake Superior, catching her in open water with waves up to 50 feet and winds up to 90 mph. She was travelling the same route with another freighter, the Arthur M Anderson. They kept in contact, and when the Fitz lost her electronics, the Anderson used hers to assist them. The captain of the Fitz said that they had water coming in, had developed a list, and were using bilge pumps to keep water out. The Anderson asked them how they were doing, and the last report from the Fitgerald's skipper was "We're holding our own". It was shortly after that the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared from the Anderson's radar. The Anderson reported the Fitz missing and was able to reach shelter at Whitefish Bay, but had taken a beating. The Coast Guard was swamped by distress calls and asked the Anderson to go back out and search for survivors. The skipper put it up to the crew and they voted to go back. So, this battered ship, who had been safely in port, went back out into the storm, leading the search. All they found were the remains of a lifeboat and debris. No one knows exactly what happened, even after almost 50 years, because there was no distress call. The Arthur M Anderson is still sailing on the Great Lakes, hauling cargo, a living legend of survival and heroism.
Such a very sad song. I can't imagine what they went through.
That actually happened in the Great lakes. They were just shy of getting to detroit. Those lake, so deep and cool, most are not recovered. When they say the winds of November come calling and the hurricane West winds, the storms on the Great lakes are different from the storms on the ocean. Because on the ocean you can go around the storms on the Great lakes you can't go around them you have to go through them. And from what I'm told most of the captains of the Great lakes ships they are greatly wanted on the ocean because they can handle the ships better.
Beautiful song and story🙏
Grew up in Michigan! Love it!!!!! Love reaction!!! ♥♥♥ Maybe listen .... Mans world James Brown and Pavarotti ????? :) ♥♥♥AND, or... Victor Wooten bass music????????? :)
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14
I remember when that happened so so sad I fill so bad for them men and their families
Ship in Lake Superior.
❤❤❤❤❤
Mellow Gypsy rhythm. Great for storytelling. 🎧
Superior is spring fed and very cold. An Inland Sea the stormx are Ocean like.
Several factors make Lake Superior dangerous. It is huge and pretty much landocked except for the several inflow rivers and its one primary outflow river that feeds Lake Huron. Lake Superior alone holds 10% of the entire world's fresh water and is almost the size of Ireland and has a maximum depth of 1332 feet resulting in quite cold water temperatures. The breaking of its waves come faster than ocean waves because of being basically landocked so they bounce off each shoreline faster. With added rapid weather and low pressure systems developing suddenly, and the many different structural aspects of Superiors shorelines and its lakebed, waves can reach 25 feet or taller when factoring in other conditions like weather, wind speed, and its strong currents, etc. all enter into the development of very hazardous conditions. Weather can change rapidly, visibility fall to almost nothing as temperatures drop suddenly causing the lake effect, and waves become much more powerful, much larger, or rogue waves easily can develop and catch seasoned mariners by surprise. Add to all that the fact that sea water, because of its salt content is more bouyant than freah water...and Lake Superior, and her sisters are all fresh water lakes. The potential for tragic circumatances is a reality for any professional sailors or even recreational boaters that have it's shores in sight.
This song always brings tears to my eyes with the lines...Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours.... And the two stanzas of...And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters. My heart breaks for the mariners, and their families everytime i hear those words.
🤘🏽⚜️🤘🏽
Does anyone know
Where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Great Lakes especially Superior are not a walk in the park. If you talk to most sailors they do not take the next day for granted, especially on the water. The Great Lakes are like small oceans.
It has an irish folks sound
Lightfoot was the real deal regardless of his song's and historical story telling - of which were mostly true.
yeah this is a true story of a ship that sunk on Lake Superior
Gordon died a couple years ago. The church bell now chimes 30 times.
To this day, whenever a Navy or Coast Guard ship passes over the site of the wreckage, they blow their horn in tribute.
This song is sad but we need to remember these guys. Think how terrifying it must be an 🎉 hour or 2 ahead of time when you know you and your friends are all going to die.
No. One ring for each crewman and one for Gordon.
The water temperature was 49 degrees…water freezes at 32 degrees
You need to do this song with lyrics.