Thank you so much, I just tried to bring Mr. Lightfoots words to life in real pictures, as I believe he wrote them as he saw what was happening at the time, and as he felt the future would be for so many returning from war..
Thank you so much for watching my video Shawn. I've never heard him talk about this song, but I too have always felt it went straight to the heart of our Veterans, their sacrifices, losses, youth given freely & spat on by so many. I'm happy you liked it. Thank you again ♡
Gordon is Canadian, why would he be singing about American Vietnam veterans? Canada has fought in enough wars for it to be about Canadian soldiers, if you want to put a military spin on the song
@@regdavies5737 The year was 1971 when this came out. I would not presume what he is writing about, but the era it was written and the lyrics seem to talk about not just the Vietmam War but all wars. Young men going off to war on the Summer Side of Life. Too many have been lost, including Canadians.
@@regdavies5737 .. I found an article in Vancouver Pop Music & copied this bit. " Summer Side of Life” was Lightfoot's ninth Top 30 hit on the Vancouver pop charts.. Lightfoot sings about men in their prime, ripe with love and sex appeal, attracting girls everywhere. There is tenderness, but no illusions. The men are going off to war the next day. The song contrasts a scene prior to reporting for duty. There are green fields, he is up talking all night with the young girls. He also prays all night. Lightfoot next shows us an image of a man altered by his experience of going to war: “and if you saw him now, you’d wonder why he would cry the whole day long.” People listening to the song who had any family, friends or neighbors who had returned from a war knew the stories. Today there are news stories about people with post-traumatic stress disorder. A traumatic event is commonly relived by the individual through intrusive, recurrent recollections, flashbacks, and nightmares. In this case from events in a war zone. Canadian listeners heard the song heard from the point of view of an observer of current wars between other nations. In 1971 Canada was not at war. Meanwhile American listeners would have heard Lightfoot’s song through the lens of the Vietnam War, of soldiers returning injured or broken emotionally or psychologically from the experience. In the years that followed a number of films portrayed the impact of life on the battlefield in Vietnam. These included Coming Home, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now and Good Morning Vietnam. “Summer Side of Life” invited listeners to ponder: what might have happened to these men if no war had been declared, and no one had to go off to fight?
@Reg Davies bc Gordon has a great heart for all the men who fought and though we had draft-dodgers go to Canada...my bff's older uncles came from Canada and volunteered for the USA and my brother was #7 to be drafted but volunteered for the Army, but by the Grace of God he was spared and sent elsewhere...I was a terrified little girl ❤️🩹👏God bless our soldiers from every war they've fought for freedom ❣️
Just found this today, but it's the video accompaniment to this moving song that I have been wanting to see for a long time--beautifully done, thank you
Thank you so much Deb, That's what I was trying to do, match his words to pictures as I felt he visioned as he wrote them. & though he had seen troops from his own country coming back from war, at his writing, our US troops were still being sent, and returning to walk into a house (country) where love had been misplaced... They were called, they went in the summer of their lives, their chance, their youth, must have felt wasted when they were met with such hate & disdain from so many of the very people they had gone to fight for. 💔 Thank you again!
She did a great job man!! One flic made my mouth dry up, the solo pic of that young Boot, kis looked 14 all day long. He must have just got off the bird in country. Starched and carrying his sea beg. Jesus Christ I got a bad feeling there.
This just makes me want to cry so hard . The crazy world we live in today it’s all about you owe me this I’m offended by that and these men and women went off to war and a lot gave their lives . Really makes you think
Hey!! Great, and maybe my favorite Gordo song ever. Thank you for this. The personal pictures in Vietnam and Vet.`s at the Wall in their 70`s make this a great vid.!! And the memorial statues and "ghosts" in some pic.s are amazing. Really heartfelt stuff friend!!
Thank you so much for watching and your great comment! I'm happy you liked my video interpretation of this touching song. I think there isn't a Lightfoot song I don't like, Cotton Jenny, Beautiful, If You Could Read My Mind, Early Morning Rain, Edmund Fitzgearld, & on & on, He just has a way of writing and singing that brings you right into the music. Such a great storyteller. Thank you again!
@@b.w.videos2486 I don`t want to bother you, but some of the pic.`s here are so personal, did they come from family?? If you are not comfortable with answering, I get it, and be well friend.!
@@gib59er56 No Sir, It doesn't bother me to answer this question, though I have & have had several military family members. None are in these pictures, Mr Lightfoot wrote this song so well that he reached into the future from 1971, like he knew what would happen. and so I went online/google, to better find the story and pictures of these men, then and now. A few of the statue memorial pics are from Canada, as I wanted to include something from his place also. Most of these men are really just children 18, 19 years old, so of course they had no illusions and were filled with tenderness for the country and people they were fighting for.. Children in a grown up battle 💔 When I see them now, I always smile & say hi, sometimes reach out & shake their hand, look into their eyes... They are the walking wounded
@@b.w.videos2486 That pic of the single kid is heartbreaking. He is right off the plane or ship with new utilities, and looke 14 yrs. old. Christ ,I see that and kinda think, no, he did not come home. I had 4 uncles in that insane war. Thanks again Ma`am and I typo`d , oop, Your vid is great!!
Corporal Alfred Carl Hersekorn- 19 years old- KIA at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive- 1918 - my great-uncle. I tend his grave at Mt. Hope Cemetery Rochester, NY. RIP, Uncle Al.
I’m mesmerized by the in-field sculptures in your top treatment of Lightfoot’s Summer Side of Life. That was my generation. Would you tell me where those sculpture are? I am mourning the passing of Gordon, and your video has stirred my heart about those times. I recognize some of the sculptures - the Iwo Jima flag raising and at the Vietnam Memorial. But the in-field group ones are new to me 4:08 , and stunning.
Thank you so much for watching my video tribute John, I wish I could answer your questions, I know several of these beautifully detailed sculptures, like The Three Servicemen are in the National Mall in Washington DC.. Other states have memorials to their honored ones also, a few in this video, & maybe the ones you ask of, are in Canada in reverence to Gordon & our allies there. You might search online and find others. The sheer scope, the many named at Menin Gate is heartbreaking but beautiful Thanks again!
I had 4 Uncles that served in Vietnam. All were volunteers. When they all came back home, they felt used and they now knew they were duped and lied to. This vid. is amazing. Every letter, statue, pic. are almost too personal to see. I spoke with the woman who made this video and was very surprised that everything is available for the public to see. I had thought some of the fliks(as `Nam troops called pictures) and letters had to be her own. So many Friday nights with my mom and Andy ( my uncle and Vietnam Marine ) and all their hippie friends would smoke weed and drink Matteusse (sp?) red wine and debate and talk politics as my cousins and me ran around high from all of the smoke filling the house, that sometimes I feel like I am actually their generation. Memories of a very different time. But our govt. will never learn from the folly of Vietnam, and keep doing the same bullshit in the middle east. The very definition of insanity.
Every time I see this video , I am haunted by the shot of that lone kid (he looks 14 yrs old) with an expression of resignation and fear in his eyes, I somehow know ( and may I PLEASE be wrong) he didn`t make it. With 4 uncles in that damn war, I feel very close to Vietnam, although I am too young to have seved. I see what it has done to all 4. Danny, the youngest punched his own ticket in 1991. We never saw it coming. He seemed fine for the most part. I miss ya Dan, and we love you.
I am so sorry for the loss of your your uncle to the war he continued to fight even after he returned... And I know what you mean by the haunting picture of the young boy, when I was searching pictures, that one just suddenly took my breath away when it popped up, just a kid, weighted down by everything he would need, the things he carried, so heavy they pulled his jacket down his small shoulder, the straps digging in, ready for a long trek through the jungle of a strange scary land he knew nothing about, knowing he'd become prey trying to stay out of sight, even as he had to battle for his own life & those he journeyed with.. He had to grow up too fast, I so hope he made it back and is doing well . Thank you for stopping by again Gib.
@@b.w.videos2486 I am haunted by that photo. A picture surely can speak a thousand words. My heart tells me that that young man lost his life in that insane war that did nothing at all but destroy and scar men, women and children on either side. I do hope that I am wrong, but I kinda have some .....well, I will just say that my gut feelings or instincts have almost always been spot on since childhood. And it ain`t always a blessing. Peace, dear friend!
@@b.w.videos2486 I am sorry to bug you again B. but I watch your vid. almost every morning before worl because it pops up in my playlists. I think it is by far the most heartfelt and best vid. on YT. I mentioned the kid having intelligence in his eyes, and I saa he has a sidearm, a Colt 1911 .45 cal. pistol. Only officers or senior NCO`s were given a sidearm. He very well could have been a "butterbar", a 2nd Lt. He has no patch or tab to show his rank( never let the enemy know you are an officer or you are dead) And he is a Marine. So sorry to beat you over the head with this, and I promise I won`t bug you again. Thank you my friend.
@@gib59er56 Thank you Gib, You are welcome to watch & listen anytime. I am pleased to know you and others like my video. I wish you a great day. God bless
Great video I love it and the song thanks
Hands down the best non-official video ever made! If it don`t pull your heart strings ya got no heart.
Thank you so much, I just tried to bring Mr. Lightfoots words to life in real pictures, as I believe he wrote them as he saw what was happening at the time, and as he felt the future would be for so many returning from war..
Rest in Peace Sir 🥀
Thank You for A Lifetime of Beautiful Music ♡
Beautiful as a former Soldier with respect from my Infantry Brothers, Thank You.
You're welcome Gerald, Thank you & your Infantry Brothers for your service 💕
Where did you serve Gerry?
@@gib59er56Afghanistan
What a great video and tribute. Watching on this Memorial Day. Thank you for your perfect capture of Gordons meaning
Thank you so much for watching my video Shawn. I've never heard him talk about this song, but I too have always felt it went straight to the heart of our Veterans, their sacrifices, losses, youth given freely & spat on by so many. I'm happy you liked it. Thank you again ♡
Gordon is Canadian, why would he be singing about American Vietnam veterans? Canada has fought in enough wars for it to be about Canadian soldiers, if you want to put a military spin on the song
@@regdavies5737 The year was 1971 when this came out. I would not presume what he is writing about, but the era it was written and the lyrics seem to talk about not just the Vietmam War but all wars. Young men going off to war on the Summer Side of Life. Too many have been lost, including Canadians.
@@regdavies5737 .. I found an article in Vancouver Pop Music & copied this bit.
" Summer Side of Life” was Lightfoot's ninth Top 30 hit on the Vancouver pop charts.. Lightfoot sings about men in their prime, ripe with love and sex appeal, attracting girls everywhere. There is tenderness, but no illusions. The men are going off to war the next day. The song contrasts a scene prior to reporting for duty. There are green fields, he is up talking all night with the young girls. He also prays all night. Lightfoot next shows us an image of a man altered by his experience of going to war: “and if you saw him now, you’d wonder why he would cry the whole day long.” People listening to the song who had any family, friends or neighbors who had returned from a war knew the stories. Today there are news stories about people with post-traumatic stress disorder. A traumatic event is commonly relived by the individual through intrusive, recurrent recollections, flashbacks, and nightmares. In this case from events in a war zone.
Canadian listeners heard the song heard from the point of view of an observer of current wars between other nations. In 1971 Canada was not at war. Meanwhile American listeners would have heard Lightfoot’s song through the lens of the Vietnam War, of soldiers returning injured or broken emotionally or psychologically from the experience. In the years that followed a number of films portrayed the impact of life on the battlefield in Vietnam. These included Coming Home, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now and Good Morning Vietnam. “Summer Side of Life” invited listeners to ponder: what might have happened to these men if no war had been declared, and no one had to go off to fight?
@Reg Davies bc Gordon has a great heart for all the men who fought and though we had draft-dodgers go to Canada...my bff's older uncles came from Canada and volunteered for the USA and my brother was #7 to be drafted but volunteered for the Army, but by the Grace of God he was spared and sent elsewhere...I was a terrified little girl ❤️🩹👏God bless our soldiers from every war they've fought for freedom ❣️
Also RIP Gordon You were one of the best !
Our Canadian troubadour, thanks for the memories
You're very welcome Todd, Thank you for watching/listening/comment!
"I have never written a song about Canada". -- Gordon Lightfoot
Just found this today, but it's the video accompaniment to this moving song that I have been wanting to see for a long time--beautifully done, thank you
Thank you so much Deb, That's what I was trying to do, match his words to pictures as I felt he visioned as he wrote them. & though he had seen troops from his own country coming back from war, at his writing, our US troops were still being sent, and returning to walk into a house (country) where love had been misplaced... They were called, they went in the summer of their lives, their chance, their youth, must have felt wasted when they were met with such hate & disdain from so many of the very people they had gone to fight for. 💔 Thank you again!
She did a great job man!! One flic made my mouth dry up, the solo pic of that young Boot, kis looked 14 all day long. He must have just got off the bird in country. Starched and carrying his sea beg. Jesus Christ I got a bad feeling there.
This just makes me want to cry so hard . The crazy world we live in today it’s all about you owe me this I’m offended by that and these men and women went off to war and a lot gave their lives . Really makes you think
Perfectly stated Deborah. Truth, Thank you!
beautifully done!
Thank you so much!
Welcome Home to all Vietnam Veterans. Thank you doesn't say enough. 🤗🤗🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️
Thank you
Godspeed Gordy.
This song could also apply to a cavalry soldier on the Great Plains during the Indian Wars.
Hey!! Great, and maybe my favorite Gordo song ever. Thank you for this. The personal pictures in Vietnam and Vet.`s at the Wall in their 70`s make this a great vid.!! And the memorial statues and "ghosts" in some pic.s are amazing. Really heartfelt stuff friend!!
Thank you so much for watching and your great comment! I'm happy you liked my video interpretation of this touching song. I think there isn't a Lightfoot song I don't like, Cotton Jenny, Beautiful, If You Could Read My Mind, Early Morning Rain, Edmund Fitzgearld, & on & on, He just has a way of writing and singing that brings you right into the music. Such a great storyteller. Thank you again!
@@b.w.videos2486 I don`t want to bother you, but some of the pic.`s here are so personal, did they come from family?? If you are not comfortable with answering, I get it, and be well friend.!
@@gib59er56 No Sir, It doesn't bother me to answer this question, though I have & have had several military family members. None are in these pictures, Mr Lightfoot wrote this song so well that he reached into the future from 1971, like he knew what would happen. and so I went online/google, to better find the story and pictures of these men, then and now. A few of the statue memorial pics are from Canada, as I wanted to include something from his place also. Most of these men are really just children 18, 19 years old, so of course they had no illusions and were filled with tenderness for the country and people they were fighting for.. Children in a grown up battle 💔 When I see them now, I always smile & say hi, sometimes reach out & shake their hand, look into their eyes... They are the walking wounded
@@b.w.videos2486 That pic of the single kid is heartbreaking. He is right off the plane or ship with new utilities, and looke 14 yrs. old. Christ ,I see that and kinda think, no, he did not come home. I had 4 uncles in that insane war. Thanks again Ma`am and I typo`d , oop, Your vid is great!!
Corporal Alfred Carl Hersekorn- 19 years old- KIA at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive- 1918 - my great-uncle. I tend his grave at Mt. Hope Cemetery Rochester, NY. RIP, Uncle Al.
Thank you for your nice comment & may your uncle Al rest in peace. So young. All respect
I’m mesmerized by the in-field sculptures in your top treatment of Lightfoot’s Summer Side of Life. That was my generation. Would you tell me where those sculpture are?
I am mourning the passing of Gordon, and your video has stirred my heart about those times.
I recognize some of the sculptures - the Iwo Jima flag raising and at the Vietnam Memorial. But the in-field group ones are new to me 4:08 , and stunning.
Thank you so much for watching my video tribute John, I wish I could answer your questions, I know several of these beautifully detailed sculptures, like The Three Servicemen are in the National Mall in Washington DC.. Other states have memorials to their honored ones also, a few in this video, & maybe the ones you ask of, are in Canada in reverence to Gordon & our allies there. You might search online and find others. The sheer scope, the many named at Menin Gate is heartbreaking but beautiful Thanks again!
I had 4 Uncles that served in Vietnam. All were volunteers. When they all came back home, they felt used and they now knew they were duped and lied to. This vid. is amazing. Every letter, statue, pic. are almost too personal to see. I spoke with the woman who made this video and was very surprised that everything is available for the public to see. I had thought some of the fliks(as `Nam troops called pictures) and letters had to be her own. So many Friday nights with my mom and Andy ( my uncle and Vietnam Marine ) and all their hippie friends would smoke weed and drink Matteusse (sp?) red wine and debate and talk politics as my cousins and me ran around high from all of the smoke filling the house, that sometimes I feel like I am actually their generation. Memories of a very different time. But our govt. will never learn from the folly of Vietnam, and keep doing the same bullshit in the middle east. The very definition of insanity.
Every time I see this video , I am haunted by the shot of that lone kid (he looks 14 yrs old) with an expression of resignation and fear in his eyes, I somehow know ( and may I PLEASE be wrong) he didn`t make it. With 4 uncles in that damn war, I feel very close to Vietnam, although I am too young to have seved. I see what it has done to all 4. Danny, the youngest punched his own ticket in 1991. We never saw it coming. He seemed fine for the most part. I miss ya Dan, and we love you.
I am so sorry for the loss of your your uncle to the war he continued to fight even after he returned... And I know what you mean by the haunting picture of the young boy, when I was searching pictures, that one just suddenly took my breath away when it popped up, just a kid, weighted down by everything he would need, the things he carried, so heavy they pulled his jacket down his small shoulder, the straps digging in, ready for a long trek through the jungle of a strange scary land he knew nothing about, knowing he'd become prey trying to stay out of sight, even as he had to battle for his own life & those he journeyed with.. He had to grow up too fast, I so hope he made it back and is doing well . Thank you for stopping by again Gib.
@@b.w.videos2486 I am haunted by that photo. A picture surely can speak a thousand words. My heart tells me that that young man lost his life in that insane war that did nothing at all but destroy and scar men, women and children on either side. I do hope that I am wrong, but I kinda have some .....well, I will just say that my gut feelings or instincts have almost always been spot on since childhood. And it ain`t always a blessing.
Peace, dear friend!
@@gib59er56 I also hope you are wrong. Peace, My constant prayer for earth & its inhabitants! Wish you good day
@@b.w.videos2486 I am sorry to bug you again B. but I watch your vid. almost every morning before worl because it pops up in my playlists. I think it is by far the most heartfelt and best vid. on YT. I mentioned the kid having intelligence in his eyes, and I saa he has a sidearm, a Colt 1911 .45 cal. pistol. Only officers or senior NCO`s were given a sidearm. He very well could have been a "butterbar", a 2nd Lt. He has no patch or tab to show his rank( never let the enemy know you are an officer or you are dead) And he is a Marine. So sorry to beat you over the head with this, and I promise I won`t bug you again. Thank you my friend.
@@gib59er56 Thank you Gib, You are welcome to watch & listen anytime. I am pleased to know you and others like my video. I wish you a great day. God bless
"LEST WE FORGET" to all the protesters in all of the university's just remember "SOME GAVE ALL" so you can live FREE!! #TRUENORTH
Agreed! When everything has fallen, Truth will stand!. Thank you