Discuss: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Subject: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 11:13 AM

A colleague of mine mentioned that today is the 25th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmond Fitzgerald.

He asked if I had the lyrics, I searched the Digitrad and was quite surprised that they weren't there.

Can anyone help?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Allan C.
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 11:19 AM

It IS in the DT:

http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=6222

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Gary T
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 11:25 AM

Click here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Allan C.
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 11:31 AM

Thanks, Gary. My angle bracket key is broken so I can't do clickies. I'm hoping the Winter Bunny will bring me a new computer and my abilities will then return.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 11:43 AM

I have the sheet music for that (Gordon Lightfoot), and have been playing it (Wed nite with Naemanson over the kitchen table most recently) in memory of the 29 hands. Trouble is, I have to keep stopping to turn the pages. Not good form! It starts in A sus 2, which isn't nearly as intimidating as it sounds; take an Em and drop it down a set of strings (4&5 to 3&4) on the same fret. It is one of those chords that'll send a chill down your spine! In order for the "Edmund" to really make your hair stand on end, it must be played, i opine, on a 12-string, and the "bridge" accented in just the right spot with the percussive striking of a ship's bell, calculated so that the 29th chime falls at the conclusion of the song. I wish I were good enough to do it that way, and would love to hear someone of adequate proficiency play it. I don't think I've ever heard anyone do it as well as Mr. Lightfoot, though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 12:20 PM

Thanks Allan C & Gary T.

I searched the keyword Wreck and got a lot of songs, but I didn't see this one.

Certainly one of Gord's better songs, and a nice tribute to men who went down it.

Subject: The Edmond Fitzgerald, it SANK!
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 01:28 PM

One of Gords better songs??? I beg to differ... It's one of the worst songs ever... And the really unfortunate thing is Gords 'cashing in on sorrow' had made it an untouchable subject for any other folksinger/songwriters...

Too bad... after hearing James Keelaghans Captain Torres, I'd really love to hear his take on the whole E fitz thing...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Gary T
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 03:06 PM

I remember seeing Gordon in concert years ago, a bit after this one came out. He said that of all the songs he had written, this one was the last one he thought might have been a chart hit. Said he got thousands of letters about it.

Brought the house down when he then said he answered 29 of them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: GUEST,Ollie
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 03:11 PM

I agree--one of the all-time great modern day folk songs, and with all the great songs GL has written it's still "one of the best."

Ollie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 05:02 PM

There was a story in the Sunday Times about the unwanted attention Gordon Lightfoot's song brought to the wreck itself. It has become a tourist attraction and goal for unlimited numbers of treasure seekers. There is a movement to declare it a national monument to prevent damage to the wreck and desecration of the remains. Recently, a diver brought back a photo of one of the bodies causing a great deal of grief to the deceased's family. Maybe there is a need for a follow-up ballad - "see that my grave is kept clean"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: mousethief
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 05:28 PM

Pretty good lyrics (with some real clunker rhymes), absolutely horrid melody.

JMHO.

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: mousethief
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 05:41 PM

There are still bodies down there and not just skeletons? Amazing. I knew Superior had been overfished...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Gary T
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 06:29 PM

This line from the song:

Superior, they say, never gives up her dead

refers to Lake Superior being so cold down under that the normal body-decomposing bacteria can't survive, thus the corpses never bloat and float.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Max Tone
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 07:38 PM

Hey, Mousethief, it's not a melody, it's a dirge.
The tune is not Gordon Lightfoot's, as I've heard it sung to an old Irish song -- The ??s of Derry, or the Derry ???s.
Will investigate and report back
Rob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: mousethief
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 08:21 PM

Should interminable folk-rock lyrics be set to dirges?

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 01:59 AM

Max tone... It's my understanding that "Oh, I wish I Was Back Home In Derry" came after Wreck... so not only is it a terrible melody and chord progression, someone was so hard up as to copy it!!

But what the hell do I know...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Thyme2dream
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 02:39 AM

I liked the song the first 20 or 30 times I heard it...by the 6,973rd time, I was heartily sick of it.

I think Early Morning Rain is probably my favorite Lightfoot song, but its been awhile since Ive been at my dad's record collection, so there may be another I've forgotten.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: GUEST,Bob S.
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 05:22 AM

Go here for a discussion of the loss of the ship.

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/wxwise/fitz.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Gary T
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 02:43 PM

Click here for Bob's link.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Max Tone
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 05:49 PM

I stand corrected, Clinton,
An' it's always those who can only play a couple of chords that murder either song.........
On the subject of dirges, should one's faves be described as "the best" or more appropriately "the worst", depending upon the suicidal tendencies invoked?
Rob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: JTT
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 11:37 AM

Well, I like the tune. If you search for *Edmund* Fitzgerald rather than Edmond, you'll find the words in the Digitrad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: JTT
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 11:38 AM

Oh, wait, I'm mixing it up with the song with the line "only the Eskimo in his skin canoe". That's the tune I like. Don't know the E. Fitzgerald.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 12:16 PM

The filkers wrote a parody called The Wreck Of Apollo 13 which tells that whole story. I've got it written down here somewhere. I suppose I could post it if anyone were interested.

---

Information on Wreck of Apollo 13

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald
From: Snuffy
Date: 12 Nov 00 - 01:33 PM

Not forgetting "The Nervous Wreck of the Edna Fitzgerald", which is in the DT

Subject: The Edmond fitzgerald, It SANK!
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 03:35 PM

The doorbell chimed till it rang 29 times
Would ya get that Edmond. It's Gerald...

;-)