There is a reason Gordon Lighfoot is a Canadian Legend. He wasn't just a musician, he was a troubador, a story teller, and a fine man.

As impressive as "Edmund Fitzgerald" is I have always felt that this was Gordon's best work. You can feel the train crossing the country then slowing down once it hits the Rockies then building to a climax in coastal British Columbia as the tempo goes within this song. We are so lucky in Canada to have such a songwriter who could translate this into words! We lost a great man and Canadian when Gordon died, I listen to his music every day because he is one man who could translate to all of us what it meant to be "Canadian"!

Canada and Canadians are all about the land. Gordon was commissioned to write a song to commemorate our 100th birthday in 1967. He wrote the song overnight and it instantly become a hit "Across This Mighty Land". Miss ya Gordie!

I think this is the greatest Canadian song ever. PERIOD

Still makes me weep with pride, every time I hear it - and I’m 66! Peace - from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Grew up listening to Gordon Lightfoot. Not every song was a hit song but he wrote no bad songs. He had a way of making the mundane poetic. I consider him one of the greatest songwriters of the past 100 years.

I feel lucky growing up listening to Gordon lightfoot

In 1967 an unexpected assembly was called. Out onto the stage stepped Gordon Lightfoot. He performed to us bunch of teenagers for an hour. He could have chosen to sing at Fredericton High or Oromocto Senior High School but he chose to travel 25 miles from Fredericton to perform at Sunbury West Senior High School. I will never forget his performance. At nearly 71, it is still one of the highlights in my life. Gordon, I know you are up there in heaven still performing for all of us.

A lot of men died during the building of that railroad. They had some pretty tough terrain to go through! Great Canadian history!

Credit to the Chinese immigrants to have come from an impoverished land for the opportunity to earn some money. Many died along the way of this dangerous job and might be the only ones who came to be buried here. I hope their people who now live here have come to appreciate them, even as we must. Canada's first Prime Minister was Scottish! Tough, but a fierce trailblazer himself. Thanks Mert.

I heard somewhere that when Gordon Lightfoot met Queen Elizabeth, she told him that she "just loved" this song.

he was a legend , hurt my heart to see his dog keeping vigil at his coffin , RIP Gordon ❤

In his last concert in Montreal a few years ago, he had difficulty finishing this song. So we in the crowd helped him. In a predominantly French province, we all sang in English. May he rest in peace.

Gordon was asked to write a song about Canada by the Expo '67 organizers to celebrate Canada's 100th birthday. This was the result.

I was aged ten when invited to a girl's 16th birthday two cottages away. = Two high school kids were singing there. = My first time talking and meeting Gordie. = Me, now age 79. with 60 years living in Orillia. = Many memories, meet and greets and passing with a great imperfect loved libretto writer.

Yes, the building of the railway unified Canada as a nation, physically and collectively as Canadians. It was the way Gord used the acceleration and deceleration of the music to imitate the rhythm of the building of railway, as well as its use in transporting people and goods. His reverence, respect and gratitude to those who worked so hard, sacrificed much, especially those whose lives were lost. An incredible song! ❤🇨🇦

I am proud to be a Canadian and equally honored to have known him. I am truly blessed. We are diminished by his passing but he left an unsurpassed legacy.

One of the things I love is that you can hear the "beat" of rail travel in the music, something you can't miss if you've travelled often by rail. I have always loved Canadian trains.

CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY! Almost everyone puts this as their No 1 of his songs, even over The Wreck........which is itself an amazing song. The Cdn RR Trilogy makes me weep (not just cry, actually weep), as it does many Canadians. It tells a story, an important part of Canada's history and the sacrifice of so many men to build a railroad to cross this huge and amazing country, as only Gord Lightfoot could tell it. I'm in my 70s now, I grew up listening to Gord's records during my adolescence and beyond. I saw him live in Ottawa in a tiny coffee shop venue when I was only 14, so close to the little stage because the place was so small. Unforgettable! RIP Gord, we miss you! What a blessing you were to us all.

I have heard Gordon Lightfoot over 40 times on stage live in my life. Back to the late 1960s. As a singer songwriter myself , he was my absolute hero. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy and “If you can read my mind “ which you have also featured are two of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard. Love your content Cheers from Canada Bob

Gordon Lightfoot is an icon in Canada! He was an amazing singer-songwriter and his music defines Canada! Thanks for showcasing this amazing man!

1974, I was 22 and leaving Vancouver Island for Toronto, Ontario. What a trip! I had just read "The Last Spike" by Pierre Berton and every mile we drove resounded in my head with the Canadian Railroad Trilogy. I found this to be particularly true through the Fraser Canyon. When you come to Canada, please allow yourself lots of time to visit and relive our heritage. And think of this Trilogy. I loved your reaction!

The original performance was televised on national TV (CBC) on January 1st, 1967 and is available to view also on KZfaq. This version was done live on a set with actors playing the part of the railroad workers and Gord walking around playing his guitar and singing. Worth checking out if you like his music.

This song was commissioned for the 100th birthday of Canada (1967), and hence is very patriotic. On the one hand, the building of the railroad brought British Columbia into confederation, or else it may have become part of the U.S. It was quite a feat to build, especially through the rocky mountains. On the other hand, the Indigenous and Métis people of the plains saw their lands being taken away to make way for the railroad and there definitely was an exploitation of the Chinese railroad workers. There is a good documentary of the "dark" side of the railway being built and of Gordon's song: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ns5nq7F1yKealmg.html

Greetings from the Canadian Rockies! I'm glad you are enjoying Gordon Lightfoot, he was salt of the earth. Building the railroads cost many men their lives, I know the Spiral Tunnel in BC claimed many lives alone. It is also important to remember that we imported workers from China to aid construction, which is why every small railroad town seems to have a Chinese restaurant. Another musical suggestion: Stompin' Tom Connors.

Some songs age like fine wine or whisky. This is one of them and it is almost 60 years old. My goodness how time flies. I'm 66 and don't even remember the first time I ever heard this one, but I keep coming back to it and it remains my favourite by Gordon Lightfoot. 👌👀🎸💖🤠

You might be ready for Stompin' Tom Connors. Stompin' Tom was Canadian music for a Saturday night at the bar. Fun songs about miners, fishermen, truck drivers, and bugs. All with a Down East voice and a bootheel stomping a hole in a piece of plywood. Simpler stuff than Gord, but essential to the Canadian experience.

Dear Mert. I had the pleasure of hearing and seeing Gordon Lightfoot sing this song in person, in concert back in 1967 (the very year of it's release). POW!! That happened at the Yates Center in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was very handsome and charismatic in those days. All I can say is that was an absolutely beautiful experience. I followed Gordon's music for the next 40 years and was never disappointed by any of it. What an incredible storyteller he was. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your interest in Canadian history, my own history (as a descendant of Ireland) 🙏

I am a proud Canadian and so lucky to have Gordon as a fellow proud Canadian

I have so many thoughts on this song, which is by all means a masterpiece and one of my favourite songs not just of Gord's but of all time. As someone with a background in history, I will say that it's important to remember that this song was very much a product of its time in terms of Canadian historiography: it paints an extremely romanticised picture of the transcontinental railway's construction and of the westward expansion of Canadian settlers, and completely ignores the unspeakable horrors and violence the government used to acquire the land for the railway to run on. These uncomfortable aspects would most certainly be taught in a modern history of Canadian railways, but not in the 1960s when the romantic notion of the frontier myth was alive and well. That being said though, the song is by all means a classic, and I love that Gord never fails to sing about the lives of average everyday working people even when covering monumental historical events like this. It keeps the story grounded and gets the listener really invested in listening and learning more. Add on top of the phenomenal writing his flawless musical talent and you get a truly amazing piece of art.

Queen Elizabeth 2 stated how much she loved this song which was actually commissioned for Canada's 100th birthday... one of my favourites as CV a Canadian.

This song was Gord's Canadian Centennial project. The country, having been founded in 1867, was 100 years old and everybody was involved in efforts to commemorate that. The US had just finished its civil war (1865) and was turning its attention to possibly taking over its neighbor to the north, so Canada knew it had to get unified and that a railway would do the trick. I was fortunate enough to meet our greatest troubador/minstel/singer and I thank him for his gift of reflecting Canadians back to themselves.

I agree, the greatest Canadian song ever written. I had the great pleasure to see Gord play numerous times and he always closed the show with the Trilogy, and brought the house down every time. I don’t know how many Lightfoot songs I can sing along with and not miss a word. I also play guitar and love to play and sing his songs. Gordon Lightfoot was and is a Canadian national treasure . And missed by his huge legion of fans. A once in a generation talent.

A great guy I knew him well May he RIP

I have loved Gordon Lightfoot since the late sixties. His songs continue to move me at the ripe age of 73, and I have several of Lightfoot’s vinyl albums from back in the day. However, I really want to put in the hugest possible plug for the voice and songs of the utterly unparalled Stan Rogers. His song ‘Northwest Passage’ even by itself, puts him in the small category of Canadian musical giants. Stan was an astounding talent, who like Gordon, told our stories with deep poetic honesty. His rich, warm baritone and stories of ordinary working Canadians can summon pride, despair, hope, and tears. Stan is famous here in Canada, and especially in Atlantic Canada, but not as famous as Gordon Lightfoot, and that is an enormous loss to young people in Canada and to the world. ❤🎶🇨🇦

Gordon Lighfoot is a song writer legend and is respected and admired. Another folk legend is Stompin Tom Connors.

WOW! Super good song telling the real story

"Black Day In July" was written about the 67 riots in Detroit. It has a darker tone, similar to "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald."

Since I was born, raised, and continue to live in Gordon Lightfoot's home town, I grew up in the '60s and '70s hearing his songs almost every day on the local AM radio station. My best friend's father had all the Gordon Lightfoot albums that were released, so I often heard his songs when playing inside the house on rainy days. I never got sick of listening to his music.

Thanks so much Mert, the people asked and you delivered. Canadian Railroad Trilogy is a monumental song detailing a very important part of our Canadian history. Lightfoot has a huge, extensive catalogue to delve into and I know you've reacted to some of his songs already but this one here stands at the very top of Canadian lore. For me it's an essential song if you want to know Gord's music and what he meant to us Canadians. Cheers from southern Ontario!

"we have opened up the soil, with our tear drops and our toil"...truth. 🇨🇦

The CBC commissioned a song from Gprdie to celebrate Canada's 100 th anniversary . This was what he wrote. Has "Black Day in July" been done? Another of my favourites .

I’m from Canada and the vary first time I heard this tune. I love his music

The first time I heard this, I thought it should be our national anthem. Reminds us all that this beautiful country came at a cost

Lightfoot was asked to write a song for the Centennial in 1967, and he produced this, blowing everyone away. The song was premiered on the CBC, if I remember correctly. It became an instant classic, and is taught in various music classes. My sister sang it with her school choir. It makes me cry when I hear it.

I had a chance to see him sing this live. So lucky. He is Canada’s pride and joy.

One of his hardest song to do a cover.....Trying to match his cadence throughout, along with the words is very hard. Love his music, been singing and playing it in Pubs and Buskers fairs for years now...

We have lost so much of what this song represents (and it's not coming back), but this is beautiful song.

As a French Canadian I have heard these songs all my youth. But I never understood the language and did not know what they were about. Now that I see the words written and understand their poetry, I regret immensely that my youth was not lifted by that singer in the manner that it could have been. Learning a second language opens doors to a world of discoveries.

As Canadians, we were lucky to have Lightfoot. An incredible talent. Love this song … it takes you on a journey of how Canada was built and how important the railway was to the country’s growth.

Gordon Lightfoot was definitely the greatest Canadian writer , his music is fantastic. He told the stories of the common folk and most of the struggle of life

Absolutely his best song...my favorite... Our 4th grade teacher made us learn Gordon Lightfoot songs when she didn't feel like teaching us actual lessons. 😅 Been a fan since the mid 90s

Gordon Lightfoot, a real Canadian, with the deepest understanding of our now dissolved nation, was one of if not the finest Canadian lyricist. The images and deep meaning from his story book songs; well, I simply cannot find much to compare. Brilliant song writer and musician and we are so proud of you Gordon. Thank you for the endless gifts you left us all. RIP,

Love Gordon! He's one of our treasures in Canada

In concert, he was amazing. Audiences were so spellbound,you could hear a pin drop.

Great song. It was so important for Sir John A Macdonald to build the railway, to bind the country together. You have no idea how big this country is. I've taken the train from Vancouver to Toronto which is a little over half way across the country and it take 4 days. Amazing man, amazing song, amazing country ❤ 😂🇨🇦

He was the BEST of the best! A friend of mine years ago lived in the same building as he did. One day she ran into him as they both did laundry together. His comment to her was........... you can imagine all his fans around the world believing his clothes cleaned themselves? 'LOL' THAT's a Canadian!

This is the quintessential Canadian song and one of Lightfoot's finest!!!

As an elderly Canadian, I appreciate your ode to this song. I have heard many of Lightfoot's songs but never felt such joy from his work as I have listening to it along with your reaction. Thank you for your work to bring this to us.

I walked by Engine 374 today, which was the first train to arrive in Vancouver after the railway was completed. It's now preserved at the old Roundhouse but it used to be set up at Kitsilano Beach when I was a kid and we all spent many hours climbing all over it and pretending to drive it and burning our feet on the hot, black metal. lol Having seen this reaction, it struck me how really important that old engine is. Thanks for that!

Canadian icon❤ I saw Gordon many times live here in Canada 🇨🇦. Some with a band and some just Gordon and his guitar. Brilliant songwriter singer storyteller. ❤

As a Canadian he is my favourite singer. all of his songs tell a story, this is my favourite song of all time. I never tire of it.

I was already a fan of Gordon's music, but it was several years before I discovered Canadian Railroad Trilogy. I was utterly lost for words. The brilliance of the music, the changing musical themes and 3 distinct parts perfectly convey the magnitude of the story. It is not only musically and technically brilliant, it is beautiful poetry and a love song to our country. To this day this song moves me in different ways I cannot describe, but always leaves me with a heart bursting with pride for my country. A historical note-- this piece was commissioned by the CBC to celebrate Canada's Centennial in 1967, and Lightfoot was a brilliant choice to tell the story; no one could have done it better. My one great regret is that the one time I had tickets to his show I was too ill to attend.

This and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald are two of the best songs to show his story-telling ability. Another is Black Day in July about the events of the July 23-28, 1967 Detroit Riots. The song wasn't released until 6 months later in January of 1968 and some believe it didn't do as well as the later "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" because of the delay with people moving on and the events weren't as relevant anymore. The Tragically Hip do a great version of "Black Day in July" on a 2003 tribute album, Gord Downie's voice was perfect for the song. He performed this at the 100th Grey Cup (CFL Championship) halftime show on November 25, 2012. The halftime show started with Justin Bieber, who performed to a chorus of boos from the audience, Carly Rae Jepsen followed with a better response, but when Gordon came on there were loud cheers, people joined in. As a note, the typical Grey Cup crowd are Country music or Classic Rock fans (Stones, Guess Who, BTO, etc) so it was odd to see Bieber and Jepsen on stage.

I grew up with Gordon Lighfoot’s music. When I was going to University I worked extra hours to be able to go to see him in person at his life theatre ..and saw his live performances a few times, in different years . He is truly my hero and a blessing for all Canadians. May he rest in peace. We love ❤️ his music. I’d never seen such a nice video like this. Thank you 😊

Commissioned by the CBC for Canada's centennial in 1967. I cry every time I hear this.

It's so nice for you to realize the brilliance of Gordon Lightfoot. Better late than never! I've been fortunate to listen to him for over 50 years. Had the pleasure of meeting him twice while Gord was performing at the NAC here in Ottawa. We love you Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. RIP

Canadian Pacific Railway built it's transcontinental rail, plus a string of Grand railway Hotels, hired Swiss Mountaineers to introduce alpine climbing and skiing to Canadians to promote Banff National Park, and built two steamship lines on the Atlantic & Pacific, to make it easier to travel from the UK to Hong Kong & Malaysia, before the Panama Canal made it easy to avoid a trip around Cape Horn. It was probably the largest transportation system in the world, but German uBoats and modern air travel ended much of that.

As a Canadian, I appreciate him more now verses when I was young. He was/is an Icon.

I've always felt the pace of the song, especially parts of it has the cadence of a train. I think that was genius. Love this song.

My favourite of all Lightfoot. I believe it was written at the request of the Canadian Gov’t in 1967 for the Canadian Centennial. Always lovely to know that those outside our country know and appreciate a Canadian treasure, our Gordon Lightfoot!🇨🇦❤️

Gordon what a talent that moves me everytime, no matter what song he sings. I LOVE HIM

Pierre Berton, a noted journalist/writer in his day , wrote the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway in a thousand page book called The Last Spike. At a party he is reputed to have remarked to Lightfoot, “Gordon in your song you have told the story better that I did in 1,000 pages!” High praise but so very true. RIP Gordon and Peter, you were both great Canadians!

I have Gord’s Gold (the album shown) on vinyl and it’s sounds so good, the man is a national treasure.

The whole arrangement of this song evokes the movement of the train. It's perfect.

very few were/are at his level of story telling--a great great musician

This song always haunted me. The story and the imagery makes me feel great pride in being part of this land. It makes me miss a time that I was never a part of and has me longing to see this country from sea to sea.

Thank you, Mert! Fell in love with Gord's music as a kid. Drove my family crazy listening to him over and over to get the lyrics; my family got me stereo headphones. Now 60 and think I appreciate his music even more. What an amazing talent.

I'm Canadian I've loved his music all my life. I saw his Shadows concert in the early 80s. RIP

Hello from Canada! I just recently came across your channel and I really enjoy your videos. Your analysis of Gordon Lightfoot songs has been fantastic, especially this one. I think your observations about this song are exactly what Lightfoot was trying to inspire in the listeners. He truly is a Canadian icon. Thanks for your intrest in this beautiful country, hope you get a chance to visit it someday.

It's been printed in school textbooks. I was at a concert at Massey Hall when a well-oiled hoser way up in the third balcony used the hall's legendary acoustics from there to loudly rewust: "Heeeey, Gordie! Pleay de raeilroowd song!" to universal laughter, including from Gordie, who said: Yes, I intend to play the Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

This is beautiful and Gordon did us proud. I can’t think of a single person who could have done it nearly as well. Plus it’s his own composition. He was a genius and we will miss him every day. R.I.P. dear Gordon. 👏👏🥰🇨🇦🙏

A man of the people... living & struggling within the real walls of society, feeling and tasting life's pain!

I’m so glad you liked it. So many great songs from Gordon Lightfoot, who I had the pleasure to meet some years ago. Another one of my favourite songs by him is “Summer Side of Life”. I hope you can listen to it and review it. All the best Mert. If you ever travel to Canada, I’d love to host you in Niagara Falls! Take care. Larry.

The first steam engine to make the historic cross country journey to Vancouver was eventually placed in the middle of a beach parking lot for us ‘70’s kids to climb on, even conquering the tall smoke stack if we were brave enough. A great time to be a Canadian kid listening to Gordon Lightfoot on the radio.

I remember seeing and listening to him almost 60 years ago, in a small basement venue when he was just starting, it was magical. We in Canada were blessed with another great story teller in song who died far too young called Stan Rogers see if you can find him and have a listen, you won't be disappointed.

There was a famous Canadian historian who wrote a lot about 19th century Canada and in particular the importance of the railroad to Canada. When he heard this song commented that Gord was able to tell in one song what it took him to tell in a 1000 page book. We still miss Gord.

As a young 9 year old kid riding the train from Halifax to Vancouver there in the lounge car was a young man with his guitar come to find out it was a young Gordon Lightfoot just riding the train to his next gig the next 2 hours just blew by what a great memory for a 9 year old kid I still love his music today

Always loved Gordon Lightfoot since I saw him live in concert in the 70s. I cried when he died. A true Canadian icon. So beloved.

My favourite Gordon Lightfoot song, written for Canada's 100th birthday. Thank you so much for covering it. Canada would not be a country if it weren't for the railroad (the western provinces joined because of the promise of a transcontinental railway.) As you observed, the pace changes and at one point sounds like the movement of a train across the tracks.

I havent heard this song in45 yeas, Fabulous. History and music tied together inextricably.

Absolutely one of the best songs ever from a totally incomparable artist.

This song always brings tears to my eye. I worked for the CPR and you feel this song in every mile. You need to cross the country to appreciate what went they went through. I still get excited every spring to hear the track laying or the haunting sound of a diesel fully loaded and hard on the horn

I so love that you loved this song! It really is that great and important. As I'm sure others have mentioned, Lightfoot was commissioned to write this song by the CBC and it was the first performed on Jan 1, 1967 to kick off Canada's centennial year. It cannot be overstated how important the building of the railway was to Canada.

I think Gordon would have liked this reaction video.

I first heard Gordon Lightfoot as a teenager ,I have his first album and of course many more after that ,he was one of the best song writers and story tellers of our time .

My favourite Cdn song - like the French say: un grand poete. Absolutely brilliant lyrics and composition, to capture the history and the emotions, plus the voice. Best Canadian song ever, bar none. So proud of this Orillia boy. BTW - lots of Chinese brought in to do all the work. Respect to you for recognizing the complexiteis and brilliance.

How can you not love Gordon Lightfoot! 💖💖

I'm a big Gordon fan and I saw him many times in concert. He was amazing. I don't think I could pick a "favorite" Lightfoot song, but I do think this song is definitely one of his very best. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" got much more play on the radio, actually I don't think I've ever heard "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" on the radio, but as an epic ballad I think it's better. RIP Gord, we miss you.

Attended many of his concerts over the years. Always felt incredible after them. I cried when he passed. It was like a part of my Canadian sole died too. This is an iconic Canadian piece. You can’t go wrong with anything by this troubadour. Try Christian Island, another place in Canada. Also, Song for a Winter’s Night and Black Day in July, about race riots in Detroit in July 1967. A Painter Passing Through, though is voice was not the same as it once was, it’s his story.