True story, what most people don't know is that lake superior is so deep & cold that bacteria can't live in the water so the crew members bodies don't decompose they're still down there in the wreck, to this day every time a coast guard ship passes over the site they ring their ship's bell 29 times

Being an ex-sailor this song has special meaning for me. When your ship is leaving Lk Superior you enter the Sault Ste. Marie locks which lowers the ship down to the St Mary’s River and then on to Lk Huron. In the middle of the locks( one side is northbound, the other side is southbound)rests one of the lifeboats from the Fitz. They found it 15 miles away on the north shore and is one of the few things found from the wreck. It’s a sobering moment in which all sailors pause no matter how many times they’ve passed by it and pay their respects to those men. The big lake never gives up it’s dead because the water is too cold. It only changes 2 or 3 degrees from summer to winter (If it freezes over you know it’s a cold winter). The people who perish there do not bloat which makes them float they just sink to the bottom and many are never found. So very sad.

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" One of the best lyrics I've ever heard. Absolutely devastating.

On Monday May 1, 2023, the church bells at the Mariners Cathedral in Detroit rang 30 times now including Gordon Lightfoots name to the crew manifest of the Edmond Fitzgerald. Gordon Lightfoot passed away Monday May 1st 2023 and all Canada mourns. As you explore more of his music down under, you will find a lot of his songs are movies that were never filmed. R.I.P. Gordon Lightfoot and thank you.

No lyric, in any song, of any genre ever hit me so hard as "All that remains is the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters". This song is a heartbreaker and a masterpiece.

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours..." Some of the most haunting lyrics in Canadian music history.

Gordon is a Canadian treasure. I never figured out if he was a poet who is a song writer or a song writer who is a poet. He's still out on the road in his 80s, bless him. He donated all proceeds from this song to those left behind.

Gordon was upset that the reporting of this tragedy was so poorly done, some newspapers even mis spelled the name of the ship. He wrote the song as close to the details as possible while still telling the story. All the proceeds from record sales went to the surviving families and Gordon attended every memorial for them. The crew was largely a young crew a lot of them in their early twenties. He is in his eighties now so I don’t know if he still goes. The area over the ship is designated a cemetery.. No body was ever recovered. Like the song says “ Superior never gives up her dead “. The reason for that is those waters are so extremely cold, bodies don’t float to the surface. Gordon is a Canadian legend and national treasure. He is one of Bob Dylan’s favourite songwriters. He has written over 250 songs that have been covered by tons of singers including Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash , Dylan and more.

In the late afternoon early evening of November 10th, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald's Captain told the Captain of the Aurther M Anderson, another big iron ore carrier that had been sailing with the Fitz that he lost radar, sometime later he reported his pumps were having to work overtime and he was slowing down to let the Arther M Anderson close the distance a bit. By 630 PM the Anderson had the Fitz on radar and was near enough that they could occasionally see her lights on the horizon. at about 650 the Arther was hit by a freakishly large swell from behind but with the sea topping out at 30-40 feet every swell was a toe curler. However, the event shook the captain of the trailing ship enough to make him worry about the Fitz. So, within a moment of recovering the captain of the Arther M Anderson called and made a point of asking the Fits; "How are you holding up", The captain of the Fitz replied, "We are holding our own, going along like an old shoe". After that the Captain of the Anderson went below and they did a shift change. At 705 the captain of the Anderson came back up and was thinking of calling the Fitz again because he was worried about the way the other captain had sounded and the reference to plodding along got him thinking what if he bottomed out on a shole they passed earlier, and the Fitz was taking on more than they knew. Thats when another big swell swung the Aurther hard, and he was takin up with maneuvering and checking on his ship for a bit. At 708 he looked up and watched the Fitz disappear into a snow squall. Something made him walk to the Radar to double check her position, but she was not showing up on his radar. It was 710 PM and the Fitz was off radar, yet it was working, and he had literally just seen her a few miles ahead. He called numerous times and had all able crew up scanning with lights and looking for her. When the wreck was found the ship was in two parts and there was some bow damage. Some years later after the final inquiries he was Recalling the big swell that rocked them just before he lost sight of her in the snow that night and looking at the damage, he surmised that Fitz being overloaded and taking on water was overcome by the swell from her stern. Her bow shot under and hit the lake bottom, (Fitz was 728 feet long and rests now in 530 feet but the shole she passed over was 310 feet), the stern sheared off instantly and both halves would have been completely submerged in a matter of moments. To him this was the only way to explain her disappearing so fast. I grew up in a commercial fishing Family from Alaska and that story fascinated me. I have lost family and friends to the sea and even spent many scarry nights out in bad weather while I listened to others calling out for help on the radio. The radio calls from that night are surreal to listen to. Professional yet heart breaking. Its here on youtube at; kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jZeWgrqaldrJmY0.html

Saw a documentary about Gordon Lightfoot. He was working on this song while recording an album. He played what he had for his band and they encouraged him to finish it. A couple of days later, he came into the studio told the band what he wanted them to do. One take, and this is the result.

People don’t realize how huge and furious The Great Lakes are. There are graveyards of ships on the bottom of these lakes to match any salt water ocean. In the days of passenger ships, great hordes of humans have lost there lives to ungodly storms. The entire UK can fit into the Great Lakes with room to spare.

Thank you for being serious about such a somber event. Whether American or Canadian, children are still taught about the Edmund to this day. Those were the kind of men that built western society and deserve to be remembered.

Anyone who was alive and lived around the Great Lakes remembers this. I was a 6 year old kid and remember it well.

I'm a New Englander from the USA who now lives near Lake Ontario. I heard this song when it first came out 50 years ago, and countless times since. Listening to it again as you did still evokes the same sad emotions.

I know the word legend gets thrown around a lot, but in Canada this man is definitely a legend. One of the greatest story tellers in his lyrics.

Gordon Lightfoot is a true poet. Another of his songs that you should listen to is Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

About 15 years ago I was eating breakfast in a Toronto restaurant. A distinguished gentleman came into the restaurant alone and sat at the table beside me. He smiled at me and I smiled at him. He seemed familiar. "I should know who this person is?" went through my mind. It took me a few moments to realize it was Gordon Lightfoot. I didn't want to disturb him, but when I finished my meal I waved and saluted him. He waved and smiled back at me. Looking back, I wish I had spoken to him to tell him I appreciated his artful music.

This haunting song makes me cry, especially when he sings "And all that remains are the faces and the names of the wives and the sons and the daughters." Look at the size of some of these ships that operate on and between the Great Lakes! Please forgive me if I'm telling you something that you already know, Tash, but these huge lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario) form a good portion of the Canada/U.S. border and these freighters haul raw resources and manufactured goods between our two countries in massive quantities. Mariners are well aware of the frigid temperatures and horrific storms that have taken many lives on these huge bodies of water.

RIP GORDON 5-1-2023 -U JUST MET THE OTHER 29-ROCK ON U LEGEND

It wasn't a "hurricane". It was a "nor'easter". High-speed, ice cold wind from the northeast. Gordon used the term "hurricane wind" to describe the speed and strength. I remember when this happened. I was just over a month shy of my tenth birthday. We were in Oklahoma and every TV and radio station was covering the search and rescue attempt.

Bob Dylan's favourite songwriter, you don't get higher praise than that. Bob came to Canada to induct Gordon into the Canadian songwriter's hall of fame.

The Fitz (as the folks here in Michigan call it) was found in two large pieces at the bottom of Lake Superior, 530 feet down. Navy estimates put the length of the bow section at 276 feet (84 m) and that of the stern section at 253 feet (77 m).

There are many verses in this song that make my eyes well up even after hearing it hundreds of times.

Thank you, Aussie Tash! It's my favourite of Gordon Lightfoot. Such a sad sorry but beautiful song all the same.

In my dream world, I'd christen a Great Lakes freighter the SS Gordon Lightfoot in his honour. RIP to a master musician and storyteller. ❤😢

It is such a hauntingly beautiful song! It is one of my favorite songs of all time, even though my eyes always tear up when hearing it!

Years ago I saw a documentary on PBS television with interviews of the captain of the Arthur Andersen which was making the same trip. I was only 10 years old. I had heard the song on WLS radio in Chicago (old AM89) but did not know it was a true story. Ever since that day, I tear up when hearing it. Then, when Gordon died this year, the video of the bell ringing 30 times was overwhelming. A deserved tribute by awesome Canadians and Americans. RIP Gordon. "Sundown you better take care if I find you've been creeping 'round my back stairs."

I can count on one hand the number of songs I can clearly recall hearing for the first time. And the is by far at the top of the list. American Thanksgiving week, 1976, the Wednesday before our short school vataction, we had just a half-day and they sent us home early. Helped out around the house a bit, then laid down for a nap. Woke up and it was already completely dark. Reached over and flipped on the radio. End of another song finished up and the DJ says, "Here's a new one from Gordon Lightfoot." Ended up sitting on the edge of the bed crying in the dark by the time it was over.

The boat sank in Canadian waters, in per Canadian law it cannot be disturbed as it is considered a tomb. The bell they ring every November in memory is the actual bell that Canada allowed the US to retrieve for a memorial.

Great reaction. He passed away yesterday sadly 😥 R.I.P. G.L.

The water temp in the lake hovers around 45 degrees. The night that happened there was a storm system coming up from lower Michigan with alot of moisture. It was moving north at a steady pace. At the same time a clipper was coming down from Canada from the west. Apparently the idea was they might be able to beat the storm system to Whitefish Bay. They miscalculated and the result was 30-35ft waves, freezing rain and snow, and 60-70mph winds. Gordon Lightfoot never accepted a dime for this song. Every penny it made went into a fund and was dispersed to the families of the men that were on the Fitzgerald. The sister ship to the Fitzgerald is still in use. The Arthur M Anderson still makes short runs. Every year on November 10 at about 7:20 pm they blow a signal tribute then blow a horn for the Fitzgerald. Kinda creepy to see if you ever get the chance!

I've seen a ton of 'Tube' vids about how to behave in Canada/not to behave. They all miss this point; If you are within 100 miles of any of the Great Lakes, *Do Not Mock This Song* If you do, someone(or possibly many folk) will literally punch your teeth through the back of your head. It isn't our tragedy, but it is our song, and we honor the loss of our brother south of the boarder.

I was born and raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Alger County right on Lake Superior. Back in the winter of 1975, I was 4 years old, but I remember that day like it was yesterday...we got hit with several feet of snow, have pictures my Dad took of the following morning. The news came over the radio in the kitchen. Munising back then had a Coast Guard Station. Sad to say they no longer do. But to this day when the sky's are blue and the Big Lake ( Lake Superior) is calm you may catch a glimpse of a freighter off in the distance just North of Grand Island. This Lake is known not to give up her dead....that's a Fact that all Yoopers are well aware of. Also back in the day a very famous world Explorer came to my small town to explore Superior, he left early, his group nearly lost their lives on the big lake. He said publicly that he would never return, that he'd sailed all oceans and seas across the world but none ever scared him like Superior did. That speaks volumes.

Awesome reaction. I have always loved this song. it came out in mid 1970's when I was a teen. The wreck occured a few years before in early 1970's. As someone has already undoubedtly said, Gordon donated the proceeds from this song to the families of these sailors. He died thia May, an I read that in tribute in May, they rang the bell 29+1 times - for the 29 sailors plus one for the passing of Gordon Lightfoot

I’m from Superior WI, lost my gramps, never met him. My dad was 10 years old…years later that same Taconite facility of BNSF, my dad worked for for 30 years….many MANY unseen pictures! She’s terrifying, gorgeous, always respect her! The bell rang 30 times last November, it’ll always ring 30 times now🩷 They’re still down there, fully intact. God bless you Gordon, my grandfather and the rest of the crew of 28 (counting my gramps)

Gordon Lightfoot was an amazing songwriter. He will be missed. RIP Gordon

Was lucky enough to see Gordon in concert when he opened up for Simon and Garfunkel in 2003 here in Toronto. A crowd at of 60000 was dead silent when he did that song. Never been to a concert like that since

Lightfoot died yesterday, May 1. He never let this story be forgotten. And I understand the at the maritime sailors' cathedral yesterday the bell rang 30 times, in honor of Lightfoot. (Listen to the end.)

Fun and amazing fact I learned from the 2019 documentary on Gordon Lightfoot. The original recording of this song was the first time they played it and the one they kept. Gord had just finished writing it and they had the studio time so gave it a go. He even cued the drum fill. They tried several more recordings but kept the original as it had the magic. My favourite Lightfoot song is Early Morning Rain. For me nothing paints a mood like that song.

Gordon died one week ago, May 01, 2023. He was 85. I am 81, and have followed Gordon for decades. The "Big Fitz" Edmund Fitzgerald ballad is a long time favorite.

We've lost our storyteller. Rest in Power, Mister Lightfoot. My Great Grandfather worked the ships that sailed Lake Superior. One of them had a wreak - The Dunelm. I assume he was working as a Stuart, because he got safely off ship. With the Captains engraved sugar bowl. Two great big dents in it. At some point I'm going to donate it to the Canadian War Museum. And why would they care about a sugar bowl from a Lake Boat. Because in 1915 The Dunelm was pressed into war duties. She set sail for England. Last sighting was off of Newfoundland. Never to be seen again. That sugar bowl may be the only remaining thing from that boat to remain above water. After the sugar bowl wreak, my Great Grandfather became a Tug Boat Captain. Meant he could stay in town (then Port Arthur and Fort William, now Thunder Bay) and still ply his trade. This song came out when I was a little kid. I thought Lightfoot might have been singing about his ship. He wasn't. But he was singing for generations of Lake Men who lost their lives on those inland seas. Peace. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown

The Arthur Anderson was behind her and the two captains were radioing back and forth, the Anderson providing radar info since the Fitz had hers knocked out. The Anderson radioed one more time to ask the Fitz how she was doing. The Fitz radioed back "we are holding our own". Minutes later she was on the bottom.

Gordon is a living legend in Canada. He is the musical DNA that founded music culture here

Rest well Gordon 😢RIP, thanks for the music

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was found in the late 70's, a few years after the release of this song. It lies in two sections under 500 feet of water, on the Canadian side of the border. It lies a little more than 15 miles from Whitefish Bay (the safe port mentioned in the song) and 8 or 9 miles off-shore. Diving the wreck is prohibited (on pain of massive fines up to $1million,) because it is considered to be hallowed ground due to the loss of so many lives. This is true of many wrecks in Canada when they are watery graves for their crew.

I was living in Detroit when this wreck happened. I was 15 years old. I will never forget. Gordon Lightfoot is a fantastic story teller

I live right on Lake Ontario. Once I was listening to this song as a freighter ship blew it's fog horn. Haunting. R.I.P. Gordon Lightfoot.

"We are holding our own" May those words NEVER be forgotten...

Great job 👍 with your reaction and thoughts on the song The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald from Gordon Lightfoot .l believe she was hit By a rogue wave in the Great lake.

My Father from the late 60's to the early 80's worked harbor tugs in Milwaukee Harbor. Fitz was a regular visitor until she wasn't. Much later, when I was sailing deep water in the Far East, I worked for a First Mate that had started on the Lakes and "had a shipmate still on watch aboard the Fitzgerald." The seas are vast, but the Brotherhood is small.

It's worth noting that this shipwreck occurred on a lake, not an ocean. However, Lake Superior is enormous and it is essentially an inland sea.

Aussie Tash luv, it's your mate Kanuck Kimmie, I have seen Gord in concert probably 5 times and have always had a great bang for the buck or Loonie. Can I recommend his "Railroad Trilogy", it tells of the building of the Trans Canada Rail, it is three parts and will educate the people of the trials and tribulations of the people working on the rail system in Canada. As a side note, out niece is married to a Marine Technician and lives in Marystown, Nfld. He is on an ocean going ship, and my wife and I are always concerned for his safety and well being, considering his travels in the Atlantic. Ta for now, stay safe, and I always love your videos, thanks.

If you’ve heard a beautiful song, you know a poet. Gordon light foot is a fine example!!

For another great song by Gord I recommend "If You Could Read My Mind." For another history lesson by him try "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy." For just a good listen he has many, many great songs to choose from.

This is a true story of the Edmund Fitzgerald I was 9 when she went down it's one of my favorite songs

RIP Gordan!!! You were truly a gift from above.

The bell rang 30 times May 1,2023, 29 for the crew members and once for Gordon Lightfoot who died thst day.

One of the best songs ever honestly. He has many good songs, this was a popular album(and continues to be popular)

Mr. Lightfoot passed away May 1, 2023 in a hospital in Toronto. ❤RIP Mr. Lightfoot . A true troubadour . RIP sir . 😞❤️

Men on the Edmond Fitzgerald: Ernest McSorley - Captain born in 1912 in Canada and lived in Toledo, Ohio. He started command of the Fitzgerald in 1972 with more than 40 years of experience navigating oceans and the Great Lakes. McSorley was highly regarded for his skills, especially in heavy weather. He intended to retire after the 1975 shipping season but was survived by wife Nellie Pollock. John McCarthy - First mate born in 1913 and lived in Bay Village, Ohio. James Pratt - Second mate born in 1931 and lived in Lakewood, Ohio. Michael Armagost - Third mate born in 1938 and lived in Iron River, Wisconsin. David Weiss - Cadet born in 1953 and lived in Agoura, California. Ransom Cundy - Watchman born in 1922 on Easter Sunday in Houghton, Michigan, and lived in Superior, Wisconsin. He was in the Marine Corp and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima during WWII. Fortunate to survive, Cundy was awarded several commendations and medals for his service. He was sailing with his friend Frederick J. Beetcher at the time of the sinking. Cundy was survived by his daughter Cheryl, her husband, and their seven children as well as three grandchildren from his youngest daughter Janice who passed away in 1974. Karl Peckol - Watchman born in 1955 and lived in Ashtabula, Ohio. William Spengler - Watchman born in 1916 and lived in Toledo, Ohio. John Simmons - Senior wheelman born in 1913 in Ashland, Wisconsin, where he also lived. He was known as a storyteller, jokester, and pool shark, and he loved sailing. Friends with Captain McSorley for more than 30 years, the ill-fated Fitzgerald trip was going to be his last before retirement. Simmons was survived by wife Florence (who never dated or remarried after his death) and two daughters Mary and Patricia. Eugene O’Brien - Wheelman born in 1925 in Minnesota and lived in Toledo, Ohio. Nicknamed the “Great Lakes Gambler,” he worked on ships from age 16 and only took a four-year hiatus as a glass factory worker. He loved casinos and playing cards. O’Brien was survived by wife Nancy and son John, who was just 17 when he lost his father. John Poviach - Wheelman born in 1916 and lived in Bradenton, Florida. Paul Riippa - Deckhand born in 1953 and lived in Ashtabula, Ohio. Mark Thomas - Deckhand born in 1954 and lived in Richmond Heights, Ohio. Bruce Hudson - Deckhand born in 1953 and lived in North Olmsted, Ohio. George Holl - Chief engineer born in 1915 and lived in Cabot, Pennsylvania. Edward Bindon - First assistant engineer born in 1928 and lived in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Thomas Edwards - Second assistant engineer born in 1925 and lived in Oregon, Ohio. Russell Haskell - Second assistant engineer born in 1935 and lived in Millbury, Ohio. Oliver Champeau - Third assistant engineer born in 1934 and lived in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Nicknamed “Buck,” he quit school at age 13 to raise four siblings after his father died. During his life, Champeau fought in the Korean War with the Marine Corps. Ralph Walton - Oiler born in 1917 and lived in Fremont, Ohio. He and his brother Wade sailed on many Columbia Transportation ships, including the Fitzgerald, but only he was on board when it sank. He often volunteered to maintain the ships during winter and gave his nephews tours of the vessels. Walton was survived by a wife and son Alan who worked on freighters too. Blaine Wilhelm - Oiler born in 1923 in Big Bay, Michigan, and lived in Moquah, Wisconsin. He was in the Navy for 11 years, serving in WWII and the Korean War before being discharged as a first class fireman. Afterward, Wilhelm sailed for 19 years. He liked to go fishing and deer hunting and enjoyed playing pool, barbecuing, spending time with family and friends, and eating blueberry pie. Wilhelm was survived by wife Lorraine, seven children, and a grandchild born just four days after the Fitzgerald sank. Thomas Bentsen - Oiler born in 1952 and lived in St. Joseph, Michigan. Gordon MacLellan - Wiper born in 1945 and lived in Clearwater, Florida. Less than one month before the tragic Fitzgerald journey, he built a home in Presque Isle, Michigan, to make travel between the two states easier. MacLellan took after his father, Master Captain Donald MacLellan who traveled the Great Lakes route several times. Robert Rafferty - Steward and cook born in 1913 in Toledo, Ohio, where he also lived. After 30 years of sailing, he started just filling in for crew members. Rafferty wasn’t supposed to be on the fateful journey but was called to fill in for the regular steward. He was actually considering retiring altogether. Rafferty was survived by wife Brooksie, daughter Pam, and several grandchildren. Allen Kalmon - Second cook born in 1932 and lived in Washburn, Wisconsin. Joseph Mazes - Special maintenance man born in 1916 in Ashland, Wisconsin, where he also lived. He sailed for 30 years on the Great Lakes and loved his job. At one point, he saved another crewman’s life. Sadly, the 1975 season would have been his last because he planned to retire. Mazes loved ice fishing, deer hunting, and snowmobiling in his free time. His siblings, nieces, and nephews remember how kind and generous he was. They recall him being afraid of Captain McSorley’s habit of never pulling out of a storm. Thomas Borgeson - Maintenance man born in 1934 and lived in Duluth, Minnesota. Frederick Beetcher - Porter born in 1919 and lived in Superior, Wisconsin. Nolan Church - Porter born in 1920 and lived in Silver Bay, Minnesota. He didn’t start sailing until his 40s after watching the freighters pass by his home and thinking that the job would be fun. He was survived by multiple children who say that he loved the job. Son Rick recalls his father joking that the Great Lakes didn’t have a hole big enough for the Fitzgerald. Church didn’t think that such a tragedy could happen.

"We're holding our own" The Edmund Fitz Gerald's last words

I was 29 when the Edmond Fitzgerald sank in 1975. I live in Port Huron, Michigan, at the foot of Lake Huron and the entrance to the Saint Clair River as a kid; until I was about 22 or 23, I would swim in the river each summer and see the ore freighters sailing up and down the river. I cannot remember the Edmond Fitzgerald itself as one of the particular ships I saw. But I do remember when the wreck happened. At that time I was living and working in Detroit. And visited the Mariner Church on East Jefferson Street right in downtown Detroit.

None survived, no bodies recovered. Wreck found years later and the bell was recovered and is rung 29 times on the anniversary of the sinking.

your favourite singer-songwriter's favourite singer-songwriter, may gordon rest in peace.

I remember the night the Edmund Fitzgerals went down and how hard the winds were blowing. RIP to the crew and Gordon.

See that picture your lookin at? That Was the Edmund Fitzgerald. I remember when she went down. I was living in Wisconsin. I worked with a man who had sailed her twice. The sinking was very ominous. Very Sad. The Great Lakes are like inland fresh water oceans and form a good deal of the border between Canada and The U.S. Lake Superior is the largest of these, the farthest north and the coldest. They still have not found the bottom of Lake superior in some places. Lake Superior never gives up her dead. The Waters of Lake Superior never get warm enough for the gases to develop in a dead body to bring it to the surface. Gordon Lightfoot did not take a penny in profit on this song. Everything went to the surviving families of the lost crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Folk Music always tells a story. It is an under appreciated Genre. Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver (Henry John Duechendorf Junior) Peter Paul & Mary, The Seekers, They made it big. There are a lot of really Good song weavers that few have heard of and or remember. Bill Stains, Gordon Bok, Ed Tricket, Ann Mayo Meur, Sally Rogers, Lots of'em. You can still find some of them on You Tube.

One man was in a hospital and is the only survivor of that crew. This happened in the seventies and was all over the news when Gordon asked permission to write this. He gave all the money this song garners to those families to this day. RIP Gordon Lightfoot.

RIP Mr. Lightfoot this world lost an amazing person and a beautiful voice.

this was supposed to be the captains last voyage before retirement his wife was in a nursing home and wanted to live the last years without fearing for her husband's safety, she passed away i think in the 1993 and the cook Robert Rafferty subbed in for Richard bishop who was also a replacement for the normal cook who was out of the state because Bishop had a bleeding ulcer and elected to stay home

Gordon Lightfoot donated all the proceeds from this song to the families of the lost crew. The " church bell" now rings 30 times after his passing.

I always get a chill listening to this. Lightfoot makes you feel like you're right there with them.

I live in Minnesota, I still remember when it happened........

Rest in Peace Gordon, you were a Canadian treasure and have done your country proud. I live on Lake Ontario, great lakes resident

My uncle worked on Fitzgerald in 72,73,&74. Luckily he decided he wanted to try something else in 75. And my Grandfather was on the Anderson the boat that passed by E.F. that day. I was 11, and when it was on the news a freighter went do on L. Superior with all hands down. My Dad freaked. The anchor man on the news talked about it for 5 minutes before he said the name. I thought my Dad was going to have a heart attack. So the Edmond Fitzgerald is part of my family's history.

Not a hurricane but an early winter storm in November. Can be almost as powerful.

It was an ore ship, carrying taconite iron ore mined on the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota. The ore then is transported and loaded on these ships at ore docks in Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, which are known as Twin Ports and right next to each other. The ships travel the Great Lakes bringing the ore to steel mills throughout the Midwest. These ships stop operating in the winter due to ice forming on the Great Lakes and then resume in spring when the ice melts. November would be pretty much the last time running for the shipping season. I have been on two ships similar to this multiple times as guests of their chief engineers who were friends of my family. They were owned by Republic Steel Corp and dock at the mill on Chicago’s south side. They usually have a crew of 25-30. This is a true story. Lake Superior is the largest, deepest and coldest of the 5 Great Lakes. The reference to Gitche Gumee was the Ojibwa Native American name of Lake Superior. Coincidently, my family owns a cottage in far northwestern Wisconsin only 45 miles from Duluth. One of the victims who died on the Edmund Fitzgerald was from that town of Iron River. A replica of this ship is in a glass case in a local restaurant called the Rustic Roost, in tribute to the crew who perished that fateful day, including 37 year old Michael Armagost, a third mate from Iron River, Wisconsin. Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song after reading a Time Magazine article entitled “The Cruelest Month” from the November 24, 1975 issue, two weeks after the tragedy. No one survived, no bodies were ever found. Gordon Lightfoot gives a haunting account of this horrible tragedy and did more to bring this tragedy to the masses than all of the media coverage combined, and there was plenty. Here we are still talking about it 47 years ago thanks to this recording.

I first heard this song in 1978. I will never stay overnight on a boat as a result. All proceeds from this song go to relatives of the 29 men who went down with, the Edmund Fitzgerald. A heartfelt, thank you, to Gordon Lightfoot for writing and performing this song.

The winds were over 45 knots which created 25ft waves that took down the E.F. Superior is insane. Beautiful but deadly in an instant if the wind changes when you're out on the water. My favourite is Lake Huron. It's so beautiful and covered in pines. FYI, the nor'easter season ends this month (September - April) but nor'easter storms can pop up at any time of the year if the north so decides to throw a hissy-fit.

That's how music Started storytelling storytime with rhythm!

I was in the 5th grade when this happened in 1975 and I had dreams about it for 3 days before it happened. My parents and grandparents couldn't believe and or understand why I was crying and didn't want to go to school back then. The song still haunts me to this day.

You are brilliant. Thank you

This deep spiritual saga will always break my heart! Gordon Lightfoot captured the soul and sadness behind this event like no other. Gordon Lightfoot's masterpiece stands alone!

Glad you liked this song you MUST MUST MUST listem to Gordon's gift to Canada for our 100 year anniversary - you must listen to Canadian Railroad Trilogy another TERRIFIC storytelling song

I grew up in Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes and the Big Freighters. I remember the gut sick feeling I got watching the news that night knowing what had likely happened and the despair everyone felt a few days later knowing that she sank. The Great Lakes shipwreck museum in Paradise, Michigan, has a life boat and several other items as well. There are voice recordings from that night between the Fitzgerald and the Arthur M. Anderson (another ore freighter) that was following the Fitzgerald and suddenly realized they lost her on radar and radio.

I live near the Detroit river and As a child I remember my dad pointing to it and telling me its the largest ship on the great lakes.. He wrote the song on a flight from Toronto to Florida after reading it in the paper.

I had to watch this again. "Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings In the rooms of her ice-water mansion Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams The islands and bays are for sportsmen And farther below Lake Ontario Takes in what Lake Erie can send her" That man could write! The Great Lakes are powerful and according to Gordon have personalities of their own. I imagine anyone living on these lakes for any length of time can attest to that.

True story - this happened in the Great Lakes of the U.S., when I was about 6 years old. I don't remember it, but my older cousins/aunts/uncles said it was a huge story on the news. So, so tragic. I live in Chicago and the lakes are so savage in the winter...those poor guys didn't have a chance.

The Edmund Fitzgerald went down the river I live near at least two to three times a week. It was a huge beautiful ship and easy to spot. The night the ship sunk the bridge that connected Canada and the US was swaying a bit it was that windy, it almost blew me out on the road. In fact the ship was heading towards our.river before it sunk. I really missed seeing that ship.

God rest ye sailors brave and true. Such a tragic story.

Since I was a child "If You Read my Mind" has been one of my favorite songs of all time. Since then, I have discovered many others of his. I agree with Bob Dylan when he said the only bad thing about a Gordon Lightfoot song is that it ends.

“When afternoon came in was freezing rain in the face of a hurricane west wind” I lived a portion of my life in that area of Midwest. To be on deck had to be like Antarctica. I have worked outside when it gets -25F, 32F with rain snow and a high wind is colder.

Lake Superior is the largest fresh-water lake in the world, by surface area, & the third largest by volume, holding ten percent of the world's surface freshwater. But it hasn't any koalas, & this Commonwealth sister in Canada sees that as a definite deficit! 🍁

The captain's last words over the radio were "We're holding our own, going along like an old shoe... " Something like ten minutes later, the ship was on the bottom.

I liked your reaction. This is the first time I've seen your channel. I will watch more. Thank you.

I was 14 when this happened and I think it hit national news even though it was a local event for those folks. Then the song came out and....well, it's just a gut-punch isn't it? Since then we now know the hatch didn't give way, but the waves hit it in such a way that it broke in 2 and sank immediately. They call it the Titanic of the Great Lakes. The ship pieces were slammed down so hard its resting place looks like moon craters. Since bodies don't decompose in Superior (she never gives up her dead) they had to pass a law to treat all shipwrecks the same as graves.

Gordon Lightfoot recently passed away and in the Detroit Maritine Cathedral now rings 29 times for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald and One for Gordon Lightfoot for the bells sound 30 times.

The song mentions the church bell rang till it rang till it rang 29 times. Gordon Lightfoot, the writer and singer of this song donated all proceeds to the survivors families. When he recently passed away the memorial ceremony for the ship rang the bell 30 times. Including Gordon as one of the crew. The Maritime Sailors Hall in Detroit said the bell will ring 30 times from now on. 💖🎶😎

I'm sure we've heard of his recent passing. Miss him already.

Having grown up in Wisconsin, this song has been special for me. The great lakes can seem so calm, and then a storm comes up, and it completely changes.

There. Then. Some songs hurt like hell. Still do. Thank you for opening that old wound and helping it to heal.