About the song
Gordon Lightfoot’s “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a haunting ballad that recounts the tragic sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a Great Lakes freighter. Released in 1976, the song is one of Lightfoot’s most well-known and beloved compositions, praised for its vivid storytelling and evocative melody.
Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian singer-songwriter renowned for his rich voice and narrative songwriting, has been a significant figure in folk and folk-rock music since the 1960s. Known for his ability to weave intricate stories into his songs, Lightfoot has crafted numerous hits that explore themes of nature, love, and history. “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” stands out as a poignant narrative ballad that showcases his skill as a storyteller and composer.
The song is based on the real-life tragedy of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a massive freighter that sank on Lake Superior during a severe storm on November 10, 1975. All 29 crew members aboard were lost, making it one of the deadliest disasters in the history of Great Lakes shipping. The cause of the sinking remains a subject of speculation and investigation, adding to the mystery and poignancy of the event.
Lightfoot wrote “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” shortly after the tragedy, drawing inspiration from news reports and a commemorative article titled “The Cruelest Month” by Gordon Lightfoot in Newsweek. The song captures the dramatic and sorrowful nature of the event with a blend of historical accuracy and poetic license. The lyrics recount the ship’s final voyage, the suddenness of the storm, and the despair of the crew, all underscored by a haunting refrain: “The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead / When the skies of November turn gloomy.”
Musically, the song features a somber and reflective melody that complements its grave subject matter. The arrangement is spare but powerful, with Lightfoot’s rich baritone voice accompanied by acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and percussion. The use of minor chords and a repetitive, almost hypnotic rhythm creates an atmosphere of inevitability and mourning, mirroring the relentless nature of the storm and the tragic fate of the ship.
The song’s structure is straightforward yet effective, with verses that detail the ship’s journey, the onset of the storm, and the aftermath of the disaster. Lightfoot’s careful attention to detail and narrative pacing gives the song a journalistic quality, making the listener feel as though they are witnessing the events unfold in real time. This narrative style, combined with the evocative music, creates a powerful emotional impact.
Upon its release, “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it one of Lightfoot’s highest-charting singles in the United States. The song’s popularity helped to cement Lightfoot’s reputation as a master storyteller and an important voice in contemporary music.
The impact of “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” extends beyond its commercial success. The song has been credited with raising public awareness about the dangers of Great Lakes shipping and the specific circumstances of the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy. It has become a staple in Lightfoot’s live performances and is often featured in commemorations of the disaster.
“Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” continues to resonate with listeners due to its compelling narrative, evocative music, and respectful treatment of a historical tragedy. The song’s portrayal of the men aboard the ship as brave and dignified figures adds a human dimension to the disaster, honoring their memory in a way that transcends the specific event.
In conclusion, “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a masterful blend of historical storytelling and musical composition, exemplifying Gordon Lightfoot’s talent as a songwriter and his deep respect for the subjects he explores. The song’s haunting melody, evocative lyrics, and narrative power make it a timeless classic, ensuring its place in the pantheon of great folk ballads. Lightfoot’s sensitive and thoughtful treatment of the tragedy of the Edmund Fitzgerald continues to move audiences, making the song a poignant reminder of the forces of nature and the fragility of human endeavor.
Video
Lyrics
“The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald”
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
[Former version:] That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
[Latter version:] That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early
The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
Then later that night when the ship’s bell rang
Could it be the north wind they’d been feelin’?
The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
When the wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too
‘Twas the witch of November come stealin’
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashin’
When afternoon came it was freezing rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind
When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck
Saying, “Fellas, it’s too rough to feed ya.”
[Former version:] At seven PM a main hatchway caved in
[Latter version:] At seven PM it grew dark, it was then
He said, “Fellas, it’s been good to know ya.”
The captain wired in he had water comin’ in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went out of sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searchers all say they’d have made Whitefish Bay
If they’d put fifteen more miles behind her
They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters
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
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered
[Former version:] In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed
[Latter version:] In a rustic old hall in Detroit they prayed
In the Maritime Sailors’ Cathedral
The church bell chimed ’til it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early