If Children Had Wings
 

toward the end of yesterday's four hour GL Tribute/Xmas concert, a woman requested we play this song as a tribute to the current, horrific tragedy... John Stinson sang the most moving version I've heard, making it hard to concentrate on playing...ironic that we learned that Fred Lightfoot (who, along with Ingrid, had inspired the song) had seen the tribute

As a tiny consolation, I wish the families could know that even in a distant modest Legion hall in York Region, they and their precious little ones were being thought of dearly

GL has said his main inspiration for writing over the years had been to fulfil record label contracts...so, i was thinking maybe he should sign a new deal and tour less...he is single and his kids are pretty much all grown up...lots of inspirations for writing ...perhaps his poetic phrases and soothing melodies can help with the healing ...i'm sure in his wisdom, Gord would avoid a political angle

My thoughts are with current victims...as well as all future innocent victims

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

Beautifully said, jj. Thank you.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

Agreed, jj your post brought tears to my eyes.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

I didn't realize the date for the show had come up so fast! Wish I'd made it..

I've not been able to think of anything but those children.

Bless the beasts and the children...keep them safe from harm.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

Thanks jj.
The world needs more Lightfoot. People who have been touched by Gord's magic are incapable of committing such acts...

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

Very moving post indeed there JJ.

It's inconceivable to even think about how many peoples lives have been affected and changed forever by such a horrific act.

I can't come to terms with sorting out whether I'm more mad than sad.

Change has to happen though and it can't come soon enough but it would be unrealistic to expect that to happen overnight.

The mountain has to be moved and it might have to be done one stone at a time.

Keep playing those tunes there guys. You do them the way they were intended to be done.

Sure wish I could have attended that concert.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

jj: it's not going to happen. To retire from the stage and just record would mean that Gord would have to write. He doesn't want to do that. Many of his contemporaries have less of a problem writing. Neil Diamond, for instance, has often said he can pull out a yellow legal pad and write anytime, anywhere. Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, has said in the past all he needs is a kitchen table between midnight and dawn and can write. But Gord is cut from a different cloth. He has to shut out everything and everyone to get the job done. That's not his fault, just how his brain is wired. He's alluded to the fact that since his last stint at writing and recording demos for "Harmony", now a decade ago, he has written a few songs, and perhaps jotted some things down. But I suspect not the way he was writing during the Sundown, Cold on the Shoulder, etc days. I do wish someone would sit him down and describe how he could record and release a few songs at a time on a website and get paid for downloads, since the age of the album is apparently over, but I don't think at 74, he's interested. I think we have to hope that if he has one or two new songs he'd like to introduce in concerts, he might do it over the next year or two, but who knows.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

indeed... its been just over a year since


I guess there was some talk of this over at redundant facebook pages these days...an unfriendly format for discussions, imo.... post it here, then twitter, then Facebook, then go to the www.Lightfoot.ca website to see ...is there a myspace or Gord instagram social media thingie (whatever that is?;))

anyhow, nice pics Art... can't afford 'em though

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

duh, i just realized the appeal of Facebook (well, one aspect) versus the rediculousness (thats a word!) of it all, lol .... it's got that multiplier friend of a friend type appeal if one is into promoting ... same with the tweet stuff, no? isnt that how somebody got famous quick? someone with many followers tweeted a video ... i know there are many who want Ellen to tweet or share of whatever their stuff, so they can easily launch to fame... kinda of the "Idol" world we live in now... please Like me, please share, please tweet... i guess in the old days you would put up a poster on the community bulletin board

i think youtube and vimeo are interesting diversions ... "if you like this, you might like this" ....it often is quite right.... otherwise, just a great time waster and procrastinator of getting back to reality ....imagine if all the time spent watching youtube videos could be spent volunteering... i have no idea what this has to do with the Subject line... i'm SO sorry to hear about this week's horror:(

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

Good point, no facebook for me thank you.

I've heard of two school events just this week. How unbelievably sad and scary especially when you have kids in school yourself. I feel so badly for these families.

On a positive note, thanks for posting the pictures of Gord's kids..very cute.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

so many places to find stuff...sometimes reality ain't all it's cracked up to be..
;)

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

That song is always pretty and very touching as well.

I'd certainly love to hear Gordon sing that one,shouldii go to the show here in February.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

sure you should go, borderstone... they do an alternate arrangement

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

One of the most touching songs he has ever written.

Re: If Children Had Wings
 

Thank you for posting this video today. It is one of my all time favorite songs. today is my birthday and it was a glorious way to start my day. this is a beautiful song for parents to hear. Your original post made me cry. A year later, that school shooting continues to hurt. I hope some of those parents can find some peace with this song.