Ok, here's a question out of nowhere...do you think Gord has a special affinity with/for the state of Michigan? I was listening to Disc 1 of the Songbook boxed set and I hear it there...I of course hear it in "On The High Seas", and of course in "The Wreck...". Any of you think Gord thinks of Michigan as as close to Ontario as the US can get? I'm from Chicago, but I have a summer home in MI and really feel it's the best state in the Union geographically. It has the farm land of the midwest, the rugged inner urban areas of Detroit, the beautiful coasts of Traverse City and all along the west "sun coast" that could rival anything New England has to offer. Anyone think Gord might think Michigan is the most "Canadian" of the US states?

Ok, here's a question out of nowhere...do you think Gord has a special affinity with/for the state of Michigan? I was listening to Disc 1 of the Songbook boxed set and I hear it there...I of course hear it in "On The High Seas", and of course in "The Wreck...". Any of you think Gord thinks of Michigan as as close to Ontario as the US can get? I'm from Chicago, but I have a summer home in MI and really feel it's the best state in the Union geographically. It has the farm land of the midwest, the rugged inner urban areas of Detroit, the beautiful coasts of Traverse City and all along the west "sun coast" that could rival anything New England has to offer. Anyone think Gord might think Michigan is the most "Canadian" of the US states?

Rob, first off, I have to agree with you on Michigan being the best state in the Union geographically...nestled right in between all the Great Lakes, open farms and beautiful forests, the bustle of Detroit balanced by the quietude of the northern port towns...but I'm definitely biased, having summered up in the Petoskey area for 19 years (since birth!). One of the reasons I love Gord's music so much is because it reminds me of being "Up North." I can't speak for the man himself, but I don't doubt that he has a soft spot for Michigan somewhere. Going to see him in Rochester Hills on July 27th...maybe I'll get a chance to ask him ;)

And not forgetting:-
"He's playin' up in Michigan with a group they call The Intended
With a kiss, and a promise, he was gone
The song was ended"
and I do hear that "Virginia is for Lovers"!!
John Fowles
And From a page headed "Real Lyrics -> Nonsensical -> Gordon Lightfoot" at:-
http://www.amiright.com/real/nonarti...ightfoot.shtml
first a submission by Lisa referring to the opening lines of Carefree Highway
"Why They're Nonsensical:
Most of Gordon Lightfoot's songs, though musically wonderful to listen to, sound like he must have put random lines together to arrive at his song lyrics. This is one of the most shining examples"

and an opinion of TWOTEF
The Nonsensical Lyrics:
Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion. br> Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen

Why They're Nonsensical:
This is a nice little verse, but I have no clue what it has to do with the rest of the song. It's just kind of randomly stuck in there in the middle of a whole bunch of verses about a shipwreck and its aftermath.
Submitted by: Carolee
there is also a calculation as performed by me and Iron's wife on the number of chimes of the church bell
"That bellringer must have had some headache!
Submitted by: Scot Penslar"

And not forgetting:-
"He's playin' up in Michigan with a group they call The Intended
With a kiss, and a promise, he was gone
The song was ended"
and I do hear that "Virginia is for Lovers"!!
John Fowles
And From a page headed "Real Lyrics -> Nonsensical -> Gordon Lightfoot" at:-
http://www.amiright.com/real/nonarti...ightfoot.shtml
first a submission by Lisa referring to the opening lines of Carefree Highway
"Why They're Nonsensical:
Most of Gordon Lightfoot's songs, though musically wonderful to listen to, sound like he must have put random lines together to arrive at his song lyrics. This is one of the most shining examples"

and an opinion of TWOTEF
The Nonsensical Lyrics:
Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion. br> Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen

Why They're Nonsensical:
This is a nice little verse, but I have no clue what it has to do with the rest of the song. It's just kind of randomly stuck in there in the middle of a whole bunch of verses about a shipwreck and its aftermath.
Submitted by: Carolee
there is also a calculation as performed by me and Iron's wife on the number of chimes of the church bell
"That bellringer must have had some headache!
Submitted by: Scot Penslar"

His great song "Black Day In July," was also about the motor city. Riots in the 60's.

"Why can't we all be brothers.
Why can't we live in peace."

His great song "Black Day In July," was also about the motor city. Riots in the 60's.

"Why can't we all be brothers.
Why can't we live in peace."

Hmmm,

Do love the song OTHS but gotta throw in "Go Buckeyes" when I hear that State Up North's name(as Woody Hayes used to say).

On The High Seas (Dream Street Rose) 3:15

Was it someone she met that's so hard to forget
Was it some kind of an ocean of changes
I don't remember where she said she would be
And since I don't know, let me guess
Was it somewhere in Michigan or the Lake of the Woods
Up in old Montreal or Toronto the good
Somewhere in Reno or somewhere in Rome
And when all is said and done
Will she leave me alone

I don't want to get so low
And as for my sadness, it comes and it goes
I don't remember where she said she would be
Back in the city or on the high seas

Was it up in Hornpayne where the trains run on time
Was she drinking champagne when she made up her mind
North of the border or down in South Bend
And when all is said and done
Is there no rainbow's end

I don't want to own the key
To some ghostly mansion where souls are set free
I don't remember where she said she would go
Straight for the highway or down the low road
I don't remember where she said she would be
Back in the city or on the high seas

Hmmm,

Do love the song OTHS but gotta throw in "Go Buckeyes" when I hear that State Up North's name(as Woody Hayes used to say).

On The High Seas (Dream Street Rose) 3:15

Was it someone she met that's so hard to forget
Was it some kind of an ocean of changes
I don't remember where she said she would be
And since I don't know, let me guess
Was it somewhere in Michigan or the Lake of the Woods
Up in old Montreal or Toronto the good
Somewhere in Reno or somewhere in Rome
And when all is said and done
Will she leave me alone

I don't want to get so low
And as for my sadness, it comes and it goes
I don't remember where she said she would be
Back in the city or on the high seas

Was it up in Hornpayne where the trains run on time
Was she drinking champagne when she made up her mind
North of the border or down in South Bend
And when all is said and done
Is there no rainbow's end

I don't want to own the key
To some ghostly mansion where souls are set free
I don't remember where she said she would go
Straight for the highway or down the low road
I don't remember where she said she would be
Back in the city or on the high seas

I know Orillia is quite a distance from the US Border but perhaps when he was growing up there maybe he visted Michigan quite often. Maybe he still does.

I know Orillia is quite a distance from the US Border but perhaps when he was growing up there maybe he visted Michigan quite often. Maybe he still does.