In my opinion, Gordon Lightfoot simply states the facts and lets the listener draw his or her own conclusions. This allowed him to sing politically charged songs, yet still remain popular. I like to use the song "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" as an example. One could glean a song of adventure and conquest, or one of the destruction of the environment, and indigenous population. It all depends on your perspective. As for why he doesn't write in this style anymore, I have no answer. I know that Black Day in July was on the 36 All Time Favorites Compilation, and on the United Artists Collection. None of his early works show up on his two later Greatest Hits albums. I suspect it had something to do with the Labels, but I'm not real sure. As for why it was left off of Songbook, I have no answer, it seems it would have been a good fit for the collection.
Just my Thoughts
Walter Farmer
waltsongs@lycos.com