Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post

Don Quixote · 04-08-2005, 12:37 PM

I agree with the last statements (although the idea of "God" as a wandering minstrel has interesting theological possibilities--I kind of like this serendipitous metaphor!); as I said, Gord certainly seems to be talking about himself as the "minstrel of the dawn". We got a little side-tracked, because it appeared that some in the group were a little upset that GL might be using the black-faced minstrel show as his model. The Rez and I were just commenting that the practice of minstrelsy goes back well before those times, and that Gord was aligning himself with a much longer and far-reaching tradition than that one manifestation of "minstrelsy"--again, the reference to "old-time troubador".
Rez, I agree that sometimes personal and uncomplicated reactions are often the best; we take a song and "make it our own" according to our own circumstances. I also think that new insights, and other ideas that we can accept or reject (with respect and consideration) can also shape and enhance the meaning of many of the songs.
I see GL will be in Northampton, MA,--about 15 miles from where I live, in November. I'm scheduled to attend a conference in Baltimore then--I think I feel some flu coming on for that day...

04-08-2005, 12:37 PM	#18
Don Quixote Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Springfield, MA 01109 Posts: 309	I agree with the last statements (although the idea of "God" as a wandering minstrel has interesting theological possibilities--I kind of like this serendipitous metaphor!); as I said, Gord certainly seems to be talking about himself as the "minstrel of the dawn". We got a little side-tracked, because it appeared that some in the group were a little upset that GL might be using the black-faced minstrel show as his model. The Rez and I were just commenting that the practice of minstrelsy goes back well before those times, and that Gord was aligning himself with a much longer and far-reaching tradition than that one manifestation of "minstrelsy"--again, the reference to "old-time troubador". Rez, I agree that sometimes personal and uncomplicated reactions are often the best; we take a song and "make it our own" according to our own circumstances. I also think that new insights, and other ideas that we can accept or reject (with respect and consideration) can also shape and enhance the meaning of many of the songs. I see GL will be in Northampton, MA,--about 15 miles from where I live, in November. I'm scheduled to attend a conference in Baltimore then--I think I feel some flu coming on for that day...