July 12: Welcome home Gord
Opinion
Local News - Tuesday, July 12, 2005 @ 08:00
Gordon Lightfoot had achieved a great deal in his life.
But in recent years, he's done something many great people have struggled with: he has come home.
It's not an easy task.
Some of the greatest poets in the English language have wrestled with the notion, which is as old as the human experience. But on Sunday night, Lightfoot proved yet again that you can go home again, no matter what heights you reach.
Lightfoot took the stage Sunday night at the Mariposa Folk Festival to highlight the most anticipated entertainment event of the year in Orillia. With thousands looking on, he strapped on his guitar with a casual air fitting of any Orillia resident, and delivered a folksy show that was both powerful and poignant.
It's a good bet that few if any left disappointed, even though Lightfoot has not recovered the full glory of his voice — probably the most beautiful and unique in Canada. Serious illness over the past two years forced Lightfoot into a long and grueling recovery.
But on Sunday night, the Lightfoot show became more than a concert. It became an experience.
Thousands of people sat in perfect silence as Lightfoot sang. They cheered him with an affection that few performers ever receive from their audience. When he first took the stage, someone yelled out, "Welcome home Gord!"
The audience roared and began to clap in unison at the start of several Lightfoot standards, but the rhythmic clapping soon died away as the audience realized they were drowing out Lightfoot's tender voice. It was not a loss of enthusiasm; rather it was a collective sign of deep respect for this man.
Children with little connection to Lightfoot's music focused intently on the stage, apparently aware that something remarkable was taking place as the audience and Lightfoot played to each other in a magnificent dance 5,000-strong.
Three times now Lightfoot has done this on the Mariposa main stage since the festival returned to Orillia. He was the first big name to anchor the festival in 2000 when it returned to its birthplace 40 years after its creation. At that time he was strong and euphoric. He did it again a year ago when he chose Mariposa to make his first public appearance after his illness.
There is something deeply archetypal in the return of Lightfoot to this community after an achingly long absence. It's the stuff of poetry, of song.
Gordon Lightfoot has achieved the status of an icon in this country.
More remarkable, he has achieved the same status in his native community, the greatest feat of all.
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Great to read wonderful things like that! 
- Borderstone
