http://rjwhite.livejournal.com/568527.html
*an open letter to gordon lightfoot*
Nov. 11th, 2007 at 12:35 AM
Mr. Gordon Lightfoot,
First, let me start by being honest- I am not familiar with much of your work, outside of the popular hits "If You Could Read My Mind" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." I understand that you have had a long and distinguished career, earning 15 "Juno Awards" (which I understand to be Canada's "Grammy") and have even been made a Companion of the Order of Canada (which I understand to be Canada's "Medal of Honor"). For these things, I congratulate you, but I just want to make it clear that I am not writing to you as a fan of your music, but rather as a fan of maritime safety.
Growing up in Michigan, I heard "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" played more times than I can count. Even since moving to Philadelphia, I have heard it, usually around the anniversary of the tragic disaster each year (November 10, but you are certainly aware of this date). I think this only goes to show the reach it has had for countless listeners over the decades. Which is what makes its message all the more troubling.
In the section of the song where you weigh the various merits of the Great Lakes, this is what you have to say about Lake Michigan-
"Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams,
The islands and bays are for sportsmen."
To me, these lyrics evoke images of a calm, glassy body of water, offering no more danger than a backyard wading pool. Certainly, no match for the angry, violent Lake Superior, prone to "hurricane west winds."
But let me tell you, I have seen Lake Michigan on a bad day from both the Michigan and Chicago sides and it is no serene pond. I'm talking whitecaps, Mr. Lightfoot, slicing at dark gray skies, punctuated by stinging rain and sleet. Lake Michigan has seen its share of shipwrecks and mysterious disappearances of aircraft over the years, I'm sure- plenty enough to compete with your mighty Lake Superior.
And what- this is a hypothetical, but stay with me- what if some family were to plan a trip to the Great Lakes region, basing their choice partly on your song? "Hmm... it's supposed to be stormy today, but in 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' Gordon Lightfoot clearly states that Lake Michigan steams calmly, so let's book that charter trip. Tell the kids to get ready- what? Life jackets? No need, it'll be just like a pontoon trip across granddad's old pond at home!"
Do you want a tragedy like this on your hands? If your answer is "no"- as it should be, if you have an ounce of compassion in your body- then I would suggest a slight disclaimer, should you happen to perform this song in concert:
"Though I give the impression in this song that Lake Michigan is not dangerous, she is actually a harsh, watery mistress with whom you should not trifle. Please take appropriate measures to ensure your safety when visiting her shores."
Otherwise, I guarantee a level of guilt which no number of "Junos" could assuage.
Yours, in earnest,
RJ White
an open letter to Gordon Lightfoot - on a blog
