November 10, 1975

Gordon Lightfoot's ballad is a haunting tribute.

The History Channel, I think, has done an interesting documentary on the EF. They dived on the wreck, recovered the ship's bell and looked for conclusive evidence to indicate the cause of her sinking.

There are several plausible theories, but as far as I know, it still remains a mystery of the sea.

Some info here for those interested:

http://www.ssefo.com/info/theories.html
 
Not to put the FUN back in FUNERAL, but...

I remember from one of Richard Jeni's older stand up routines, he said he would play "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" when friends stayed too long at his parties. Cleared the room.

He also re worked the lyrics to get it just a little more depressing (I can't find them on the 'net though.) SOmetihing like this:

The ship went right down, and they all drowned like rats.
Leaving their widows and orphans with no insurance.

Funny? No? I guess you had to be there.:eek:
 
Here in Michigan, we use this day to remember all of the 6000 shipwrecks in the great lakes. Not usual at all to meet people who know or are related to someone who sailed the Lakes in a freighter. Hard for some of you to think of Michigan as a seagoing state I'm sure, but we have a rich history of it.
 
They did a very nice segment on the Edmund Fitzgerald on the History channel, and the speculation was that the vessel may have been "riding the troughs" leaving the center relatively unsupported, causing it to "break deep and take water" as Gordon says.
 
The lyrics were so clear and understandable...what was the lyric that the Lightfoot sings "Boys it's too rough to feed ya". Then I believe the worst was to come right after.
 
textoothpk said:
Here in Michigan, we use this day to remember all of the 6000 shipwrecks in the great lakes.
Click to expand...
I'm glad to hear that. The point of the song, right from the start of it, was that this is a terrible, ongoing problem, not just for the one big ship.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitchigumi
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy​
 
Myself, I have always called it a sailor's nightmare. I love the way the song is articulated. And the song always puts me in a good mood now that I am firmly on dry land, and have finally after many years lost my sea legs.
 
That's kinda eerie. I was born on Nov 21, 1975, Eleven days after the SSEF sank. I have two different versions of the song on disc, one live and one from the Summertime album. I never knew the song was based on true events. I always thought it was a great song, one of the best ballads I've ever heard. I can't listen to it now without thinking about the wreck.

Brandon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top