Let’s face it. Gordon Lightfoot was not only the the best male singer ever but he was so gorgeous back in the day. My best friend in HS and I had the maddest crushes on him, especially when we saw him in concert.
Great pics!!! Gordon Lightfoot has gotten me through so many bad times. By the way, I married a Don Quixote type. That's why I love this song so much! Tilting at windmills.....trying to fix everything wrong in life....The lyrics are unbeleivable. Gordon has such a gift for telling stories with his music. And he, himself, is a gift to our planet! Thank you for your work, Tony.
His music kept me safe through very bad times in my life , funny to say but this song kept me from giving up many times along with cotton jenny. Thank you MR. Lightfoot.
I'll never forget meeting Red Shea, while taping the Tommy Hunter Show. He was a gem of a musician and human being, and a huge asset to Gordon's music.
Don Quixote!! One of my first and favorite GL songs. This was my first album too. I first saw him in DC at Daughters of the American Revolution. Then several times after that. Rock on, GL!
At my nadir, living in a rented mobile home I would fall asleep to his songs & be transported away from that cold Winter ('73 - ''74)... & its chill in my heart & Soul. I was could feel warm & wanted "sitting on Susan's Floor." & Life mattered .. .
Listening in 2018 as I have been for some 40 odd years. Have most of his albums on 33-1/3. My all time favorite of folk singers/troubadours. Too many great songs to mention, but this is one of his best. Many a night I have listened for countless minutes/ hours to the songs can create a wunderlust unrivaled by anyone else. And this is, yet again, one of those nights.
ive seen Gordon 3 times in the past 15 years. I'm 38. I have more years to listen than he does playing. I will miss him dearly but, I am certainly relishing the moments now. He may be Canadien but he is everyone's treasure if they care to listen.
My dad once delivered furniture to Gordon Lightfoot's house in Toronto. He jokingly said, "Will you play me a song?" "No." "I paid to see you a couple of times." "Thank you."
I heard Gord sing this song in Nov. 2014, and I have to say that he is like a fine old wine, a little past its date but still captivating with different nuances from when it was young, but still satisfying.
love love this man my friend and I had a 67 camero with litfoot on the plates calif 1974 we watched him in the Hollywood bowl box seats for 5$ a night those were the day will always love him
Beautiful live recording from Avery Fisher Hall, NY in 1977- Gord, Terry Clements, Rick Haynes and Pee Wee Charles...Benefit Concert....Tanks for posting it.
Funny thing about Gord's Gold, but all the songs are re-recordings - not the originals. The originals are better - rawer. I wondered if he had lost the rights to all the original recordings or something and had to redo them with a different producer.
Don Quixote Through the woodland, through the valley Comes a horseman wild and free Tilting at the windmills passing Who can the brave young horseman be He is wild but he is mellow He is strong but he is weak He is cruel but he is gentle He is wise but he is meek --- Reaching for his saddlebag He takes a battered book into his hand Standing like a prophet bold He shouts across the ocean to the shore Till he can shout no more --- I have come o'er moor and mountain Like the hawk upon the wing I was once a shining knight Who was the guardian of a king I have searched the whole world over Looking for a place to sleep I have seen the strong survive And I have seen the lean grown weak ---- See the children of the earth Who wake to find the table bare See the gentry in the country Riding off to take the air ---- Reaching for his saddlebag He takes a rusty sword into his hand Then striking up a knightly pose He shouts across the ocean to the shore Till he can shout no more --- See the jailor with his key Who locks away all trace of sin See the judge upon the bench Who tries the case as best he can See the wise and wicked ones Who feed upon life's sacred fire See the soldier with his gun Who must be dead to be admired --- See the man who tips the needle See the man who buys and sells See the man who puts the collar On the ones who dare not tell See the drunkard in the tavern Stemming gold to make ends meet See the youth in ghetto black Condemned to life upon the street --- Reaching for his saddlebag He takes a tarnished cross into his hand Then standing like a preacher now He shouts across the ocean to the shore Then in a blaze of tangled hooves He gallops off across the dusty plain In vain to search again Where no one will hear --- Through the woodland, through the valley Comes a horseman wild and free Tilting at the windmills passing Who can the brave young horseman be He is wild but he is mellow He is strong but he is weak He is cruel but he is gentle He is wise but he is meek ---- By Gordon Lightfoot
Lightfoot told me in June 1982, when I was interviewing him for Billboard magazine after a Nashville concert, that Warner Bros. was sitting on a double live album. It never was released, unfortunately. So I wonder if this excellent track, which clearly features 1970s-80s steel guitar player Pee Wee Charles, is from that set. A great find.
excerpt from lyrics : " ... See the children of the earth Who wake to find the table bare See the gentry in the country Riding off to take the air Reaching for his saddlebag He takes a rusty sword into his hand Then striking up a knightly pose He shouts across the ocean to the shore Till he can shout no more See the jailor with his key Who locks away all trace of sin See the judge upon the bench Who tries the case as best he can See the wise and wicked ones Who feed upon life's sacred fire See the soldier with his gun Who must be dead to be admired See the man who tips the needle See the man who buys and sells See the man who puts the collar On the ones who dare not tell See the drunkard in the tavern Stemming gold to make ends meet See the youth in ghetto black Condemned to life upon the street ... "
I don't think it a stretch to put Lightfoot in the class of one of the top songwriters of the past 100 or so years . The words to the song of the true story of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald will live on in perpetuity as long as someone is there to pass the song on from generation to generation or a sentient being a thousand years from now discovers the song .
´course we do bró, the beauty of the words are so taking, and this for a naturalized US citizen, visitted Canada ..Montreal and Toronto, driving 18 wheeler
Peewee used to send chills up my spine untill one day it stopped. I asked him hey what happened. "Gord told me to tone it down " anyway listen to peewees magic steel. If it doesn't thrilled you there is something wrong.
i recorded a "Christmas Concert" off the radio that he did mid 70s. I think this recording is that same performance, also included If Children Had Wings. I had the recording on 8-track and early 80s somebody stole it out of my car. Do you have the whole concert, Tony Blackhall? I don't find it elsewhere on YT but the whole was wonderful; wonder why GL doesn't put it out
As far as I know there is nothing to stop you doing a cover but If you sell it or perform it at a concert or on TV etc., the composer must receive a royalty fee. I believe copyright lasts until seventy years after the death of the writer/composer. The best thing is to check with the publisher.
The still photos are from the BBC performance (1971, released 1972) but I'm pretty certain this version of Don Quixote is from a concert Lightfoot performed at Avery Hall in New York. It was a benefit concert for cerebral palsy on Dec. 12, 1977, and was broadcast on WNEW Radio.
Absolutely no disrespect intended, but I can't be the first to notice that Gordon actually screws up one of the lines in this version. Instead of the normal "Standing like a prophet bold/Striking up a knightly pose/Standing like a preacher now" progression, he repeats the "knightly pose" bit the third time around.
Anthem of anyone who serves, or has served because they wanted to make the world a better place. Should have won at least one Grammy, in a line from another great song from the 70s. "They did not listen, they're not listening still, perhaps they never will"
Let’s face it. Gordon Lightfoot was not only the the best male singer ever but he was so gorgeous back in the day. My best friend in HS and I had the maddest crushes on him, especially when we saw him in concert.
He was truly Writer, story teller, and singer. RIP to a Canadian singer. I just wish their will be someone to fill his boots.
Just re-discovered Gordon during this pandemic. God works in mysterious ways ❤️
Yeah, he ends up killing all of us in his mysterious ways.
Great pics!!! Gordon Lightfoot has gotten me through so many bad times. By the way, I married a Don Quixote type. That's why I love this song so much! Tilting at windmills.....trying to fix everything wrong in life....The lyrics are unbeleivable. Gordon has such a gift for telling stories with his music. And he, himself, is a gift to our planet! Thank you for your work, Tony.
His music kept me safe through very bad times in my life , funny to say but this song kept me from giving up many times along with cotton jenny. Thank you MR. Lightfoot.
+Clay Pop I am so happy you are still here.
Clay Pop Same
Clay Pop my fav song is Talking in Your Sleep, i like Robin Trower too
I, too wish you well Clay. Who could be more inspirational than Gordon to get you through tough times. All the best my friend.
me too...healing and calming in his voice...love him
I'll never forget meeting Red Shea, while taping the Tommy Hunter Show. He was a gem of a musician and human being, and a huge asset to Gordon's music.
Don Quixote!! One of my first and favorite GL songs. This was my first album too. I first saw him in DC at Daughters of the American Revolution. Then several times after that. Rock on, GL!
I really don't understand how anyone could give a thumbs down to this song. It is an absolute gem.
Lightfoot was bigger than life in my late teens. Thanks for your meaningful lyrics!
They’re brain dead
At my nadir, living in a rented mobile home I would fall asleep to his songs & be transported away from that cold Winter ('73 - ''74)... & its chill in my heart & Soul. I was could feel warm & wanted "sitting on Susan's Floor." & Life mattered .. .
One of the great 20th century troubadours
I just recently got a phonograph and this gordon lightfoot album and i fell in love with music all over again!
Childhood memories.
Have fun.Discover new music.It's joyful.
Listening in 2018 as I have been for some 40 odd years. Have most of his albums on 33-1/3. My all time favorite of folk singers/troubadours. Too many great songs to mention, but this is one of his best. Many a night I have listened for countless minutes/ hours to the songs can create a wunderlust unrivaled by anyone else. And this is, yet again, one of those nights.
ive seen Gordon 3 times in the past 15 years. I'm 38. I have more years to listen than he does playing. I will miss him dearly but, I am certainly relishing the moments now. He may be Canadien but he is everyone's treasure if they care to listen.
I have had the privilege of seeing Mr. Lightfoot in concert more than once. You get you moneys' worth! A true icon.
Gene Hesser 4 times here. A treasure every time.
My dad once delivered furniture to Gordon Lightfoot's house in Toronto. He jokingly said, "Will you play me a song?"
"No."
"I paid to see you a couple of times."
"Thank you."
Gene Hesser YA
What a talent! This one ends up one of my favourites. Such great song writing. And pickin too'
This epic song is a feast. Three sentences from this could fill albums by today's standards.
A true old time timeless minstrel.
I heard Gord sing this song in Nov. 2014, and I have to say that he is like a fine old wine, a little past its date but still captivating with different nuances from when it was young, but still satisfying.
love love this man my friend and I had a 67 camero with litfoot on the plates calif 1974 we watched him in the Hollywood bowl box seats for 5$ a night those were the day will always love him
sonya schrade
One of my favorites for sure. 8O) shared on Facebook and added to worldunitedmusicDOTblospotDOTcom
Beautiful live recording from Avery Fisher Hall, NY in 1977- Gord, Terry Clements, Rick Haynes and Pee Wee Charles...Benefit Concert....Tanks for posting it.
One of my favorite songs.
It's so nice to hear this live version.
Thanks for posting this.
RIP SAD DAY
One of my ex wifes favorite to play and sing. I miss them both.
saw gordon live in la twice and it was great both times...the best
Amazing. It was good to hear the wild applause at the end. Made me feel I was part of them, for surely, I would have clapped just as loud. thx.
This was one of my favorite songs off "Gords Gold". I wore several of those LPs out. One of my most favorite albums. Yeah Gordo!
first saw lightfoot 1970 queen Elizabeth theatre Vancouver. just bought tickets for Kelowna show 47 yrs. later!
Funny thing about Gord's Gold, but all the songs are re-recordings - not the originals. The originals are better - rawer. I wondered if he had lost the rights to all the original recordings or something and had to redo them with a different producer.
I wore out all of my Lightfoot LPs and CDs from constant playing too. Thank goodness for Spotify!
My gosh, but can't he paint the loveliest of pictures with his songs. A true North American treasure/
Love this song.
What an incredible talent!
So melancholy and beautiful.
Don Quixote
Through the woodland, through the valley
Comes a horseman wild and free
Tilting at the windmills passing
Who can the brave young horseman be
He is wild but he is mellow
He is strong but he is weak
He is cruel but he is gentle
He is wise but he is meek
---
Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a battered book into his hand
Standing like a prophet bold
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Till he can shout no more
---
I have come o'er moor and mountain
Like the hawk upon the wing
I was once a shining knight
Who was the guardian of a king
I have searched the whole world over
Looking for a place to sleep
I have seen the strong survive
And I have seen the lean grown weak
----
See the children of the earth
Who wake to find the table bare
See the gentry in the country
Riding off to take the air
----
Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a rusty sword into his hand
Then striking up a knightly pose
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Till he can shout no more
---
See the jailor with his key
Who locks away all trace of sin
See the judge upon the bench
Who tries the case as best he can
See the wise and wicked ones
Who feed upon life's sacred fire
See the soldier with his gun
Who must be dead to be admired
---
See the man who tips the needle
See the man who buys and sells
See the man who puts the collar
On the ones who dare not tell
See the drunkard in the tavern
Stemming gold to make ends meet
See the youth in ghetto black
Condemned to life upon the street
---
Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a tarnished cross into his hand
Then standing like a preacher now
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Then in a blaze of tangled hooves
He gallops off across the dusty plain
In vain to search again
Where no one will hear
---
Through the woodland, through the valley
Comes a horseman wild and free
Tilting at the windmills passing
Who can the brave young horseman be
He is wild but he is mellow
He is strong but he is weak
He is cruel but he is gentle
He is wise but he is meek
----
By Gordon Lightfoot
Steven Colbert announced his first album was this one by Gordon Lightfoot. The man has good taste in music!
Lightfoot told me in June 1982, when I was interviewing him for Billboard magazine after a Nashville concert, that Warner Bros. was sitting on a double live album. It never was released, unfortunately. So I wonder if this excellent track, which clearly features 1970s-80s steel guitar player Pee Wee Charles, is from that set. A great find.
excerpt from lyrics : " ... See the children of the earth
Who wake to find the table bare
See the gentry in the country
Riding off to take the air
Reaching for his saddlebag
He takes a rusty sword into his hand
Then striking up a knightly pose
He shouts across the ocean to the shore
Till he can shout no more
See the jailor with his key
Who locks away all trace of sin
See the judge upon the bench
Who tries the case as best he can
See the wise and wicked ones
Who feed upon life's sacred fire
See the soldier with his gun
Who must be dead to be admired
See the man who tips the needle
See the man who buys and sells
See the man who puts the collar
On the ones who dare not tell
See the drunkard in the tavern
Stemming gold to make ends meet
See the youth in ghetto black
Condemned to life upon the street ... "
Thank you!
Aren't we all slashing at windmills, ah poor Don. The lovely and sad story, we all have a bit of his spirit in us.
Beautiful music,Gord,and I really miss Red Shea
This tune resonates with me!
one line says it all "...see the soldier with his gun who must be dead to be admired..."
I don't think it a stretch to put Lightfoot in the class of one of the top songwriters of the past 100 or so years . The words to the song of the true story of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald will live on in perpetuity as long as someone is there to pass the song on from generation to generation or a sentient being a thousand years from now discovers the song .
One of the top? He is numero uno, tied with Bob Dylan. Btw, watch Dylans Murder Most Foul...needs to spread around. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊
@@wambathewisefool2893 No one including Dylan could hold a candle to what Gordon did, and is still doin in my book!
@@wambathewisefool2893 way better than Dylan, more modest than most. As good as Paul Simon, not as saintly as Dollly.
Definitely. He is perhaps the model by which anyone who would love to cement themsevles in a really cool industry should try.
´course we do bró, the beauty of the words are so taking, and this for a naturalized US citizen, visitted Canada ..Montreal and Toronto, driving 18 wheeler
my very favorite song of Gordon's.
He is simply exquisite
And you would have me as a huge fan. Gord is great!
Love this song !!
Love this song. "See the man who tips the neddle"
thank you
so prophetic
A Canadian Robbie Burns!
Peewee used to send chills up my spine untill one day it stopped. I asked him hey what happened. "Gord told me to tone it down " anyway listen to peewees magic steel. If it doesn't thrilled you there is something wrong.
I love Gordon Lightfoot. This is my absolute favorite song he did. I must say, he didn't really age well though. Which concerns me.
im sure that every modern Indi folk Rock band has listend to every Gordon song and is strongly influenced by them all.
i recorded a "Christmas Concert" off the radio that he did mid 70s. I think this recording is that same performance, also included If Children Had Wings. I had the recording on 8-track and early 80s somebody stole it out of my car. Do you have the whole concert, Tony Blackhall? I don't find it elsewhere on YT but the whole was wonderful; wonder why GL doesn't put it out
The Anthem of Disabled Veterans everywhere..
@absoluteabsence000 yes. canada is part of north america ;) ( north american cont.) she didnt say an american treasure)
Cervantes is and was Francis Bacon and a group called the Areopagus....
This song would go good with a montage of scenes from LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME. It even has a windmill in it. What are the odds?!
if i could choose any singer to sound like, it would be gordon.
This is a c tuning that he did live, whereas his recorded version in a b tuning.
I understand this song is in public domain. Thinking of doing a cover. Does anyone know if it is actually duty free?
As far as I know there is nothing to stop you doing a cover but If you sell it or perform it at a concert or on TV etc., the composer must receive a royalty fee. I believe copyright lasts until seventy years after the death of the writer/composer. The best thing is to check with the publisher.
It is so sad that people don't know when to clap any more.
Heh. A titanic "oops" right there.
Please relay where you found this track --- what show / performance ???
The still photos are from the BBC performance (1971, released 1972) but I'm pretty certain this version of Don Quixote is from a concert Lightfoot performed at Avery Hall in New York. It was a benefit concert for cerebral palsy on Dec. 12, 1977, and was broadcast on WNEW Radio.
can't believe Andy gramar stole this for Back Home and didn't give credit
Is this some kind of traditional tune? I ask because it's pretty much the same melody as "Love Is A Rose" by Neil Young, isn't it?
i hate that Canadian---he makes me feel old.
oh my---i am old.
he is the best
Bill Melanson You're a fool
Bill Melanson Steady now. DB is just making a point. He's not saying that he REALLY hates the Canadian. He's just saying he would like to be younger.
William Murray I have been loving on Gordon since 1970. I donT want a substitute.
Absolutely no disrespect intended, but I can't be the first to notice that Gordon actually screws up one of the lines in this version. Instead of the normal "Standing like a prophet bold/Striking up a knightly pose/Standing like a preacher now" progression, he repeats the "knightly pose" bit the third time around.
Live performances often have minor glitches. Quite forgivable and not really worth noting. .
Why?
The Anthem of Disabled Veterans everywhere..
The Anthem of Disabled Veterans everywhere..
Anthem of anyone who serves, or has served because they wanted to make the world a better place. Should have won at least one Grammy, in a line from another great song from the 70s. "They did not listen, they're not listening still, perhaps they never will"