Lightfoot, Gordon - Canadian Railroad Trilogy Lyrics

I like how the rhythm of the music follows the working of a steam locomotive.

People forget how important our rail system is. Even now a country can be disrupted by a few blockades. Save our planet.without plundering our resources. Thanks for paying homage Gordon , you are also a legend . ❤🇨🇦✌

Visiting Bamf this summer, trying to get pumped.

Damn , I have played many instruments for 40 years .... how did I somehow miss all the talent this guy has... I have been listening to him and his crew since 72... HATS OFF TO RED ... my god what a flat top picker....it never gets old... (and bless the bass player too)... there will never be anything like it... cheers man.!!!

Background arrangement by the great Shel Silverstein.

Went on an Alaskan Cruise a few years ago, did The Yukon Trail up to the Canadian Border, absolutely faboulous. This song was going through my head all the way. The way Gordon Lightfoot writes takes you right there. Thanks for the fabulous storytelling in your Music ❤️

I played this for my cat. Now he’s a beaver

Real music for the ears....he is simply in a class all by himself! Thank you kindly sir...you have impacted so many lives...and mine is right up there at the top.

Makes me feel like anything is possible. Adventure music.

if you are a Rail Road fan this is a treasure.

Gordon makes me wish I was Canadian🇨🇦

This is what music sounds like.....

This is my favorite Lightfoot tune. God Bless Him and keep him going.

I know I'm not alone in thinking this, but if my life had a soundtrack, it would have be the music of Gordon Lightfoot.

Some Canadians out west need to remember where they came from.

And where did you come from?

Siglaviking Kearns Cape Breton Island. My Great Grandfather and his brothers all worked building the railway. They were educated men engineers and surveyors.

@Stephen Bray We visited Cape Breton in September of '06. Got to drive the Cabot Trail in a new convertible (top down) on a beautiful fall day. Wonderful place.

Siglaviking Kearns We have nice weather in September, it's a great time of year to tour Cape Breton.

I have always loved his music & this is one of my favorites.

What a great song.

Canada's gift to the world!

Heisenberg

Any country that has a railroad system would love to have a song like this as an anthem and as a folk song fan, kudos to Gordon Lightfoot and Canada for doing it before anyone else. . It describes History in 7 minutes with neither shallow emotion nor bombast. And that line: "Oh..the song of the future has been sung". Mighty!

Irish rover I swear to god I just watched a three hour long movie.

Here is Germanys railroad anthem, written and sung by Reinhard Mey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_dZZbLxFQ0

a railroad job

I was born in the same Hospital as he was and born in the same town I'm so glad did I'm named after him

My favourite songs are If You Could Read My Mind love. And The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald are two of my favourites

What is song! I had his first four records and I saw him at the unicorn in Boston around 19 67. And I remember the joke story that he told about, how come and why come and such. The song writing is in a class all by itself. Listen to the wonderful interview that Alec Baldwin did with him on his podcast which is entitled, here's the thing podcast.

I've loved Gordon Lightfoot's music since "Approaching Lavender" in mid- 70s. Yet I didn't 'Discover' this song until 5, 6 years ago. What an amazing ballad.

Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian treasure. As an American fan for decades, thanks for sharing him with us

If the world had a couple hundred more Gordon Lightfoots, it wouldn't be so screwed up.

Gordon Lightfoot was serenaded/celebrated by fellow Canadians, "THE GUESS WHO," on their albumn "Wheatfield Soul," in a song called "Lightfoot." 🎶 "He is an artist, painting Sistine masterpieces/of pine and fir and backwoods.." So well said in 1971, and true forever!

This is one of my favorites. Also, like all his others, it's not like today's songs, it's MUSIC, not noise with beat. I agree with Stu Miller, Gordon is a Canadian national treasure.

A true artist.

I didnt know Walter White did music in the 70's

Damn, I haven't heard this song in ages .

Obviously his fellow Canadians knew what they were doing...this is to Canada what Woodie Guthrie's songs are to America. That's elite songwriting at its best.

Elite songwriting at its best. Can't better that!

There never has been a storyteller such as Gordon, and there likely will never be another. A master.

Oct. 13 2019 At 16:45. Have Tears Running Down My Cheeks, Blurring My Eyes.
This Song Reminds Me So Much Of My Hometown, Sault Ste Marie Ont. Oh God,
What Has Happened To Canada? (This Once Great Country) DAMN!!!

I've never been to Canada so I'm not sure what you mean . How bad is it now ?

Decades later the seed that this and the BYRDS Blue Canadian Rockies inspired RAY's cross-Canada train trip

Looked in the future what did they see they saw an iron running from the sea to sea......... Great lyrics!

Great guitar playing......

Almost all of my life has been touched by this gentleman. From a kid until now and I'm not far off being 70... His music has been deep in my soul. Never tire of it and never does it not bring a lump to my throat. Like a lot of greats over the years, you just know that your own life would have been so much poorer had they not been here to share the world at the same time as yourself. Three others come to mind in a flash just talking this way. Jim, Patsy and Buddy. Damn we've been so lucky haven't we?

Man does he ever look like Bryan Cranston. Great song, so Canadian.

And Christopher Pratt.

This Song Accurately Captures The Spirit Of Canada (Its Very Essence & Soul) What, This Once Great Country
Used To Be. Its Very Ethos (Alas, Not Anymore)

I worked for the CPR for almost 40 years so this song has always been special to me.
Was disappointed that he did not perform it when I saw him in Calgary early 1973.

A wonderful crossover artist, organic orchestrations and haunting melodies.

I've always loved his music but this is my absolute favourite!

My favorite Gord tune.

Love the great Pee Wee Charles on pedal steel wailing in the background of this Lightfoot classic.

swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun

This song was my favorite Melody when I was thirteen years old. I was the worst Student in my highschool, my parents were not there for me and so I ran away from home with this Melody in my venes. I did not understand, what this song means, but it was all I had. So it took one day and one night on high flying wings, carried by this song. The parents seemed to be a little bit afraid, came to fetch me and brought me back from Cologne / Germany into the backhills behind Bergisch Gladbach, that`s were Heidi Klum comes from. To live in the Woods of Canada was my biggest Dream at this time.
Later, I´ve lost the tape and withit the Melody. Two years up till now I remembered this song and I set all on it to hear it again. Now Iam fifty three and this song flows in my venes again.
Mr. Gordon Lightfoot, I am a big fan of Your Music !

A true Canadian patriot. Bless his soul.

I'm not even Canadian yet this song always made my eyes water when he sings the last verse of this song! 🍁🚂

Heard the song, rode the train, met the people, immigrated; Canadian citizen now!

A hearty congratulations my fellow Canadian!

Always liked his music. Gordon is a legend

Just one word: Brilliant👍

Thank you Ian M. for the YouTube link. What a fun slice of Gordon history! The 1960s, Whoo-hoo!

Thank you for the history, Mr. Balmer! What a wonderful song!

152 years now and will sound as good forever siempre para siempre

Pure Canadiana!
Thank you Gordon.
Listening, July 1st, 2019

Yes, Groot, yes!

Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Robbie Robertson, Leonard Cohen, Ian & Silvia, K D Lang, Chilliwack, Loverboy, Saga, Triumph...

I heard Gordon Lightfoot for the first time on our honeymoon 48 years ago - on a juke box. I've loved his music ever since, but no song compares to this. Live long and strong, Gord. The world is so much richer for your gift!

Ironically, there are 3 major railroads in Canada.. CN, CP and VIA.

This song makes me want to be a Canadian Citizen....but then I think of who's running the country right now...and I cringe. Blahhh..

Edbert Gil Thought Trudeau is not the best, certainly not his father, there’s nothing I’d rather be than what I am today. A Native Canadian with all the freedoms and rights on my back (Thanks to his father)

I get you....cherish  your freedoms now because we are all losing them fast.  Western society will fall; unfortunately under the guise of socialism.  Too bad his father is no longer in charge. Now you have this candy assed freeze dried hippie running things just like our congress people (democrats and some globalist rhinos) in the states.

@Edbert Gil I can empathize with how you feel. There's probably many different things that may make you feel the way you do. At 69 years old I've seen many changes here in Canada. So far, most have been great for my fellow Canadians and I. We have much better lives due to our changing culture. Please don't conflate socialism with communism. There are two types of socialism. There's political socialism and commercial socialism. Our universal public health care system is a social policy whereas US health care, with the exception of Medicaid and Medicare, are commercial socialism. Most health insurers require minimum subscription rates for economic viability. So, they run their bureaucracy for the benefit of the shareholders and our Governments run their bureaucracy for the benefit of everyone (the most important shareholders) so to make it truly universal they outlaw competition. I don't know what freedoms you think we may lose but thankfully we have Supreme Court judicial review of legislation that may be unconstitutional. As a parting shot, your use of ad hominem attacks greatly diminishes your credibility.

Did I say Canada was a socialist country?

Hall of fame 70s awesome

My favorite song ever

If any of you freaks wonder why the great John Prine calls Gordon Lightfoot his songwriting hero, play this once more, have q drink and go to bed. When you wake up, have another drink on me and watch "John Prine House of Strombo"........

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦😥😥😥🚂🚂🚂

This is the first song I ever learned to play on my 12 string... A Ventura V 17 I found in someone's trash! In the case were 2 Gordon Lightfoot songbooks, 'Gord's Gold' and 'The Gordon Lightfoot Songbook'. I found out early on that 12 strings are a bear to tune!

My very favorite Gordon song, and I'm from Duluth Minnesota, so the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is like a staple of being born on the shore of The Great Lake they call Gitche Gumee. I miss Her shores.

Now listen to the live version of The Railroad by Grand Funk Railroad (my favourite song by them)

There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run

When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun

Long before the white man and long before the wheel

When the green dark forest was too silent to be real

But time has no beginnings and hist'ry has no bounds

As to this verdant country they came from all around

They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall

And they built the mines the mills and the factories for the good of us all



And when the young man's fancy was turnin' to the spring

The railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring

Their minds were overflowing with the visions of their day

And many a fortune lost and won and many a debt to pay



For they looked in the future and what did they see

They saw an iron road runnin' from sea to the sea

Bringin' the goods to a young growin' land

All up through the seaports and into their hands



Look away said they across this mighty land

From the eastern shore to the western strand

Bring in the workers and bring up the rails

We gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails

Open 'er heart let the life blood flow

Gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow



Bring in the workers and bring up the rails

We're gonna lay down the tracks and tear up the trails

Open 'er heart let the life blood flow

Gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow

Get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow



Behind the blue Rockies the sun is declinin'

The stars, they come stealin' at the close of the day

Across the wide prairie our loved ones lie sleeping

Beyond the dark oceans in a place far away



We are the navvies who work upon the railway

Swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun

Livin' on stew and drinkin' bad whiskey

Bendin' our old backs 'til the long days are done



We are the navvies who work upon the railway

Swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun

Layin' down track and buildin' the bridges

Bendin' our old backs 'til the railroad is done



So over the mountains and over the plains

Into the muskeg and into the rain

Up the St. Lawrence all the way to Gaspe

Swingin' our hammers and drawin' our pay

Drivin' 'em in and tyin' 'em down

Away to the bunkhouse and into the town

A dollar a day and a place for my head

A drink to the livin' and a toast to the dead



Oh the song of the future has been sung

All the battles have been won

O'er the mountain tops we stand

All the world at our command

We have opened up the soil

With our teardrops and our toil



For there was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run

When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun

Long before the white man and long before the wheel

When the green dark forest was too silent to be real

When the green dark forest was too silent to be real

And many are the dead men too silent to be real

Passenger railway doesn't run in western Canada

Thank you.

@Danny Caplan
You are welcome, kind Sir. 😊
Blessings,
Washington State USA (Vancouver)

Love Gordon Lightfoot. Grew up in Detroit listening to him.

I can't think of a more Canadian song than this - a true national treasure - thanks Gordo

This is just amazing

Hall of fame classic awesome

i love how this song was composed for Canada's centennial and it tells the story of our great country

I could never pass up a song about a Train :)

To many good things have been lost with hi tech. Far more then have been gained. In my humble opinion it breeds laziness.

As a trucker it makes me think of all the mighty hard working men who came before me. All the battles have been won. A shame if you ask me society could use a good old fashioned challenge.s

My mother's Valentine's Day present was a ticket to a Gordon Lightfoot concert in Beverly Hills, two weeks from today.

GORD'S GOLD

Canadian...Yes but American in our hearts....he touches America with his music!

This song and Summer Side of Life are, in my opinion, his greatest songs, which is saying a lot. Immensely talented individual.

Gordon. On Christmas morning 1963 I was 4 1/2 years old. I opened my living room door to find every bit of floor, chair and table covered with presents, notable a bike, scalectrix (which still have to this day) and a huge LEGO set, big enough to build a small town. the reason that Santa was so generous was that i was to go through a major heart operation survival from which, in the sixties, was not assured. Thankfully for me, all went well.

14 years later, I retrieved my LEGO set from the attic and to my cousin who had 2 young boys of his own then. He gave me some record vouchers as a thank you. I bought Gord's Gold. Perhaps the best purchase of my life.

Thank you for a lifetime of your wonderful music.

I only wish you, Jim Croce and Kris kristofferson could have done a Trio like Emmylou, Linda and Dolly.

lyrics please?

One highlight of my travels was when my son and I drove up the St Lawrence all the way to Gaspé. This music playing in my head.

This is so awesome on vinyl...in addition to the other sounds of rawness the mic picks up, such as I notice at the final pause: an inhale, fingers moving on strings, a shift in sitting, the quiet, wooden "tick" on the guitar body. Notes make music, even the strategic silences can, too...but little background sounds contribute to the signature effect as well, and remind us this was made by people, not machines.

Canada is not a postnational state

Epic. simply epic.

I seriously hoping ur listening to Canadian Railroad Trilogy...is a Classic

he paints a picture with words

and music

ps.  best Canadian band after Gordon... is the dayglo abortions.

Wrong. Rush.

uck.  ok.  geddy lee is an amazing bassist.  rush was a fucking tight band, a real master of their trade.  better than dayglo abortions, nope.  I wouldn't hesitate to put the viletones 45, the dishrags 45, da slime, or active dog 45 ahead of any rush record.  that being said, thanks for moby, celine dion, Justin Bieber, drake, and ect.... Canada.  oh and peep the "Calgary girls" 45.  none if this can even climb the first step on the way to being Gordon lightfoot.  sorry.  not even rush.

Gordon lightfoot is one of a handful of musicians from Canada who didn't suck.  in fact his songs rival Dylan and simon.

Gordon's songs surpass them.

Give me a break. Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen much better than anything in U.S.

When this man sings you truly feel like your living his songs & your there in spirit & wanting more, Mr Lightfoot I salute you and your magnificent music.

I sat in the first row in a venue in Boston when was I in college listening to this song and many others. James Keelaghan is a world-class guitarist. I am 65 now but never get tired of Gordon Lightfoot. Thanks for the great music.

For anyone who thinks Orillia, Ontario is just a little town where people summer, think again. Canada's great humorist, Stephen Leacock (who immortalized the town in his fiction), was from there, as is Lightfoot, and Glenn Gould spent his summers there (Leacock could hear him playing from down the lake)...must be something in the water!

Canadian royalty!

Good stuff

there was a time in this fair land .....when the railroad did not run....and the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun.....long before the white man, long before the wheel...when the deep dark forest stood too silent to be real.......

A voice better than Sinatra’s

I think Sinatra is overrated: for me there is a meanness to his voice that I have never much cared for

Happy 80th birthday today Gord. Nov., 17 2018 you are Canada's best when it comes to song writing. I hope I get to see you before you pass on. RockinRonny.

Happy 80th Gord!