A Tribute To A Great Canadian with the song Sundown

gordon lightfoot in 1974

Miguel, to me, is Gordon Lightfoot's "El Paso" -- the sad story of a hard life, bad decision, untimely death and an everlasting love. It was difficult to find "period" pics for this   more...one, so I must thank Tj for coming to my rescue and providing some of them. That's what made this truly a "team" effort!
Miguel (Summer Side of Life) 4:12
Never had much to say
He traveled alone with no friends
Like a shadowy ghost
At dawn he came and he went
Through the woodland swiftly gliding
To the young maid he came riding
Where she'd run to meet him
By the garden wall
Oh my sweet Miguel
I will never tell
No one will ever know
What I know too well
And he'd smile and lay his head on her breast
And he'd say I have no fear
They're waiting for me to cross the border, to swim the river
‘Cause I've done that before
To see my true love's smiling face
A hundred times or more
Oh my sweet Miguel she cried
I'll love you ‘til I die
He was born to the south
In Mexico they say
The child of a man
Who was soon gone away
But his mother loved him dearly
And she would take him yearly
To the great cathedral in St. Augustine
Oh my young Miguel
Listen to the bell
Of my poverty
You must never tell
And he cried himself to sleep in the night
And he vowed to make things right
So he took the gun down from the wall and he paid a call
He knew she'd understand
A lawman came to capture him
The gun jumped in his hand
Oh Miguel the mother cried
You must run son or you'll die
So the story is told
Of his true love 'cross the line
As strong as the oak
And as sweet as the vine
And the child she bore him
Came on the fateful morning
When they sent him to his final rest
Oh my sweet Miguel
Listen to the bell
No one will ever know
What I know too well
Then she'd smile and lay the child on her breast
And she'd say I have no fear
I'm waiting for you to cross the border, to swim the river
'Cause you've done that before
To see your true love's smiling face
A hundred times or more
Oh my sweet Miguel she cried
I'll love you ‘til I die
Link For online discussions about Gordon Lightfoot, his music and related topics
http://www.corfid.com/
Link to Gordon Lightfoot website maintained by Wayne Francis
http://www.lightfoot.ca/
Link to buy Gordon Lightfoot CD's
http://www.bestprices.com/cgi-bin/vli...
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About a month ago I mentioned to Lynn how much I liked Gordon's Spanish Moss - Lynn answered, you are entitled to a request or two you know , and so it is requested. The scenario that immediately came   more...to mind is that Gordon met a southern Belle while performing in Savannah Georgia. Their relationship might have been for lifetime, had things gone differently ... and, she had a daughter that Gordon called " Spanish Moss"....just a thought that works for me. Hope you enjoy it. Thank you for the request dear Lynn!
Spanish Moss
(G) Let go darling, (G+) I can feel the (G6) night wind call (G7)
(Am) Guess I'd better (Bm) go
I (C) like you more than (G/B) half as much
As I (Am7) love your Spanish (D7) moss

(G) Spanish moss a-(G+)hanging down
(G6) Sweeter than the (G7) southern love we've (Am) found
(D) Spanish moss, (D7/F#) keeps on following my (C/G) thoughts a(G)round (C) (D)
(G) Georgia pine and (G+) ripple wine
(G6) Memories of Sa(G7)vannah summer(Am)time
(D) Spanish moss, (D7/F#) wish you knew what I was (C/G) say(G)ing

(Am) So I'm rolling north (D) thinking
Of the (G) way things (B7/F#) might have (Em) been (Dm)
If (C) she and (G/B) I could have (Am7) changed it all some(D)how (D7)

Spanish moss a-hanging down
Lofty as the sycamore you've found
Spanish moss, keeps on following my thoughts around
Georgia pine and ripple wine
Kisses mixed with moonshine and red clay
Spanish moss, wish you knew what I was saying

So I'm rolling north thinking
Of the way things might have been
If she and I could have changed it all somehow

Let go darling, I can feel the night wind call
The devil take the cost
I like the way your kisses flow and I love your Spanish moss  less

The Gypsy is another wonderful song in the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute series. It will be uploaded to the YT Tribute Channel at Thomasj157 in a week or so. I'd like to thank StonewallStudios' Tj for his   more...patient and subtle ways of making me make it better.
The Gypsy (A Lightfoot Collection) 2:46
by Gordon Lightfoot
Step inside my tent, said she, I'd like to read you palm
Leave the dollar in the jar, this won't take very long
Leave the circus noise behind, close your eyes, relax your mind
I'll tell you if you should quit now or if you should go on
Then I said, now what do ya see
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
Where'll I go, what'll I be
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
She threw some sawdust in the air and her hands began to shake
She told me the town where I was born, she almost knew the date
She lit a candle with her eyes and then she made the table rise
She took the dollar from the jar and then she guessed my weight
Then I said, now what do ya see
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
You are so old, you are so wise
Deedlee-dum, deedlee-dy
Give me a sign, tell it to me
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
Then she spoke most quietly
Deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
When you we a child at school they taught you quite a lot
You were told when you should speak and when you should not
You were taught to read and write, to take your lessons home at night
A little knowledge serves you well but the golden rule does not
Then I said, now what do ya mean
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
Where'll I go, what'll I be
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
Then when I came home that night to lie in bed awake
I thought of that old gypsy and the words that she had said
And now I see with due respect, the more we learn the worse we get
So if you feel you've no regrets, go have your fortune read
Then I said, now what do ya mean
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
Where'll I go, what'll I be
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
You are so old, you are so wise
Deedlee-dum, deedlee-dy
Give me a sign, tell it to me
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
Where'll I go, what'll I be
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee
You are so old, you are so wise
Deedlee-dum, deedlee-dy
Give me a sign, tell it to me
She said, deedlee-dum, deedlee-dee  less

This is one of Lightfoots fabulous image rich songs that keeps on telling stories within stories like dolls within dolls. A special thanks to Wes Steele of Youtube days who emailed and left his phone   more...number. We had a great chat tonight and as a result I will be dusting off most of the Lightfoot video storys produced and uploaded last year to the other host site.
Thank you for contacting me Wes - another benefit of the internet that makes friends through the sharing of music and images.
tj  less

this song brought back some fond memories for me.. i thought it might do the same for others too. the song is *** if your could read my mind**** by gordon lightfoot,,,a wonderful song,, though very difficut,,   more...to make a video to. for some reason,,, any way hope you like what i did,, with this video.. and song.. enjoy.... oct  less

Mouse contacted me, requested Pussywillows Cattails and then sent along most of the great images( except the pussy willows) used in this production. Not only that, mouse labeled the images to the lyric   more...of the song. If you wan to get a request fast tracked here at the studio - mouse knows the way.

If Gordon sees this vistory I think he might agree that mouse's images were spot on the meaning of his lyric. Thank you mouse - will be pleased to co-produce as many of his tunes as you have images for!
Sincerely
tj
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses
Rainpools in the woodland water to my knees
Shivering quivering the warm breath of spring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses
Catbirds and cornfields daydreams together
Riding on the roadside the dust gets in your eyes
Reveling, disheveling the summer nights can bring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses

Slanted rays and colored days stark blue horizons
Naked limbs and wheat bins hazy afternoons
Voicing rejoicing the wine cups do bring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses

Harsh nights and candlelights wood fires a-blazin'
Soft lips and fingertips resting in my soul
Treasuring remembering the promise of spring
Pussywillows cat-tails soft winds and roses  less

The Patriot's Dream was requested by Jim Wilkinson and reprents the sensitivity Gordon Lightfoot has in his music and lyric.
The Patriot's Dream Lyrics
Artist: Gordon Lightfoot (Buy Gordon Lightfoot CDs)   more...
Album: Don Quixote
The songs of the wars are as old as the hills
They cling like the rust on the cold steel that kills
They tell of the boys who went down to the tracks
In a patriotic manner with the cold steel on their backs

The patriot's dream is as old as the sky
It lives in the lust of a cold callous lie
Let's drink to the men who got caught by the chill
Of the patriotic fever and the cold steel that kills

The train pulled away on that glorious night
The drummer got drunk and the bugler got tight
While the boys in the back sang a song of good cheer
While riding off to glory in the spring of their years

The patriot's dream still lives on today
It makes mothers weep and it makes lovers pray
Let's drink to the men who got caught by the chill
Of the patriotic fever and the cold steel that kills

Well there was a sad, sad lady
Weeping all night long
She received a sad, sad message
From a voice on the telephone
Her children were all sleeping
As she waited out the dawn
How could she tell those children
That their father was shot down
So she took them to her side that day
And she told them one by one
Your father was a good man ten thousand miles from home
He tried to do his duty and it took him straight to hell
He might be in some prison, I hope he's treated well

Well there was a young girl watching in the early afternoon
When she heard the name of someone who said he'd be home soon
And she wondered how they got him, but the papers did not tell
There would be no sweet reunion, there would be no wedding bells
So she took herself into her room and she turned the bed sheets down
And she cried into the silken folds of her new wedding gown
He tried to do his duty and it took him straight to hell
He might be in some prison, I hope he's treated well

Well there was an old man sitting in his mansion on the hill
And he thought of his good fortune and the time he'd yet o kill
Well he called to his wife one day, "Come sit with me awhile"
Then turning toward the sunset, he smiled a wicked smile
"Well I'd like to say I'm sorry for the sinful deeds I've done
But let me first remind you, I'm a patriotic son"
They tried to do their duty and it took 'em straight to hell
They might be in some prison, I hope they're treated well

The songs of the wars are as old as the hills
They cling like the rust on the cold steel that kills
They tell of the boys who went down to the tracks
In a patriotic manner with the cold steel on their backs

The train pulled away on that glorious night
The drummer got drunk and the bugler got tight
While the boys in the back sang a song of good cheer
While riding off to glory in the spring of their years

The patriot's dream still lives on today
It makes mothers weep and it makes lovers pray
Let's drink to the men who got caught by the chill
Of the patriotic fever and the cold steel that kills  less

Sometimes when producing a Gordon Lightfoot vistory I get a lump in my throat and shivers up and down my spine - producing Leaves of Grass of Lynn ( Mylady) was one of those times. Lynn subscribed to   more...my other channel and left the choice of a request up to me - this is for you, us and all who carry the wounds and memories of war in their family lore.
tj
Leaves of Grass Lyrics
Artist: Gordon Lightfoot (Buy Gordon Lightfoot CDs)
Album: Sunday Concert
The leaves of grass will not pass on
Though the millstones grind them into dust
For the earth shall give life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

And the brave must fall to honor the names
Of the ones who have gone before
And the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

If people could look into each other's eyes
What a wonderful place this world would be
All strife would end, we could start again
And dreams like these must not pass on

But the brave keep falling to honor the names
Of the ones who have gone before
And the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

And the brave keep falling to honor the names
Of the ones who have gone before
And the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more

The leaves of grass will not pass on
Though the millstones grind them into dust
For the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more
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This was released as Canadian Railroad Trilogy. In the production of this in 2006 I gathered railroad building images from North and Central America. So I renamed it Railroad Trilogy. For my money - the   more...Canadian Railroad Trilogy is one of my alltime favorite Lightfoot tunes.
This is dedicated to my "Double Scotch" partner and friend Brian McLaughlin. We spent more than 1000 nights on stage together - Brian often sang The Canadian Railroad Trilogy - you could hear a pin drop...thanks for the memories Brian  less

My message to Surfcottage:
"Know what - I am going to upload Song for A WInters Night to LiveVideo and dedicate it to you - dear Surfcottage - how is that for a little surprise gift! Yes they removed   more...my channel on Youtube but the original productions are here in my studio - I spread them out a little - at Youtube I had 148 video stories and they "Stonewalled" me...lol ... never again I hope.
Cheers Teejay"
Surf's reply 1
"Song For A Winter's Night...is my favourite GL song!! I had it on youtube,,,but they took it!!!.... thanks again.... your friend,Nancy"
Surf's reply 2
"Dear TeeJay....Well I can't thank you enough,,,what a kind and thoughtful thing to do! I remember how excited I was to find that particular video on youtube...and it was a BEAUTY...just to have it removed only days after! My God, you must have been upset to lose everything like.that ...I do not understand..nor do I wish to, mindsets like that... anyway it's late and I must surrender the computer to my husband!! (OR HAVE HIM"TAKEN CARE OF')!!! lol Your friend,Nancy..... xox ps..CAN'T WAIT!!!!"

Don't know what happened that day I uploaded this for you. Several have messaged me privately about this video - there is something ethereal about it. If others want a copy , let me know and given time - I will give away 100 copies as Christmas Gifts to First Come First Served!
tj

For those who are interested in seeing the production with complete audio and visual qualitycopy and paste the link below in your browser. You may have to download a plug in viewer the first time. Photodex software is totally compatible with windows platforms. Let me know what you think.
tj

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=2712844&alb=123702  less

Mike Valentine performs Gordon Lightfoot's "Alberta Bound".

This is the top viewed video at StonewallStudios channel on Youtube. I have made slight revisions and as such exceed the 100 mg limit so it is presented her in two parts. Part One is the DIV-digital image   more...video of the song and Part Two is A Tribute to the Men who lost their lives on the vessel - Ashokan Farewell sound track by Jay and Molly Unger.  less

The unmistakable voice and incredible lyrics in Wherefore and Why can only be the work of one man -- Canada's music Icon, GordonLightfoot. His career has spanned more than 50 years, and he is still touring   more...and performing to old and new fans alike.
This one was requested by and is for Leigh (LeighRichards). She knows the "Wherefore and Why". xoxoxo  less

I'm sure many of us can identify with the feeling of darkness and despair that results from a lost love. Thankfully, things have a way of working out, just as dark clouds and storms eventually move on.
  more...Ribbon Of Darkness (Lightfoot!) 2:42
Ribbon of darkness over me
Since my true love walked out the door
Tears I never had before
Ribbon of darkness over me
Clouds a-gatherin' o'er my head
That kill the day and hide the sun
That shroud the night when day is done
Ribbon of darkness over me
Rain is falling on the meadow
Where once my love and I did lie
Now she is gone from the meadow
My love goodbye
Ribbon of darkness over me
Where once the world was young as spring
Where flowers did bloom and birds did sing
Ribbon of darkness over me
Here in this cold room lyin'
Don't want to see no one but you
Lord I wish I could be dyin'
To forget you
Oh how I wish your heart could see
How mine just aches and breaks all day
Come on home and take away
This ribbon of darkness over me
Link For online discussions about Gordon Lightfoot, his music and related topics
http://www.corfid.com/
Link to Gordon Lightfoot website maintained by Wayne Francis
http://www.lightfoot.ca/
Link to buy Gordon Lightfoot CD's
http://www.bestprices.com/cgi-bin/vli...
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When I heard this song the very first time, Elvis came to mind. I asked a few others and once again, Elvis was the first person to pop into their heads too, so, Elvis it is!
Same Old Loverman (Songbook)   more...3:21
I'm not some long lost someone
Just dropped in to say hello
It's that same old lover man
Baby you lost so long ago
'Cause I was born to believe
I never could deceive
Believe me
I hear no children's voices
Have they gone back to school
And that same old lover man
Is still acting like a fool
I guess I was born to bring you grief
Though I never was a thief
Believe me
It's cold outside your window
Please let me in, the night is wild
It's that same old lover man
Not some lonesome winsome child
An' I was born to believe
I never could deceive
Link For online discussions about Gordon Lightfoot, his music and related topics
http://www.corfid.com/
Link to Gordon Lightfoot website maintained by Wayne Francis
http://www.lightfoot.ca/
Link to buy Gordon Lightfoot CD's
http://www.bestprices.com/cgi-bin/vli...  less

Kirby covers If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot.

My initial thought on this song was that it would be incredibly hard to portrait, so I started the search for "wishing" things -- wells, wishbones, dandylions gone to seed... But it just wasn't   more...working for me. Once again, I changed direction, and this is the result. Thank you Tj for the midnight conversations and suggestions. xoxoxo
Link For online discussions about Gordon Lightfoot , his music and related topics
http://www.corfid.com/
Link to Gordon Lightfoot website maintained by Wayne Francis
http://www.lightfoot.ca/
Sometimes I Wish (Harmony) 3:37
Dreaming of the love I lost, the day the final bridge was crossed
Sometimes I wish, that I could just forget.
But the memory lingers yet, and it hangs around,
Leavin' me low and leavin' me down.
Everywhere I roam, there is nobody home.
Even I should know, when it ain't my day there is no other way.
-Instrumental-
I begin to wake up to, how wrong it was to cling to you
Sometimes I wish, to hold you to my heart,
'Cause I can't keep us apart. Forgiving you,
Was the easiest thing that I ever could do.
Everywhere I go, there is no one I know.
Even I can see, it's too late now to believe in a vow.
-Instrumental-
As I wander I return, to days gone by there's much to be learned
Sometimes I wish, that miracles could be.
But at best I fail to see, any happenin',
Some gotta lose and some gotta win.
Everywhere I roam, there is nobody home.
Even I should know, when it ain't my day there is no other way.
Everywhere I go, there is no one I know.
Even I can see, it's too late now to believe in a vow.
You're leavin' right now.  less

Another hit from Gordon Lightfoot's Endless Wire album, Daylight Katy had to have a special subject. Who better than the beautiful Katie Holmes aka Mrs. Tom Cruise. From the innocent young girl of "Dawson's   more...Creek" fame to the Hollywood beauty of today, she has handled the transformation and all of it's attention with much grace.
Link For online discussions about Gordon Lightfoot , his music and related topics
http://www.corfid.com/
Link to Gordon Lightfoot website maintained by Wayne Francis
http://www.lightfoot.ca/
Daylight Katy (Endless Wire) 4:18
She walks by the sea where the seaworld is
And she waits for the man to come
She lives in town with her high-heeled friends
And she knows it's a long way down
But she doesn't have to get up in the morning
With her hair so soft and long
Daylight Katy come on
Daylight Katy come on
If you can't follow me down
Daylight Katy go home
Daylight Katy come on
Daylight Katy come on
If you can't follow me down
Daylight Katy go home
She walks to the sea where the seaweed is
Where the rust and the dirt runs deep
She lives nine lives in her midnight world
While her old man's fast asleep
And she doesn't have to get up in the mornin'
With her hair so soft and long
Daylight Katy come on
Daylight Katy come on
If you can't follow me down
Daylight Katy go home
Daylight Katy come on
Daylight Katy come on
If you can't follow me down
Daylight Katy go home
She lives by the sea when the summer wind comes
And the sea don't mind at all
She talks to the sea when the sea runs wild
And the waves run steep and tall
And she doesn't have to get up in the mornin'
With her hair so soft and long
Daylight Katy come on
Daylight Katy come on
If you can't follow me down
Daylight Katy go home
Daylight Katy come on
Daylight Katy come on
If you can't follow me down
Daylight Katy go home  less

One of the nice things about working with these Gordon Lightfoot songs is the opportunity to research that about which he sings. Coal mining wasn't something that I knew anything about, but as I searched   more...for the photographs used in this vistory, I wanted to know more. This information was current in 2003:
1.The United States produces about 35%, or 1 billion tons, of the world's coal supply—more than any other country produces.
2.The average coal miner is 45 years old and has 20 years of experience.
3.Coal generates more than half of the electricity used in the United States.
4.Each person in the United States uses 3.8 tons of coal each year.
5.U.S. coal deposits contain more energy than that of all the world's oil reserves.
6.The United States has more than a 250-year supply of coal, if it continues using coal at the same rate at which it uses coal today (2003).  less

Dreamland conjured images of a multiple marriage life. Who other than Elizabeth Taylor could guide us through the emotions of this song. This is another in the Gordon Lightfoot series, 46 of which can   more...be viewed at the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Channel http://ca.youtube.com/user/thomasj157. More to come!
Dreamland (Endless Wire Album) 2:53
You come to me in times of need
When you can't find anyone
You seem to be much better off now
There's a rainbow number one
We could see life through the gutter then
Till it caused my heart to break
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to take
Sometimes I remember when
We were all dressed up in style
I don't recall the gist of it all
But you drove the young men wild
You could wrap me around your finger
Till it caused my heart to break
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to take
So if you need me near you
Y' can do it if you choose
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to lose
Instrumental
You make me do what you want me to do
Then you run the rules on me
You seem to be the wiser now
Could it be you've been deceived
Anytime you felt like tryin'
You would cause my heart to break
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to take
So if you need me near you now
You can do it if you choose
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to lose  less

Summertime Dream by Gordon Lightfoot is my first of what will be a series of video tributes to this amazing Canadian artist. Additional videos by the tribute team can be viewed at YouTube on the channel   more..."Thomasj157".
Summertime Dream
- 1976 (Summertime Dream)
Where the road runs down by the butternut grove
To old Bill Skinner's stream
Do tell at the noonday bell
It's time for a summertime dream
In a lunch pail town in a one horse way
You can live like a king and queen
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream
Birds in all creation will be twittering in the trees
And down below's a pond I know, you can swim in it if you please
And if you come 'round when the mill shuts down
You can see what chivalry means
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream
On a trip on down to wonderland, in love among the flowers
Where time gets lost with no straw boss, tallying up the hours
Where the road runs down by the butternut grove
To old Bill Skinner's stream
Do tell at the noonday bell
It's time for a summertime dream
Birds in all creation will be twittering in the trees
And down below's a pond I know, you can swim in it if you please
And if you come 'round when the mill shuts down
You can see what chivalry means
Let's steal away in the noonday sun
It's time for a summertime dream  less

Gordon Lightfoot