The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald

Gordon Lightfoot's song, 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' is a haunting ballad that recounts the real-life sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975. The song opens with a reference to the Chippewa legend and the ominous nature of Lake Superior, known as 'Gitche Gumee.' The lake's reputation for not giving up its dead sets a somber tone, foreshadowing the tragedy that unfolds. The ship, laden with iron ore, faces the brutal 'gales of November,' a period notorious for its treacherous weather conditions on the Great Lakes.

The narrative details the ship's journey, highlighting its significance and the experience of its crew. The Edmund Fitzgerald was a massive freighter, larger than most, and its crew was seasoned and capable. However, the song emphasizes the unpredictability and power of nature. As the storm intensifies, the crew realizes the severity of their situation. The 'witch of November' metaphorically represents the deadly storm, and the lyrics vividly describe the escalating danger, from freezing rain to hurricane-force winds.

The song's climax is marked by the cook's grim announcement and the captain's desperate communication about taking on water. The ship's eventual disappearance into the stormy night leaves a haunting question about the 'love of God' in such dire moments. The aftermath is poignantly captured with the image of the grieving families and the memorial service in Detroit, where the church bell tolls twenty-nine times for each lost crew member. The song concludes by reiterating the legend of Lake Superior's deadly nature, ensuring that the memory of the Edmund Fitzgerald and its crew lives on.