The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald | The Longest Johns

Rip Gordon Lightfoot, Nov 1938 - May 2023
One of the most requested songs we've been asked to do over the years, and it finally happened... BECAUSE OF YOU!! Let us know what you want to hear next in these studio sessions in the comments below.
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The Longest Johns
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[@thelongestjohns]

Let us know what songs you’d like us to cover in these studio sessions next in the comments below! Even if someone has said it already, let us know again so we know how many people want to hear it.

[@ReeseMacalma]

These are amazing! Would love to hear more studio recordings of Stan Rogers covers please!

[@daniellebaker3169]

Hi Guys! Please can you cover this song from the game 'Black and White' it's been absolutely ages since I played the game but this song is epic! 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4Ocf6F9mKdjb5Y

[@thelonelyirishman1916]

Elysium by bears den would be pretty cool

[@SergeantBeckett]

I would love an officail studio version of 'leave her Johnny'

[@tmtm6217]

Do you think you guys could make a shanty version of Want Me Gone (Portal 2) and/or Still Alive (Portal) work well? It'd be an interesting thing to hear, at least! You could even change the whole storyline of the songs, and make it about a ship or something haha. There's also this long side quest from Black & White (2001) which has some would-be sailors singing their requests to you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2HbZX6tlN5nnMk

[@whinto]

I live in Detroit, and the 'Maritime Sailors' Cathedral', the Mariner's Church, rang out 30 times when Gordon died. 29 for the sailors, and 1 for the bard. It makes me proud to be from Michigan, and Detroit.

[@Honor_and_Steel]

Now that's something I wasn't expecting to read today and now I'm crying.

[@Rippenhengst]

❤

[@RedFeralWolf]

Nice to see another person from the Mit who knows this. It's such an amazing thing they did for him when they didn't need to. Makes me proud of my state.

[@CodenameRodius]

I love historical songs like this and to see that the history still lives on!

[@uniquitousIsMyName]

That's beautiful.

[@normpaddle]

RIP crew of the Fitzgerald. Ernest McSorley - Captain born in 1912 in Canada and lived in Toledo, Ohio. He started command of the Fitzgerald in 1972 with more than 40 years of experience navigating oceans and the Great Lakes. McSorley was highly regarded for his skills, especially in heavy weather. He intended to retire after the 1975 shipping season but was survived by wife Nellie Pollock. John McCarthy - First mate born in 1913 and lived in Bay Village, Ohio. James Pratt - Second mate born in 1931 and lived in Lakewood, Ohio. Michael Armagost - Third mate born in 1938 and lived in Iron River, Wisconsin. David Weiss - Cadet born in 1953 and lived in Agoura, California. Ransom Cundy - Watchman born in 1922 on Easter Sunday in Houghton, Michigan, and lived in Superior, Wisconsin. He was in the Marine Corp and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima during WWII. Fortunate to survive, Cundy was awarded several commendations and medals for his service. He was sailing with his friend Frederick J. Beetcher at the time of the sinking. Cundy was survived by his daughter Cheryl, her husband, and their seven children as well as three grandchildren from his youngest daughter Janice who passed away in 1974. Karl Peckol - Watchman born in 1955 and lived in Ashtabula, Ohio. William Spengler - Watchman born in 1916 and lived in Toledo, Ohio. John Simmons - Senior wheelman born in 1913 in Ashland, Wisconsin, where he also lived. He was known as a storyteller, jokester, and pool shark, and he loved sailing. Friends with Captain McSorley for more than 30 years, the ill-fated Fitzgerald trip was going to be his last before retirement. Simmons was survived by wife Florence (who never dated or remarried after his death) and two daughters Mary and Patricia. Eugene O’Brien - Wheelman born in 1925 in Minnesota and lived in Toledo, Ohio. Nicknamed the “Great Lakes Gambler,” he worked on ships from age 16 and only took a four-year hiatus as a glass factory worker. He loved casinos and playing cards. O’Brien was survived by wife Nancy and son John, who was just 17 when he lost his father. John Poviach - Wheelman born in 1916 and lived in Bradenton, Florida. Paul Riippa - Deckhand born in 1953 and lived in Ashtabula, Ohio. Mark Thomas - Deckhand born in 1954 and lived in Richmond Heights, Ohio. Bruce Hudson - Deckhand born in 1953 and lived in North Olmsted, Ohio. George Holl - Chief engineer born in 1915 and lived in Cabot, Pennsylvania. Edward Bindon - First assistant engineer born in 1928 and lived in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Thomas Edwards - Second assistant engineer born in 1925 and lived in Oregon, Ohio. Russell Haskell - Second assistant engineer born in 1935 and lived in Millbury, Ohio. Oliver Champeau - Third assistant engineer born in 1934 and lived in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Nicknamed “Buck,” he quit school at age 13 to raise four siblings after his father died. During his life, Champeau fought in the Korean War with the Marine Corps. Ralph Walton - Oiler born in 1917 and lived in Fremont, Ohio. He and his brother Wade sailed on many Columbia Transportation ships, including the Fitzgerald, but only he was on board when it sank. He often volunteered to maintain the ships during winter and gave his nephews tours of the vessels. Walton was survived by a wife and son Alan who worked on freighters too. Blaine Wilhelm - Oiler born in 1923 in Big Bay, Michigan, and lived in Moquah, Wisconsin. He was in the Navy for 11 years, serving in WWII and the Korean War before being discharged as a first class fireman. Afterward, Wilhelm sailed for 19 years. He liked to go fishing and deer hunting and enjoyed playing pool, barbecuing, spending time with family and friends, and eating blueberry pie. Wilhelm was survived by wife Lorraine, seven children, and a grandchild born just four days after the Fitzgerald sank. Thomas Bentsen - Oiler born in 1952 and lived in St. Joseph, Michigan. Gordon MacLellan - Wiper born in 1945 and lived in Clearwater, Florida. Less than one month before the tragic Fitzgerald journey, he built a home in Presque Isle, Michigan, to make travel between the two states easier. MacLellan took after his father, Master Captain Donald MacLellan who traveled the Great Lakes route several times. Robert Rafferty - Steward and cook born in 1913 in Toledo, Ohio, where he also lived. After 30 years of sailing, he started just filling in for crew members. Rafferty wasn’t supposed to be on the fateful journey but was called to fill in for the regular steward. He was actually considering retiring altogether. Rafferty was survived by wife Brooksie, daughter Pam, and several grandchildren. Allen Kalmon - Second cook born in 1932 and lived in Washburn, Wisconsin. Joseph Mazes - Special maintenance man born in 1916 in Ashland, Wisconsin, where he also lived. He sailed for 30 years on the Great Lakes and loved his job. At one point, he saved another crewman’s life. Sadly, the 1975 season would have been his last because he planned to retire. Mazes loved ice fishing, deer hunting, and snowmobiling in his free time. His siblings, nieces, and nephews remember how kind and generous he was. They recall him being afraid of Captain McSorley’s habit of never pulling out of a storm. Thomas Borgeson - Maintenance man born in 1934 and lived in Duluth, Minnesota. Frederick Beetcher - Porter born in 1919 and lived in Superior, Wisconsin. Nolan Church - Porter born in 1920 and lived in Silver Bay, Minnesota. He didn’t start sailing until his 40s after watching the freighters pass by his home and thinking that the job would be fun. He was survived by multiple children who say that he loved the job. Son Rick recalls his father joking that the Great Lakes didn’t have a hole big enough for the Fitzgerald. Church didn’t think that such a tragedy could happen.

[@jaswmclark]

He was born near the village of Spencerville, Ontario. About 10 miles north of the Johnstown/Ogdensburg bridge.

[@MatchGirl]

This is an incredible amount of history--absolutely wonderful to read. Where did you find this all? I'd love to learn more. I live on Lake Michigan and have seen the Arthur M. Anderson in port here once and only briefly. She's one of my "bucket list" ships.

[@aaronsmith5223]

Sadly, Gordon Lightfoot at the age of 84 is no longer with us. This cover and his original song will always remind us of his brilliant storytelling voice and his great songs. RIP to a legend.

[@doberski6855]

I love the fact that the Mariner's Church of Detroit tolled the bells for Gordon Lightfoot. 29 times for the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald and then once for Mr. Lightfoot!

[@everythingsalright1121]

Oh...damn. i didnt know he just passed away...

[@nbenefiel]

I am from Detroit. I saw Gordon so many times I lost count. I love seeing his music sung by this young generation.

[@aaronsmith5223]

@@nbenefiel My first song that I really enjoyed was Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Ever since Ive been listening to his music.

[@lewiswhite95]

May as he Honored, Be remembered.

[@chrisboerma7585]

As a native of Michigan who've heard Gordon Lightfoot's song more times than I care to admit, I wasn't sure how I'd like someone else covering it... but y'all did an awesome job. Loved the reverence and emotion at the end. Just very, very well done.

[@immortalinwell5935]

I think one of the reasons I enjoy this song is that it lends itself so easily to covers! It very much has the air of a bonfire song that you'd sing with your Girl Scout troop.

[@fakjbf3129]

For some reason changing “26 thousand tons” to “many thousand tons” completely threw off my rhythm, but other than that I loved this cover.

[@SukkaPunch321]

I actually preferred the lyric change. I’m from Michigan as well and find this song to be one of the best about our region.

[@AbyssalDrake88]

I remember hearing this back in Michigan, when I still lived there. I'm not crying, you're crying.

[@RadioDemon19334]

As a fellow Michigander love this cover

[@206197]

You guys should do "fair well to Nova Scotia" or "Barrett's Privateers" you guys would kill it!

[@davidgraves3959]

Or Stan Roger's "Northwest Passage".

[@Texicus_Reddicus]

they've done both I think, definitely barett's privateers

[@bdavis7801]

👏 I second!

[@kathidubach]

I vote for Barrett‘s Privateers, too.

[@LostShipMate]

@@davidgraves3959 They already have an incredible version of that song on there channel.

[@wizardman149]

Ah the mighty Fitz... as a Great Lakes mariner myself, this one will hit home

[@c4sualcycl0ps48]

Same here! Those who know the tale also know these lakes can kill you just as easily as the ocean can.

[@Terribleathletes]

Me also. What outfit are you with Sailor?

[@pinnedthrottle7690]

I’m looking to get hired on this season as soon as my MMC comes in. (Maybe another month or two until that happens) Hoping to get hired on with Key Lakes or Interlake.

[@Terribleathletes]

@@pinnedthrottle7690 whichever outfit you choose will hire you almost immediately. Great Lakes Merchant Marine is really hurting for people right now.

[@stephenstarling2578]

I have question how do you get that I'm mm in the navy how much do you make and how easy it Im use to 20 hours a day I'm curious how to that

[@gumpyoldbugger6944]

Very sad news today (May 2nd 2023), the Canadian troubadour, Gordon Lightfoot has passed away at the age of 84. RIP Gordon, you gave Canada its voice.

[@obxarms7685]

BOTH of his songs were awesome!

[@andrewp6387]

​@@obxarms7685 both? He had many more than 2 songs

[@obxarms7685]

@@andrewp6387 yeah, but they were all pretty bad outside of Edmund and Sundown.

[@gracehulbert7867]

Every year on November 10th the Great Lakes Shipwreck Musuem at Whitefish Point holds a memorial ceremony to honor the crew members as well as sailors lost in other shipwrecks. They ring the bell 29 times for the 29 men lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald and once more for the other crews. My step-grandfather's dad has rung the bell at the ceremony at least twice and one for the Captain. ⚓️🔔

[@gdpblitz2332]

Hey that’s my birthday!

[@tonymcdonald2932]

They now ring it once more for Gordon Lightfoot as well

[@2008ChevyEquinox]

The Edmund Fitzgerald is definitely my favorite large Lake Superior shipwreck with a song written about it.

[@mckayleepugmire9947]

Are there multiple?

[@JurassicGaint]

@McKaylee Pugmire There are a lot, the great lakes can be as rough an ocean at times.

[@iciclecold2991]

Care to tell us what the other songs are? I'd like to hear them.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

The story I remember learning about this song is there wasn’t much of if any memorial for the sailors lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald, so Gordon Lightfoot wrote this song and all the proceeds went to the families of the victims.

[@jasonfall1550]

@@ChrisJones-gx7fc He also revised the song to be more factually correct as time went on. The bell from the ship is now on display (since like, 1995) in part because of this song.

[@zeeb.1763]

you've made the entire upper peninsula of michigan smile with this one :D

[@gracehulbert7867]

And the Lower! 🤩😁

[@rockahollic7691]

Don't forget Minnesota

[@MatchGirl]

A good chunk of us below the bridge, too! I'm on the Lake Michigan side :)

[@gracehulbert7867]

@@MatchGirl Me too!! 🙃

[@theodendog48]

yes he has, i think its more for the yoopers, anyway where just happy with anything we got.

[@Melissa_939]

There's a wonderful edge of pain and roughness in Robbie's voice here! What a beautiful cover

[@ReeseMacalma]

Noticed this as well, it suits the song very much

[@everythingsalright1121]

It works really well

[@charlesbillington8511]

That last bit where the instruments go silent and it goes acapella, it’s raw, and beautiful and aching. And then Robby takes that last line alone and I break again. So powerfully done. Beautiful tribute to these mariners.

[@TheTaiylorWallace]

As a Michigander, I shed a very proud tear. Lake Superior is every bit as dangerous and awe-inspiring as Gordon Lightfoot wrote. You revere her, you fear the gales and waves, and you behold the hundreds of shipwrecks and thousands of lives lost with awe and somber respect. If anyone ever has the chance to visit the Upper Peninsula, I highly recommend making a trip of the north shore, even go on the Circle Tour, and try out the glass bottom boat tours and visit the mining and sailing landmarks. Superior is named the "Great Sea" by the Ojibwe for a reason, and she is wonderful and terrible.

[@MatchGirl]

I live near Lake Michigan and have only seen Superior once. I watch the storms here and know the waters are even more wild up there. I tell my kids that we respect the big lake and we understand the waters don't care about humans, they are wild, and because of that, swimming is always something we do with care, and never ignore the warning flags, or the signs on the lake. So many don't.

[@WoodworkerDan]

@@MatchGirl I have lived within a few blocks of Lake Michigan, Superior, and Huron, and yes, the lakes are dangerous. One of my former students lost her brother last summer when he got carried away by the currents in Lake Michigan.

[@MatchGirl]

@@WoodworkerDan every year, we hear of drownings off Grand Haven and in Muskegon. People just don't understand this is not like one of our inland beaches.

[@youraveragetemplar5810]

I may not live by lake Superior but I live on the coast of lake Erie.

[@nbenefiel]

I live not far from Lake Michigan. My only beef with this is they way they sing Michigan and Detroit. It’s mishigan and DeTROIT

[@BrendanKaczmarek]

Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers fit you guys so so well. And to top it off, to hear you guys do The Dreadnought’s “Dear Old Stan” might just be perfect.

[@wiseguy3696]

Stan Rogers is the GOAT, and maybe TLJ can do a dreadnoughts could do some work together. I'd like to see what they'd come up with.

[@Lestatv0ndrac]

@@wiseguy3696 maybe you know already but they did some videos together. They were great.

[@wiseguy3696]

@@Lestatv0ndrac thank you for telling me, they're very good

[@brianstabile165]

*laughs in Dan hall*

[@maegpye]

I remember the night this ship went down. We were at a late movie and when we got out, the wind was so fierce (just south of mid-Michigan) that stray shopping carts were flying across the mostly empty parking lot. The next morning my mother called me and said, 'a ship went down in Lake Superior last night'. Growing up in Michigan, the great lakes were a huge part of my life.

[@MudBucketGaming]

They rang the church bell 30 time just a few days ago . RIP Gordon Lightfoot. Well done fellas

[@bethwalsh9020]

Lake Superior owns my heart and this song has a piece. We spent summer vacations on its shores in the UP. The man who ran the resort and the charter fishing service actually was shipwrecked the night the Fitzgerald went down, but he was close to shore and was able to swim ashore and promptly go to the local bar for a beer. He passed away last month. Your rendition did him proud. RIP Captain Dave.

[@heidiv4039]

Yeah

[@comyak1907]

I would love to see a cover of "Which side are you on?" by Pete Seeger, it seems very topical with all the strikes going on in the UK right now as well.

[@Cryolemon]

Billy Bragg also wrote a set of lyrics to that, about the 84-85 Miners Stirke in the uk

[@The1995Shyguy]

I also would like to see them do this one.

[@zacharyliles8657]

Oh that would be amazing!

[@glynrh8892]

Yeah I’ll second this

[@jfleisch365]

Agreed

[@anone.mousse674]

I love me some Gordon Lightfoot. Very hyped

[@barragethree5047]

Kinda want them to do "Marie Christine", too

[@Texicus_Reddicus]

@@barragethree5047 hell yeah

[@barragethree5047]

@@Texicus_Reddicus hey, buddy, just wanna let you know in advance that an Arizona Ranger is on his way to Agua Fria as we speak

[@Texicus_Reddicus]

@@barragethree5047 (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง

[@Cryolemon]

@@barragethree5047 speaking of songs for TLJ to cover...

[@michaelglinski3809]

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" is still a HELL of a lyric. From this Michigander- thank you.

[@baljacques7507]

It really is. People often say "no one is an atheist at the end" but I would argue many situations like this equally make people question their faith.

[@XRatedPoetry]

Would love to see you guys try Far Over The Misty Mountains!

[@gracielee6434]

Ditto this!

[@jadekaibap]

Omg yes!

[@parkerbrown-nesbit1747]

Ooh, yes!

[@christopherduncan9076]

Or greatest adventure

[@TokyoBlue587]

I would love this!

[@walter80922]

Okay, who wants to crowdfund a trip for the longest Johns to get to lake Superior shore and do this live?

[@buddhistandcatholic]

Specifically on 11-10-2025, the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald's sinking. Duluth Minnesota?

[@JennAnnis]

As a Canadian, and one who grew up listening to Gordon Lightfoot, this is a truly lovely version of a classic song commentating the tragedy of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[@vesper-martini]

Last spring, my mom took me to see you guys perform in Boston, Mass. When we were driving back home after, she mentioned to me that she thought you’d do a fantastic cover of The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. So when I saw the preview for this video, I immediately had to call her! We absolutely love you guys! :D

[@kaejuka6249]

Fun fact: Gordon Lightfoot wrote this very shortly after it happened, but he got a LOT of the details eerily accurate to what they think actually happened, which wouldn't have been known until years later when they dived down to the wreck.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

The story I remember is the only thing done to honor the lives lost was a small piece in a local newspaper, and Gordon Lightfoot felt they deserved better so he wrote the song and all the proceeds from it went to the families of the victims.

[@dutchwhofian1921]

He also changed the lyrics for his live version to be more accurate

[@everythingsalright1121]

Though he also got some wrong, mostly due to him just writing from the heart instead of trying to make a 100% accurate song. He has changed the lyrics to be more accurate in light of new evidence in 2010 for the live action performances.

[@kaejuka6249]

@@everythingsalright1121 yeah, I'm just saying that's the crazy part. He wasn't trying to be accurate, but was still weirdly accurate

[@samreid6010]

@@ChrisJones-gx7fcfrom what I read he saw the piece in his local paper and they had been so sloppy that they had repeatedly misspelled Edmund as Edmond. He basically said it was an affront to their memories so he had to write the song

[@parkermm]

My Michigander heart. ❤ We’re literally taught this song all though elementary school.

[@Momma_Tomma]

Indeed!

[@orionelenbaas7947]

Our history.

[@zacharyliles8657]

The lakes are our heritage 💙

[@iciclecold2991]

Which county? We didn't learn this song in my county of Michigan.

[@lenodas3567]

Learned it growing up too. Tuscola County, for those wondering

[@AngelienRhymesWithGreen]

As a Minnesota girl and a lover of the North Shore, I'm so excited for this! 🎶Superior, they said, never gives up her dead when the gales of November come early.... 🎶

[@amberharmsen2497]

fellow minnesotan greetings from buffalo

[@AngelienRhymesWithGreen]

@@amberharmsen2497 Oh hey, I used to live sort of near there (Big Lake). Greetings from Grand Rapids!

[@wintersking4290]

@@amberharmsen2497 Hello other Minnesotans, Have a great day!

[@rickponsetto3443]

They rang the bell of the Old Mariners Church 30 times after Gorden Lightfoot died

[@jefftheprimordialtardigrad5219]

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead When the skies of November turn gloomy With a load of iron ore many thousand tons more Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed When the gales of November came early The ship was the pride of the American side Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most With a crew and good captain well seasoned Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms When they left fully loaded for Cleveland Then later that night when the ship's bell rang out Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'? Well the wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound When the wave broke over the railing And every man knew, as the captain did too T'was the witch of November come stealin' The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait When the gales of November came slashin' When afternoon came it was freezin' with rain In the face of a hurricane west wind When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck Sayin', "Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya" At seven PM, a main hatchway caved in He said, "Fellas, it's been good to know ya" The captain wired in he had water comin' in And the good ship and crew was in peril And later that night when his lights went outta sight Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Does any one know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours? The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her They might have split up or they might have capsized They may have broke deep and took water And all that remains is the faces and the names Of the wives and the sons and the daughters Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings In the rooms of her ice-water mansion Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams The islands and bays are for sportsmen And farther below Lake Ontario Takes in what Lake Erie can send her And the iron boats go as the mariners all know With the gales of November remembered In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee Superior, they said, never gives up her dead When the gales of November come early

[@weezact7]

Oh man! I'm pretty pumped! Growing up in the Keewenaw, I heard this song on the radio yearly. It was a big deal. Still is, I assume, but it always felt like I heard it less often as I got older. Maybe it faded out of memory (We moved up there from another part of the UP in '95, so it was still fairly recent) or maybe I just didn't listen to the radio as much.

[@c4sualcycl0ps48]

I had to play this song for a coworker who grew up out-of-state as we drove by Lake Superior.

[@josiahzabel8596]

Rest in Peace Gordon Lightfoot ( November 17, 1938,- May 1st 2023)

[@c4luke69]

rest in peace Gordon Lightfoot. o7

[@E350tb]

My god, lads, you did not need to go this hard. Fantastic work! Hmm… how about either Over the Hills and Far Away (from Sharpe) or Green Fields of France?

[@jarry1850]

That's good soldiering

[@StargazerAeons]

Michigander here and this is one of the most interesting events in our history~ Love the song and cant wait for your legendary harmony on it!

[@Frankenstein3r]

I would love to hear you lads to a rendition of 16 Tons. I'm sure it'd be Adequate :)

[@kaegerator]

oh yes this one

[@pinkcupcake4717]

following up the Worker's Song? Oh heavens yes please.

[@eb788]

100% yes!!!

[@The1995Shyguy]

It would be interesting to see how you guys would do this one.

[@Theotherlostprimarch]

Man, what timing. I hope Gordon heard your cover. You definitely did it justice. Well done.

[@phalcon23]

RIP Gordon Lightfoot - May 1st, 2023 - 84 Years of age.

[@thebeaniestbeanboys5735]

THIS IS THE MOST HYPED IVE EVER BEEN FOR A LONGEST JOHNS DROP

[@sillerbarly4927]

I love this song, heard it a lot from growing up in Michigan

[@JurassicGaint]

For us who live around the great lakes it hold a bit more meaning I believe.

[@mitchellb4551]

@@JurassicGaintagreed there arent many famous song about the Midwest so we rally behind it. also as as scout that got to help with the Christmas tree ship a few times I always feel this song.

[@jplayzow]

RIP Gordon Lightfoot

[@3rdalbum]

1938-2023-the legend lives on

[@candymannikko6025]

This song never fails to give me chills, and brings a tear to my eye. Grew up on the west end of the U.P., and now live in the Keweenaw, near Lake Superior, and not far, as U.P. distances go, from where this happened. I'm old enough to remember when it happened, I was in high school, and it is still a pretty big deal up here. Thank you for this, you really did it justice.

[@AdamDrew]

Since you're covering every Canadian song about boats, I'd love your take on The Wreck of the Athens Queen.

[@redjive_industries3760]

I’m quite glad I’m not the only fan of this song!

[@Hklbrries]

Me, too! Wore out my “Fogarty’s Cove” CASSETTE listening to that song! Stan Rogers 💕

[@Hklbrries]

@@redjive_industries3760You are not alone!

[@samuel61762]

Such a powerful and chilling rendition of a classic. It's nice to think that while most people die and are eventually forgotten, those 29 sailors will live on forever in this song.

[@christopherrampley9811]

There is not a wasted word in that song. Gordon was an amazing songwriter and story teller. Great performance lads.

[@faustlican5566]

What was the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Literally all Michiganders: sit down young one and let me tell you a tale

[@rebeccarhea5171]

RIP to the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald..love some gorden lightfoot

[@dylanbarton5739]

Being born and raised in Minnesota and been tied to maritime history for most of my life, I have listened to this song (and Gordon Lightfoot) for most of my life. I can honestly say that I was skeptical of this rendition, even though I've been a fan of you all for years now. However, after listening to this, I can say you lads nailed it; you did 'er proud. Fair winds to you all!

[@lividsoda]

i'd love to hear you guys try your hand at any of Stan Roger's stuff, Northwest Passage and Barrett's Privateers in particular

[@johndrozdz1371]

The Longest Johns are great fans of Stan Rogers. They've done Northwest Passage before :)

[@thomasfaucher2756]

As a Michigander I am very excited to hear their version of this lovely tune

[@recurvess9569]

"The story lives on how the ship she went down, and the people all died...! Bummer!"

[@CreativeStoryArtist2]

Tim Hawkins fan I see u

[@recurvess9569]

@@CreativeStoryArtist2 I am so happy someone knew the reference 😁

[@josiahzabel8596]

NOT expecting a Tim Hawkins reference

[@recurvess9569]

@@josiahzabel8596 NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!!

[@MAGEs-of-Anarchy]

Fitting, I suppose, that someone released a good cover just months before Lightfoot passed away. The passing of the torch, perhaps, or the lighthouse keys, as the case may be.

[@funnelvortex7722]

I keep coming back to this cover. As a Wisconsinite this really is the best cover of this fateful ballad I've ever heard! And I mean that, I've heard so many covers but none of them ever went this hard, and it's no surprise the Longest Johns were able to pull it off! I really would love to see you guys make an entire album about the Great Lakes eventually, there are a lot of folk songs about the inland seas we call the Great Lakes and the seemingly quaint way of life lived on their waters and shores hidden away from the world. The Great Lakes on the surface seem to lack the glory of the open ocean but in reality are full of stories and history that deserve more recognition, Great Lakes sailors back during the days of sail even had their own sea shanties and ballads, some of which were derived from ocean-going shanties and others entirely original. And songs were still written into the days of steam and diesel powered vessels. Man, I'd love to see a Great Lakes themed album from you guys, including this cover in it. As a maritime history geek, sea shanty lover, and Midwesterner, it would be the greatest thing ever.

[@mitchellb4551]

yea I cant wait! I cant say as I was expecting it from you since you are brits but this makes me very happy as this is one of my favorite songs in the shanty/ ballad lane and very few groups have covered it.

[@moragmckay3779]

As a Scot, I've been a Gordon Lightfoot fan since the age of ten. Early Lightfoot was the second album I bought, after waking up in our (borrowed) holiday caravan to the sound of a voice which left me confused; was I still dreaming, or had we been blown over the cliff and I was in heaven. It was Early Morning Rain, turned up loudly by my Dad on the transistor radio because I'd slept in.

[@zacharyliles8657]

Gordon Lightfoot passed recently and when he died the very church in Detroit mentioned in this song rang its bell 30 times- 29 for the men of the Fitz and 1 for Gordon 💙💚

[@davidgraves3959]

Beautiful! Best cover of that song to date. We Michigander's consider that song as sacred as a church hymn, and you guys did it right!

[@stargirl7646]

I love all the Michiganders in the comments!

[@SeventhGate008]

Today is a good day. This is one of the first "sailor songs" I was introduced to, thanks to my dad. So it holds one of the highest places in my heart ❤️

[@LilFrg]

It’s a good first song, I love the ones that tell stories 😊

[@zillia6784]

Just when I thought I couldn't be more hyped, I find out you've covered the Edmund Fitzgerald!

[@ryangifford6259]

Keeping with the Great Lakes, has “White Squall” by Stan Rogers been covered?

[@jessinthegarden]

Yes, thank you for suggesting this, I have been thinking it today too

[@rayhoff7840]

I would love if you guys covered “The Rocky Road to Dublin”

[@Galcian1995]

This a great cover and Tribute for the Canadian legend Gordon Lightfoot thank you The Longest Johns

[@jessinthegarden]

I wouldn’t complain if you did another Gordon Lightfoot cover. I'd love to hear what you would do with “Early Morning Rain.” But, I think you'd do “Steel Rail Blues” splendidly. And I'm certain you would do “Bitter Green” positively beautifully.

[@barragethree5047]

You're forgetting "Marie Christine"!

[@jessinthegarden]

@@barragethree5047Not to mention several dozen others….

[@barragethree5047]

@@jessinthegarden okay okay, Jess, how about Protocol and Redwood Hill

[@rockahollic7691]

Or the Canadian Railroad trilogy

[@jessinthegarden]

I actually started a list yesterday, but swiftly overwhelmed myself 😂

[@NoxiousNinja]

RIP Gordon Lightfoot. This is a great cover.

[@millstab]

I'd love to hear you guys cover some Dreadnoughts - like Roll Northumbria, for example.

[@magoshighlands4074]

Leslie Fish's "The Day It All Fell Apart" is definitely a song I and I imagine others would love to hear you do, I think you're one of the few bands that can really pull it off

[@noahpd]

Beautiful. I would love to hear some Celtic/Scottish folk too. Maybe "Red Is The Rose"/"Loch Lomond"?

[@eb788]

yes to both of these!

[@LilFrg]

I think they like to do less commonly known sailing songs, but I agree these would be great picks

[@gregjarman2583]

Ooh boy, this was unexpected. I hope this is good. This song hits differently here in Michigan

[@nickcosgrove5215]

I absolutely love every time Tilbury Town comes up in livestreams, and I think it would be a great one to have an official version of, especially because no one sings it like you guys! :)

[@CryoOptics]

Two of the songs I would love for you to cover are two of Stan Rogers classics 'The Witch of the Westmorland' and 'Harris and the Mare'. They are perfect for the feel of your music.

[@cpip]

If they do Witch of the Westmoreland, I'd like if they add back in the rest of Archie Fisher's lyrics. Stan's arrangement was aces, but I thought the story suffered a bit for the cuts he made to it.

[@alizaellner3696]

Witch of the Westmorland!!

[@WaynettePorter]

As much of a fan of Stan Rogers I am, they need to do Archie Fisher's "The Witch of the Westmorland". Don't get me wrong, I love the Stan Rogers version. But there's just something more with Archie Fisher's. And he wrote a sequel. Never heard him perform it but I've heard The Waybacks version.

[@CryoOptics]

@@WaynettePorter @cpip I agree with you both that the lyrics are better in Fishers's version but I think the style and tempo of Roger's version are much better. I think the best way to cover 'The Witch of the Westmoreland' is with Fisher's lyrics and Roger's music.

[@Fitzwalrus06]

This. A cover of "Witch of the Westmoreland" would be awesome - one of my favorite songs from SCA reenacting many years ago.

[@trinitygrimes2011]

As a Wisconsinite whose father is a Yooper, I'm very excited to hear your rendition of this fantastic ballad.

[@dabbiwilli]

RIP Gordon Lightfoot!! One of my favorite covers! How many hits does this get today to honor a legend?

[@personwhotalks2049]

I'd love a studio version of Tilbury Town, also this is an amazing rendition of The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald

[@Rebecca_DC0]

Yay!!!! I live near Duluth, MN, and remember hearing (and learning) this song for the first time in an elementary school music class. Can't wait!

[@Mildcat743]

I'd love to hear you guys do I Wanna Be in the Cavalry.

[@scbcgravitywars1770]

IMVHO, Gordon Lightfoot, as a lyricist, pretty much stood head and shoulders above everyone else. Practically peerless. This is a superlative rendition of a masterwork of songwriting.

[@jorklind]

At last - a new version of this song! Anytime you go to a maritime museum in the Great Lakes, they have this on repeat, so it's great to hear your take.

[@tfrtrouble]

Robbie/Dave is such a great sound. Wild and windswept with warm wood tones woven through.

[@stargirl7646]

Great description!

[@alexanderchippel]

I've been listening to this song since as long as I can remember and I actually had the privilege of seeing Gordon Lightfoot live in concert a few years ago.

[@alexanderchippel]

@Tin Watchman Yeah but he was like 85 at the time. It was still nice to see a living legend, and the fact that he's still touring is admirable, because it shows his love and dedication to music .

[@zimeron1]

My dad's family are all from the Superior, WI/Duluth, MN area, where the Edmund Fitzgerald launched on that ill-fated trip. The legend does indeed live on, and Superior's fearsome reputation along with it. Excellent cover lads.

[@raymondraptorclaw2901]

As an avid Sea of thieves player, I truly do not know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours. ⛈️

[@renardgrise]

I would like to request "Over the Hills and Far Away"... Napoleonic version :-D

[@renardgrise]

Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen or heard y'all do Heart of Oak yet...

[@thewingfan]

The last verse don acapella gave me chills. This is one of my favorite songs ever, and you guys nailed it! For your next one I'd love to see what you could do with The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

[@captainduck3421]

I'd absolutely love to see Fare Thee Well/Dink's song, it's so beautiful on stream and truly brings me joy (and likely sadness) each time I hear it!

[@captainstiffler-ml3hv]

Loved this song. To answer the what to do next question: -White Squall -Thousands are Sailing -South Australia -The Broad Majestic Shannon -The idiot -Dirty old town -Flowers of Bermuda -Bluenose -Captain Kidd Can think of others, certainly White Squall (Stan Rogers) would be a good starting point, and work well coming off the back of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[@ayayaybamba3445]

Not sure if it's possible, but I'd love to hear a cover of Northumbria.

[@renardgrise]

Hell, I would love a Collab between the two groups...

[@ruth_hulbert]

Ohhhhh I am SO excited for this!!! 🤩 Being a Great Lakes Michigan Gal, my sisters, Mom, and I have been talking about The John’s needing to give this and other Great Lakes songs a go! We are ECSTATIC! 🥹🥳🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@dariosilario8319]

I think a cover of Ghost Riders in the Sky would be super interesting to hear from you guys

[@jffry890]

Once you guys started doing more Americana I knew this cover was coming eventually and knew you would nail it.

[@mykaelboykin4905]

As someone who requested this song, I'm so glad you guys finally got around to it

[@AviationJeremy]

We definitely need more Gordon Lightfoot covers!

[@foggynotion]

Saw you kids in Montreal last November. Quelle spectacle!! I always liked "Heave Away" by Roger McGuinn/Clancy Brothers. Put that one up your khybers and you'll have a friend for life.

[@stylianosorphanoudakes56]

EXCELLENT COVER, ME LADS. And I say this with the certainty of a Gordon Lightfoot's eager admirer. Hooray!!!

[@nueanon]

Rip Gordon Lightfoot . You shall be missed

[@iciclecold2991]

The acapella bit gave me goosebumps... so good. Thank you for covering this song, which in itself, is a tribute to those lost and the families they left behind.

[@ericaelliott1178]

My father used to play this for me as a little girl. Every time I hear it, I’m a wide-eyed redhead dreaming of being a captain or a deep sea diver. Funny this didn’t discourage me one bit. 😆

[@LeftEyedJordan]

Splendid cover y’all! Gordon Lightfoot is my favorite artist and songwriter. RIP Gordon

[@SpiderMan-gv2gd]

Omg IT IS FINALLY HAPPENING

[@robertbarnett3980]

A really great rendition of a great song ... and that's from a Canadian who is a Lightfoot fan. Even though it's a dirge your version gives you the urge to pond mugs on the table. How about doing (if you haven't already) "The Mary Ellen Carter"?

[@Barcodum]

WOW! Just… WOW! Listening to this I began to believe that you guys had missed the point of this song, turning it into another Irish pub song. Then you got to the last verse and I realized that you hadn’t missed the point at all. You understood the point perfectly. Your respect and understanding shon through magnificently.

[@Cry_Havoc]

Exquisitely adequate! Haunting and heartbreaking; so beautiful. You more than did it justice. EDIT: The more I listen to this, the more enchanted I am. The last verse especially is breathtaking. Thank you so much for covering this!