Tragically Hip (Ottawa 28 Sep 2009) The Dire Wolf

[@joshnicholls8215]

In my top 2 hip songs about dogs...love it.

[@calbrecka5527]

So grateful to have seen the Hip 3 times. From Wisconsin but consider myself to be an honorary Canadian. This music speaks to me. RIP my friend. Peace to all.

[@wlrdwds]

I am from Oklahoma and have always considered Myself a Misplaced Canadian or Honourary Canadian.

[@sarahbeancarney]

"We don't have time to teach you about evolution" is just so hilarious.

[@paulhill8244]

When I first heard this song in 2002 I was completely convinced it was paying homage to the sinking of the SS Caribou on October 14, 1942 by torpedo's from the German submarine U-69, 37 km southwest of Port Aux Basque in the Cabot Straight. I thought the Dire Wolf was U-69 and "the Newfoundland" (dog) was a reference to the use of the dogs during rescue at sea and representing the bravery of the Newfoundland people for standing up against Nazi Germany. Furthermore the reference to Canada Lee and Tallulah Bankhead (Lifeboat, 1944) completely convinced me. I lost never-met family members during that fateful night and my great grandfather played a large role in recovering the deceased. It was a story I was told as a boy and always struck me how horrific this would be in the dead of night. I still shed a tear every time I hear this song and will until my last day even if the reference was never actually intended. It was for me. Miss you Gord!

[@lifefordummies]

Hello! I grew up in the area he mentions in the song. He wrote it about the Harvey family. A man, his daughter, and their newfoundland dog rescued hundreds of people from a ship ran aground near a little town near port aux basques called Isle aux morte (french for island of the dead) it is a ruggid and dangerous coastline. There were many shipwrecks there. Im willing to bet while waiting for the Ferry he went for a walk on the Harvey trail near the scene where it happened. They have signage their which tells the story. Fun fact. He became good friends with Rick Mercers Dad when he wrote this because he called Rick to ask him how to pronounce Isle Aux Morte, but Rick didn't know so he gave Gord his dads number. Gord actually sent Ricks dad the original artwork for the Albums cover! :)

[@jetporter]

That's the thing about Gord's songs. They seem to be about many things at once. I like your interpretation, and really it's all about that body of water, isn't it? I'm sure Gord would agree with you.

[@joshnicholls8215]

Paul, wow. So cool.

[@royglenn2487]

There is no better band on this planet.

[@makeyourfaith]

I always liked this song, but lately it has become my favourite Hip song. So powerful.

[@mattmcgee7910]

This is my favourite song and cried my eyes out when he passed. Love you gordie

[@tiffanyaynify]

Hearing them is like being covered in a warm, loving blanket.

[@timketchum8875]

never thought of it like this.....but you're so right

[@babs3010]

What a great song.. love this. The lyrics are true poetry. And I love this intro/rant.. so great!! Thanks for posting this!!

[@jjk6950]

I love this version and Gord's amazing introduction

[@clearly-not-as-we-drew-this-up]

My tears adjure, Canada yet mourns our Newfoundland dog.

[@sweetmonkeylove1]

You may have left this realm, but you live in Canadians hearts forever.

[@calbrecka5527]

And all music lovers!

[@MetaGirl67]

Whenever I get a new car I choose the first song I will play in it. Picking it up today, and decided on this song. Mostly because I love The Hip, but also because the colour of my new wheels is called “Stormy Sea”. :)

[@lifefordummies]

Hello from a guy who grew up in a little town very close to Isle-aux-mortes. Thank you so much for uploading this! If this only has 25k views, i probably only 5k of them! Hahaha I keep coming back. He mentions the Newfoundland dog because of a local story, where the Harvey family (A man, his teenage daughter and their Newfoundland Dog) saved over 100 people from a schooner that was wrecked into the rocks and sinking. The whole town managed to feel them and house them. Much like the folks from Gander did for the Americans on 9/11. I'm not sure what year this happened, but it was quite some time ago!

[@lifefordummies]

He said, "check it out on Wikipedia" well here is the Ann Harvey story 😋 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Harvey

[@rickryan2157]

Seen them in Quebec 2002 and they played this. Amazing

[@lifesimmercanada5401]

I love hearing him say Port aux Basques ❤️❤️❤️

[@candiceosmond290]

Thanks for posting this. I'm from NL and a huge Hip fan. :) Heartbroken for Canada. But grateful for the perfect gift that is Gord Downie.

[@boxerfan76]

Candice Waterman hi Candice... what about a hip DVD night in NL sometime... we have the love for this band in common!

[@f0cusp0cus56]

Me too buddy cheers

[@f0cusp0cus56]

Shoutout to newfoundland home I miss you guys dearly ❤️ for the dire wolves howl

[@pondababa4197]

If you saw this live, you were LUCKY. Thanks for filming this one, amazing intro. Love Ya Gord

[@scottbartlett4853]

His voice at 3:32 damn! Love you Gordie!

[@kingston360dotcom8]

Thank you for Taping and sharing this moment

[@lifesimmercanada508]

Proud moment for Port aux Basques and Isle aux Morte! #ripgord

[@SethMeister]

Great stuff, thanks for taping.

[@sotampacane]

Great version of one of my favorite songs. Would have been nice to see the other band members.

[@lrimmf]

Goddammit - I miss Gord...

[@BrotherBoognish]

Willie Nelson is really talkin' to Gord on this one. I fucking love it.

[@Habsolutely]

Yeah Isle aux Morts! Island of the dead!

[@mustangmusicman]

Grew flippers then grew fleet. Anyway. ha