LIGHTFOOTSTEPS

Almost 3 years ago, when Gordon Lightfoot was really ill, Aengus Finnan commissioned me to write a spoken-word piece for "The Way We Feel: A concert celebrating the songs for Gordon Lightfoot."

This is what I wrote and performed at the concert that year. I haven't done it since. But it's that Massey Hall show time of year and I thought I'd dust it off for the occasion. Here's to you, Mr. Lightfoot.

LIGHTFOOTSTEPS

You're a son of a birch
You're a chip off the old church
C'mon, lift up your drink
To the boys at the rink, if they're still there at all
You should pay 'em a call
You should know that they miss you
Times you've been gone.

Like a bird on the wing:
Always after a new song to sing
C'mon, give us a song
Til the train comes along, if it still comes this way
You know what they say, eh
You should know how a train sounds
It sounds just like you.

Like the tunes that you wrote
All those ones that we all know note for note
C'mon, play us a tune
Like the cry of a loon, if the loons still do cry
You should know how they cry
You know the wherefore and the why
The loons cry for love

You're a lover yourself
It's right there in those records of yours on my shelf
C'mon, tell us of love
Like we're all dreaming of, if we all still do dream
You must know it's a scheme
You must know how the scheme works
You've played it both ways

You've left, you've been left
Just like all of us, we know you've been bereft
C'mon, what do you say
Let's head out to the old carefree highway, if it still runs that way
You can drive to the bay
You should know where that bay is
It's where you're alone

Like the sun going down
Like a lonesome boy stuck on the edge of this town
C'mon, who couldn't guess
At times you were a mess, if it still means a thing
You might still feel the sting
You should know that's alright
It's how stories are made

Like the ones that you tell
The big boat on the big lake lost in the swell
C'mon, you told it so well
How they tolled the old bell, if bells still do ring
You'll still hear them and sing
You should know what that means
To give voice to this land

To the trees, to the snow, to the sand
Sit down old stranger, play that guitar in your hand
C'mon, play like you do
Tell us it's true, if you're still here to play
You're a hero today
You should know that's okay
You should hear
what the ones who have walked in
Lightfootsteps
Are now here to say.

They're here thanking the Lord
For the words and the songs, and the life of you, Gord.
C'mon, a toast has been poured
Lift a glass to that sweet chord, if it's still ringing true
You should know what to do
You should play it for you
And by the way....
Did I mention we've missed you?
Times you been gone...
January 08, 2003.