Saturday, December 15, 2012

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot, and Figurative Language

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As a kid I remember a bit of this from the news and my parents and grandparents talking about the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I lived in Toledo, near the Maumee River and not too far from Lake Erie.

Gordon Lightfoot's song, relaying the tale of the fateful November night on Lake Superior, is a classic. It's a song that I use with my English classes to demonstrate effective use of  figurative language, from similes and metaphors to rhyme and personification.

I've listened to this particular Gordon Lightfoot's song more times than I can count--do CD's wear out?

In any case, if you've not heard the song before, or have in the past but would like to catch the tune again, here's a youtube link. Note the fancy graphics for the brief newscast clip right at the start. :)



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6 comments:

  1. I love Gordon Lightfoot! Probably because he such a fine poet as well as musician. I was first introduced to his music in school. =)

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    1. I like some of his songs better than others, Angie. Maybe I'll post about another of my favorites in the future.

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  2. You're dating yourself! lol

    Great song.

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  3. That is a beautiful song. I can see why you use it in your lessons.

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    1. Usually the students get into it a bit, as it does tell a story. It's not, of course, as awesome as their choice in music ;)

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