Wednesday, October 18/17
On the way to work this morning the news broke about the passing of Gord Downie last night and a sense of sadness washed over me like I haven't felt in far longer than I can remember.
For those reading this entry and wondering just who this man was and why his passing has left a nation feeling adrift and lost today read on to understand his impact.
On August 20th, 2016 the nation came to standstill to watch The Tragically Hip in their final concert from Kingston, the town where it all began and home to the band. It was such a bittersweet moment as all watching knew that it was the last performance for one of our heroes. I remember sitting on my couch and crying as they performed "Ahead By a Century" for the last time live and watching the crowd scenes from across the country as more than one person openly wept at our pending loss.
Canada is a large and beautiful country, so large that the majority of us won't ever see parts of it in anything other than a picture or video. It is a nation of incredible beauty that stretches from Vancouver Island in the west, to the snow drifts in the north, across the prairies golden brown with wheat, past the thundering water of Niagara, along the the St. Lawrence as it heads east to flow into the Gaspe, the colourful Laurentians, and the red soil of Prince Edwards Island.
It is filled with people from all walks of life, a multitude of religions, and ethnic backgrounds.
It is a place of hopes, dreams, and sorrow.
Gord Downie used lyrics as his brush and a concert stage as his canvas to describe our nation to us.
He spoke with an honesty that allowed us to bask in the glory that is Canada and also pulled back the stage curtains to remind us of our shortcomings and some of the ugliness that has blighted our past, always with the hope we would overcome these mistakes, right the ship, and be all that we could for our people and selves.
He was in many ways our heart and soul. Painting a picture with words that rivaled the best works of the Group of Seven.
My first concert was The Tragically Hip at the old Corel Centre back in 1996. A gift from my wife to celebrate my new life in my ancestral home. It was a show I've never forgotten and every time since that I've heard "Ahead By a Century" I've smiled deep inside.
I'll miss you Gord but rest assured that the message's you tried so hard to impart to us shall not go untold as I'll be talking about them this weekend with my son and more than likely doing my best to introduce The Tragically Hip to my grandson over the next few years.
I've placed a few links to Tragically Hip videos on YouTube for you to watch should the mood strike
Bobcaygeon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6QDjDPRF5c
Wheat Kings - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JjX-F7AFso
Ahead By a Century - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE2joQsWXJg
At The Hundredth Meridian - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCFo0a8V-Ag
My name is Marcus and tonight I'll raise a glass in memory of Gord and say a silent thanks to being able to say I was fortunate enough to see him live and feel the power of his music.
Rest in peace Gord, your journey is over but the message will carry on, we promise.....
No comments:
Post a Comment