Gordon Lightfoot: A Self Portrait

This song grew on me. I had no idea what it meant until I did some research. After that, I understood. The lyrics speak for themselves. Gordon Lightfoot is talking about himself. He imbued the song with poetic imagery and a penetrating, flowing melody. What a gift he had to write hundreds of songs, each one unique, each one performed impeccably by the artist. Here’s my cover of “The Minstrel of the Dawn.”

Minstrel of the Dawn (Song)

The minstrel of the dawn is here to make you laugh and bend your ear up the steps you hear him climb all full of thoughts, all full of rhymes Listen to the pictures flow across the room into your mind they go Listen to the strings, they jangle and dangle all the old guitar rings the minstrel of the dawn is he not two eyes but oh so free he'll talk of life out on the street he'll play it sad, he'll say it sweet look into his shining face of loneliness always find a trace Just like me and you. He's trying to get into things more happy than blue.

A minstrel of the changing tide he'll ask for nothing but his pride. Just sit him down, down upon that chair Go fetch some wine and sit it there Listen to the pictures flow across your room into your mind they go. Listen to the strings, they dangle and jangle all the old guitar rings A minstrel of the dawn is near Just like a step in Frechetteer he's like an old time troubadour Just wanting life and nothing more. Look into his shining eyes and if you see a ghost don't be surprised Just like me and you.

He's trying to get in into things more happy than blue the minstrel boy will understand he holds the promise in his hand he talks of better days ahead and by his words your fortune's read Listen to the pictures flow across the room into your mind they go. The strings they jangle and dangle all the old guitar rings the minstrel of the dawn is gone. I hope he'll call before too long and if you meet him, you must be the victim of his minstrelsy he'll sing you a song the minstrel of the dawn.