Home From The Forest

Quiz by Sharon Michiko Yoneda

"His eyes were red, his hopes were dead, and the wine was running low.

and the old man came home from the forest."

"His tears fell on the sidewalk as he stumbled in the street. A dozen faces stopped to stare but no one stopped to speak."

"The old man made his way. His ragged coat around him as upon his cot he lay. And he wondered how it happened that he ended up this way."

"And as he lay there sleeping, a vision did appear. Upon his mantle shining., A face of one so dear who had loved him in the springtime of a long-forgotten year."

"And then he heard the joyful sound of children at their games in an old house on a hillside in some forgotten town where the river runs down from the forest."

And to an old forgotten soldier, the dawn will come no more. for the old man has come home from the forest."

The old man has died.

artist: Gordon Lightfoot

songwriter: Gordon Lightfoot

date released: in 1967 by Gordon Lightfoot

"Home from the Forest" by Gordon Lightfoot tells the tragic story of an old man, once a strong and proud individual, who is now forgotten and alone. The song describes his final moments as he dies on the street, ignored by passersby. The mood is sorrowful and reflective, emphasizing themes of loneliness, aging, and lost dignity. The forest symbolizes his past strength and vitality, contrasting with the cold city where he meets his end. Lightfoot uses this imagery to highlight society’s neglect of the elderly and forgotten, making the listener feel both sympathy and regret for the man’s fate.

Gordon Lightfoot was born on November 17, 1938. The Canadian singer-songwriter is well-known for his work in the folk, folk-rock, and country music genres. He has more than five decades of experience in the music business and is regarded as one of Canada’s most significant artists. Early on, Gordon’s skill was recognized, and he frequently sang in both the school and church choirs. Before beginning to compose his songs, he later joined several ensembles. His songwriting career took off when well-known musicians performed his work. He then entered into a contract with United Artists and worked with them to make several albums. Later, he joined forces with Warner Bros. Records, where he enjoyed enormous success and notoriety. Despite numerous physical obstacles, Lightfoot continued to tour around the world and made fans everywhere. Today, we celebrate him and his accomplishments.

Lightfoot received the Order of Canada in 2003, the highest honour for citizenry of Canada. In 2007 Canada Post honoured Lightfoot and three other Canadian music artists (Anne Murray, Paul Anka, and Joni Mitchell) with postage stamps highlighting their names and images.

Lightfoot died of natural causes at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto on May 1, 2023, at the age of 84.