We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Christian Island - Michael McNevin (Cover Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot)

by Michael McNevin

supported by
Sally Greenberg
Sally Greenberg thumbnail
SAH
SAH thumbnail
cynthiasugarpine
cynthiasugarpine thumbnail
Gary Browe
Gary Browe thumbnail
profnedsparrow
profnedsparrow thumbnail
RobertTheParker
RobertTheParker thumbnail
cheryldadams
cheryldadams thumbnail
jtinder
jtinder thumbnail
/

about

artist: Michael McNevin
written by Gordon Lightfoot
album: (single) (2023)
label: self
Michael is from Niles, CA
website: michaelmcnevin.com
there is no explicit language in this song
--------
The story behind the song
Michael says...
Gordon Lightfoot was constantly in my Dad’s vinyl stack in the 60’s and 70s. So much of Gordon’s music was absorbed that way, LPs dropping on the Zenith console. The “Long Play” meant we’d hear all the songs. If a record of Gordon’s is not well known, it doesn’t matter. Beyond his radio hits, Gordon's records of the 60s and 70s are stuffed full of great songs. His influence on my own writing began before I ever played a guitar, it began with comfort and enjoyment of record after record. I can cover a couple hundred miles with his music in the deck. He is still a treasured travel companion, and a part of my life soundtrack. His songs just never get old.

I’m proud to present one of Gordon’s lesser known songs here. "Christian Island” is the second song off Gordon's "Don Quixote" album, circa 1972. It is a simple and happy song about a boat named Silver Heels, out on a Summer day in the calm waters of Georgian Bay.

Side note: the short whistle melody I added at the very end of the song is an homage to another of Lightfoot’s seafaring songs -- “Ghosts Of Cape Horn.” Goodbye Gordon, thank you for the music you brought to this Big Blue world.

lyrics

Christian Island - Michael McNevin
Written by Gordon Lightfoot

I'm sailing down the summer wind
I've got whiskers on my chin
And I like the mood I'm in
As I while away the time of day
In the lee of Christian Island

Tall and strong, she dips and reels
I call her silver heels
And she tells me how she feels

She's a good old boat and she'll stay afloat
Through the toughest gales and keep smilin'
But for one more day she would like to stay
In the lee of Christian Island

I'm sailing down the summer day
Where the fish and seagulls play
I put my troubles all away
And when the gale comes up I'll fill my cup
With the whiskey of the highlands

She's a good old ship and she'll make the trip
From the lee of Christian Island

Tall and strong, she slips along
I sing for her a song
And she leans into the wind

She's a good old boat and she'll stay afloat
Through the toughest gale and keep smilin’
And, when the summer ends, we will rest again
In the lee of Christian Island

And, when the summer ends, we will rest again
In the lee of Christian Island

credits

released July 1, 2023
song: Christian Island
artist: Michael McNevin
written by Gordon Lightfoot
album: (single) (2023)
label: self
Michael on vocals and guitars.
Phil Bennett on Hammond Organ and Piano.
Recorded and Engineered by Phil Bennet.
Mastered by Hudson Harding.
Michael is from Niles, CA
website: michaelmcnevin.com

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Michael McNevin image

Michael McNevin San Francisco, California

Michael McNevin's songs read like short stories, a keen eye for detail for the characters and places in his travels. Shared stages with Johnny Cash & The Carter Family, Donovan, Shawn Colvin, Christine Lavin, Richie Havens. Main-stages at Strawberry, High Sierra, Kerrville, Philly Folk Fest. Kerrville New-Folk winner, “DYI Artist Of The Year” for Performing Songwriter, “Song Of The Year” for WCS. ... more

contact / help

Contact Michael McNevin

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Michael McNevin, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now