I got nothing against Gordon Lightfoot, but if “historical events” is what we’re talking about, I don’t see how we could skip the obvious: Bob Dylan.
The depth, subtext, humor, wit and complexity of his “historical events songs” blows any puffed up sea shanty out of ol’ Gitche Gumee.
- A tragic “boat” tale, the Hudson Belle, hired by a Harlem social club for an event, leading to unnecessary violence and injury: “Talkin’ Bear Picnic Massacre Blues”
- The kidnapping, torture and murder of Emmet Till: “The Death of Emmett Till”
- The mobilization of 30,000 US troops for a domestic disturbance (most in US history), the Ole Miss riot of ‘62: “Oxford Town”
- The death of Davey Moore: “Who Killed Davey Moore”
- The assassination of Medgar Evers: “Only a Pawn in Their Game”
- The murder of Hattie Carroll: “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”
- The murder of Joey Gallo: “Joey”
- The imprisonment of Ruben Carter: “Hurricane”