In all seriousness. Although our bodies are full of funny (little) bones, The Modern Spirit would not be what it is today without the poetry and craftsmanship of Gordon Downie or The Tragically Hip.
Gord Downie showcased throughout his life what it means to be an engaged and impactful Canadian citizen and for his example we will be forever grateful. Downie used his voice and words to narrate the problems and positives he saw in our society, and he always did it with a flare that we believe will remain unmatched.
While we might be going about it all wrong ourselves, we would acknowledge the grace(, too) with which Downie discussed social issues and the legitimate impact he had and will continue to have in our society. We can only try to have a minuscule portion of the impact Downie had.
Were it so easy.
As a Eulogy, although we’re not Ry Cooder or silver poets, we would like to share some of the most inspiring lyrics that Downie introduced to the life of The Modern Spirit:
(Follow along here: The Modern Spirit – The Tragically Hip )
In the dark before the train
Just beyond the barn glow
Where no dissident remains
Driving it like we stole it
Snow falling, a silver poet
To concentrate the gallows
And subtracting us like the wolf does
Driving it like we stole it
But we’re getting nearer, nearer
Getting near that modern spirit, yeah
I can hear it, hear it, hear it
I can hear that modern spirit
On the open road for boys
A white and an open throat
Night slips back with no noise
Inside the hitch-hiker’s coat
But we’re getting nearer, nearer
Getting near that modern spirit, yeah
I can hear it, hear it, hear it
I can hear the modern spirit, yeah
Can’t you just hear it, hear it, hear it?
Winter counting everything, we’re near it
We’re getting nearer nearer, nearer
Friendship changing everything, we’re near it
I can hear it
Is this the modern spirit?
This is the modern spirit, yeah
Yeah? Yeah!
R.I.P. Gord Downie
-The Modern Spirit
