Well, I am not going to try to answer this one because this is one song that defies certain interpretation. Try some of these possibilities:
1. The overwhelming nature of technology and its effect on the enrivonment
2. The Vietnam War
3. Watergate
All of those theories have been advanced and argued persuasively by devoted GL fans. I have some old messages from the alt.music.lightfoot newsgroup with just those theories (messages from 8/97 and 12/97, by the way - telling you how long I've been hanging out on GL newsgroups).
Also try to evaluate the song in the context of the entire album (except for Wreck, which was added late), the times, and the poem as well. Lots of food for thought. Would make a fine thesis ...
Have fun! You might try posting your question at the newsgroup today, as some of the folks who posted 2 1/2 years ago are still out there. "Old" GL fans never die.
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Valerie Magee
Visit my GL web site at
gordonlightfoot.com