A
Em
G
D
The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot’s "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" is a haunting ballad rooted in folk tradition, with a gentle, rolling guitar part that matches the song’s narrative flow. The original features fingerpicking, but it also works well with simple strumming.
Chords Used
A, Em, G, D
All are open chords, making this arrangement beginner-friendly.
Strumming Pattern
A steady, flowing strum works best. Try a pattern like:
Down, down-up, up-down-up
Keep your strums light and even—avoid playing too aggressively, as the song’s mood is reflective.
Chord Transitions
The chord changes occur every line, often at the same word each verse. Practice moving from Em to G to D to A smoothly, as these transitions repeat constantly. To ease the switch:
- Em to G: Move your index and middle fingers down a string each, then add your ring and pinky for G.
- G to D: Slide your ring finger from the 6th string (G) to the 2nd string (D), then add index and middle.
- D to A: Keep your index finger close; just move it down a string to start the A shape.
Additional Tips
- Play at a moderate tempo; don’t rush.
- If fingerpicking, try alternating bass notes with your thumb and picking melody notes with fingers.
- Listen to the original to match the song’s phrasing and dynamics.
Practice the chord order from the intro and bridges, as they repeat throughout the song.
Intro
A Em G D A A D A
Verse 1The legend lives on from theEm Chippewa on down of theG big lake theyD call GitcheA Gumee
The lake it is said neverEm gives up her dead when theG skies of NoD vember turnA gloomy
With a load of iron ore 26Em thousand tons more than theG Edmund FitzD gerald weighedA empty
That big ship and true was aEm bone to be chewed when theG gales of NoD vember cameA early
Verse 2The ship was the pride of the AEm merican side comin'G back from someD mill in WisA consin
As the big freighters go it wasEm bigger than most with aG crew and goodD Captain wellA seasoned
Concluding some terms with aEm couple of steel firms when theyG left fullyD loaded forA Cleveland
And later that night when theEm ship's bell rang, could itG be the northD wind they'd beenA feeling
Bridge 1A Em G D A A
Verse 3The wind in the wires made aEm tattletale sound and aG wave brokeD over theA railing
And every man knew as theEm Captain did too t'was theG witch of NoD vember comeA stealin'
The dawn came late and theEm breakfast had to wait when theG gales of NoD vember cameA slashin'
When afternoon came it wasEm freezing rain, in theG face of aD hurricaneA westwind
Bridge 2A Em G D A A G D A
Verse 4When supper time came the oldEm cook came on deck sayin'G Fellas it'sD too rough toA feed ya
At 7 p.m. a mainEm hatchway caved in he saidG Fellas it'sD been good toA know ya
The Captain wired in he hadEm water comin' in and theG good ship andD crew was inA peril
And later that night when hisEm lights went out of sight came theG wreck of theD Edmund FitzA gerald
Bridge 3A Em G D A A G D A A A
Verse 5Does anyone know where theEm love of God goes when theG waves turn theD minutes toA hours
The searchers all say they'd haveEm made Whitefish Bay if they'dG put 15D more miles beA hind her
They might have split up or theyEm might have capsized. TheyG may have brokeD deep and tookA water
And all that remains is theEm faces and the names of theG wives and theD sons and theA daughters
Bridge 4A Em G D A A G D A
Verse 6Lake Huron rolls SuEm perior sings, in theG ruins of herD icewaterA mansion
Old Michigan steams like aEm young man's dreams, theG islands andD bays are forA sportsmen
And farther below Lake OnEm tario, takesG in what LakeD Erie canA send her
And the iron boats go as theEm mariners all know with theG gales of NoD vember reA membered
Bridge 5A Em G D A G D A A Em G D A G D A A A
Verse 7In a musty old hall in DeEm troit they prayed in theG MaritimeD Sailors' CaA thedral
The church bell chimed 'til it rangEm twenty-nine times for eachG man on theD Edmund FitzA gerald
Verse 8The legend lives on from theEm Chippewa on down of theG big lake theyD call GitcheA Gumee
Superior they said neverEm gives up her dead when theG gales of NoD vember comeA early
OutroA Em G D A G D A A Em G D A G D A