I have had the privilege of knowing Gordon Light for the last 47 years starting at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Winnipeg. Back then, he was my parish priest. It was also the time when I had the good fortune to witness the evolution of Common Cup Company firsthand. Their music can now be found in hymn books around the world and they have toured all over Canada, the US, and Australia. Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Gordon about what inspired him to write music.
Gordon never thought of himself as becoming a songwriter because he never had any formal music training. He just liked to sing and play the guitar. He is a child of the 60s and particularly loved songs that told stories. These came from musicals like Carousel and Brigadoon, as well as listening to the music of folk artists like Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Judy Collins, Ian and Sylvia, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen.
As for his love of poetry, he credits his father as his first influence. His dad liked to write poetry, so young Gordon followed suit. He particularly remembers proudly showing off one of his early works entitled “Ode to a Knee Cap.” As he grew older, Gordon’s inspiration came from poets such as Wordsworth, T. S. Eliot, and Emily Dickinson who taught him that poetry doesn’t have to have exact rhymes. The Bible, of course, also gave him much inspiration.
Being able to sing and write poetry is one thing, but creating songs was something he never dreamed of. Gordon says his words and music come from many sources – bible stories, a phrase that got stuck in his head, a radio programme, delight in a child’s eyes, or the pain of loss. It has also come from the close bond he has shared with his band mates, particularly the late Ian Macdonald. Ian and he were the main songwriters for Common Cup. While their styles were different they were also complementary. They critiqued and encouraged each other’s work and often helped each other find just the right words or tune to complete a song. Following, is a glimpse at a few of those moments when inspiration struck and a song was borne.
“Outside the Lines” started out as a song for Gordon’s wife, Barbara, but expanded to three verses, thanks to Ian’s insightful contribution on the last verse. Hence, “My love colours outside the lines” followed by “My Lord…” and “My soul longs…” My favourite part, however, is the bridge section, “We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown. Body and soul need a soaking from time to time.”
“Will I Lose You to the Wind” came to Gordon as he watched his two year old daughter playing a game of Red Rover one day. He was struck by how beautiful that moment was and how he didn’t want her to grow up. This led to the writing of the first of two Mary songs for Lent, in which she wonders about her son’s future.
“Belt of Orion” was inspired by listening to CBC radio host, Tom Allen, when he discussed the constellation, Orion. Gordon learned that the stars on the belt were called the three Marys, which he immediately connected to navigation. Upon further pondering, he began to sense that the Marys, in their faith and action, help us to navigate to a fuller realization of the depth of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Suffice it to say that Common Cup has indeed made a significant impact on the music of the church. Their songs resonate with so many people in ways that are both personal and universal. They write about subjects that matter and enrich our spiritual life. We are truly blessed.
As we ended our conversation Gordon said the following, “Next to my wife, my relationship with the guys and discovering an ability to write and to create melodies has been a huge gift. I don’t know where it all comes from.”…I think I do; it is certainly more than he could ever ask or imagine.
