The song "Borderstone" on the recent Box Set has a line in it I cant figure out the meaning.....any imput???
" The sorting of the reach is a thing no school can teach ya I confess. I've been outfumbled"

Im thinking it some sort of nautical term or phrase.......what the heck does it mean???

the words are : the boarding house reach.
In my life it has meant when the food is on the table in bowls and platters etc. each person reached for one and started heaping their plates as eache platter and bowl made its way around the table and when you wanted anything you basically just reached for it. This is opposed to a platte being served with the food already on it.
The boarding house reach (or boarder house) was probably common in big families, in mess halls in mining towns or wherever large gatherings would take place. I always found that you got more of what you wanted that way and only took what you liked so no food was wasted.
The song mentions coal dust so it's possible that it refers to a coal mine or a mine where the smelters were fuelled by coal and then it was loaded onto rail cars. Railway workers would probably eat in a common mess hall atmosphere where "boarding house reach" happened.
Char
Char

It is also considered impolite action, e.g. reaching in front of someone to get the bowl or platter that you want, as opposed to asking, "would you please pass the..." I love this site...where else could you go and get your lyrics untangled!

Bill - when the table is set up for border house reach it's every man for himself!
lol
That's why it's called "reach" - You just reach for what you want and because everyone is doing it it's not considered rude.
you can be polite but you might end up with a lot less dinner than you planned for!
lol
Char

Um, well, I think the jury is out on that lyric. A number of online fans have discussed it and we have NOT reached (no pun intended) a concensus. It sounds to me like "sorting" and "reach" is a sailing term. Not knowing anything about sailing, I can only "fumble" (hmmm) with an explanation, but reach has something to do with sailing at right angles to the wind. So "sorting" may mean figuring out the wind direction? Anyhow, I'm afraid there is only one person who can tell us for sure what he is singing ...

PS: There is also a vote for it being a railroad term ...

quote:Originally posted by paddletothesea:
The song "Borderstone" on the recent Box Set has a line in it I cant figure out the meaning.....any imput???
" The sorting of the reach is a thing no school can teach ya I confess. I've been outfumbled"

Im thinking it some sort of nautical term or phrase.......what the heck does it mean???

------------------
Valerie Magee

Visit my GL web site at gordonlightfoot.com

[This message has been edited by vlmagee (edited October 28, 2001).]

Yeah. Wayne Fansis Gord web site has "sorting of the reach" as the lyrics too. He is a friend of gord..so I still think its a nautical sailing term.
WOw this is fun///

Yeah. Wayne Fansis Gord web site has "sorting of the reach" as the lyrics too. He is a friend of gord..so I still think its a nautical sailing term.
WOw this is fun///

Following recent discussions, on the spelling of rivers in northern Quebec, I am very reluctant to enter into this, but gosh why should I let that stop me http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.

Firstly this song is about a Coal Mine, a Mining town and a Coal train. So a Boarding House would fit nicely.

But it would take a much braver man than me to disagree with the lyrics on Val's site.


Therefore a "reach" in sailing terms,is sailing with the wind at right angles to the boats direction. A close "reach" is when the wind is just forward of right angles, and a broard "reach" is when the wind is just aft of right angles http://www.corfid.com/ubb/confused.gif.

Changing these can make the boat go faster or slower with a consequential loss or gain of direction. It is therefore very important to "sort out the reach" so as to arrive at your destination in the shortest time.

I have no idea how "outfumbled" fits into this http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.

"I'm sailing down the summer wind,
I've got whiskers on my chin,
and I like the mood I'm in.... "

Keep Smiling Ron http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by catmanron (edited October 30, 2001).]

Following recent discussions, on the spelling of rivers in northern Quebec, I am very reluctant to enter into this, but gosh why should I let that stop me http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.

Firstly this song is about a Coal Mine, a Mining town and a Coal train. So a Boarding House would fit nicely.

But it would take a much braver man than me to disagree with the lyrics on Val's site.


Therefore a "reach" in sailing terms,is sailing with the wind at right angles to the boats direction. A close "reach" is when the wind is just forward of right angles, and a broard "reach" is when the wind is just aft of right angles http://www.corfid.com/ubb/confused.gif.

Changing these can make the boat go faster or slower with a consequential loss or gain of direction. It is therefore very important to "sort out the reach" so as to arrive at your destination in the shortest time.

I have no idea how "outfumbled" fits into this http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.

"I'm sailing down the summer wind,
I've got whiskers on my chin,
and I like the mood I'm in.... "

Keep Smiling Ron http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by catmanron (edited October 30, 2001).]

There's a reference to beer and hearing beans boiling so i am assuming there's a huge black kettle of beans cooking over a fire in a sand pit and the men will be sitting around and eating their beans and drinking beer. We used to cook beans like that on the beach at my grandfather's cabin on a lake outside of Timmins in Northern Ontario. the mention of food makes think it's a term for boarders at meal time and there is no mention of water or sailing/boats in the song. it's trains and land and food. I think the meaning of outfumbled is in reference to missing out on a plate or bowl that was making it's rounds around the table and he lost his chance for some food on that plate. that's what no school can teach you - how to get your own at a table of hungry men with food being passed around as you try to eat at the same time.
Char

There's a reference to beer and hearing beans boiling so i am assuming there's a huge black kettle of beans cooking over a fire in a sand pit and the men will be sitting around and eating their beans and drinking beer. We used to cook beans like that on the beach at my grandfather's cabin on a lake outside of Timmins in Northern Ontario. the mention of food makes think it's a term for boarders at meal time and there is no mention of water or sailing/boats in the song. it's trains and land and food. I think the meaning of outfumbled is in reference to missing out on a plate or bowl that was making it's rounds around the table and he lost his chance for some food on that plate. that's what no school can teach you - how to get your own at a table of hungry men with food being passed around as you try to eat at the same time.
Char

WOW those beans smell great Char !!.
I won't fumble when they get near me..lol

And the beer ( Fosters of course ),tastes good after a day down the gold mine at Timmins.

Keep Smiling Ron http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by catmanron (edited October 30, 2001).]

WOW those beans smell great Char !!.
I won't fumble when they get near me..lol

And the beer ( Fosters of course ),tastes good after a day down the gold mine at Timmins.

Keep Smiling Ron http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by catmanron (edited October 30, 2001).]

don't forget the BEANO!
lol
Char

don't forget the BEANO!
lol
Char

on the topic of this song, I've noticed that out of all his music, the line that sends a chill down my spine the most is "the sound of the beans boiling through the evergreens". I don't if it's the key change there or whatever, but it's one of my favourite moments of Gord - I love it!

Close by second would be the guitar solo to A tree to weak to stand. Anyone have a similar experience?