What will Canada be without Gord Downie

What will Canada be without Gord Downie?

A few months ago, when I heard the news the beloved singer of The Tragically Hip had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, it took me a moment to process the information.

I wasn’t the only one shocked by the news, as Canadians shared reflections and touching pieces across social media of Downie and The Hip and how they couldn’t imagine Canada without him. The hearts of Canadians all over the world were breaking together in a symphony of sadness.

Hip fan or not, those songs — such as Bobcaygeon, Ahead by a Century and My Music at Work — are inextricably stitched into the fabric of any Canadian who grew up in the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s.

For me, having been born and raised in The Hip’s own hometown of Kingston, Ont., I feel an almost familial connection to the band and am immediately brought back to my childhood whenever I hear those melodies and lyrics.

Their musical journey has captured and held the hearts of generations of Canadians for decades.

Hip fan or not, you can’t deny the music and inspiration Downie has given to Canada.

Hockey Night in Canada sportscaster Ron MacLean called him “Canada’s Shakespeare,” and I couldn’t agree more.

After publicly sharing the news of his diagnosis, Downie courageously pushed on to deliver the most poetic farewell to his nation of fans.

The sold-out Man Machine Poem tour began in Victoria, B.C., and ended with the final hometown show on Saturday in Kingston.

CBC broadcast that final show to the entire world and fans from all over gathered together to hear The Hip’s swan song.

The arena was packed with thousands of people of all ages. The crowd sang in unison with Downie as he charismatically engaged fans and energetically danced on stage with his bandmates right beside him.

After an elongated standing ovation, the band came back for a third and final encore. Downie addressed the crowd with a gracious smile as he said, “Thank you people for keeping me pushing and keeping me pushing.”

When the show ended, the camera panned to the faces of many who were wiping away tears as the time had come for them to bid farewell to Downie and The Hip.

“You’re going to miss me. Wait and you’ll see. Fully and completely.”

I think you’re right, Gord, I think you’re right.