Expert: Rory Young - 11/14/2001

Question
I haven't been listening to the Hip too long, so I am naive about meanings behind their songs.  Is Nautical Disaster based on a real boat accident and what are the details of that accident?

Thanks

Answer
Hey Mark!

Few believe that the song is about a single theme, but it seems that one theme may be about the raid on Dieppe during World War II. Dieppe was a daylight, pre-D-day raid of a German held port on the coast of France. In the assault, carried out by Canadian troops, nearly 4000 men were killed out of a force of about 4800. The lyrics to "Nautical Disaster" are extremely close to these facts.
Gord Downie himself has alluded to the fact that the song is one long metaphor for a failed relationship, but the literal meaning has ties to Dieppe.

Hope that helps!

Rory
Halifax