Lightfoot’s lyrics in this tune are amazing poetry.
I have been a fan of Gordon Lightfoot since I was in my teens. I am now 63. I hadn't listened to my albums of his for a long time, then, a couple of years ago I decided to put them on the old turnstyle and I remembered why I loved his music so much.
In the olden days, he would have been called a "bard". You are right, he sings poetry.