"Cobwebs and Dust" was written by Gordon Lightfoot in 1969. The melody is very straightforward and more traditional sounding than many of his other songs. Gordon Lightfoot (born November 17, 1938) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music. He is credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s. He is often referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter and is known internationally as a folk-rock legend. He has received sixteen Juno Awards for top folk singer, five for top male vocalist and two for composer of the year. He was also made Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor and is a member of the Order of Ontario, the highest honor in the province of Ontario. He recorded this song on If You Could Read My Mind (1969). It is printed in his songbook Sit Down Young Stranger (1970).