Better story teller than Edmund Fitzgerald?

I think for the purpose of this discussion fictional stories are fine as well.

They have to have a beginning, middle and end though.  So Cats in the Cradle and Ode to Billy Joe certainly qualify.  Songs which are descriptive without a time element though are different.

Interesting how far back in time we have to go for these songs, and how many are western themed.

Lastly, I can't think of any solid jazz songs that qualify.

Rush - "Manhattan Project" and "Countdown" tell the stories of the development of the atomic bomb and the launch of the first space shuttle, respectively.

"Front porch song" - Robert Earl Keen

Historical and hysterical 

I got nothing against Gordon Lightfoot, but if “historical events” is what we’re talking about, I don’t see how we could skip the obvious: Bob Dylan.
The depth, subtext, humor, wit and complexity of his “historical events songs” blows any puffed up sea shanty out of ol’ Gitche Gumee.

- A tragic “boat” tale, the Hudson Belle, hired by a Harlem social club for an event, leading to unnecessary violence and injury: “Talkin’ Bear Picnic Massacre Blues”
- The kidnapping, torture and murder of Emmet Till: “The Death of Emmett Till”
- The mobilization of 30,000 US troops for a domestic disturbance (most in US history), the Ole Miss riot of ‘62: “Oxford Town”
- The death of Davey Moore: “Who Killed Davey Moore”
- The assassination of Medgar Evers: “Only a Pawn in Their Game”
- The murder of Hattie Carroll: “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”
- The murder of Joey Gallo: “Joey”
- The imprisonment of Ruben Carter: “Hurricane”
 

Star Spangled Banner

Harry Chapin "Cats in the Cradle"