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#113- The Plains of Colorado (1990)
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My epic ballad of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864
folk funny political sixties novelty gentle prolific idiosyncratic lehrer jefferson airplane ochs paxton steve goodman
Artist picture
Tom Paxton meets Jefferson Airplane. Extremely prolific singer songwriter with a wide range of styles from bizarre novelty tunes and surrealistic poetic songs t
With more than 300 songs and counting and for more than 30 years, I have written in a variety of acoustic styles from novelty tunes to love songs to historical ballads to poetic surrealistic songs to retro-acoustic pop. From bizarre to traditional from funny to poignant, whatever style the song is in, the melodies are usually memorable and the lyrics unpredictable. This site will eventually contain rough often first take demos of my entire song catalogue. Many of the earliest songs when I first started writing will of course be shaky. So expect the songs to get better as time goes on. Feel free to come back and browse often as I will constantly be adding songs, one by one in chronological order, starting in 1974. If you are looking for some unusual songs to cover from a little known but unique artist, you have come to the right place. Just e-mail me. If you find a song here that intrigues you, but you don't like a line or two, or you think it needs a bridge, drop me an e-mail and maybe you can earn writer's credit if it gets that song to be recorded or performed.... otherwise just enjoy. You can become a Rob Lincoln fan at no cost to you. I promise that if you keep coming back there will be some real surprises along the way. While mostly acoustic, some original material will veer into folk rock and even 60's pop, but the garage rock and loudest material will also be found in full band arrangement at soundclick.com/abrasiveflowers Eventually some of these 300+ tunes may be rerecorded and make it on to CD, including a novelty CD that would be suitable for Dr. Demento or an historical ballad CD or a political song CD--but until then, this is the only site you can hear most of these songs. (A few of my songs CAN be found on songramp.com/RobLincoln and myspace.com/lessickandlincoln)
Song Info
Charts
Peak #403
Peak in subgenre #40
Author
Rob Lincoln
Rights
1989
Uploaded
December 23, 2007
Track Files
MP3
MP3 4.1 MB 128 kbps 4:27
Story behind the song
When I was working with the BSA Exploring Program in 1989, I went to the Law Enforcement Explorers Conference in Boulder, Colorado. On the way home I picked up a book called Colorado Profiles and read the horrific story of the Sand Creek Massacre. Black Kettle and White Antelope both were freinds of the US government, but some army officers decided they needed to make a name for themselves and intentionally attacked and massacred a village of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho. Hundreds of women and children were murdered even though the camp was flying an American flag and then a white flag. I believe Lincoln's justice department actually prosecuted some of the soldiers. In the 1930's some of the massacred native's bones were unearthed and Black Kettle's bones were put in a store window for many years. "Earth Abides" is a biblical term but is consistent with Native American philosophy of nature and renewal. The quintessential version of this song can be found on itunes and other music outlets. Just search for "Lessick & Lincoln." That version contains authentic sounding chanting and Native American drumming courtest of Steve Lessick. Mp3 Club listeners gave this a 4.2 out of 5.0....Comments included: "Great song" "Excellent lyrics" "I remember even my wife liking this one when she heard you perform it 12 years ago"
Lyrics
My name is Henry and I still remember Don't say that I don't know Gather 'round I'll tell you a story Of Cheyenne and Arapahoe They had two great warrior leaders And strong they did grow Till they tried to live in peace On the plains of Colorado In 18 hundred and 63 Great Cheyenne chief Black Kettle Went all the way to Washington A' hopin' for to settle The bearded father promised him that day They would have their land for life As long as the river flows And the sun shines its morning light And Oh people come and go But earth abides It's always been so Lay down where the water flows In 18 hundred in 64 Colonel Chivington did decide With Major Scott J Anthony To Sand Creek they would ride White Antelope of the Arapahoe Told his people not to hide "The white man comes in peace" he said "I know they have not lied" And Oh people come and go But earth abides It's always been so Lay down where the water flows White Antelope stood outside his lodge Women and children cried The soldiers laughed Cut off his ears And tore out his insides The blood of the people flowed that day 200 human strong But with his last breath He chanted this lonely death song Oh people come and go But earth abides It's always been so Lay down where the water flows When the smoke cleared Two flags-American and white Black Kettle rose them up in peace Just before the fight Surviving he vowed no revenge Many treaties he did sign But he was later shot by Custer's men Down by the river His trust his only crime And Oh people come and go But earth abides It's always been so Lay down where the water flows Yes, my name is Henry And I still remember Don't say that I don't know These bones you found right by the river Were Cheyenne and Arapahoe They had two great warrior leaders And strong they did grow But they tried to live in peace On the plains of Colorado
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