The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience but You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, 'I Have Fought the Big Knives and Will Continue to Fight Th Lyrics
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It is definitely about the native american Blackhawk War. If you listen to the instruments the feel I get from it is: From the the beginning you hear quiet repetitive flutes which are slowly drowned out by a monumental orchestral part, with a very militaristic march theme. I feel the flutes represent the simplicity and peacefulness of the native american Black Hawks, who then take are taken over by the loud and powerful American invaders.
The Blackhawk War was a real conflict between the Sauk and Fox Native Americans and the United States military and the Illinois militia. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackhawk_War
It's definitely a reference to the Black Hawk War that began in the vague North Central Illinois Valley area. There's a park dedicated to Black Hawk, and my fourth grade class took a field trip there and to its museum there. [When the state's parks were closing, it was a big controversy because the Black Hawk State Park was on the list to close- it has a very large statue pretty famous for the area there, looking over the Rock River.]
Also, I need to dispute something:
"Blackhawks" weren't a tribe, which is why the hockey team has a deceptive mascot. Black Hawk- two words, as noted in the title as well- was the native American leader who led a group of Sauk and Fox (and apparently Kickapoo, according to Wikipedia) native Americans in a battle against the people who inhabitated what used to be their land- taken over in 1804, I believe. But it is true, they weren't exactly pacifists. Though they had been moved to Iowa, they returned to the area for this battle.
The battle was in 1832, and yes, Lincoln was part of the militia that was sent to fight the Sauk and Fox peoples. He stole a chicken once during the war- I bet you might not have known that!
The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience But You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, 'I have fought the Big Knives and will continue to fight them until they are off our lands!'
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It is definitely about the native american Blackhawk War. If you listen to the instruments the feel I get from it is: From the the beginning you hear quiet repetitive flutes which are slowly drowned out by a monumental orchestral part, with a very militaristic march theme. I feel the flutes represent the simplicity and peacefulness of the native american Black Hawks, who then take are taken over by the loud and powerful American invaders.
The Blackhawk War was a real conflict between the Sauk and Fox Native Americans and the United States military and the Illinois militia. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackhawk_War
Because if it was simple, he wouldn't be as amazing.
It's definitely a reference to the Black Hawk War that began in the vague North Central Illinois Valley area. There's a park dedicated to Black Hawk, and my fourth grade class took a field trip there and to its museum there. [When the state's parks were closing, it was a big controversy because the Black Hawk State Park was on the list to close- it has a very large statue pretty famous for the area there, looking over the Rock River.]
Also, I need to dispute something:
"Blackhawks" weren't a tribe, which is why the hockey team has a deceptive mascot. Black Hawk- two words, as noted in the title as well- was the native American leader who led a group of Sauk and Fox (and apparently Kickapoo, according to Wikipedia) native Americans in a battle against the people who inhabitated what used to be their land- taken over in 1804, I believe. But it is true, they weren't exactly pacifists. Though they had been moved to Iowa, they returned to the area for this battle.
The battle was in 1832, and yes, Lincoln was part of the militia that was sent to fight the Sauk and Fox peoples. He stole a chicken once during the war- I bet you might not have known that!
Thanks for clarifying the whole Black Hawk/Black Hawks thing. Not many people know that Black Hawk was a person, not a tribe. THANKS!
Thanks for clarifying the whole Black Hawk/Black Hawks thing. Not many people know that Black Hawk was a person, not a tribe. THANKS!
I believe the full title is:
The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience But You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, 'I have fought the Big Knives and will continue to fight them until they are off our lands!'
Yes, that's the full title. There's a character limit to song titles, and this song definitely goes over it.
it reminds me of seeing heaven for the first time when you die, or something that effect.
or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience But You're Going to Have to Leave Now
Some of these battles took place really close to my house. its neato TORPEDO!
I love the title, it really says a lot.
Funny how the title is so verbose for an instumental track. Sufjan is such an original in so many ways.
Funny how the title is so verbose for an instumental track. Sufjan is such an original in so many ways.