Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Oh how we used to hate the sight
Of the evil rent collector coming in the night
Got to tied for 40 bushels, but it don't seem right
Up to the manor house to pay the Great Patroon
We had taken our wilderness
And turned the Earth to bounty by the rake's caress
Never owning what we tilled below the crescent moon
Up to the manor house to pay the Great Patroon
The sheriff was about to sell the cows
Or otherwise extort the rent
So they met in barns and in out of the way places
To scheme all night on how to get the rent
What do you wear for civil war in 1844
In upstate New York?
What do you wear for civil war in 1844
In upstate New York?
These Indians wore Calico dresses
They were belted at the waist
Red flannel pantaloons or
Those masks ..... looking things
With fringe around the neck
Horns upon their forehead
Course animal hair put on for a beard
At the pow-wow among the grotesque
The chief wore a striped calico young lady's dress
Blow on the tin dinner horn over the valley
Call all the formerly normal men to revolt and rally
The Feudal Land Laws should be abolished
What are you waiting for? it's 1844!
The worm has begun to turn
I saw those Calicos scorn and spurn their accusers
With threatening talk and rough, tough threatening gestures
The feeling was stronger and stronger
(Stronger and stronger)
They tried to talk like real Indians might:
"Me want cider" and the like
Many a head had worn this crown of feathers
I tried to be the leader of the Anti-Rent Rioters
I recognized it as having belonged to a left-handed neighbor
Ooh a little Indian man called Sander
Blow the tin dinner horn over the valley
Call all the formerly normal men to revolt and rally
The Feudal Land Laws should be abolished
What are you waiting for, it's 1844?
The worm has begun to turn
Three, four, five, waaah!
Waaah!
Of the evil rent collector coming in the night
Got to tied for 40 bushels, but it don't seem right
Up to the manor house to pay the Great Patroon
We had taken our wilderness
And turned the Earth to bounty by the rake's caress
Never owning what we tilled below the crescent moon
Up to the manor house to pay the Great Patroon
The sheriff was about to sell the cows
Or otherwise extort the rent
So they met in barns and in out of the way places
To scheme all night on how to get the rent
What do you wear for civil war in 1844
In upstate New York?
What do you wear for civil war in 1844
In upstate New York?
These Indians wore Calico dresses
They were belted at the waist
Red flannel pantaloons or
Those masks ..... looking things
With fringe around the neck
Horns upon their forehead
Course animal hair put on for a beard
At the pow-wow among the grotesque
The chief wore a striped calico young lady's dress
Blow on the tin dinner horn over the valley
Call all the formerly normal men to revolt and rally
The Feudal Land Laws should be abolished
What are you waiting for? it's 1844!
The worm has begun to turn
I saw those Calicos scorn and spurn their accusers
With threatening talk and rough, tough threatening gestures
The feeling was stronger and stronger
(Stronger and stronger)
They tried to talk like real Indians might:
"Me want cider" and the like
Many a head had worn this crown of feathers
I tried to be the leader of the Anti-Rent Rioters
I recognized it as having belonged to a left-handed neighbor
Ooh a little Indian man called Sander
Blow the tin dinner horn over the valley
Call all the formerly normal men to revolt and rally
The Feudal Land Laws should be abolished
What are you waiting for, it's 1844?
The worm has begun to turn
Three, four, five, waaah!
Waaah!
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Calico Indians Lyrics as written by Melora Creager
Lyrics © SONGS OF VIRTUAL
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Great version of a great song,
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From Rasputina's website back in 2010:
Notes from Sister Kinderhook
Calico Indians
For these lyrics, I am indebted to Clara Barrus. At the time I was researching the song, I thought I was studying the writings of an unknown historical-society-lady; that her words were from some obscure mimeographed pamphlet. But in actuality, she's a fascinating woman. She wrote this book: Nursing the Insane.
Clara Barrus was some kind of partner (hm) to John Burroughs, who was a naturalist akin to Thoreau, and a buddy of Walt Whitman. Clara's spirited account of the Anti-Rent wars is actually John Burroughs experience and memories.
In the song, I give much space to description of the rebels' costume. It was just so drag and weird — I love it.
Read up yourself on this obscure rebellion. It was a real serf situation. Ay, by Rasputina Field-Trip™, I've visited the manorial home of the biggest Patroon.