Talking to the Wind
Echoes of Dispossession: Reflections on Cultural Loss
Lyrics
On a trading path, through the Carolinas
Describing a historical trading path through the Carolinas.
Used by Indians who braved the wind and rain
Reference to Native Americans who faced harsh weather.
They settled down beside the raging waters
Settling near turbulent waters, hinting at resilience.
And they worked the land until the white men came and formed the counties
White settlers arrived, formed counties, and changed dynamics.
And they took away their land and made the boundaries
Theft of land and establishment of boundaries by white settlers.
Governed with a heavy hand and you can
White men govern with a heavy hand, causing hardship.
Almost hear the song of that old Indian
Imagining the lament of an old Indian through song.
Longing for his home along the waters edge
The Indian yearns for their home by the waters.
Climbing mountains to escape the laws of white men
Escaping white men's laws by climbing mountains.
Walking softly in the rain and talking to the wind.
Living softly in the rain, communicating with the wind.
They were friendly and they rode on painted horses
Depicting Native Americans as friendly, riding painted horses.
Fearing no one, not harming anything
Fearless and harmless, contrasting with later events.
They were trusting when the pilgrims came to live here
Trusting nature towards pilgrims, leading to tragic consequences.
They died by the hands of the men
Death at the hands of those forming counties.
Who formed the counties
Reiteration of land loss due to the actions of white men.
And they took away their land
Emphasizing the creation of boundaries and loss of land.
And made the boundaries
Continuation of governance with a heavy hand.
Governed with a heavy hand and you can.
Reflecting on the sad song of the old Indian.
Almost hear that sad song of that old Indian
Reiteration of hearing the sorrowful song of the old Indian.
Crying for his home along the waters edge
Expressing the Indian's cry for their home by the waters.
Climbing mountains to escape the laws of white men
Escaping white men's laws by climbing mountains, repeated theme.
Walking softly in the rain... and talking to the wind.
Continued soft existence in the rain, talking to the wind.
They were trusting when they taught us how to live here
Natives were trusting when teaching, contrasting with later betrayal.
Then they scattered to the wind
Dispersion of Native Americans, leaving behind only sorrow.
Leaving only tears behind them
Departure marked by tears and loss of cultural heritage.
And an old forgotten art
Reference to a forgotten art, possibly aspects of their culture.
And all their memories
All memories fading away with a broken heart, emphasizing loss.
Dying with a broken heart.
Continuation of the fading memories and broken heart theme.
Almost hear the song of that old Indian
Repetition of hearing the song of the old Indian, echoing pain.
Longing for his home
Reiteration of the Indian's longing for home.
Along the waters edge
Repetition of the Indian's desire for home by the waters.
Climbing mountains to escape the laws of white men
Repeating the theme of escaping white men's laws through mountains.
Walking softly in the rain... and talking to the wind...
Continued existence in the rain, talking to the wind, persistent despite adversity.
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