Banner Year
Reflections of Historical Discord
Lyrics
A banner year 1864, don't
A reference to the year 1864, expressing negative sentiments towards Native Americans.
like the red man anymore,
Disapproval of Native Americans, suggesting a shift in attitude towards them.
can't have them taking up
Concern about Native Americans occupying valuable land.
good land. Give them a
Suggesting a superficial gesture of giving Native Americans a flag while taking their land.
token flag, trade pipes and
Describing a symbolic exchange of items (pipes, handshakes) with Native Americans.
shake some hands, tell them
Emphasizing the symbolic meaning of white stripes on the flag representing peace.
the white stripes stand for
Explaining the symbolic interpretation of the white stripes on the flag.
peace. Say if they raise red
Suggesting that if Native Americans adopt the flag, they won't be attacked by bluecoats (soldiers).
white and blue, bluecoats will
Warning that adopting the flag may not guarantee safety, as the stripes may lose their positive connotations.
never shoot at you, but stripes
Highlighting the unpredictability of the situation, where even the stripes may lose their symbolic meaning.
will lose their sheen. Black
Reference to Black Kettle, a Native American chief who sought peace under the flag.
Kettle was their chief, he only
Detailing Black Kettle's desire for peace.
wanted peace, under the
Expressing the hope for peace under the flag.
flag...a massacre at Sand
Referencing the tragic Sand Creek massacre, highlighting broken promises.
Creek.
Mentioning the historical tragedy of the Sand Creek massacre.
Wave your flag. Salivate.
Encouraging blind patriotism, associating it with salivation.
Stirring feelings of pride and
Describing the conflicting emotions of pride and hate stirred by waving a flag.
hate. A peace of cloth can't
Asserting that a piece of cloth (flag) cannot determine one's faith.
hold your faith.
Questioning the significance of a flag in holding one's faith.
No flag flies, no banner
Describing the absence of a flag or banner, perhaps indicating loss or absence of identity.
waves, see the empty pole
Highlighting the emptiness above a grave, suggesting a lack of recognition or remembrance.
above his empty grave. No
Reinforcing the absence of a flag or banner associated with the deceased.
one knows,
Expressing uncertainty about the location of the grave.
where he lies, and no one
Continuing the theme of uncertainty surrounding the death and burial of an individual.
knows why he had to die.
Questioning the reasons behind the individual's death.
A banner year 1868, a bitter
Referring to the year 1868, portraying it as a negative period with a bitter end and twist of fate.
end a twist of fate. Maps
Describing the challenges and difficulties faced, using the metaphor of melanoma in Oklahoma.
won't hold this melanoma,
Suggesting that maps can't accurately represent the complexities of historical events.
blurry part of Oklahoma,
Referring to a blurred or unclear part of history related to Oklahoma.
where Custer shot and killed
Recalling the historical event where General Custer shot and killed Black Kettle.
Black Kettle.
A promise is a promise, a
Connecting the character judgment to the idea that love is the overarching banner.
judge of character. His
Conveying the theme of love as a guiding principle.
banner over me is love.
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