Drums
Echoes of Resilience: Johnny Cash's Drumbeat of Indigenous Identity
Lyrics
From the Indian reservation to the governmental school
Refers to the journey from Indian reservation to a governmental school.
Well they're goin' to educate me to the white men's Golden Rule
Expresses the intention to educate the speaker in the white men's Golden Rule.
And I'm learning very quickly for I've learned to be ashamed
Highlights the speaker's quick learning of shame associated with their identity.
And I come when they call Billy though I've got an Indian name
Despite having an Indian name, the speaker responds to the name "Billy."
And there are drums beyond the mountain Indian drums that you can't hear
Describes distant Indian drums that are unheard, possibly symbolizing cultural roots.
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
Suggests that these cultural elements are approaching or becoming more significant.
And when they think that they'd changed me cut my hair to meet their needs
Questions whether altering the speaker's appearance will change their identity.
Will they think I'm white or Indian quarter blood or just half breed
Ponders how others perceive the speaker—white, Indian, quarter-blood, or half-breed.
Let me tell you Mr teacher when you say you'll make me right
Challenges the teacher's belief that they can make the speaker conform to a particular identity.
In five hundred years of fighting not one Indian turned white
Rejects the idea that centuries of fighting could change the speaker's inherent Indian identity.
And there are drums...
Reiterates the presence of distant drums, emphasizing cultural continuity.
Well you thought that I knew nothing when you brought me here to school
Recalls the initial perception of the speaker as an ignorant Indian.
Just another empty Indian just America's first fool
Highlights the speaker's development and ability to share significant, ancient stories.
But now I can tell you stories that are burnt and dried and old
Stories carry the weight of tradition and history, hinted by "burnt and dried and old."
But in the shadow of their telling walks the thunder proud and bold
Suggests that profound cultural elements accompany these stories.
And there are drums...
Repeats the drums motif, underlining the persistence of cultural identity.
Long Pine and Sequoia Handsome Lake and Sitting Bull
Names historical figures like Long Pine, Sequoia, Handsome Lake, Sitting Bull.
There's Magnus Colorado with his sleeves so red and full
Describes Magnus Colorado with distinctive red sleeves.
Crazy Horse the legend those who bit off Custer's soul
Mentions Crazy Horse and refers to the Battle of Little Bighorn.
They are dead yet they are living with the great Geronimo
Indicates the paradox of the dead living on, including Geronimo.
And there are drums...
Repeats the drums, connecting past and present through cultural elements.
Well you may teach me this land's hist'ry but we taught it to you first
Asserts that Native Americans taught the history of the land to the newcomers.
We broke your hearts and bent your journeys broken treaties left us cursed
Highlights broken treaties and curses as consequences of historical interactions.
Even now you have to cheat us even though you this us tame
Accuses ongoing mistreatment despite supposed civilization.
In our losing we found proudness in your winning you found shame
Draws a contrast: in defeat, pride is found; in victory, shame is found.
And there are drums...
Concludes with the persistence of the distant drums, symbolizing enduring cultural identity.
Comment