Indian Twilight - Song/Video

[idunno]

This is a collaborative piece that came together without ever being formally initiated by all involved. It just came into existence organically

Lyrics: Peter Afendoulis
Video Creator: Gilliam Michael
Arranged and Performed by: Me

Peter read the book Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee (by Dee Brown) and was inspired to write a song about it in 1978. Many years later (2009) he posted the lyrics on a bulletin board. I appropriated the lyrics to write this version of a song with them. Gilliam listened to the finished song I posted on the same bulletin board and was inspired to create the attached video.

We lost touch with each other over the years but only just within the last fortnight regained contact with each other. Gilliam mentioned to me that the song was adopted by the Wounded Knee museum in South Dakota, USA.

Regarding the making of the song, I always have guitar scores I've written that await lyrics. When Peter posted his lyrics I immediately knew that I could use one of the scores I'd written that had a percussive sound to it. It took me a few days to get it where I could record it. It was some time after posting it that Gilliam created the video. I couldn't nail that date down. So, the entire production came about without any of the contributors formally collaborating. It just happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eseAfvuRd7k

[Vicki]

What a story--the song AND how it came together.

[Elvis Nash]

Thats quiet a story , cool guitar part man , All came rather nicely , congrats

[Tammy B]

This is a collaborative piece that came together without ever being formally initiated by all involved. It just came into existence organically

Lyrics: Peter Afendoulis
Video Creator: Gilliam Michael
Arranged and Performed by: Me

Peter read the book Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee (by Dee Brown) and was inspired to write a song about it in 1978. Many years later (2009) he posted the lyrics on a bulletin board. I appropriated the lyrics to write this version of a song with them. Gilliam listened to the finished song I posted on the same bulletin board and was inspired to create the attached video.

We lost touch with each other over the years but only just within the last fortnight regained contact with each other. Gilliam mentioned to me that the song was adopted by the Wounded Knee museum in South Dakota, USA.

Regarding the making of the song, I always have guitar scores I've written that await lyrics. When Peter posted his lyrics I immediately knew that I could use one of the scores I'd written that had a percussive sound to it. It took me a few days to get it where I could record it. It was some time after posting it that Gilliam created the video. I couldn't nail that date down. So, the entire production came about without any of the contributors formally collaborating. It just happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eseAfvuRd7k

wow what a sad beautiful, heartfelt tale of Indians history. I wish I could see the lyrics because I'm a visual person and it provides better comprehension. Video was engaging and kept my attention to want more.
Congratulations with getting your message in the Wounded Knew Museum.

[idunno]

Hello Tammy. Thanks for the listen and nice comments.

Indian Twilight

The old chieftain steps outside his teepee
The mangy dogs run around scratching
While with empty bellies and pain in their eyes
The women and children stand watching

He remembers the days when the buffaloes came
And food in the lodges was plenty   
When women were singing and children played games
But now the lodges are empty

The old chieftain rides to the gates of the fort
The fort where the white fathers live.
He swallows his pride, asks the colonel for food
But the colonel says he's nothing to give

The Indian agent, he gives you your food
What I have I need for my men
So go and ask him for your hand-outs old man
And don't come here begging again

But the Indian agent can give him no food
For the government money he stole
And the only good Indian's a dead one he said
Let them starve like rats in their holes

And back in the village the old chieftain stands
His warpaint and feathers held high
If he can't teach his children to live without food
Perhaps he can teach them to die

The battle is over the fight has been won
Dead braves gaze up at the sky
Where the buffaloes graze on deep rolling grass
And the white man hasn't passed by

Then it's on to the village to clean out the nest.
Custer's avenged they'll all say
Cause we're killing and burning and winning the west.
And making good Indians today.