10/11/2011: Music: Neil Young’s Cortez, The Killer performed by The Dave Matthews Band
A day late for Columbus Day, and a different genocidist, but appropriate.
It’s important to not gloss over the past, especially our own. An appreciation for the bloody effects of Imperialism are important for all people but especially westerners. There were great and important cultures in the Americas prior to the european invasion and millions of individuals died in the Native American Holocaust over more than 400 years. And never forget that where you live, the land you may own, was stolen from someone.
Click here for the link to Transform Columbus Day.
He came dancing across the water
With his galleons and guns
Looking for the new world
In that palace in the sun.
On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls he often wondered
With the secrets of the worlds.
And his subjects
gathered ‘round him
Like the leaves around a tree
In their clothes of many colors
For the angry gods to see.
And the women all were beautiful
And the men stood
straight and strong
They offered life in sacrifice
So that others could go on.
Hate was just a legend
And war was never known
The people worked together
And they lifted many stones.
They carried them
to the flatlands
And they died along the way
But they built up
with their bare hands
What we still can’t do today.
And I know she’s living there
And she loves me to this day
I still can’t remember when
Or how I lost my way.
He came dancing across the water
Cortez, Cortez
What a killer.
