He rode in on his tall ship
Scanning the horizon
For all that reflects shiny yellow into your eyes
But instead he saw their faces
All dull and brown and leather
Wearing rainbow feathers
Curious gazes piercing the sky
He proclaimed himself their savior
Their consonants formed monsters
As bravely he stood listening with Isabella on his mind
Her people they were watching
For scrolls and sails in the distance
For the sweet release of horror
in those gruesome storybook finds
So he summoned up his sailors
To survey his resources
But they came back with no minerals,
just beating hearts in hand
With nothing left to lose but honour
He had the hearts start digging
And they dug and they dug until dark hands lay collapsed
All across the untilled land
Now all the settlers singing softly in the corner
About the cool air with its bittersweet rot
They begged their viceroy for loyalty and mercy
For a new set of dark hands to stir their cooking pots
Invasive ungulates were trampling through their gardens
Stomping out the seeds and the thin walls of their sprouts
And so he sent his ships onto the East to wrangle
some more hearts and hands to restore diminishing stocks
Now on that same faulty landmass
The dark hands are still digging
Digging for their dignity,
Digging for their past
And on those same torque-force waters
The sails are still coming in
Looking for their share
Of that shiny yellow at last
So celebrate Columbus Day
Hero of the high seas
Celebrate your freedom
And celebrate your rights
Raise your glasses to equality
As you wave flags with your children
Just remember the end of encomienda Is still in sight
credits
from Cryptozoology,
track released November 29, 2013
Tereza Tomek: Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals
Corwin Fox: Mandolin
Jake Jenne: Drums, Percussion
Archie Pateman: Double Bass
The haunting new record from Canadian folk artist Avi C. Engel bridges old and new traditions with a minimalist approach. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 24, 2024
The Icelandic songwriter packs her stunning debut with sweeping melodies delivered via intimate, folky arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 12, 2023
A vibrant vision of "Central Americana" from the Costa Rica-based artist, blending heartland devotionals with playful Tropicália grooves. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 27, 2022