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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
 Posted - 09/25/2002 : 11:25:32
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Anyone want to take a shot interpreting this song?
At first I thought it was about the Spanish Missions and the conversion of the natives. He's roadtripping from Tia Juana to Berkeley up the "rocky coast". On that trip there are bells signifying where the missions were or in some cases still are ("iron bells were hung"). "bald bell ringers" = friars?
But what are the 21 reasons? The 22 singers? The season? The bloody hand?
I'm starting to love that album, after 4 listens. |
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edward897
- FB Fan -
80 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2002 : 11:46:00
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I've pondered this myself for a while. This may be the greatest rock song of all time. I love the arrangements. When I first heard it live last year I thought it was just another song he liked and decided to cover. Someone needs to ask him what it is about, I've given up but I think you are on the right track.
Ed |
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WPater
- FB Fan -
19 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2002 : 13:02:40
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BLD has 3 mission songs.
California Bound - notice the howling missionaries at the end of the song - now listen to 1826 - that’s the maniacal Father Jose Altimira fleeing for his life, maybe the only successful revolt by California’s indians.
21 Reasons is a song of pure disgust. Riding up the El Camino Real where california has made monuments of the indian slave labor camps. There were 21 missions. Not sure of why there are 22 singers, but they are the indians - "with the singers now all gathered/they collected every tongue/now it was required for every soul to turn the dung"
It’s a shameful history, read a bit about Junípero Serra and the mission history and next time you wander around one of these "landmarks" you should understand the horror and disgust that FB put into these songs.
wp |
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Aarjan Snoek
- FB Fan -
South Africa
59 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2002 : 02:20:33
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| california bound - i also picked up the whole fanatical evangelist theme here - loads of bible jargon "come into the light, god-willing", etc. charles' mom was into that sort of thing, which contrasted his barman father's influence on his life -but i recall that charles does give the pentecostal way of life and their musical ways some credit in terms of influencing his singing capabilities. these missionaries condone using one's reasoning in working out religion, like it should be a thing that is felt, not thought about - "don't let your mind chase you like a hound" - and then later i think frank puts words to their thoughts "we're coming to chase you like a hound". the song has an air of disrespect |
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Jettison
- FB Fan -
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2002 : 08:57:36
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22 singers = 21 + Frank ?
-Jettison |
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d3niz3n
- FB Fan -
Canada
75 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2002 : 09:08:59
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| in the interview at mp3 frank talks about there being 22 principle indian language groups - hence, 21 missions/reasons and 22 languages/singers. |
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WPater
- FB Fan -
19 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2002 : 09:38:41
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| very cool- thanks d3 |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2002 : 01:13:46
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now we're getting somewhere..
my girlfriend suggested that the singers in the "with the singers now all gathered they collected every tongue" line is like, the missionaries stealing their [the native americans] languages.. "collecting" their toungues.. |
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WPater
- FB Fan -
19 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2002 : 12:51:44
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yes thats a good point about collecting language. I think that because its 'singers on the run' it means collecting their ability to sing, (same as language) with sing a metaphor for anyones ability to exist, or their freedom. Without song and the ability to communicate, celebrate what have you?
I also think its very interesting in the last few verse lines 'from the time you are born/certain bells you must obey) FB is commenting on the inevitability of the whole process, a feeling I also get indirectly at the beginning of California Bound, its just distasteful/disgusting 'I dont care for the season/I dont find it much fun' - which is a comment on the disney kinda promotion missions get in Ca
wp
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johndietzel
= Cult of Ray =
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
464 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2002 : 23:47:33
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To me most Frank's historical retellings (or just any old song by him) aren't really Frank telling us what he thinks of it, but more FYI, or from another's POV. I mean "21 Reasons" does seem to be exceptional, but I dunno. Now this is completely uninformed lazy wondering on my part, but does the "Humboldt County Massacre" have anything to do with "21 Reasons" subject matter? I mean, aside from also eulogizing the Wiyots? Like, is there a mission near Eureka? I guess not.
Here's a quote from one Wiyot historical site:
"The Wiyot collectively lost much on February 26, 1860, including their language and ceremonial dances." ("they collected every tongue")
"Plain n' simp--the system's a pimp, but I refuse to be a ho."
Chuck D |
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