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Alpha Soixante
- FB Fan -
Canada
129 Posts |
 Posted - 02/23/2004 : 06:50:21
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| Sorry if this has been brought up before, but I take it the Mohawk part of Navajo Know is a reference to Mohawk ironworkers who worked on NY skyscrapers (http://www.nmai.si.edu/press/releases/2002_04_15_Booming_Out.html). ("Upon construction..."). So where do the Navajo come in? (Yippy-ay-I-don't-know) |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2004 : 14:08:55
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quote:
“A lot of people think Mohawks aren’t afraid of heights; that’s not true,” said ironworker Kyle Beauvais (Mohawk–Kahnawake). “We have as much fear as the next guy. The difference is that we deal with it better. We also have the experience of the old timers to follow and the responsibility to lead the younger guys. There’s pride in walking iron.”
Upon construction, there is the mohawk. His way of walking quite high above the ground
Fearless of looking down, skywalk!
Some people say that the Navajo know a way of walking quite high above the ground.
Fearless of looking down? Oh no!
Weird. That's what it's about I guess.
 "Join the Cult of Brit / And let your oral hygiene go out the window." |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2004 : 14:39:43
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Isn't there a quote somewhere (it's probably on Alec Eiffel's page) that says that Frank threw the Navajo in just for the sake of the rhyme, and it was actually all about the Mohawk?
Join the Culf of Buttoms / Just in time for the Poxies reunion! |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2004 : 15:43:46
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Yep, there is this quote on the most beatiful, naturally French, Pixies dedicated web site.
Have some wine, please, don't run away. |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2004 : 15:48:29
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One of my favorite Pixies songs. I guess that now that everybody's singing Where is my mind, I increasingly like songs like The Navajo Know, Bird Dream, Stormy Weather or Letter to Memphis. These songs are closer to FB solo work...
Have some wine, please, don't run away. |
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IceCream
= Quote Accumulator =
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2004 : 20:14:56
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Speaking of "Yippy-Ay-I don't Know", why does Frank pronounce Navajo differently on "Calistan" than on "Navajo Know"?
 Join the Cult of Pi - It's just 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582097.... |
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geertos
- FB Fan -
Belgium
158 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 08:18:30
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Sorry to bring back this old cow back, but I'm new here, so...
Actually, according to an interview with Charles in 1991, he originally had only one verse for the song: the one talking about Navajo's. Hence the title of the song.
Then somebody told him it's actually the Mohawk who work in construction, not the Navajo. Charles was a bit ashamed, because he actually had studied Indian Culture once, and decided to write another verse, which fitted him well, since he felt the song needed another verse anyway. That would become the first verse. He kept the second verse, since he felt a title like "the Navajo Know" was to strong to throw away. And, he said, there must be at least a few Navajo's working in construction anyway, so... |
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frank black conspiracy
~ Abstract Brain ~
1126 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 09:51:40
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I never knew all of this. i just revelled in the song itself, the minor chords too.
thanks for the background info I should alrady know Alpha and geertos. I'm a huge fan of this little ditty. |
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Triakel
- FB Fan -
119 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2005 : 14:39:24
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quote:
Originally posted by IceCream
Speaking of "Yippy-Ay-I don't Know", why does Frank pronounce Navajo differently on "Calistan" than on "Navajo Know"?
Join the Cult of Pi - It's just 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582097....
I wonder also. In "Los Angeles," Frank uses the whole "How come we say Los An-JELL-eez" bit to show (I guess) the difference between how Anglos and Spanish decendents pronounced the name.
I imagine "Nah-va-JO" is how some Anglos refer to the tribe.
I'm from the Midwest U.S., so I'm not sure about who says what in which way.
I *do* know Iowans pronounce "buena" as "BOO-Nah" (first word in my college's name) and Colombians pronounce Mission Viejo as "MI-shon Bee-AY-ho," (my sister-in-law is from there).
... Fun trivia. |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2005 : 15:09:21
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| Frank deliberately says "Hohn Wayne" when we know it should be "Juan Wayne" (WAHN WANE). |
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klikger
= Cult of Ray =
693 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 00:17:18
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| Best thread I've read in awhile. Good stuff, guys. |
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Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
2461 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 03:32:36
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Yeh, a very interesting read.
The song's tucked away on Trompe, yet it's yet another classic. |
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frank black conspiracy
~ Abstract Brain ~
1126 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 03:55:36
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quote:
Originally posted by VoVat
Isn't there a quote somewhere (it's probably on Alec Eiffel's page) that says that Frank threw the Navajo in just for the sake of the rhyme, and it was actually all about the Mohawk?
From Alec Eiffel:
"About mohicans who work on construction sites. They are amazing. 'Navajo' is here for the rhyme only" (BF)
I forgot how good this site is |
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danwalding
- FB Fan -
Australia
33 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2005 : 20:28:41
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On the same topic, I think that Los Angeles is in northern patagonia not south patagonia if you look on a map...
Grew up to be a Debaser |
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The Mohawk Know
