Lyr Req: Talking Kinzua Dam

08 Dec 01 - 11:53 PM (#606579)
Subject: Talking Kinzua Dam
From: Deda

My friend Professor Mike Bell is in search of the lyrics to the talking blues (I think) called Talking Kinzua Dam. I DID a DT search, and found that the Kinzua dam in mentioned in Buffie Ste Marie's "Now that the Buffalo's gone" -- but that's not what we're looking for, although it seems to be protesting the same event. The last verse goes like this:

So bring the drinks and bring the ham
Let's go to Lake Perfidy on the Kinzua Dam
On the Seneca's grave we'll sing and dance
Let's have our fun -- they had their chance.

Does anyone know the song, lyrics and/or author? Thanks.

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09 Dec 01 - 05:50 PM (#606868)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Talking Kinzua Dam
From: Deda

(refresh -- Just want to keep it visible. Thanks.)

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09 Dec 01 - 07:14 PM (#606906)
Subject: Lyr: SENECAS (AS LONG AS THE GRASS SHALL GROW)^^
From: Joe Offer

Gene posted the Johnny Cash version of this song a couple of years ago (click), but I think this may be closer to the original. I guess it's not the song requested, but it's certainly related.
-Joe Offer-

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THE SENECAS (AS LONG AS THE GRASS SHALL GROW)
(PETER LAFARGE)

The Senecas are an Indian Tribe of the Iroquois nation,
Down on the New York-Pennsylvania line, you'll find their reservation.
After the U. S. revolution, Cornplanter was a chief;
He told the tribe these men they could trust, that was his true belief.
He went down to Independence Hall, and there a treaty signed,
That promised peace with the USA, and Indian rights combined.
George Washington gave his signature, the Government gave its hand;
They said that now and forever more this was Indian land.

CHORUS: As long as the moon shall rise,
As long as the rivers flow,
As long as the sun will shine,
As long as the grass shall grow.

On the Seneca reservation, there is much sadness now;
Washington's treaty has been broken, and there is no hope, no how.
Across the Allegheny River, they're trowing up a dam;
It will flood the Indian country, a proud day for Uncle Sam.
It has broke the ancient treaty with a politician's grin;
It will drown the Indian graveyards -- Cornplanter, can you swim?
The earth is mother to the Senecas; they're trampling sacred ground,
Change the mint-green earth to black mud flats, as honor hobbles down...

The Iroquois Indians used to rule from Canada way south;
But no one fears the Indians now, and smiles the liar's mouth.
The Senecas hired an expert to figure another site;
But the great good Army engineers said that he had no right.
Although he showed them another plan, and showed them another way,
They laughed in his face and said, "No deal, Kinzua dam is here to stay."
Congress turned the Indian down, brushed off the Indians' plea;
So the Senecas have renamed the dam, they call it "Lake Perfidy."

Washington, Adams, and Kennedy, now hear their pledges ring,
"The treaties are safe, we'll keep our word," but what is that gurgling?
It's the backwater from Perfidy Lake, it's rising all the time,
Over the homes and over the fields, over the promises fine.
No boats will sail on Lake Perfidy, in winter it will fill;
In summer it will be a swamp, and all the fish will kill.
But the Government of the USA has corrected George's vow.
The Father of Our Country must be wrong -- what's an Indian, anyhow?
^^

This song comes from the early 1960's. I found it here (click)

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