We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

A Few Scarlet Horsemen

from Canada Songs by John Spearn

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 CAD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

Red Cloud and Crazy Horse chose to fight on
To echo their forefather’s warrior song.
For the Sioux swarmed the Yellow-hair in the Bighorn Coulee
But a million long-rifles sing no harmony.
As they crossed the Milk River to a new native land
From the Black Hills of Dakota 6000 were banned.
And those few scarlet horsemen stood fearless that day
To welcome the warriors that fate cast away.
Take your whiskey and smallpox, gold claim and TB
All the plagues on these people: those few horsemen could see.
With Victoria’s promise to let them roam free
Sitting Bull was a guest in the Territory
Major Walsh and his Mounties stood as their true friends,
While the Bluecoats at Wounded Knee slaughtered again.
Take your whiskey and smallpox, gold claim and TB
All the plagues on these people: those few horsemen could see.
So the gold rush goes on and the miners still come
And the red mounted horsemen still honour the song
Of the exiled Sioux nation in the Grandmother’s Land
Where a man’s word is solemn and the law takes a stand.
Take your whiskey and smallpox, gold claim and TB
All the plagues on these people: those few horsemen could see.

credits

from Canada Songs, released January 1, 2002

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

John Spearn Edmonton, Alberta

You’ll instantly catch these deep influences threaded through John’s fine vocals, lyrics, and rootsy, guitar-mastered songwriting works. This is pure Canadiana: forgotten but deserving heroes, the humility in our international image, and a superb range of tender ballads through to raw, foot-stompin’ stories that need to be told. ... more

contact / help

Contact John Spearn

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like John Spearn, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now