Album: Seminole Wind, 1992
I'm claiming a new song category: Gold Songs. And kind of like the Road Song category—songs that have to mention roads, streets, etcetera—gold songs are those that mention gold, gold mining, and possibly just mining in general. As a new category, at least on the blog, the definition has not yet been set in stone, so to speak. Another example of a "gold song" would be Heart of Gold by Neil Young.
This particular gold song, Seminole Wind, specifically mentions "days of old" and men digging for gold and silver, after which they "leave the empty holes," i.e. mine shafts, glory holes, or open pits. The song particularly emphasizes a couple negative aspects of gold and mining, though it really focuses on a hope that the Seminole Wind, and possibly the ghost of Osceola, will come and blow currently existing things to shit. (At least that's my interpretation.)
And so, when you happen to be gathering in places where the wind can blow ferociously—for example in Florida, in tornado country and the Midwest in general, in the Mojave Desert, and even in Nevada—watch out.
8 comments:
Thanks for your post. Unlike your other road songs I was not familiar with this song but enjoyed it very much and plan to download to my music collection. Be safe!
When I think of songs with “gold”, I think of Neil Young, “Heart of Gold” and Leadbelly, “Gallow’s Pole.” And Led Zeppelin, of course. Mining songs: “Sixteen Tons” by Merle Travis and “Paradise” by John Prine. And almost all Robert Service.
Nice choice!
Thanks, Robert, I hope to!
I've been planning on having a gold song category for a while, so glad to be reminded of those, Matthew!
Thanks, Todd!
I've been reading your blog off and one for a few years. Just to say I appreciate it.
Two links of interest.
One perhaps you know of an lady that lived and mined in Northern Nevada, Josie Pearl.
http://www.chefjuke.com/burnman/josie/index.html
And song about even worse than gold, coal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqDVObM1kxc
You can add "Fire on the Mountain" by the Marshall Tucker Band, with its reference to gold mining and a prospector getting killed over a claim.
Steve Earle, "The Mountain",
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nlg07BQ8DM
Also performed by Benjamin Tod of Lost Dog Street Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR04x5XXAwQ
Thanks gibbon1, on-the-rocks for the great suggestions! Hopefully I'll get a writing groove back on -- my WFH has been sporadic, but will be picking up in two weeks. That will either inspire me or cause me to veg on days off; I don't know which. :-)
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