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Coup Stick

from Get Ye Up by The Mispronouncer

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lyrics

1. Known in some circles as the Teton Sioux,
But they called themselves “Lakota” so I guess I will too.
Sioux is an Ojibwa word meaning “enemy” or “little snake,”
And I would hate to cause any offense by mistake.
“Lakota” means “ally,” the first letter is flexible,
Lakota , Dakota, Nakota: all acceptable.
Fierce warriors and buffalo hunters by all accounts.
Comprised of seven sub-tribes that I can’t pronounce.
I found the English translations online, listen,
I’m gonna abandon the rhyme scheme while I list them.
“Dust Scatterers,” “Burnt Thighs,” “Two Kettle,” “Black Feet,”
“Without Bows,” “End of the Circle,” “Planters Beside the Stream.”
Constant conflict with opposing forces
Drove the Lakota west on the backs of horses
Brought across the Atlantic by explorers from Spain.
Mounted up, the Lakota soon ruled the high plains.

Chorus: An eagle feather for the brave
Who touched a living enemy and returned unscathed.
The enemy lashed out but the brave was too quick.
Renown for his prowess and a notch for the coup stick.
Stole a horse and weapon, touched the first fallen foe.
Assiniboine, Chippewa, Kiowa, Crow:
Conquered and scattered to the wind by the hated Sioux.
Victorious Lakota warriors counting coup.

2. The Lakota took the Black Hills from the Cheyenne.
They weren’t about to turn around and give them up to the white man.
Not even Lewis and Clark got a free pass.
Almost had to fight but the Lakota let them creep past.
Harassing travelers out on the Oregon Trail.
When you oppose supposed destiny, you’re destined to fail.
“As long as the river flows and the eagle flies,”
The Fort Laramie Treaties were all bald-faced lies.
‘Cause it turned out Lakota land had gold under it.
War broke out with the United States government.
Clearly General Custer must’ve underestimated them.
Surely would’ve waited if he’d known what awaited him.
Less like a war and more alternating massacres.
They called the Lakota savages, but who was savager?
Probably a tie, but the Lakota had the better war cry:
“Today is a good day to die.”

Chorus: An eagle feather for the brave
Who touched a living enemy and returned unscathed.
The enemy lashed out but the brave was too quick.
Renown for his prowess and a notch for the coup stick.
Stole a horse and weapon, touched the first fallen foe.
Assiniboine, Chippewa, Kiowa, Crow:
Conquered and scattered to the wind by the hated Sioux.
Victorious Lakota warriors counting coup.

Bridge: Eddie Plenty Holes, Man Afraid of his Horses, Man That Walks Under the Ground, Bad Left Hand, Pretty Coon, Bear That Looks Behind, Cold Place, Ghost Heart, Whirlwind Dog, Big Mouth, The Elk that Bellows Walking, Rotten Stomach, Knock-knee, Black White, The One Who Remembers the Bear, Wolf Necklace, The Man who Bleeds from the Mouth, The One that Rattles as He Walks, The One who Took the Stick, The One that has Neither Horn.

Chorus: An eagle feather for the brave
Who touched a living enemy and returned unscathed.
The enemy lashed out but the brave was too quick.
Renown for his prowess and a notch for the coup stick.
Stole a horse and weapon, touched the first fallen foe.
Assiniboine, Chippewa, Kiowa, Crow:
Conquered and scattered to the wind by the hated Sioux.
Victorious Lakota warriors counting coup.

credits

from Get Ye Up, released February 24, 2014
The Mispronouncer wrote the lyrics, performed the vocals, and made the beat.

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The Mispronouncer Redlands, California

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