Okay, so this might be kind of a stretch, but ever since 8th grade when we learned about the Lewis and Clark expedition, I always relate this song to their journey. I'm a bit obsessed with American history :p
The first line is one of the main things, since their journey was complete when they made it to the Pacific. They had such high expectations of what they would find there. "We spotted the ocean, at the head of the trail, where were we going, so far away?"
I think of the second verse as the promises that Lewis and Clark made to the native american populations about the US Government, and how they were trying to extend a hand of a friendship, but their promises would turn out not to be true, and the Native Americans knew that. The Lewis and Clark expedition was just a set of more white men invading their land, hence why they already forgot about them, since there would be many more to come. ("They knew we were lying, but they smiled just the same, it seemed they'd already forgotten we came")
The term "homestead" is so reminiscent of the 19th century. When the crew returned home from their journey, I'm sure it was a huge change for them, since they had been away from civilization for so long. "and people don't know you, Trust is a joke" stands out, because during their trip, the Corp of Discovery formed strong bonds of fellowship, but that wouldn't exist in "normal" life. Also, Lewis and Clark received very little recognition for their achievments during their lifetime (documenting the many new botanical and animal life on the plains) because their journals took so long to be published.
A few years after returning, Lewis commited suicide (or was murdered...there's a debate). He would sleep on the floor because he didn't like sleeping in a bed anymore, having gotten used to the rough way of life. The last, sorrowful song, reminds me a lot of him probably trying to return to a time where he was comfortable, during their journey.
Okay, so this might be kind of a stretch, but ever since 8th grade when we learned about the Lewis and Clark expedition, I always relate this song to their journey. I'm a bit obsessed with American history :p
The first line is one of the main things, since their journey was complete when they made it to the Pacific. They had such high expectations of what they would find there. "We spotted the ocean, at the head of the trail, where were we going, so far away?"
I think of the second verse as the promises that Lewis and Clark made to the native american populations about the US Government, and how they were trying to extend a hand of a friendship, but their promises would turn out not to be true, and the Native Americans knew that. The Lewis and Clark expedition was just a set of more white men invading their land, hence why they already forgot about them, since there would be many more to come. ("They knew we were lying, but they smiled just the same, it seemed they'd already forgotten we came")
The term "homestead" is so reminiscent of the 19th century. When the crew returned home from their journey, I'm sure it was a huge change for them, since they had been away from civilization for so long. "and people don't know you, Trust is a joke" stands out, because during their trip, the Corp of Discovery formed strong bonds of fellowship, but that wouldn't exist in "normal" life. Also, Lewis and Clark received very little recognition for their achievments during their lifetime (documenting the many new botanical and animal life on the plains) because their journals took so long to be published. A few years after returning, Lewis commited suicide (or was murdered...there's a debate). He would sleep on the floor because he didn't like sleeping in a bed anymore, having gotten used to the rough way of life. The last, sorrowful song, reminds me a lot of him probably trying to return to a time where he was comfortable, during their journey.
How random am I? :p