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This Trail Of Tears

from Another Country by Mermaid Kiss

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about

The Trail of Tears was a forced migration undertaken by the Cherokee Indians of the eastern United States in 1838/39 from their native lands in Georgia and North Carolina westward to Oklahoma.

The Cherokee were tricked with an illegitimate treaty. In 1833, a small faction agreed to sign a removal agreement: the Treaty of New Echota. The leaders of this group were not the recognized leaders of the Cherokee nation, and over 15,000 Cherokees - led by Chief John Ross - signed a petition in protest. The Supreme Court ignored their demands and ratified the treaty in 1836. The Cherokee were given two years to migrate voluntarily, at the end of which time they would be forcibly removed. By 1838 only 2,000 had migrated; 16,000 remained on their land. The U.S. government sent in 7,000 troops, who forced the Cherokees into stockades at bayonet point. They were not allowed time to gather their belongings, and as they left, whites looted their homes. Then began the forced march of 1,285 km (about 800 miles ) known as The Trail of Tears, in which 4,000 Cherokee people died of cold, hunger, and disease on their way to the western lands.

The words we use in this song are adapted from the recollections of a survivor:
"Long time we travel on way to new land. People feel bad when they leave Old Nation. Womens cry and make sad wails, Children cry and many men cry...but they say nothing and just put heads down and keep on go towards West. Many days pass and people die very much."

The arcing melody line of the chorus is a direct reflection of the northern most route taken by the Cherokee as it appears on the map. The words of the verse are an edited version of recollections made a survivor of the march.

This Trail of Tears is one of the earliest songs written for American Images and has been through many recorded versions. We have chosen to release this stripped back version that focuses on the story it tells.

lyrics

"Long time we travelled on way to new land
People feel bad when we leave old nation
Children cry and womens' cry
But they say nothing and keep on towards the west."

On this trail of tears.

Copyright © Jamie Field & Evelyn Downing 2012. All rights reserved.

credits

from Another Country, released June 17, 2012
words and Music: Jamie Field & Evelyn Downing

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Mermaid Kiss Wales, UK

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