This song tells the story of the loss of the Black River, which used to drain Lake Washington, near Seattle in Washington State. About a century ago, a ship canal was cut on the west side of the lake to provide access to the Puget Sound, and in doing so, the Army Corp of Engineers caused the lake level to drop about 10 feet, which also caused the original outflow via the Black River to cease. The river dried up, and an important living space (the "Inside Place") for the Duwamish people disappeared. The song commemorates the forgotten Black River and it's important place in the the lives of the Duwamish, who continue today.
lyrics
A river flowed from glacier to bay
Fed the people of earlier days,
Of the old Duwamish tribe
Now it’s gone up and died
The river’s all done with salmon and reed.
A freeway and a sign where she used to be
The river’s all done, just legend and lore:
The river is gone
Black River no more
For many years, they gathered and fished
Swam a river, that nobody missed
Now the water and village are gone
Lower the lake, the lower the sun
The river’s all done with salmon and reed
A freeway and a sign where she used to be
The river’s all done, just legend and lore:
The river is gone
Black River no more
In the name of progress, they cut a canal
So ships could sail to sea
In the name of progress, they cut a canal
We cut her quick and deep...
The river’s all done with salmon and reed
A freeway and a sign where she used to be
The river’s all done, just legend and lore
The river’s all gone
Black River no more
credits
released February 4, 2019
Music & Lyrics: JD Cotton and Carmen A Zullo (ZuCo)
Vocals: JD Cotton and Carmen A Zullo
Guitars: JD Cotton and Carmen A Zullo
Mandolin: JD Cotton
Sampled Bass, Flute: JD Cotton
Percussion: GB Finn
Warm and enveloping songs from Dave Harrington, Jeremy Gustin, and Spencer Zahn with the ache of post-rock and the hush of ambient music. Bandcamp New & Notable May 24, 2020