"Oh," he said, and a smile formed on his wrinkled old brown face, "it is a song. It's a love song."
"A love song?" I said.
"It's the love song of Oconeechee and Whippoorwill."
-- From the book, MOUNTAIN WINDSONG, by Robert J. Conley
MOUNTAIN WINDSONG
Wind blows from down the hills Carrying her song She loves a man from there Even though he's gone She never walked on the Trail of Tears Her heart knows where you are Her love for him will last Longer than the stars.
He vowed he would return No matter what the cost Fighting through every fear He'd get back what he lost Though he walked through the Trail of Tears His heart knows where you are His love for her will last Longer than the Stars
Riding back through their old woods Familiar though it seems He looked up to see her there The woman of his dreams Oooh....
Wind blows from down the hills Carrying their song Cherokee woman and man Home where they belong They won't forget their Trail of Tears They're happy as they are Their love for life will last Longer than the stars Longer than the stars Longer than the stars
Words and Music by Arigon Starr
Reprinted by Kind Permission
©2002 Starrwatcher Publishing (ASCAP)
Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar: Arigon Starr
Harmony Vocals: Gary Bennett
Bass: Tyler Grant
Drums: Nicholas Peters
Additional Acoustic Guitar: Chuck Mead
Fiddle, Banjo: Don Herron
MORE OF THE SUPER SECRET PREVIEW OF BACKFLIP
Click here for :
ABOUT MOUNTAIN WINDSONG:
Cherokee Historian and Western Spur award-winning writer Robert J. Conley has written many books in his time. One my personal favorites is "Mountain Windsong," which tells the story of Oconeechee and Waguli, two Cherokee lovers who are separated by the Trail of Tears. His book not only weaves a wonderful tale – it gives a heartbreakingly, historically accurate account of the Trail and how it devastated the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole and Chickasaw people. As my ancestors walked this trail, I can’t even imagine the pain they went through. However, I know they did survive, as did thousands of others. I will always be grateful to them! [Here's a photo of Robert J. Conley and his real life "Oconeechee," Evelyn. Robert is still writing and teaching, while Evelyn works with Hastings Shade, the Vice-Principal Chief ofthe Cherokee Nation. This photo was taken outside their home in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.]
Did you ever wonder exactly WHERE the Trail of Tears was?
Here's a map from John Ehle's excellent book, "Trail of Tears: The Rise And Fall of the Cherokee Nation." It's interesting to note that part of this song was recorded in Nashville -- which is smack dab in the middle of the overland trail. Click on the map for a larger image.