Sufjan Casmir Pulaski Day

[CarelessPoptart117]

i love the line about the praying doing nothing. really hits home for some reason, even though i'm not religious.

[nacaozumbina]

Doddddddddddddddddddgy banjo playing mind... ;)

[TheDonnyJay]

He's amazing, but I didn't expect him to look like an ex-frat boy.

[TBBTV1]

such an awesome guy

off to see him in newcastle august :D

youtube.com/watch?v=_QCmLHA15j­c

[Julcheese1]

This is NOT was I imagined him to look like at all.

[quagmisterx]

@Julcheese1 what did you imagine him to look like?

[THEPIEMANANDBAGELBOY]

my friend died today, the last verses summ it up. ]

just poetry. pure and simple

[olokun]

@THEPIEMANANDBAGELBOY I'm sorry for your loss, mate. I hope Sufjan's music will be able to ease the pain for you a little.

[jlsrobinson]

beautiful beautiful beautiful. no more can be said.

[Emilyexists]

He really does appear to be far more normal than the complex human he really is.

[thejollylama1]

Illinois shirts?...eh?

[jmihlan32]

i didnt know landon donovan sings

[ElectricGrandpa]

@jmihlan32 haha he really does look like landon donavan here, nice catch :)

[MaxwellsAttourney]

@jmihlan32 lol nice.

[nite1232]

This song always makes me cry..... His voice is beautiful and it gives me chills <3

[BenPhilBeck]

love sufjan... beautifully depressing

[zonalGman92]

Fantastic song. And what an awesome live sound. Thanx kellerdavis ;-)

[buicksixmusic]

everything in this song is perfect

[mikeymdt]

saw him perform this at Carnegie Hall.....an all time great experience with my cool daughter....now i have a friend who has the cancer....and it really tears me up....

[SufjanStevensWannabe]

It is a crime to dislike this video. 18 crimes are present on this web page. For shame.

[ritalate]

who ever gives this song a thumbs down is a ridiculous human being

[Arendbelle]

Type in "cover casimir pulaski" and see the one posted by arendbelle. It will be candy to your ears.

[sugarkandee1]

Is Shara Worden one of the backup singers? I can't see her face well enough to know. . . though it is a video from 2006 so I'm guessing it is.

[WorldOnWeb84]

I discovered this brilliantly talented singer not too long ago..and I instantly fell in love with the simplicity and honesty of his songs..:)

I love this song..a beautiful sad love song..

Thanks for posting this video..the clarity is quite good.

:)

[nite1232]

@WorldOnWeb84 I agree completely :)

[Jamieeelovesyouu]

Definently on the top ten saddest songs I've ever heard. Beautiful.

[aubreywithoutYou]

seagull!!!!

[alwaysmile808]

Trumpet player is top notch

[absterz00]

this song never fails to choke me up.

[stefo120]

the girl in the tight t-shirt...

fell in love

great song too btw.

[suncitymedia]

Nice work. Elegant.

The girl in the tight T-shirt made the song for me though & I didn't realise that she was playing xylophone (?) until the very end of the clip. I just thought she was standing there with her hands behind her back in her tight T-shirt...

[geniepointoh]

Sufjan deserves to be my husband. I would....for him. And shame on you all for not appreciating this amazing music. Learn it and love it. Dance to it like a big ol' dork like I do.

[willecue]

Sufjan seems to be an interesting composer. Wouldn't it be nice to hear, say,

Bela Fleck, Dan Tyminski, Yo Yo Ma, Jerry Douglas, and I dunno, maybe Allison Krauss on a track like this. The added All-Star musicianship would really bring out another level of this composition and I think do justice to this man's creative work!

[powerfulpie]

In my opinion, Sufjan's work stands perfect by itself... If you add too much complicity to music, it can lose a lot of value. Sometimes a few chords is all you need to evoke powerful emotions, as Sufjan so elegantly shows us.

[theaccessorizer]

ridiculous. i guess you havent listened to any of his other works or symphonic arrangements. search "sufjan bqe". nuff said.

[OriginalShirker]

Gah I love Sufjan's music so much...Its the epitomy of perfection.

[bonbon56]

YESSS

i have a seagull too

beautiful guitars

[pacosxm]

great... cause it's a really band (too slow for me)!

[drunkenbutterfly001]

that chick is hot

[bernlin2000]

The lyrics of this song really strike me...a lot of imagery in there: "and he takes and he takes and he takes" is a really powerful lyric, and very sad too.

[spoofighter]

I was checking his fingering on this but kept getting distracted. If' you know what I mean.  :)

[jamieOHmy]

hehee :]

[xmangoxkaboodlex]

his voice is so amazing and beautiful! this is one of my favorite songs....ever.

[unplanedlayer]

baaaaah humbug!

[ClerAchel]

besides, you can quote the bible to prove almost any point. last time i checked it didnt read "Love thy neighbour (unless they're gay or black or belong to other other minority groups)

[ClerAchel]

its weird how religious people are willing to prove their point by relentlessly quoting the bible but not willing to prove that god exists - "oh, it denies faith". Therefore so does quoting the bible

i reckon god doesnt mind homosexuality, cos i have faith he trusts us to make such decisions ourselves

and i dont need proof to justify myself to anyone

[thadude877]

god minds homosexuality.. homosexuality reminds me of some illness.. i dont know.. but im ofcourse okay with all gay ppl, so is god. and alot of ppl..

do u need anything at all to prove ur right? i know this girl who believes spiders have souls.. and stones.. have souls...

..

:)

[bluemukaki]

"Ah!" says man, "but the Babel Fish is a dead giveaway, it proves that god exists and therefore, by his own arguments, he doesn't."

[dnmcfall]

who are the ht's singing with him?

great song.

[TaylorHetherington]

I remember at Michael's house

In the living room when you kissed my neck

And I almost touched your blouse

...lyrics from the song... clearly men don't wear blouses... it's about a boy and girl

[mikefiore6]

is he playing a seagull guitar?

i think i have the same one, and its weird because you never see them outside of canada.

[breezywaybadplucker]

You do in Michigan! I love those guitars...Maybe he found it when he lived in MI?

[gding03]

would you happen to know which model sufjan is using?

im planning on getting a seagull :)

[mikefiore6]

it looks like an original cedar s6, they are fairly inexpensive and great quality for the price. i bought mine for under 400 CDN new.

[GJJ465]

It probably also helps the price be low that Seagulls are made in Canada.

[gding03]

yea i did some research and they seem to be on par quality-wise with some other very pricey brands. and they are actually sold over the world (i live in hk and they have them here) and last time i went to the store, they were sold out. didnt know so many people knew about them. thanks for the info :)

[strummerlv]

Looks like an s6 +spruce with te satin finish but that may just be me...

[tamakid1292]

this song is just amaing

[waywardwatchdog1]

bob dylan is likely envious of this guy's songwriting.

[kesew22]

People need to stop taking these songs so literally. People do that with the Bible too. He's telling a story, don't get confused if he tells it from the viewpoint of one of the characters.

[faraway3000]

High school lab band? Great singer and song though.

[mwaller277]

In response to everyone wondering whether he is gay or not:

1. He is a folk singer. His stories are not necessarily his own.

2. Who cares?

[13iggins]

good answer

[frodolives19]

that banjo player needs some lessons...

[sufjanluver]

He's just great!!!! I love this song! I cried on this song. its so heart-touching when u know the story behind the song! Luv u Sufjan!!!!

[crazybeeiscrazyme]

I love Sufjan Stevens...Ive had this insane obsession for his songs for a couple of years and when he came to AUS i was too young to travel so far [about 1000km] to see him...How is it that one person can make you feel so happy/sad/selfloving/empatheti­c whatever in one song, its just remarkable.

Its like falling in love all over again everytime i hear his songs. <3

[jimbojones66669]

nice job guys

[happytard1234]

you no what... fuck the bible.. its a good song...

[McGregorz]

Hey guys lets all be good Christians and love our neighbors, just like the bible also told us! How about that!

[200FuckingPonies]

apparently he splits the profits from his tours equally with all the musicians, i can't believe he got payed the exact same as that backing vocals young one!!!

great song though, probably my favourite artist but wouldn't be bothered about going to one of his concerts, strange!

[8cham8]

um. He is gay. Have you not heard the "Predatory wasp of the palisades" ?? It clearly talks about him kissing his best friend whos a boy and them being in love. And even if this song happens to be about a girl, I've never heard of a straight man singing songs about kissing boys...not that I would care though.

[mollycg]

The songs on that album are a collection of stories and experiences that he put together from talking to people about Illinois. They are not necessarily *his* thoughts or experiences. He merely acts as a vehicle to tell a story, much like a narrator. We do not know if the person who is *actually* telling the story is male or female.

[wooz22]

The dude has a wife and kids for Christ's sake.

[ALEXAHHHHHH]

Incredible.

Just, incredible.

[jessieKatrhyn]

this is such a sad song. i love it so much.

[groar92skatrdinasour]

i love it

thats what you call talent

i have listen to it like more than 100 times

[EmilyAlwaysKnowsxx]

brilliant.

i could listen to it a million times.

[kelcitoburrito]

All these people that think this song is about two boys, pay attention to the lyrics.

First of all: Casimir is a GIRL'S name.

Second: Boys don't wear blouses, they wear shirts. So why would Sufjan call it a blouse if he was talking about a boy?

Seriously, people.

[frankenfisk]

I actually agree with you on this one. Though the lyrics also say: "with your *shirt* tucked in and your shoes untied" I do get the feeling that it is about a dying girl. However, gender is the least important aspect in this song. It is about being frustrated with God in the face of great personal loss.

That said, 1) Casimir Pulaski was definitely a dude, and 2) it is not inconcieveable that Sufjan would write a song about two boys. He has done. This is not one of them though.

[kristinanicole1987]

Actually, Casimir Pulaski Day is a holiday observed in Illinois on the first Monday of every March to commemorate Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born March 4, 1747 in Poland as Kazimierz Pułaski.  he was a man. In an interview with Sufjan Stevens, he said that the song was written from a friend's point of view in a relationship when his friend's friend passed away from cancer. His friend never told her how he felt.

[kelcitoburrito]

Well, either way, this song isn't about two boys.

[theguywholovesyou2]

casimir pulaski day is a holiday.

its the first monday in march.

but, other than that its obviously talking about a girl.

unless hes gay.

[wasy69er]

That may have been taken far too literally. I sincerely doubt that the relationship between two boys would be anything but subtle. Its not about a verbatim of words, its the art. But maybe we'll just have to agree to disagree because I feel strongly that this songs is a elegy for the two boys

[sufjanfan29]

casmir was a famous war general and was definitely man but i agree that it isn't about two boys definitey

[victimofreality2]

i love this song even though it's such a sad song. i think this song is so relateable when you've experienced someone close who dies and the struggles with faith.

[KillBlackRibbon]

LOL. This song isn't about two boys... Sufjan Stevens is like a hardcore christian. XD

[frankenfisk]

Why should the two be mutually exclusive? Oh, and check out the lyrics on "the predatory wasps of the palisades are out to get us" - and then get back to me, alright?

[yalley9]

Yeah, I was very ignorant to not consider the option, but it just didn't occur to me. I searched it up and I think he really might be and I feel bad that I made the assumption but I can admit I may have been really wrong. I really don't have a problem with the gay and lesbian culture, I didn't mean anything by that. Thanks for your comment though.

[kingblinn]

Ever consider that song could have a female narrator? It even mentions 'wearing leg warmers'.. not something guys usually do.

[jango1997]

Frankenfisk, He isnt gay. he tells stories of people from Illinois and this one is with a girl telling the story.

[shellovesummer]

hmm.. what does being a hardcore christian have to do with anything? i'm a "hardcore christian" and one of my closest friends is gay. i'm open to the gay lifestyle and i don't see it as a sin. so you shouldn't be so quick to judge.

[KillBlackRibbon]

I apologize that you took it that way. I am very strong in my belief and faith and I don't have any problem with the idea myself. You shouldn't have to think I've judged anyone but I could have said my thoughts differently.

So, please take your own advice.

Thanks again.

[BenGibbard10]

Well hardcore Christian if youve read your Bible at all youd know that homosexuality is a sin "You shall not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, that is detestable" Leviticus 18:22 Sufjan himself is not gay but is an open Christian. A lot of people think he is gay because of the song to be alone with you. "You gave your body to the lonely" and "To be alone with me you went up on a tree" are clear cruxifiction references. The songs not about another man, he is not gay.

[mickythemilkman]

actually its in the bible that its a sin. so if u were a hardcore christian u wouldnt say that. im not judging. im a christian and i have gay friends, but regardless its still sin whether u see it or not.

[Andrewwascool]

it really depends on which Bible you're reffering to... the Ultra-Conservative Nazi Bible or the Jesus-teaches-Tolerance bible, or somewhere in between.

[mickythemilkman]

new king james version is the closest english translation to the original hebrew text so yea actually it is. look it up in genises with noahs arc or in the book of james.

[BeMoWoLover]

I love how if there is something in the Bible you don't agree with then all you have to do is make your own, thats what makes this country great :)

[hotghias]

Homosexuality is clearly a sin, according to both the new and old testament. You gentlemen know what else is? Overeating. Overdrinking. Hetero sex outside of marriage. VANITY. My point is, we should all strive to be Christ-like, but we all inevitably fall short, which is why it's so amazing and wonderful that Jesus came and died for us. How 'bout we focus on that instead. (off my soapbox)

[MrBuendia100]

It is also a sin to eat shellfish as well, at least, that's what the bible says. So, by all means, God, smite the eaters of shellfish! For they are sinning too!

[cacobibliodaks]

jaja, its not like that man, He said it because Israel was a young country, and it needed sanitary laws, they could easily be poisoned, as well as other odd things in Leviticus

[minxon]

true true but I think the point they were trying to make is that some things in the bible, if you take too literally, are completely misunderstood.

[tanman4423]

i love this song i am learning how to play it

[XxBlah77xX]

bears hat AND university of illinois shirt.

ow ow~

such a great performer.

it's so hard to find artists these days who put that much emotion into his lyrics.

[itschelsielol]

sufjan's voice is so beautiful, i could listen to it all day.

[speedoswimmer18]

the lyrics are so depressing, yet somehow i find myself addicted to this song. and each time after hearing it, i feel a little sadder.

[gaaraismyhommie]

teehee he had trouble hitting the note on "on the floor, at the great divide" part

[psiotaku]

The song is about a love that's doomed to fail, because of eventual death. Whether it's a girl and a boy, or boy and a boy doesn't really matter. The emotion in the song and the meaning of the lyrics are still there, regardless of gender. Wonderful song by a brilliant musician.

Try to show some respect and keep your homophobic bigotry to yourself.

[jonnygreeny111]

Three cheers for beseeching god and not getting adequate answers!

[jeexbit]

beautiful song - makes me ache

[PickupMetro]

he says blouse during a verse, that's why it isnt about two guys. nice try.

[gnu8]

love this song. amazing! his voice his really clear btw.

[3rdToppledHat]

U noe the backing vocalist next to sufjan. She looks exactly like the actress who plays Izzy in Greys Anatomy, its just she has black hair.

Absolutely stunning song

[wasy69er]

Ok fair enough. But what ignorant effing hole did you come out of? "gay people disgust me", "gay people haven't got anything to do with God." Well I'm glad you don't either cause we'd be in one damn messed up world if bigots like you were the common. Your lyrical opinions are valid, but use your head before spouting anything else.

[tominrochester]

Bigots disgust me! Not that it matters as much now- homophobes are increasingly getting the same treatment racists started getting in the mid-20th century-your antiquatied views are not supported by the law, or most people in the U.S., quite frankly-maybe you should move to Saudi Arabia or Iran-they hate "fags" too, dumbass

[janoszky]

wtf are you talkin about..two boys?!!!!?!!

lol xD

you are way wrong..

this one is about boyandagirl who got cancer..

and about the God who took the girl away.

[wasy69er]

Oh don't worry, I realize that there was a love story in which one participant passes away and in which the narrator appeals/blames God. But maybe had you read my comment you'd see that i was disputing the characters. Why not two boys? thats what it felt like. Does that scare you?

[thesithwithashotgun]

Why would a story about two boys in love be scary? I really don´t get it. There´s nothing wrong with homosexuality. Plus, while it´s not outright stated in the song, it´s heavily implied that it´s about a boy and a girl, so why bring it up?

[wasy69er]

Wow, how did my message get so spamed? I meant it in a more "turning the mirror" way. Not as though asking the community if they felt the same as me. I agree with you friend. Its a non-issue in a beautiful tragic song. Not your typical love story, and i like that.

[VonHaga]

there is something wrong with homosexuality.

Have you ever heard the story of sodom ?

[thesithwithashotgun]

I have not. I only know that it has to do with religion, in which case, it doesn´t count. I am in no way saying that I don´t accept other people who believe in anything religious, but I don´t want to hear people shoving religion down my throat, telling me what to believe. And trust me, it happens way too much. In any case, one religion has no right to tell everyone in the world whether or not a sexual orientation (which is beyond a person´s control) is morally wrong.

[wasy69er]

So I was looking for a more active post of this song to discuss the possibilities and implications of the lyrics. Did anyone else ,upon hearing this song, think that it might be the story of two boys in love with one another? Yes, yes, i know the lines state blouse touching and so forth and what boy wears a blouse. But aside from that, any thoughts?

[Egggbutt]

I'm not sure if anyone has commented on this...the backup singer next to him is insanely hot. Just insanely hot.

This song is beautiful as well.

[mahlstadt]

This song should be banned, it causes serious emotional injury

[Tiffwin10]

this song is awwssooommmmmeee!!!!!!!!!!

[jiggamanjosh]

sufjans new state cd should will be either new jersey, oregen, or california! he hasnt release which one yet though..

[ChrisyMcCullagh83]

one of the most beautifull songs ive ever heard. learning how to play it right now so i can put it on my site.

[NatelaneS]

best song ever written. Sufjan's the man

[kolokacja]

I love this song! Is wonderful but I could almost cry listening to it. It's so sad. Great liv performance

[Lizibee05]

this is my all time favorite song!!

[3rdToppledHat]

Amen to that!

[Margiee20004]

Eines der besten Lieder, das ich je gehört habe.

[alf2k]

Absolute Zustimmung ;) Unglaublich gutes Lied ;)

[wasik777]

sufjan is one of the most talented musicions in the world their is not a song i do not like bye him. hes simply amazing

[jimbicks1989]

Sufjan's music seems to often cause an emotive response. It's powerful but also simplistic, which ever emotion you feel about it, happy or sad it causes such a response that it should be recognised as pure genious, lyrically and rhythmically. We can all relate to his lyrics in one way or another and appreciate the tone of his voice which is distinct and soothing.

[0118981]

sufjan has the amazing ability to make such sad songs seem happy somehow and in the same way still sad, its an amazing thing.

his music is what you take it as, i dont think any two people have the same exact feeling about his songs

[gokaitego]

I completely agree.

[newhat07]

And he can do it wearing a Cubs hat and a cheeleader uniform.

[buiksloot]

He's adorable!

[packersabre]

bears hat, btw.

[joelanator0492]

Cubs hat, btw.

[Orlarambunctious]

The most beautiful song I've ever heard - so poignant and yet uplifting.

[gokaitego]

I don't think I would be able to function without Sufjan. Ever.

[ulan1989]

Sława poległym bohaterom!

[poleyinator007]

He is so talented. I hope he releases a new album soon...

[opinionhead444]

He reminds me of Sam Beam in a way.

Great singer, all around great musician.

[tylerdurden187]

This is, if not the best, one of the best songs ever created.

[Mattafoo]

I agree.

[Mattafoo]

I agree.

[Maharba1147]

My favorite Sufie song, so I'd just have to agree.

[RZDrums]

How is the name of this song pronounced?

[McGregorz]

Cash-meer Puh-la-skee

[RZDrums]

Thanks man. I thought so. I wasn't quite sure though. :)

[HQMEYSNQQP]

it is pronounced cass-ih-meer pool-aski

[reppin72rap]

whos the babe behind sufjan?

[vinkhe]

Katrina Kerns

[greenybeany8]

well its obvious that the song is named after a saint's feast day. march 4.

[partymotnimoc]

Hahaha, The saint?? Casimir Pulaski Day is in remembrance of a polish revolutionary war veteran, the first of march... And it's celebrated in Illinois, mostly Chicago... I knew that and I live in Lebanon, so i assume you're joking, so hehehehe

[teaandcakeordeath]

OMG i'm so happy to know that Sufjan is known and loved in Lebanon. I'm going to AUB for next year (study abroad), and have been weirdly apprehensive about being removed from my music scene... : )

[Linkous12]

With all the talk of Sufjan's religious allusions, I think that his music transcends all belief systems... I'm an Atheist, and I love his music. Go Sufjan!

[hex147]

This is seriously a beautiful song...It says so much about love, death, happiness, sadness, loss and god, and all in 6 minutes. God bless Sufjan.

[abiwyr]

This is a song with great lyrics.

This is a well crafted poem.

This is story telling at its finest.

[Nickthejedi1]

I love the lyrics to this song. To me it is like a poem. The style of this song is like the style of William Blake. William's poems are like stories, and too me this song is a beautiful story poem

[radhavishyy]

love

[msclvr48]

This guy is such a genius. I love his music! So soulful, so thoughtful. He really puts you there. Love, love, love Sufjan. <33333

[ScarletKnights]

This song is wonderful but I could almost cry listening to it. It's so sad.

[Alagosiell]

Love this song... It's so sad though! I feel weepy whenever I listen to it. I love his music, despite the fact that I'm totally non-religious. But I have nothing against the religious references in his music, especially the way they add to and enhance the music... Ah so beautiful! Now, I'll go get a tissue...

[SapphiraRain]

I agree with you 100% (Its rare for me to say that!!).

[mushroomlounge]

His references to religion I wouldn't say are completely positive.

[ehehm]

urh, and why is that?

[invisivale]

For me, it's these lyrics: "All the glory that the Lord has made and the complications when I see His face...." and "All the glory when He took our place, but He took my shoulders and He shook my face, and He takes and He takes and He takes."  Hmm.

[hex147]

They aren't. He was angry at god for taking one that he loved. But still, a religious reference is a religious reference, positive or not.