Neil Young Broken Arrow

MY NEIL YOUNG BLOG
http://neilyoungbootlegs.blogspot.com/

@him3zz This song is the masterpiece that sums up the sixties. It starts out with a live show and a scream from the crowd. The show ends, and it shifts into the first verse. The first verse is a continuation of "Out Of My Mind" and talks about Neil personally, his own idea of the show business. Then it shifts into a demented version of "Take me out to the ball game" I think that's kind of saying America's losing whatever purity it had. The old innocent pastime of baseball is being corrupted. Much like the rest of America, and the second verse talks about the lies fed to the American youth. "18 years of 'American Dream'". But it's really a scam. His mother had told him a trip was a fall, so don't try any of this new stuff everyone's taken. and don't even MENTION babies. It also makes a Vietnam war reference, another scam fed to the youth.
Then some military drums play, I think this goes along with third verse and I'll tell you why. The third verse seems to me to be about the Kennedy assassination. Just think about the third verse and you'll see it. The military drums seem to be something that they'd play at a funeral.
And the chorus is what puts it together, It's a signal saying we can't take it anymore. A broken arrow is an Indian signal of giving up. They are done from all the war the 60's have brought them. That's what this song is trying to accomplish. It ends with pure American jazz, the heart of American music and then a heartbeat it'self. The very life line.


Lyrics:
The lights turned on and the curtain fell down,
And when it was over it felt like a dream,
They stood at the stage door and begged for a scream,
The agents had paid for the black limousine
That waited outside in the rain.
Did you see them, did you see them?
Did you see them in the river?
They were there to wave to you.
Could you tell that the empty quivered,
Brown skinned indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow,
Held a broken arrow?

Eighteen years of american dream,
He saw that his brother had sworn on the wall.
He hung up his eyelids and ran down the hall,
His mother had told him a trip was a fall,
And dont mention babies at all.
Did you see him, did you see him?
Did you see him in the river?
He were there to wave to you.
Could you tell that the empty quivered,
Brown skinned indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow,
Held a broken arrow?

The streets were lined for the wedding parade,
The queen wore the white gloves, the county of song,
The black covered caisson her horses had drawn
Protected her king from the sun rays of dawn.
They married for peace and were gone.
Did you see them, did you see them?
Did you see them in the river?
They were there to wave to you.
Could you tell that the empty quivered,
Brown skinned indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow,
Held a broken arrow?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• neil
• young
• buffalo
• springfeild
• broken
• arrow

[him3zz]

Someone tell me what this song is about.

[pinkstarburst95]

Check the description, I replied to you there. Yeah, everybody look at the description of the video for my interpretation. tell me what you think.

[pinkstarburst95]

@LizRichieBand I'm a huge Neil Young fan, but I wouldn't say that man...

[jantonyco]

I remember crossing the prairies way back in 1985 and as a Canadian one has to have that experience to feel the greatness of our country.Neil probably was thinking about our native brothers and their problems.

[mrbiggs18]

@pinkstarburst95 Yea, Neil has been known to freak out a little at times.

[jarhole23]

@LizRichieBand i am the biggest of fans and in my opinion there are a couple thaqt i didnt care for and grew on me, but stukk a few that i just cant stomach, and i say that with the utmost respect for the man, he has totally changed my life, if it werent for his words "take a chance on love" in love and only love. if I hadnt listened I wouldnt be married right now...

[BrokenChair88]

@pinkstarburst95 I think it's eerily reminiscent of Ken Viola's interpretation. Glad you read "Shakey."

[zzoppsme]

broken arrow was a code...an sos,,,during nam...it meant a unit was in dire.......

[shredx81]

I used to be a broken arrow, but then I took a Neil Young to the knee.

[Torkgasmicgirl8]

@pinkstarburst95 mmmmm...I agree..NY & The Shocking Pinks......the Trans album...mmmm...not really my taste! Love love love the rest though!

[keithdcaulley]

@FuckngBastard retardo thats what you are, you cant explan so you make up shit

[Rahoorkhuitable]

Let's calm down.Century after century first.