Roger Clyne's lyrics frequently showcase his Southwestern roots, and frequently imply images of cowboys, Federales, and references to Mexico and places in Arizona, amongst other Southwestern references.
After the demise of The Refreshments, a semi-successful rock band of the 1990s whose top radio hit was "Banditos," former frontman Roger Clyne and drummer P.H. Naffah formed a new band that would be called Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers.
The two were joined by former Gin Blossom, Scott Johnson; Steve Larson, former guitarist for another Tempe band, Dead Hot Workshop; and bass player Danny White. They released their first album, Honky Tonk Union in 1999.Honky Tonk Union was released in limited quantities with a bonus live CD, Real to Reel. The next year, they released an extended version of Real to Reel as a stand-alone album.
The musical feel of Honky Tonk Union was a noticeable change from Clyne's previous works with The Refreshments. Whereas The Refreshments had a prominent lead guitar and edgy southwestern rock feel, Honky Tonk Union displayed a heavier country influence along with focusing more on the singer-songwriter aspect of the band.
The Peacemakers' next studio effort, 2002's Sonoran Hope and Madness, explored the deeper themes of returning to the basics of life, of loss and of resurgence. Sonoran Hope and Madness was a tale of the demise of a much-loved way of life.
In 2002, Scott Johnson left the band to rejoin with the Gin Blossoms, leaving the part of lead guitar to Steve Larson.
2004 saw the release of Americano, the band's third, and most streamlined, studio effort. ¡Americano! is a story set not in the dusty Mexican borderlands, like the previous albums, but on a Mexican beach, miles away from the daily grind. This album was conceived and written in a third-world cantina, and canvasses the spectrum of human emotion.
In early 2004, shortly after the release of ¡Americano!, Danny White left the Peacemakers to start his own recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee. He was replaced by Nick Scropos, who was the bassist for another Tempe band, Gloritone. Scropos was slated to join the band when it formed in 1998, but was unable to do so due to his obligation to Gloritone. His playing can be heard on track nine of Honky Tonk Union, Green & Dumb.
In March of 2005, the Peacemakers were asked to play at Billy Bob's Texas, a famous honky-tonk joint that has hosted the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Pat Green. They quickly turned around and sold a live CD featuring songs from that performance entitled Live at Billy Bob's Texas, which sold well enough to make them the only independent band to have five consecutive top-10 albums on the Billboard Internet Sales Chart.
In April of 2006, the Peacemakers released a four song EP, Four Unlike Before, which is currently available only through iTunes.
The band's fourth studio album, No More Beautiful World, was released on March 20, 2007.
The Peacemakers tour heavily, both as a headlining band and opening for national acts such as Sammy Hagar and John Fogerty.
Twice a year, an ever-increasing following of fans from around the globe descend on the Mexican beach town of Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) for their "Circus Mexicus" bash. Circus Mexicus features a four-hour long concert at the Sunset Cantina. The weekend culminates with a "hangover bash" at JJ's Cantina in nearby Cholla Bay on Sunday at which band members mingle with the fans and sign autographs.
The warm waters and ever increasing recreational opportunities motivate many participants to make "Circus Mexicus" a semi-annual pilgrimage of several days.
http://www.azpeacemakers.com/
Buffalo
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
as long as the rivers flow
as long as the sun shall shine
and the grass will grow
let me listen
I will learn to speak the old language
yes I yearn to bathe in blue skies and fall apart
from the world of machines, regain my feet and my pounding heart
no do not be fooled we don´t need these things
don´t be slaves to the hardtack, sugar or the coffee or the bacon fat
won´t give our hearts away
not for that
not today
won´t trade my pony for the iron rail
no freeway stack for the game trail
spring strong sweet tall green grass grow
buffalo!
I will take my brush from the warpaint, my foot from the warpath
when you understand it is sadness that drives the wrath
trust no more the forked tongues of the great chiefs in Washington
chorus
sticks and stones and runaway roans
this thing from your heart
crawled into my bones
I see blue skies bleeding
colors screaming some invisible thing is the enemy now
and if I knew it´s name I would call it out loud
come out and come clean
won´t trade my pony
for the iron rail
bare-back fresh track
down the game trail
spring strong sweet tall green grass
free wide run wild river flow
clear sky moonrise long ride home
buffalo!
buffalo!
buffalo!
The lyrics of "Buffalo" by Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers capture the yearning for a simpler and more authentic way of life, free from the trappings of modern society. The songwriter wants to connect with the natural world, and honor the traditions of the past. The repeated phrase "as long as" emphasizes the continuity and durability of these values, which extend beyond the individual to encompass generations and cultures.
The second verse denounces the materialism and consumerism of contemporary American society, rejecting the allure of convenience food, transportation, and other human inventions. The singer proclaims a commitment to a more meaningful existence, riding a pony instead of a train, and wandering the game trail instead of the highway. The chorus repeats the theme of freedom and wilderness, invoking the image of the buffalo as a symbol of the wild and untamed landscape.
The final verse references the violence and displacement perpetrated against Native Americans by the US government, warning against the false promises of politicians and the media. The vivid imagery of "blue skies bleeding" and "colors screaming" suggests the emotional intensity of the struggles facing indigenous communities. The song concludes with a triumphant call for a return to the land, to the open spaces and the natural rhythms of life.
Line by Line Meaning
as long as the moon shall rise
I pledge my allegiance to traditions that have passed through ages and will remain forever
as long as the rivers flow
I commit myself to embracing the continuity of the natural flow of life, that changes but never truly ends
as long as the sun shall shine
I swear to stand unwavering under the rays of hope, even in the darkest of times
and the grass will grow
I will place my faith in the Earth and its power to nourish life and offer constant renewal
let me listen
I humbly open myself to receive the teachings of those who came before me
I will learn to speak the old language
I seek to reclaim the lost wisdom of my people and honor their cultural heritage
yes I yearn to bathe in blue skies and fall apart
I dream of finding freedom from the suffocation of modernity and surrendering myself to the vastness of nature
from the world of machines, regain my feet and my pounding heart
I desire to liberate myself from the cold, artificial grasp of technology and rediscover a sense of vitality and passion
no do not be fooled we don´t need these things
I refuse to be deceived by the illusions of consumerism and recognize that true happiness is not bought, but earned
don´t be slaves to the hardtack, sugar or the coffee or the bacon fat
I reject the notion that material possessions or addictive substances will bring fulfillment, and vow to resist their hold on me
won´t give our hearts away
I choose to cherish my own spirit and protect it from the harm of greed and manipulation
not for that
I understand that personal worth cannot be measured by superficial standards
not today
I make a conscious choice to live in the present moment and not be consumed by the anxieties of tomorrow
won´t trade my pony for the iron rail
I value the beauty and simplicity of nature above the convenience and power of industrialization
no freeway stack for the game trail
I opt for the raw, rugged path of freedom rather than the artificial, predictable route of conformity
spring strong sweet tall green grass grow
I observe the constants of nature and the unstoppable force of growth and taking part in it
buffalo!
I celebrate the glory and spirit of the great buffalo and what it represents
I will take my brush from the warpaint, my foot from the warpath
I release myself from the cycle of violence and conflict and seek to express myself in a peaceful, artistic way
when you understand it is sadness that drives the wrath
I recognize that anger and aggression are often rooted in pain and sorrow and must be handled with compassion and empathy
trust no more the forked tongues of the great chiefs in Washington
I perceive the political system as corrupt and untrustworthy and look towards my own intuition and inner guidances
sticks and stones and runaway roans
I acknowledge the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of adapting to adversity
this thing from your heart crawled into my bones
I am open to learning from others and allowing their experiences to enrich and shape my own worldview
I see blue skies bleeding
I witness the damaging effects of human intervention and recognize the need for healing and preservation of the environment
colors screaming some invisible thing is the enemy now
I recognize the subtle, unseen forces that can threaten peace and balance in life and strive to root them out
and if I knew it´s name I would call it out loud
I am committed to being courageous in the face of adversity and standing up for what is right, even if it may be difficult
come out and come clean
I call for honesty and accountability in all actions and relationships
bare-back fresh track down the game trail
I am ready to embark on a raw, instinctual path of discovery and authenticity
free wide run wild river flow
I desire to let go of restrictions and flow freely like water, open to the changes and experiences that life brings
clear sky moonrise long ride home
I look forward to a future of clarity and possibility, guided by the light of the moon and the clarity of vision
buffalo!
I continue to celebrate the strength, power, and spirit of the buffalo and honor it as a symbol of resilience and freedom
buffalo!
I remain steadfast in my connection to the natural world and my commitment to living authentically and intentionally
buffalo!
I call upon the spirit of the buffalo and feel empowered and inspired by its legacy of courage and perseverance
Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aaronshugol7305
by far the best Roger Clyne song
@elroythefirst
Beautiful, classic song. One of my favorites.
🐂☮🎸
@roadierules
Hey that’s me on guitar.
Not Jim.
But I do love Jim.
@timothyclyne
Stillframes in my mind, Larson standing in the trough reservoir at the Turney House.
@rogue42bdf
Saw you you play it live plenty of times. Hope all is well.
@thronepotato
It was today years ago that I came to Nashville and saw these opening lyrics on a mural. A little research brought me to Johnny Cash’s original. Two POWERFUL tunes about a dark spot in our history and Lake Perfidy and the Kinzua Dam.
@bsperrin
RCPM forever! Can't wait to see them again.
@TJH1971
Just might be my favorite RCPM song.
@MattSchellenberg
One of my all time favorites! Thanks for posting!
@ryanmccracken7247
So. Damn. Good.