Cadillac
Sam Lyrics


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Well, they put Geronimo in jail down south
Where he couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth
Sergeant, sergeant, don't you feel
There's something wrong with that automobile
Governor, governor, isn't it strange
They didn't have no cars on the Indian range
Warden, warden, please listen to me
Be brave and set Geronimo free

Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac

White Man, White Man, don't you know
The Indians they had no place to go
They took old Geronimo by storm
Ripped off the feathers from his uniform
Jesus tells me I believe its true
The red man is in the sunset too
Took all his land, now they won't give it back
cnd they sent Geronimo a Cadillac

Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac




Whoa boys, take me back
I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Geronimo's Cadillac" by Michael Martin Murphey tell a story that reflects the historical mistreatment of Native Americans in the United States. The song brings attention to the injustice faced by Geronimo, a prominent Apache leader, by highlighting the contrasting experiences between the Native Americans and the white settlers.


The first verse portrays Geronimo being imprisoned in the south, where he is unable to question or resist the situation. The use of the phrase "couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth" refers to the idea of accepting a gift without inspecting or questioning its value. Through the conversation between the sergeant, governor, and warden, the lyrics imply that there is something inherently wrong with the situation, as evidenced by the unusual presence of automobiles on Native American land. The plea to set Geronimo free represents the desire for justice and redemption.


The chorus expresses the singer's longing to experience the world through Geronimo's perspective. By asking to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac, the singer seeks to connect with and understand the Native American heritage and the struggles they faced.


In the second verse, the lyrics shift to address the history of the mistreatment of Native Americans by white settlers, using the metaphor of ripping feathers from Geronimo's uniform. This symbolizes the eradication of Native American culture and their forced assimilation into mainstream society. The lyrics further highlight the injustice by referring to Jesus, implying that even religious figures acknowledge the plight of Native Americans. The irony is emphasized when Geronimo is offered a Cadillac as a form of compensation or reparation for the loss of his land and culture.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, they put Geronimo in jail down south
Geronimo, a Native American, was unfairly incarcerated in the southern part of the country


Where he couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth
He was imprisoned in a way that prevented him from questioning or challenging the injustice


Sergeant, sergeant, don't you feel
Addressing the authority figure, implying that they should recognize the injustice


There's something wrong with that automobile
Highlighting the irony and inequality of Geronimo being imprisoned while others enjoy luxury and freedom


Governor, governor, isn't it strange
Questioning the governor about the absence of vehicles on the Indian reservation


They didn't have no cars on the Indian range
Pointing out the lack of resources and disparity faced by the Indigenous people


Warden, warden, please listen to me
Appealing to the prison warden to show compassion and rectify the injustice


Be brave and set Geronimo free
Encouraging the warden to have the courage to release Geronimo and correct the injustice


White Man, White Man, don't you know
Drawing attention to the ignorance of the White Man regarding the plight of Native Americans


The Indians they had no place to go
Highlighting the displacement and marginalization suffered by the Indigenous people


They took old Geronimo by storm
Geronimo was forcefully captured and subdued


Ripped off the feathers from his uniform
Symbolizing the stripping of his cultural identity and heritage


Jesus tells me I believe its true
Referring to a personal belief that the message of Jesus resonates and validates the suffering of the Native Americans


The red man is in the sunset too
Acknowledging the tragic fate and decline of the Native American people


Took all his land, now they won't give it back
Conveying the history of land theft and the ongoing refusal to return what rightfully belongs to the Indigenous communities


And they sent Geronimo a Cadillac
Illustrating the insulting gesture of offering material wealth instead of redressing the injustice inflicted upon Geronimo


Whoa boys, take me back
Expressing a desire to return to a time when justice and equality prevailed


I want to ride in Geronimo's Cadillac
Symbolically representing a longing for a fairer, more inclusive society




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

ShankyClause

Y'all should fund a Slab City dog catcher

Undertaker Wolfman

Jesus Christ That Dude Needs a lot of Help

RAVEN In A Van I Am

This poor guy trying to do his film seems real cool it's a shame he got put in the middle of this

jjmcwill

They let there dogs get aggressive with folks and get mad when folks defend.

RAVEN In A Van I Am

First of all if anybody kicked my dog or hurt my dog in any way they'd have one hell of a situation on their hands !!! .....HOWEVER........ I have too much respect for people --- I keep my dogs under control, mostly for their safety !!!

This was just not cool all the way around.

I hope the little dog is okay.

EM996

This is how cities with law and order looked like before they were cities with law and order.

blazed

This guy seems normal

Lady Snoop TV

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ccwag wag

all these manly men beating up on women.

Vinnechi Petaccio

Sam What He Does Best TRIGGERED!!!

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