While studying anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College, McNally began singing and playing guitar in clubs. After graduating and honing her skills on the streets of Paris as a busker, she secured a deal with Capitol Records in 1997. McNally was intent on making an acoustic record and entered the studio with studio professionals including Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench, and Greg Leisz. The resulting album Jukebox Sparrows was not released at the time.
In the interim, McNally opened for Stevie Nicks and Ryan Adams, and was part of the 1999 Girl's Room tour with Tara MacLean, Kendall Payne, and Amy Correia. She also modeled for Urban Decay cosmetics. In 2000, McNally issued the holdover EP Bolder Than Paradise. When Capitol finally issued Jukebox Sparrows in January 2002, it did so into a market that had already embraced such roots-flavored material as Ryan Adams and the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack. McNally embarked on a press tour, and spent the summer of that year supporting John Mellencamp. In late 2002, she released the Ran on Pure Lightning EP, a collaboration with songwriter Neal Casal.
In 2005, McNally returned with the country, blues, and soul influences on the album Geronimo. The album's June release was accompanied by a summer's worth of live dates. Early 2006 saw the release of McNally's third album, North American Ghost Music. Tour dates with Son Volt also coincided its release.
McNally took off most of 2008 and 2009 after the birth of her first child. She has resumed performing and recording and toured with Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women. In 2009 she released the album Coldwater with her band Hot Sauce. McNally currently resides near Oxford, Mississippi.
In 2013, McNally released Small Town Talk, a tribute album to the songs of Bobby Charles. In an interview, McNally said that she was a longtime friend of Bobby Charles and Small Town Talk was inspired by Charles' first, self-titled album from 1973
Geronimo
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I listen for visions and missions in the wind
I won the vote but shunned the soft parade
And now I'm picking garbage, a true sage's trade
I won every battle and lost the war
You dared me to reach for it, you dared me to know
So I drove that car just as slow as it would go
Won every battle but lost the war
You managed to take more than I had
With your greedy treaties and your rubber badge
You may have won every battle but you lost the war
Well, I only did what I knew
Simple math, nothing more nothing less
If you hadn't of told me I never would have guessed
How hungry was your hate, how sealed was my fate
And I won every battle but lost the war
I managed to take more than I had
With your greedy treaties and your rubber badge
You may have won every battle but you lost the war
You may have won every battle but lost the war
In Shannon McNally's song "Geronimo," the lyrics are full of contrast and conflict, reflecting the struggles and pain of Native American history. The repetition of "I won every battle but lost the war" reinforces the idea of a Pyrrhic victory, where the singer may have won individual battles or competitions, but ultimately suffered a significant loss. The reference to "visions and missions in the wind" suggests a spiritual connection to the land that is now being trampled upon, a theme of colonialism and exploitation throughout the song. The line "picking garbage, a true sage's trade" is a stark contrast to the glory and honor of the battles won, indicating a decline and resignation to a lesser, humbled existence.
The second verse reveals a confrontation, where the singer is dared to "reach for it" and "know" something that was likely never meant to be theirs. This could represent the false promises and manipulations that led to broken treaties and loss of land. The reference to the "rubber badge" is also telling, as it suggests a false authority or power that is exerted over the Native Americans. The final verse is resigned, acknowledging that the singer only acted out of necessity, using "simple math" to survive. The mention of "hungry hate" and "sealed fate" indicates a sense of inevitability and predestination, as if the outcome of the war was already predetermined.
Overall, "Geronimo" is a poignant and powerful song that brings light to the struggles and injustices faced by Native American communities. It not only speaks to the past, but also addresses ongoing issues of systemic racism and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
And I do it again and again
I keep repeating my actions over and over again.
I listen for visions and missions in the wind
I try to find guidance and purpose in the world around me.
I won the vote but shunned the soft parade
I achieved success, but did not conform to societal norms.
And now I'm picking garbage, a true sage's trade
I have now resorted to menial work, a humble and fulfilling occupation.
I won every battle and lost the war
I may have achieved small victories, but ultimately failed in my larger goal.
You dared me to reach for it, you dared me to know
You challenged me to pursue my desires and seek knowledge.
So I drove that car just as slow as it would go
I took my time and enjoyed the journey, without rushing towards my destination.
Listening for the sound of my last hope hit the ground, baby
I was attentive to the slightest indication of failure, hoping to avoid it.
Won every battle but lost the war
I may have overcome individual challenges, but ultimately failed in my larger goal.
You managed to take more than I had
You were successful in acquiring more than what I possessed.
With your greedy treaties and your rubber badge
You used deceitful agreements and authoritative power to achieve your aims.
Well, I only did what I knew
I acted based on what I was aware of, and did not know any better.
Simple math, nothing more nothing less
I made decisions based on logic and practicality without factoring in emotions or other variables.
If you hadn't of told me I never would have guessed
I was unaware of certain crucial information, which influenced my decisions.
How hungry was your hate, how sealed was my fate
Your intense resentment and bitterness had a strong impact on my destiny.
And I won every battle but lost the war
I may have defeated individual opponents, but ultimately failed in my larger goal.
I managed to take more than I had
I was successful in acquiring more than what I previously possessed.
With your greedy treaties and your rubber badge
You used manipulative tactics and your authority to achieve your goals.
You may have won every battle but you lost the war
You may have succeeded in individual challenges, but ultimately failed in your larger objective.
Writer(s): Shannon Maureen Mcnally, Gregory Brian Leisz
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.