Apache
johnny & the jammers Lyrics
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The victor and the loser came by here
No head stones but these bones bring Mascalero death moans
See the smooth black nuggets by the thousands laying here
Petrified but justified are these Apache tears
Dead grass dry roots hunger crying in the night
Ghost of broken hearts and laws are here
And who saw the young squaw they judged by their whiskey law
Tortured 'til she died of pain and fear
Where the soldiers lay her back are the black Apache tears
The young men the old men the guilty and the innocent
Bled red blood and chilled alike with fears
The red men the white men no fight ever took this land
So don't raise the dust when you pass here
They're sleeping and in my keeping are these Apache tears
The lyrics of Johnny & The Jammers' song "Apache" tell a poignant tale about the devastating impact of the conflict between the Apache Native Americans and the white settlers who sought to conquer their land. The first verse paints a picture of the physical evidence left behind by the warring parties, with hoofprints and footprints indicating the passage of wagons and soldiers. The second line, "The victor and the loser came by here," is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even the "winners" in the conflict suffered losses and left behind painful memories.
The second verse is even more haunting, describing the bones of Apache warriors and the "death moans" of Mescalero tribespeople who were likely killed in battle. The reference to "smooth black nuggets" suggests that Apache tears, which are a type of obsidian rock, are all that remains of these fallen warriors. The theme of justified violence is also touched upon in this verse, as the lyricist suggests that the killings were perhaps necessary even as the mournful cries of the deceased echo across the land.
The songs final verses describe the spirits of the dead as being still present in the land, haunting the living with their broken hearts and broken laws. The specific reference to the young squaw who was judged and tortured by whiskey-drinking white soldiers is a clear indictment of the injustices that were committed against Native Americans during the westward expansion of the United States. The final line, "They're sleeping and in my keeping are these Apache tears," suggests that the singer is a sympathetic onlooker to the tragedy that has unfolded, but can only watch over the spirits of those who have passed on.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoof prints and foot prints deep ruts the wagons made
The deep marks left by the hooves and feet of horses and people show the passing of both winners and losers in this place.
No head stones but these bones bring Mascalero death moans
Even though there are no gravestones, the bones scattered around here still create eerie moans that remind us of the deaths of the Mascalero people.
See the smooth black nuggets by the thousands laying here
There are thousands of smooth, black stones strewn about the area, alluding to the ill-gotten gains of those who took from the land.
Petrified but justified are these Apache tears
The tears of the Apache people are preserved in these petrified remnants of their lives, a testament to their justified sorrow and pain.
Dead grass dry roots hunger crying in the night
The barrenness of the land cries out in hunger and despair, creating a haunting and unsettling atmosphere.
Ghost of broken hearts and laws are here
The spirits of those whose hearts and laws were broken linger in this place, carrying a sense of brokenness and injustice.
And who saw the young squaw they judged by their whiskey law
Nobody knows who judged the young Native woman here by their own drunken standards of justice.
Tortured 'til she died of pain and fear
The unnamed woman was tortured mercilessly until she died of excruciating pain and fear.
Where the soldiers lay her back are the black Apache tears
The spot where she died is marked by black stones, which symbolize the Apache tears shed over yet another unjust death.
The young men the old men the guilty and the innocent
All sorts of people, including both the guilty and the innocent, have died in this place, regardless of their age or background.
Bled red blood and chilled alike with fears
All of the victims here share the same fate of bleeding and feeling the cold grip of fear in their final moments.
The red men the white men no fight ever took this land
Neither the Native or European people ever truly gained control of this land due to the shifting and violent nature of power struggles.
So don't raise the dust when you pass here
Don't make a fuss or draw attention to yourself when passing through this haunted and tragic place.
They're sleeping and in my keeping are these Apache tears
The spirits of the deceased are at rest, and the petrified tears of their ancestors lay in the singer's care, preserved for future generations to learn from and remember.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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