Bacon's Rebellion

from Origins of Whiteness by Daniel Portis-Cathers

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Nathaniel Bacon, a rich landowner seeking to drive out neighboring indigenous people, is angered by the governor's refusal to help him and leads a revolt. This uprising was noteworthy because Black and White indentured servants banded together against a common foe. Future leaders were careful to find ways to keep poor Whites from forming such coalitions. Dig deeper at stage.originsofwhiteness.com/songs/bacons-rebellion.

lyrics

White indentured servants from Great Britain
Black Africans that couldn’t bring their children with ‘em
Sweating and freezing and dying in all kinds of weather
Shipped to Jamestown enslaved together

In the 1600’s, we didn’t know we were White
Huddled like sheep through those dark winter nights
No racist theories teaching us to be separate
Just crushed by oppression and equally desperate

Oppressed by the wealthy, oppressed by their laws
With poor African friends we found common cause
And formed coalitions. It isn’t surprising
Every one of us expected a serious uprising

I hear from rich landowner, Nathaniel Bacon
Native Indian soil is ripe for the taking
His uncle, the governor, refuses to help him
So he's gathering forces to ignite a rebellion

Let's follow Nathaniel, our ranks are formidable
Light up your torches let's burn down the capitol
We’ll ambush the landowners quick before they take cover
And scatter like cockroaches infesting our cupboards

Take prisoners, the nobles like Governor Berkely
They may have heard that we're coming, so we'll have to move quickly
They're boarding their ships, they're getting away
They're all absconding like cowards out into the bay

The governor looked back in confused disbelief
If not for their ships they’d all be in shackles at least
He howled for the crown to send stout reinforcements
A resolute plan to take back the town was important
He'd rally his forces, wait for assistance
Round up his rivals, crush the resistance

So in the end, our uprising failed
Our leaders were hanged and our comrades were jailed
Landowners, shocked, not amused nor regaled
Acknowledged their narrow escape as a cautionary tale

We all lick our wounds and crawl back to work
Pushing our plows and digging up dirt
Pondering new policies put into place
That aim to blame the rebellion on something...
On something called race

credits

from Origins of Whiteness, released February 19, 2023

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about

Deep_Sea_Music Portland, Oregon

Composer/producer Daniel Portis-Cathers draws from world class talent to produce music for film, television and the web. He has operated Deep Sea Music, Inc. since 1984.