Wanchese Manteo by Joseph Huber Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Lightning strikes on the ocean's veil
[Turned?] tempest sea, all free of sails
Thunderheaded clouds assail
The island of Roanoke
The hurricane and her mighty eye
Whirling in the widening gyre
The old poet’s words do roll
Over old Wanchese and Manteo
[Verse 2]
Well, old Wanchese and Manteo
Proud and noble native souls
Who bowed to Raleigh as he broke
All the circles of the sun
And Raleigh knew then, he'd found his men
With fiercest frames and tan hide skins
Brazen tongues of Algonquin
Held the west yet to be won
[Verse 3]
Manteo, between two worlds torn
Turned his face forward-born
Traded in the clothes he'd worn
For brand new English flair
Raleigh baptized him in sin
Of Old World Civilization
He opened up the gates
And in rode the future’s heedless stare
[Verse 4]
But old Wanchese, no he ain't so sure
About the promise of the future
He threw himself back to the dirt
That he had always known
He tucked back into shadows black
When White's men came and he attacked
Walked backwards and brushed his tracks
For the Earth ain't ours to own
[Verse 5]
Yeah one looked forward, one within
One sold the ground that kept his kin
The other shed the blood of men
Of a future come too fast
And those two men live on today
In the coastal towns that bear their names
And they'll treat you quite the same
For the future's just the past
[Verse 6]
That town, Manteo, well, he'd be pleased
To wine and dine and give you ease
For a night or four centuries
No, Manteo, he don't mind
But old Wanchese, well, he holds a grudge
He’ll dash your vessels into dust
Sink your house down in the mud
Leave you wondering why
[Verse 7]
Yeah, Manteo, such a helpful hand
Such a good ol’ boy without a land
Was it worth the plaque that stands:
"Our Savage, Manteo"?
Well old Wanchese, well his soul lays claim
To the roaring thunder, wind, and rain
Is in the eye of that hurricane
As it circles Roanoke
[Verse 8]
Well, the future may come on too strong
Defile the past to right its wrongs
And leave you with a load of songs
To ease a wearied soul
'Cause in your soul, as in this great land
A battle rages between two men
Which one will you feed, my friend:
Old Wanchese or Manteo?
Lightning strikes on the ocean's veil
[Turned?] tempest sea, all free of sails
Thunderheaded clouds assail
The island of Roanoke
The hurricane and her mighty eye
Whirling in the widening gyre
The old poet’s words do roll
Over old Wanchese and Manteo
[Verse 2]
Well, old Wanchese and Manteo
Proud and noble native souls
Who bowed to Raleigh as he broke
All the circles of the sun
And Raleigh knew then, he'd found his men
With fiercest frames and tan hide skins
Brazen tongues of Algonquin
Held the west yet to be won
[Verse 3]
Manteo, between two worlds torn
Turned his face forward-born
Traded in the clothes he'd worn
For brand new English flair
Raleigh baptized him in sin
Of Old World Civilization
He opened up the gates
And in rode the future’s heedless stare
[Verse 4]
But old Wanchese, no he ain't so sure
About the promise of the future
He threw himself back to the dirt
That he had always known
He tucked back into shadows black
When White's men came and he attacked
Walked backwards and brushed his tracks
For the Earth ain't ours to own
[Verse 5]
Yeah one looked forward, one within
One sold the ground that kept his kin
The other shed the blood of men
Of a future come too fast
And those two men live on today
In the coastal towns that bear their names
And they'll treat you quite the same
For the future's just the past
[Verse 6]
That town, Manteo, well, he'd be pleased
To wine and dine and give you ease
For a night or four centuries
No, Manteo, he don't mind
But old Wanchese, well, he holds a grudge
He’ll dash your vessels into dust
Sink your house down in the mud
Leave you wondering why
[Verse 7]
Yeah, Manteo, such a helpful hand
Such a good ol’ boy without a land
Was it worth the plaque that stands:
"Our Savage, Manteo"?
Well old Wanchese, well his soul lays claim
To the roaring thunder, wind, and rain
Is in the eye of that hurricane
As it circles Roanoke
[Verse 8]
Well, the future may come on too strong
Defile the past to right its wrongs
And leave you with a load of songs
To ease a wearied soul
'Cause in your soul, as in this great land
A battle rages between two men
Which one will you feed, my friend:
Old Wanchese or Manteo?