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lyrics

POTTAWATOMIE "We forced you out in the dead of night. You slave-catchers didn't even fight. Live by the sword, hearts choked with mud. Enslave my brother and we'll drown you in your blood. You fight this Free State, you'll burn its towns. You sacked poor Lawrence, burned it to the ground. But on this springtime night with air so sweet. We'll take your fire as we slash you from your feet. It's true we murder you, steal you from your wives. But this is war so just that it's focusing all of our lives. You can't deny it - it's our people's way. Fight until the death until peace is here to stay."

In May of 1856, with Kansas mired in violence (including the "Sacking of Lawrence", where pro-slavery guerrillas destroyed Free State printing presses and destroyed other property), John Brown felt he had to send a message. One night, he (and a posse that included his sons) took bloody revenge in Pottawatomie, Kansas and murdered five active "slave-catchers" (men who made a living catching runaway slaves), some in front of their families. There is evidence John Brown was haunted by his actions but felt they were morally justified in what he considered a literal religious crusade against the institution of slavery.

credits

from "THE FORMATIVE YEARS (2010​-​2014​)​" DDL, released December 18, 2016
digital EP originally, all instruments played by Dustin Herron; lyrics by Dustin Herron; recorded by Steve Hunter

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