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Buffalo Springfield - Broken Arrow

Buffalo Springfield - Broken Arrow Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Buffalo Springfield Again
Released: 1967

Broken Arrow Lyrics

The lights turned on and the curtain fell down
And when it was over it felt like a dream
They stood at the stage door and begged for a scream
The agents had paid for the black limousine
That waited outside in the rain
Did you see them, did you see them?
Did you see them in the river?
They were there to wave to you
Could you tell that the empty quivered
Brown skinned Indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow
Held a Broken Arrow?

Eighteen years of American dream,
He saw that his brother had sworn on the wall
He hung up his eyelids and ran down the hall
His mother had told him a trip was a fall
And don't mention babies at all
Did you see him, did you see him?
Did you see him in the river?
He was there to wave to you
Could you tell that the empty quivered
Brown skinned Indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow
Held a broken arrow?

The streets were lined for the wedding parade
The Queen wore the white gloves, the county of song
The black covered caisson her horses had drawn
Protected her king from the sun rays of dawn
They married for peace and were gone
Did you see them, did you see them?
Did you see them in the river?
They were there to wave to you
Could you tell that the empty quivered
Brown skinned Indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow
Held a broken arrow?

Writer/s: YOUNG, NEIL
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Broken Arrow Song Chart

Neil Young wrote this after breaking up with the group because of what he called "An identity crisis." He quickly returned to the band and recorded this song. In a Rolling Stone interview about what broke up Buffalo Springfield; Young said, "I was going crazy, you know, joining and quitting and joining again. I began to feel like I didn't have to answer or obey anyone. I needed more space." Meanwhile, his Buffalo Springfield bandmate Stephen Stills concurs, saying in part: "We were of the age where you can very easily get the diva syndrome before you've sold any records or anything and all that stuff, and there was a little of that. And it was so laden with talent, this bunch, that we just hit the track going too fast that we went into the wall with no skid marks. It was just... we spun out. But we spun out because we didn't realize how hot the car was."

This track took over 100 hours to record, which was an eternity by 1967 standards. "Broken Arrow" sometimes draws raised eyebrows for being so oddly arranged - rather like the Beatles' psychedelic period such as "Revolution 9." Perhaps it is this song which longtime Young collaborator David Briggs had in mind when he said, "When you make rock and roll, the more you think, the more you stink."

Dewey Martin, who was Buffalo Springfield's drummer, sang the first verse of Mr. Soul in this tune. The track was produced by Jack Nitzsche, and the jazzy piano solo at the end is by Don Randi. (thanks, Steve - Los Angeles, CA)

Of "Broken Arrow," Peter Frampton had this to say: "Ever since the Buffalo Springfield, 'Broken Arrow' - I think that's the one that did it for me, that just put him at the top of my list as one of my favorites. And to have him and Stephen Stills in the same band, 'cause I love both of them, was incredible. But Neil is just an amazing performer as well as, obviously, the amazing songs he's written. I'm a big fan."

Learn more about Buffalo Springfield in Song Images .