An oldie but a goodie.
Last year, Western AF shot with Vincent Neil Emerson, and since then, it has been one of my comfort videos.
When I stumbled upon it, I was unfamiliar with Vincent Neil Emerson’s work, but the backstory to the tune he sang, “The Ballad Of The Choctaw-Apache,” stuck with me.
I am such a nerd with a story that carries significant meaning, and this one has it both personally for him but also historically.
“The song, The Ballad Of The Choctaw-Apache, it’s about my grandmother’s tribe in Northwest Louisiana. You know, a lot of people were uprooted, and their way of life was changed because I think some people wanted to bring in tourism.”
Emerson noted at the beginning of the video.
He goes on to explain that many people were uprooted in the ’60s to the Toledo Bend Reservoir and how many families still faced issues from the decision made by the state.
“I wanted to shine some light on the subject on the topic because I don’t feel like a lot of people talk about it.”
Emerson emotes so much emotion through phenomenal storytelling in the song’s lyrics. Each line draws the listener in as you hear about these people’s hardships.
The lyrics, “Well back in 1963 the land of the proud, the brave and the free/ But it ain’t that way for everyone you see/ They washed out the land so be careful where you stand,” poetically gives you a history lesson.
This is a must-watch if you geek out on history or like songs that tell a complete story.
Vincent Neil Emerson is just phenomenal.
