How The West Was Won

Immaculate Fools' song "How The West Was Won" is a poignant and critical reflection on the brutal history of Western expansion and colonization. The lyrics are steeped in imagery of violence, loss, and deception, painting a grim picture of the consequences of conquest. The opening lines, "Catch me this morning, my head is undone. Curse my eyes and cut out my tongue," set a tone of despair and helplessness, suggesting the silencing and suffering of those who were oppressed during this period.

The recurring question, "Is this how the west was won?" serves as a powerful refrain, challenging the glorified narratives of Western expansion. The song critiques the hunger for power and bloodshed, as well as the cultural and environmental devastation left in its wake. Lines like "Sons and daughters with no light to follow. Where rivers ran deep all now is shallow" evoke a sense of lost heritage and environmental degradation, highlighting the long-term impacts of colonization.

The song also addresses the manipulation and erasure of history, with lines such as "You piss down their backs and tell them it's rain, but they've seen your faces they know who to blame." This metaphor underscores the deceit and betrayal experienced by indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups. Despite attempts to rewrite history and suppress cultural identities, the song asserts that the spirit of resistance and memory endures, as expressed in the line, "but the spirit lives on it won't go away."

In its final verses, the song questions the morality of taking what one does not understand, emphasizing the cold-heartedness and savagery of such actions. The haunting question, "Do I have enough years to understand if I can. Why another should bury your language and land?" reflects a deep sense of regret and a call for introspection. Ultimately, "How The West Was Won" is a powerful critique of the violent and unjust means by which the West was historically expanded, urging listeners to reflect on the true cost of such conquests.