Sapokanikan

Joanna Newsom's 'Sapokanikan' is a rich tapestry of historical references, metaphors, and reflections on the passage of time. The song's title refers to the Native American village that once stood where Greenwich Village is now located in New York City. The lyrics weave together various historical and cultural elements, creating a narrative that explores the impermanence of human endeavors and the layers of history that accumulate over time.

The opening lines, 'The cause is Ozymandian,' immediately evoke the famous poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, which tells of a once-great king whose empire has crumbled into oblivion. This sets the tone for the song's exploration of forgotten histories and the transient nature of human achievements. The 'map of Sapokanikan' symbolizes the lost and buried past, 'sanded and bevelled' by time and forgotten by history. The imagery of 'brave-men-and-women-so-dear-to-God-and-famous-to-all-of-the-ages' being reduced to a 'rag' underscores the theme of historical erasure and the fleeting nature of fame.

Throughout the song, Newsom references various historical figures and events, such as the Dutch master painters, Tobias and the angel, and John Purroy Mitchel, a former mayor of New York City who died in World War I. These references serve to illustrate the layers of history that lie beneath the surface of modern life, often forgotten or obscured by time. The recurring motif of snow falling and covering the past further emphasizes the idea of history being buried and forgotten.

The song's closing lines, 'Look and despair,' echo the sentiment of Shelley's 'Ozymandias,' urging listeners to reflect on the impermanence of human endeavors and the inevitable passage of time. Newsom's intricate lyrics and haunting melodies create a poignant meditation on history, memory, and the ephemeral nature of human existence.