"Scarlet's Walk" and the Trail of Tears

“Scarlet’s Walk,” one of the more powerful tracks on the album, starts out with Amos’ haunting cry of “leaving terra” (Amos). The word “terra” refers to the earth. In the case of “Scarlet’s Walk,” this reference to the earth means leaving the homeland, or just leaving home. The song is a heartbreaking reminder of the Trail of Tears. These cries of “leaving terra” (Amos), which continue throughout the song, can be interpreted as the cries of Native Americans fleeing the Trail of Tears.
In 1835, “a minority faction of the Cherokee signed the Treaty of New Echota, which ceded to the federal government all the tribe’s lands east of the Mississippi River for $5 million and new homes in Oklahoma” (“Retracing”). However, many Cherokees did not agree with this treaty, as it was only signed by a small minority of Cherokees. Therefore, many refused to leave the land.
As a result, in 1938, Andrew Jackson ordered “7,000 state and federal troops to arrest the Cherokees [that refused to leave] and hold them in stockades until they could be moved west” (“Retracing”). Then, those 15,000 Cherokees still living in their homes in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, were forced to travel to Oklahoma. “More than 4,000 Cherokees died from disease, hunger, and exhaustion on the 1,000 mile march to their new home in present-day Oklahoma” (“Retracing”). This march has come to be known as the Trail of Tears.
Andrew Jackson and his followers play a significant role in the song “Scarlet’s Walk.” In the story of the song, a sheriff figure arrives in Oklahoma, after the Cherokee migration from the Tail of Tears. “‘What do you plan to do with all your freedom?’ the new sheriff said, quite proud of his badge” (Amos). This line shows the great ignorance the American government had toward the Native American people. This new freedom he speaks of is the agreement that if Native Americans comply with what the American government forces them to do, they will not be bothered; as long as they keep quiet, they will not be abused further or killed.
Furthermore, they need to uphold the American values and conform to American society. In other words, they must comply with an “Americanization” of sorts. Many institutions were then set up to “Americanize” these Native American people.
Clearly, this is not freedom. Getting back to the song, the sheriff figure also adds, “‘You must admit the Land is now in good hands’” (Amos). In response, the Native Americans just shrug, and say simply, “Time will tell that” (Amos).
The song goes on to say, “there was a time / when I thought that Her destiny / should’ve been mine / Big Brave Nation / but instead her Medicine / now forgotten” (Amos). In other words, if America can be claimed by anyone, it would be the Native Americans that were first settled here. If anyone should decide the land’s destiny, it should be them. However, no one seems to believe this. Most peoples’ views are clouded with the memory of Christopher Columbus’s “discovery” of America. Everyone has forgotten who really first discovered America.
As the song progresses, the sheriff figure returns once again. This time, he asks, “‘What do you plan to do with all your stories?’” (Amos). Since the forced migration to Oklahoma, some of the Cherokee culture died with those 4,000 deaths on the Trail of Tears. Some of the stories they once held so dear have been lost. Now that they are being forced to transform themselves into “normal” Americans, what can they do with all their myths, songs, and stories?
In response, they answer, “‘we’ll weave them through every rocket’s red glare and huddled masses’” (Amos). In other words, because they have no choice, they will attend Americanizing institutions and not speak of their past. They will weave their stories in and around those of America, therefore losing many of the tales along the way.
Throughout the song, Amos promises to tell the story as it is, as she knows it. She will follow Scarlet on her path (Amos), on her quest for answers, and the truth. No matter how dim, or how many obstacles may turn up along the way, Scarlet will walk, until she feels within herself a sense of peace and understanding. However, she is beginning to wonder, will she ever find it?
The song relies heavily on the drums, creating an almost army-like sound. It reminds the listener that these Native Americans are being forced from their home, marching through the Trail of Tears. The song proves to be quite haunting and it stays with the listener long after the song has ended. The political lessons and heart-breaking cries of the Native people linger in the listener’s mind and stay with him or her throughout the rest of the album, and well after that.