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  1. Celilo

From the recording Shadow Puppets And My Little Baboon

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Celilo - My friend Lee and I were heading out through the Gorge to go rock climbing at a place called LeeHow. It’s a place that we developed about twelve climbing routes that rest on the side of the Columbia River. On our way he told me the story of the village of Celilo, its beautiful water falls and the Indian community that lived and fished there. He explained how when the government built The Dalles dam, they ended up flooding the village. Halfway through his story, I started to hear the music for the song playing behind his words. And by the time he had finished his story, I too had finished the song and its lyrics. That again is the magic of music and how fast that magic can appear. I encourage you to research the story of celilo. The fight to reclaim the village to its original state by tearing down the dam is still being fought. I feel we need to leave the waterways alone so indigenous wildlife, vegetation and people can once more thrive as they once did.

Lyrics

CELILO By: HOWIE ASKAY

HOW LONG HAVE THE EAGLES BEEN AWAY
YOUR TIRED BUT YOUR STORY WANTS YOU TO STAY
THE FIRE IT WAKES YOU FROM YOUR REST
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ALL YOUR BEST

(BRIDGE) CELILO MAN CAST YOUR LINES
THAT WATERFALL WE NEED TO FIND

UNCOVERED SECRETS FROM THE PAST
UNFORGOTTEN PEOPLE HERE TO LAST
THOSE WATERS FLOODED ON TO YOU
THE RIVER PEOPLE WE ONCE KNEW

(BRIDGE) CELILO MAN CAST YOUR LINES
THAT WATERFALL WE NEED TO FIND

(CHORUS) I WISH I’DE WAKE UP
TO FIND THOSE LINES
AND SPIRITS CALLING
TO YOURS AND MINE

AND GIVEN A BREATH FOR SOMETHING TO SAY
YOU GAVE OUR CHILDREN SOMEWHERE TO PLAY
THAT NATIVE HEART WILL NEVER FALL
THOSE EAGLES COME BACK FOR US ALL

(BRIDGE) CELILO MAN CAST YOUR LINES
THAT WATERFALL WE NEED TO FIND

CELILO MAN CAST YOUR LINES
THAT WATERFALL WE DREAM FIND

(CHORUS) I WISH I’DE WAKE UP
TO FIND THOSE LINES
AND SPIRITS CALLING
TO YOURS AND MINE

I WISH I’DE WAKE UP
TO FIND THOSE LINES
AND SPIRITS CALLING
TO YOURS AND MINE

HOW LONG HAVE THE EAGLES BEEN AWAY
YOUR TIRED BUT THE STORY WANTS YOU TO STAY