The Ballad of John Banvard
from Songs for the Forgotten Future Vol. 2 by Piñataland
-
Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.Purchasable with gift card
$0.80 USD
-
Buy the Full Digital Album
-
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital AlbumClick here to order the CD with lovely packaging sent through the fine postal service of the USA.
Includes unlimited streaming of Songs for the Forgotten Future Vol. 2 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 3 daysPurchasable with gift card$9 USD
about
John Banvard worked on the Mississippi as a riverboat man for many years in the 1830s. His experiences inspired him to paint a “three-mile long” painting of the Mississippi.
Displaying the painting on rollers that moved the painting in the background while he told tales of life on the Mississippi brought him great fame. He toured his show to Boston and New York and eventually toured Europe and the world with his painting and one man show. He inspired imitators and in fact did more three-mile paintings, including one of the other bank of the Mississippi, one of the Nile, and one of Palestine.
After his world travels he brought back the relics he had collected to New York and opened a museum in Times Square where he competed with Barnum’s museum. Eventually he went bankrupt and retired to South Dakota, where he died in poverty.
No one knows what happened to his paintings.
Displaying the painting on rollers that moved the painting in the background while he told tales of life on the Mississippi brought him great fame. He toured his show to Boston and New York and eventually toured Europe and the world with his painting and one man show. He inspired imitators and in fact did more three-mile paintings, including one of the other bank of the Mississippi, one of the Nile, and one of Palestine.
After his world travels he brought back the relics he had collected to New York and opened a museum in Times Square where he competed with Barnum’s museum. Eventually he went bankrupt and retired to South Dakota, where he died in poverty.
No one knows what happened to his paintings.
lyrics
We’re selling off Glen Ada by the pound
Moving west to Watertown to die in South Dakota
Fleeing from the Barnum side
I watch the Mississippi flow. That river that I know so well
I thought it saved me ‘cause it carried me so far
Through my designs the river unwinds
The crank turns as lines form outside
There’s no time to lose so the show moves to Boston
And then New York is mine
And you wouldn’t think to stop here
You’d probably be inclined to carry on with so many miles to cover
So many miles to cover
When just a three mile painting can show 3000 of the mighty Mississip
Pay no attention to the others. You pay no attention to the others
But that is not enough for me
My river flows across the sea
I meet with Queen Victoria. London and Paris adore me
And still the audience wants more. There’s imitations by the score
But none of them can touch my paintings of these shores
Through my designs the river unwinds
The crank turns as I play the guide
And now I’ve toured the world
Sketched the Nile and Palestine
And the ol’ Mississp’s brung a million to me
And you wouldn’t think to stop here
You’d probably be inclined to carry on with so many miles to cover
So many miles to cover
When just a three mile painting can show 3000 of the mighty Mississip
Pay no attention to the others. You pay no attention to the others
But my museum can’t survive a war that’s waged with ads that lie
That bastard Barnum touts his fakes as artifacts
And all of the sudden I am poor. Investors pounding at my door
The Broadway drags me down and then it’s time to pack
And you wouldn’t think to stop here
You’d probably be inclined to carry on with so many miles to cover
So many miles to cover
When just a three mile painting can show 3000 of the mighty Mississip
Pay no attention to the others. You pay no attention to the others
Moving west to Watertown to die in South Dakota
Fleeing from the Barnum side
I watch the Mississippi flow. That river that I know so well
I thought it saved me ‘cause it carried me so far
Through my designs the river unwinds
The crank turns as lines form outside
There’s no time to lose so the show moves to Boston
And then New York is mine
And you wouldn’t think to stop here
You’d probably be inclined to carry on with so many miles to cover
So many miles to cover
When just a three mile painting can show 3000 of the mighty Mississip
Pay no attention to the others. You pay no attention to the others
But that is not enough for me
My river flows across the sea
I meet with Queen Victoria. London and Paris adore me
And still the audience wants more. There’s imitations by the score
But none of them can touch my paintings of these shores
Through my designs the river unwinds
The crank turns as I play the guide
And now I’ve toured the world
Sketched the Nile and Palestine
And the ol’ Mississp’s brung a million to me
And you wouldn’t think to stop here
You’d probably be inclined to carry on with so many miles to cover
So many miles to cover
When just a three mile painting can show 3000 of the mighty Mississip
Pay no attention to the others. You pay no attention to the others
But my museum can’t survive a war that’s waged with ads that lie
That bastard Barnum touts his fakes as artifacts
And all of the sudden I am poor. Investors pounding at my door
The Broadway drags me down and then it’s time to pack
And you wouldn’t think to stop here
You’d probably be inclined to carry on with so many miles to cover
So many miles to cover
When just a three mile painting can show 3000 of the mighty Mississip
Pay no attention to the others. You pay no attention to the others
credits
from Songs for the Forgotten Future Vol. 2,
released August 8, 2008
David Wechsler—vocals, piano and accordion
Doug Stone—backing vocals
Curtis Eller—banjo
Hannah McLimans—violin
Gerald Menke—pedal steel guitar
Ross Bonadonna—organ
Aaron Zemelko—upright bass
Bill Gerstel—drums
Music and lyrics by David Wechsler
David Wechsler—vocals, piano and accordion
Doug Stone—backing vocals
Curtis Eller—banjo
Hannah McLimans—violin
Gerald Menke—pedal steel guitar
Ross Bonadonna—organ
Aaron Zemelko—upright bass
Bill Gerstel—drums
Music and lyrics by David Wechsler
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Piñataland Brooklyn, New York
discography
-
Aug 2011 -
Aug 2008 -
Apr 2003 -
Jun 2001 -
Apr 1999 -
Apr 1997
contact / help
If you like Piñataland, you may also like:
-
Michelle Stodart’s folk music captures hope in melancholy, addressing the transformational aspects of the most challenging times.
go to album -
Stunningly beautiful songs wrought with pedal steel and nylon-string guitar that cast mesmerizing melodic shapes.
go to album -
The Flowers That Bloom in Spring
by Kieran Kane & Rayna GellertKieran Kane & Rayna Gellert offer up a stunning minimalist country record, conjuring huge emotions with little more than vocals & guitar.
go to album -
Hell on Church Street
by punchbrothersA re-envisioning of Tony Rice's classic album "Church Street Blues" from Brooklyn progressive bluegrass quartet Punch Brothers.
go to album -
The St Buryan Sessions
by Sarah McQuaidRecorded live at St Buryan Church, the latest from Sarah McQuaid is a showcase for the simple power of voice & guitar.
go to album -
All The Good Times
by Starlings, TNMembers of punk act reassemble to make atmospheric and gutsy bluegrass songs about barbeque and whiskey.
go to album -
Sorry I'm So Sensitive
by Bea StewartThe second EP from Northern Irish singer-songwriter Bea Stewart runs from gentle folk to pillowy pop ballads, all perfectly executed.
go to album
