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Wisconsin Prologue

from Song of Wisconsin by Jerry Way

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about

The earliest people to live in Wisconsin may have come into North America across a land bridge between Asia and Alaska during the Ice Age. Artifacts, such as carved stone spear points show that people lived and hunted in Wisconsin as early as 10,000 B.C.

Native Americans as early as 5,000 B.C. made earthen pottery, copper tools & jewelry, hunted & gathered food, and built huge earth mounds shaped like animals.

In 1634, when the young French explorer Jean Nicolet frist traveled in a large canoe through Lake Huron and a across Lake Michigan, he thought his expedition crossed a great sea. When he landed at Green Bay he thought he had reached China! He put on a colorful Chinese robe to go ashore and meet the Chinese, but instead he met the Winnebago (Ho Chunk).

In 1673. Two other French explorers, Marquette and Jolliet, paddled the length of the Wisconsin River to find the Mississippi. They wrote down the things they learned from the Native Americans and made maps.

Wisconsin is a Native American word which may mean “gathering of the waters,” “wild rice country,” or “homeland.

Fur trade led to territorial wars involving Native Americans, France, England, and the American Colonies.

lyrics

WISCONSIN PROLOGUE

In the 17th Century, the Winnebago, Dakota, and Menomonie
Saw the Fox, Miami, Sauk, and Potawatomi
In flight from the Iroquois, as the Huron, the Kickapoo, and Illinois,
The Ottawa, and Chippewa roamed Wisconsin free.

REFRAIN:
Wisconsin! Wisconsin!
Long may her song be sung!

In 1634, Jean Nicolet first landed on the Green Bay shore,
Father Marquette and Jolliet came later to explore.
The fur traders saw a chance to claim Wisconsin’s land for France.
Then 1712 began to tell of War’s advance. (REFRAIN)

In 1754, the French and the English went to war
To take the land, assume command of Wisconsin’s wooded shore.
Then in 1763, under terms that were signed with the peace treaty,
Wisconsin now would bow to England’s royalty. (REFRAIN)

In 1774, a change by England was in store.
Wisconsin next to old Quebec had her territory torn.
Then in 1775, the American Revolution arrived.
The time had come for freedom, liberty, and life. (REFRAIN)

In 1783, America won a great victory,
Her lands increased by all lands east of the Mississippi.
And the Great Lakes southern shore would be part of America forevermore.
Her sovereignty was free, her liberty restored. (REFRAIN)

When the 1820’s came, the miners called “Badgers” by nickname
Dug by day and slept in caves and brought Wisconsin fame.
Then in 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state,
The 29th day of May in 1848. (REFRAIN)

credits

from Song of Wisconsin, released February 2, 2021
words, music, vocal & guitar: Jerry Way

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Jerry Way Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

I've been composing, performing and teaching music for a fair number of years now. I love the pictures that words and music can paint in a person's imagination, while hearing a good song; A guitar is a fine companion for story-sharing. Music is a life-long journey, so the younger we start enjoying it, the better. I'm proud to pass my songs along to new generations. ... more

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