About
“Kaw-Lija” is a song about a wooden Indian who falls in love with
an “Indian maiden over in the antique store” (trading post)
across the street but does not tell her so, “Because his heart was made of knotty pine.”
The Indian maiden waits for Kaw-Lija to signal his affection
for her, but he is unable to talk, ever the stoical Native American
of the popular stereotype. Because of his stubbornness, Kaw-Lija’s
love continues to be unrequited, “Poor ol Kaw-Lija, he never
got a kiss, Poor ol Kaw-Lija, he don’t know what he missed,
Is it any wonder that his face is red? Kaw-Lija, that poor ol’
wooden head.” The song ends with the Indian maiden
being bought and taken away from the antique store by
a buyer, leaving Kaw-Lija alone, “As lonely as can be,
And wishes he was still an ol’ pine tree.
