Song of the Week - All Groups - Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens

Casimir Pulaski Day appears on Sufjan Steven's 2005 disc, Illinois, a concept album which  references places, events, and persons related to the U.S. state of Illinois. Casimir Pulaski Day is a local holiday officially observed in Chicago on the first Monday of every March in memory of Casimir Pulaski, a cavalry officer. Born in Poland, Pulaski is remembered for his contributions to the U.S. military in the American Revolution and was known as "the father of the American cavalry". In the song, Stevens links the holiday to the loss of his girlfriend from cancer, an event which challenges his belief in God. 

Goldenrod and the 4H stone
The things I brought you when I found out
You had cancer of the bone

Your father cried on the telephone
And he drove his car into the Navy yard
Just to prove that he was sorry

In the morning, through the window shade
When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade
I could see what you were reading

All the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications you could do without
When I kissed you on the mouth

Tuesday night at the Bible study
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens

I remember at Michael's house
In the living room when you kissed my neck
And I almost touched your blouse

In the morning at the top of the stairs
When your father found out what we did that night
And you told me you were scared

All the glory when you ran outside
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied
And you told me not to follow you

Sunday night when I cleaned the house
I found the card where you wrote it out
With the pictures of your mother

On the floor at the great divide
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied
I am crying in the bathroom

In the morning when you finally go
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low
And the cardinal hits the window

In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March, on the holiday
I thought I saw you breathing

All the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications when I see His face
In the morning in the window

All the glory when He took our place
But He took my shoulders and He shook my face
And He takes and He takes and He takes

For notes on the lyrics go to: http://genius.com/1165521