Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens- Lyrics | A Comprehensive Overview

• Song Name: Casimir Pulaski Day
• Writer(s): Sufjan Stevens
• Song Duration: 5:54
• The song was released on: July 4, 2005
• Album Name: Illinois
• The album was released on: July 4, 2005
• Artist:  Sufjan Stevens

Complete Lyrics of “Casimir Pulaski Day”

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 shoulderblade

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 find 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

Line-by-Line Meaning of the Song:

Goldenrod and the 4H stone

Yellow flowers and a stone with the 4H emblem.

The things I brought you when I found out you had cancer of the bone

The gifts I brought you when I learned you had bone cancer.

Your father cried on the telephone

Your father cried on the phone.

And he drove his car into the Navy yard just to prove that he was sorry

And he drove his car into the Navy yard to show he was sorry.

In the morning, through the window shade

In the morning, through the window blinds.

When the light pressed up against your shoulderblade

When the light touched your shoulder blade.

I could see what you were reading

I could see what you were reading.

All the glory that the Lord has made

All the wonderful things that God has created.

And the complications you could do without

And the problems you wish you didn’t have.

When I kissed you on the mouth

When I kissed you on the lips.

Tuesday night at the Bible study

Tuesday night at the Bible study.

We lift our hands and pray over your body

We raise our hands and pray for your healing.

But nothing ever happens

But nothing seems to change.

I remember at Michael’s house

I remember at Michael’s house.

In the living room when you kissed my neck

In the living room when you kissed my neck.

And I almost touched your blouse

And I almost touched your shirt.

In the morning at the top of the stairs

In the morning at the top of the stairs.

When your father found out what we did that night

When your father found out what we did that night.

And you told me you were scared

And you told me you were scared.

All the glory when you ran outside

All the happiness when you ran outside.

With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied

With your shirt tucked in and your shoes not properly tied.

And you told me not to follow you

And you told me not to follow you.

Sunday night when I cleaned the house

Sunday night when I cleaned the house.

I find the card where you wrote it out

I found the card where you wrote it.

With the pictures of your mother

With pictures of your mother.

On the floor at the great divide

On the floor at a big division.

With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied

With my shirt tucked in and my shoes not properly tied.

I am crying in the bathroom

I am crying in the bathroom.

In the morning when you finally go

In the morning when you finally leave.

And the nurse runs in with her head hung low

And the nurse comes in with her head down.

And the cardinal hits the window

And a cardinal bird hits the window.

In the morning in the winter shade

In the morning in the winter shade.

On the first of March, on the holiday

On the first of March, on a holiday.

I thought I saw you breathing

I thought I saw you breathing.

All the glory that the Lord has made

All the wonderful things that God has made.

And the complications when I see His face

And the difficulties when I see His face.

In the morning in the window

In the morning by the window.

All the glory when He took our place

All the joy when He took our place.

But He took my shoulders and He shook my face

But He grabbed my shoulders and shook my face.

And He takes and He takes and He takes

And He takes and He takes and He takes.

The overall Meaning of the song

“Casimir Pulaski Day” is a song by Sufjan Stevens that talks about love, loss, faith, and questioning if there’s justice from a higher power. It tells the story of the singer’s relationship with a young woman who has bone cancer. The song shows the moments they shared, their vulnerabilities, and how they deal with her sickness and eventual death.

The song talks about how they try to find comfort in their faith while dealing with the harsh reality of illness and death. It shows how they pray, read the Bible, and talk about God’s glory, even though they’re going through a tough time.

Overall, “Casimir Pulaski Day” is about how people struggle with their faith when bad things happen. It explores how they try to make sense of suffering, loss, and how they reconcile their belief in a good God with the pain they experience. The song is beautiful because it captures the mix of doubt and faith, and how life and love are fragile.

More about the Album “Illinois” (22 songs, 1 hr 14 min)

Illinois is a landmark album by American indie folk musician Sufjan Stevens. Officially titled “Illinois” but also known as “Sufjan Stevens Invites You To: Come On Feel the Illinoise,” this album stands as Stevens’ fifth studio project. It is part of his ambitious (but ultimately uncompleted) project to create an album for each of the 50 U.S. states.

Creator and Release Date

Sufjan Stevens, a multi-instrumentalist known for his elaborate compositions and thematic albums, is the mastermind behind “Illinois.” The album was released on July 5, 2005, showcasing Stevens’ exceptional talent in songwriting and orchestration.

Number of Songs

“Illinois” is an expansive work comprising 22 tracks. These songs weave together a tapestry of stories, historical figures, and personal reflections, all centred around the state of Illinois. The album blends various musical styles, including indie folk, baroque pop, and orchestral music.

Popularity and Impact

The album’s popularity stems from its intricate compositions, heartfelt lyrics, and the ambitious scope of its thematic exploration. Songs like “Chicago,” “Casimir Pulaski Day,” and “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” have resonated with audiences for their emotional depth and musical intricacy. “Illinois” was critically acclaimed upon its release, earning spots on numerous year-end and decade-end lists. Its success bolstered Stevens’ status as a significant figure in the indie music scene.

10 Popular Songs from “Illinois” by Sufjan Stevens

Below are ten of the most popular songs from “Illinois,” all written by Sufjan Stevens. Each track stands out for its unique storytelling, musical composition, and emotional depth, contributing to the album’s overall acclaim.

1. Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois

• Popularity: This song sets the album’s ethereal tone with its delicate piano work, evoking a sense of mystery and intrigue.
• Duration: 2:09

2. Chicago

•   Popularity: Often regarded as the album’s centrepiece, “Chicago” is celebrated for its anthemic quality and reflective lyrics about growth and redemption.
•   Duration: 6:05

3. Casimir Pulaski Day

•   Popularity: A deeply moving narrative about loss and faith, underscored by Stevens’ gentle vocals and acoustic instrumentation.
•   Duration: 5:54

4. John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

• Popularity: This song’s haunting portrayal of the infamous serial killer is both chilling and poignant, showcasing Stevens’ skill in storytelling.
•  Duration: 3:20

5. Jacksonville

• Popularity: Melds historical references with rich musical arrangements, highlighting the diverse soundscape of the album.
• Duration: 5:25

6. Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!

• Popularity: Features a catchy melody and whimsical lyrics, celebrating the quirks and charms of small-town life.
• Duration: 3:04

7. The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts

• Popularity: A dynamic track that mixes elements of rock with Stevens’ signature orchestral arrangements, reflecting on heroism and humanity.
• Duration: 6:17

8. Prairie Fire That Wanders About

• Popularity: Stands out for its vibrant instrumentation and evocative imagery, capturing the essence of the American Midwest.
• Duration: 2:11

9. The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!

• Popularity: Renowned for its soaring melodies and emotional depth, exploring themes of nostalgia and friendship.
• Duration: 5:23

10. Come on! Feel the Illinoise! (Part I: “The World’s Columbian Exposition” / Part II: “Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream”)

• Popularity: A two-part epic that combines historical exposition with dreamlike introspection, celebrated for its complex arrangement and lyrical richness.
• Duration: 6:45

These songs illustrate the breadth of themes and musical styles found in “Illinois,” contributing to its enduring popularity and critical acclaim.