Wooden Indians

Wooden Indians used to stand outside of shops that sold tobacco. Indians have been associated with tobacco growth since European explorers were first introduced to the crop by the native Americans they found in the new land. Because many settlers were illiterate, shop owners used symbols to advertise their wares. Thus the wooden indian found it's place on the sidewalks of stores selling tobacco products. Today these statues are only found in museums and antique stores.

Hank Williams Sr. recorded a song my mom can sing for you. Here are the words of Kaw-liga, the wooden indian who never got a kiss!

Hank Williams Senior sing the original Kaw-Liga song

You Tube version of Hank Williams Jr. singing his daddy's song. I prefer this one

Kaw-liga by Hank Williams Sr.
Kaw-liga, was a wooden indian standing by the door
He fell in love with an indian maid over in the antique store
Kaw-liga - a, just stood there and never let it show
So she could never answer yes or no.

He always wore his sunday feathers and held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids and hoped someday he'd talk
Kaw-liga - a, too stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart was made of knotty pine.

Chorus
Poor ol kaw-liga, he never got a kiss
Poor ol kaw-liga, he dont know what he missed
Is it any wonder that his face is red.
Kaw-liga, that poor ole wooden head.

Kaw-liga, was a lonely indian never went nowhere
His heart was set on the indian maiden with the coal black hair
Kaw-liga - a, just stood there and never let it show
So she could never answer yes or no.

Then one day a wealthy customer bought the indian maid
And took her, oh, so far away, but ol kaw-liga stayed
Kaw-liga - a, just stands there as lonely as can be
And wishes he was still an old pine tree.