Song
"Kaw-Liga" is a song about a wooden Indian, Kaw-Liga, who falls in love with an "Indian maid over in the antique store" but does not tell her so, being, as the lyrics say:
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- Too stubborn to ever show a sign,
- Because his heart was made of knotty pine.
The Indian maid waits for Kaw-Liga to signal his affection for her, but he either refuses or is physically/emotionally unable (interpretations vary) to talk, ever the stoical Native American of the popular stereotype. Because of his stubbornness, Kaw-Liga's love continues to be unrequited, with Hank Williams, the narrator/singer of the song lamenting,
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- Poor ol Kaw-liga, he never got a kiss,
- Poor ol Kaw-liga, he don't know what he missed,
- Is it any wonder that his face is red?
- Kaw-liga, that poor ol' wooden head.
The song ends with the Indian maid being bought and taken away from the antique store by a buyer, leaving Kaw-Liga alone,
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- As lonely as can be,
- And wishes he was still an ol' pine tree.
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