Living History & Reenactment
In the world of living history and reenactment, music plays a crucial role in capturing the spirit of the past. One particular song that has withstood the test of time is "Tobacco's But an Indian Weed." This song can be found on the Virginia Company's album Nine Points of Roguery and Colonial Williamsburg's Nottingham Ale. The fact that this song originates from a collection owned by Thomas Jefferson showcases its enduring popularity.
Where There's Smoke, There's Tobacco
While tobacco may have once been pervasive, its usage is now heavily regulated in public spaces. Gone are the days when one could freely smoke in airplanes, California taverns, or most office buildings. Despite these restrictions, the song "Tobacco's But an Indian Weed" continues to remind us of the historical significance of this plant.
The Origins of the Song
The lyrics of "Tobacco's But an Indian Weed" can be traced back to George Wither, a Presbyterian satirist of the time. He first published the song in his work titled "Abuses stript and whipt." However, this outspokenness led to Wither being sent to Marshalsea prison. One of the verses from the song emphasizes the benefits of tobacco:
"Why should we so much despise,
So good and wholesome an exercise,
As, early and late, to meditate?
Thus think, and drink tobacco.
The earthen pipe, so lily white,
Shows that thou art a mortal wight;
Even such - and gone with a small touch:
Thus think, and drink tobacco."
Tobacco Use in Elizabethan and Jacobean England
In the times of Queen Elizabeth and King James I, tobacco was commonly consumed by inhaling and swallowing the smoke, hence the phrase "to drink tobacco." Ben Jonson vividly described the method of smoking, with a young gallant using a poking-stick to open his nostrils and allow the smoke to escape: "sitting in a chair, holding up his snout like a sow under an apple-tree."
The Song's Journey
Over time, the song "Tobacco's But an Indian Weed" gained popularity, with several versions appearing with minor wording variations. It eventually made its way into Thomas D'Urfey's collection "Pills to Purge Melancholy" in 1699. Here is the version widely circulated:
"Tobacco's but an Indian weed,
Grows green at morn, cut down at eve,
It shows our decay, we are but clay:
Think of this when you smoke tobacco.
The pipe, that is so lily white,
Wherein so many take delight,
Is broke with a touch - man's life is such:
Think of this when you smoke tobacco.
The ashes that are left behind,
Do serve to put us all in mind
That unto dust return we must:
Think of this when you smoke tobacco.
The smoke, that does so high ascend,
Shows us man's life must have an end,
The vapor's gone - man's life is done:
Think of this when you smoke tobacco."
Tobacco, Reflection, and History
The lyrics of "Tobacco's But an Indian Weed" serve as a reminder of our mortality and the transient nature of life. The act of smoking tobacco becomes an introspective activity, compelling individuals to contemplate their own existence. As we draw in the smoke and exhale it, we are confronted with the inevitable truth that, like tobacco, we too will eventually perish.
The Intersection of History and Hospitality
Just as the song "Tobacco's But an Indian Weed" connects us to the past, historical hotels provide a tangible link to bygone eras. These establishments meticulously preserve the aesthetics and ambiance of their respective time periods, transporting guests to a different era. In such places, guests can immerse themselves in the nostalgia of a bygone era while enjoying the comforts of modern hospitality.