- published: 22 Jan 2016
- views: 29837
The Everglades (or Pa-hay-okee) are a natural region of tropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee. Water leaving the lake in the wet season forms a slow-moving river 60 miles (97 km) wide and over 100 miles (160 km) long, flowing southward across a limestone shelf to Florida Bay at the southern end of the state. The Everglades experience a wide range of weather patterns, from frequent flooding in the wet season to drought in the dry season. Writer Marjory Stoneman Douglas popularized the term "River of Grass" to describe the sawgrass marshes, part of a complex system of interdependent ecosystems that include cypress swamps, the estuarine mangrove forests of the Ten Thousand Islands, tropical hardwood hammocks, pine rockland, and the marine environment of Florida Bay.
Human habitation in the southern portion of the Florida peninsula dates to 15,000 years ago. Before European colonization, the region was dominated by the native Calusa and Tequesta tribes. With Spanish colonization, both tribes declined gradually during the following two centuries. The Seminole formed from mostly Creek people who had been warring to the North; they assimilated other peoples and created a new culture. After being forced from northern Florida into the Everglades during the Seminole Wars of the early 19th century, they were able to resist removal by the United States Army. They adapted to the region.
Harlan Howard
He was born and raised around Jacksonville. A nice young man, not the kind to kill.
But a jealous fight and a flashing blade sent him on the run to the Everglades. Runnin' like a dog through the Everglades.
Now, the posse went in and they came back out. They said he'll die and there ain't no doubt.
It's an eye for an eye so the debt is paid. He won't last long in the Everglades. A man can't live in the Everglades.
Chorus:
Where a man can hide and never be found and have no fear of the bayin' hounds.
But he better keep movin' and don't stand still. If the 'skeeters don't get then the 'gaters will. Runnin' like a dog through the Everglades. (Last time - Skippin' like a frog through the slimy bog. Runnin' through the trees from the Everlys.)
Now, the years went by and his girl was wed. His fam'ly gave him up for dead.
But now and then the natives would say they'd seen him runnin' through the Everglades.
Now, he never heard the news on the radio. He was deep in the 'glades so he'll never know.
His runnin' and hidin' didn't make much sense for the jury had ruled it was self-defense.
Running like a dog through the Everglades.