De-Moth-Cracy: Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens vs. Kasimir S. Pulaski Day by Big Black

Casimir Pulaski was a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland.  He is known as the "father of the American cavalry" for his contributions to the American Revolution on horseback.

Casimir Pulaski Day is celebrated in areas with historically Polish populations in the lower midwest, such as Chicago and Bloomington. It is a public holiday where public employees get of work, banks close, and school is out.  According to wikipedia, Casimir Pulaski Day is a state holiday in Wisconsin as well, and schools are mandated to "observe" the holiday, but this loose language allows schools to pretty much ignore the holdiay unless they want to (Fuck Herrmann).

So it would make sense that a band from Chicago, Big Black, and a musician making a concept album about Illinois, Sufjan Stevens, would be the ones to name songs after the event.

But which is better??? Let's be honest, the minute these dudes decided to name their songs the same thing, they were asking for it.  It's time for some De-Moth-cracy!  It's time for stump speeches, it's time for point-counterpoint, it's time restore our faith in the democratic process (it ain't lookin too great right now ifyaknowwhatimean).  I highly encourage you fucks to hash it out in the comments, 1776 style.  Keep the debate dirty guys. Always hit below the belt.

The Case: Kasimir S. Pulaski Day -- Big Black A solid cut off of Big Black's undeniable 1987 album Songs About Fucking, Kasimir S. Pulaski Day is a ferocious slice of noise rock.  Albini snarls the vocals while Big Black's sheet-metal guitars pound through acidic riffs. The lyrics concern a narrorator encountering the news of a brutal mob murder on the south side of Chicago, "down on Pulaski" (also a major Chicago thoroughfare). A lyrical highlight -- "Down on the south side, out on Pulaski There were pieces of a man all over the skyway"

The Case: Casimir Pulaski Day -- Sufjan Stevens The 10th track off of Sufjan Stevens' fantastic 2005 album Illinois, Casimir Pulaski Day is a lovely piece of chamber folk that features a beautiful, simple horn solo in the middle.  The lyrics concern a child narrator whose female friend contracts leukemia and suddenly dies (on Casimir Pulaski Day). The lyrics also go deeper to elude to the problems of believing in a benevolent god in a world of pain and sadness. A lyrical highlight -- "In the morning when you finally go And the nurse runs in with her head hung low And the cardinal hits the window"

So what do you think?  Which song is better?  Which better encapsulates the Casimir Pulaski holiday spirit?  Do you think one is way better?  Do you think one sucks?  Do you think they both suck? Do you think this post really stupid?  Let us know in the comments, and vote for your fave in the poll below!

De-Moth-Cracy: Casimir Pulaski -- Who Did It Better?