In celebration of Casimir Pulaski Day — an Illinois holiday on the first Monday of March — Sufjan Stevens dusted off this apropos Illinois-era demo this morning. Complete with alternate lyrics and a bare-bones arrangement sans trumpet solo (“I was obviously still working it out,” he says.), it’s great to hear a sketch of what would become one of his best and most beloved songs, not to mention one of three tracks that bring author Jonathan Franzen to tears. Stream Sufjan’s early version above.
