Drums
From the Indian reservation to the governmental schoolWell they're goin' to educate me to the white men's Golden RuleAnd I'm learning very quickly for I've learned to be ashamedAnd I come when they call Billy though I've got an Indian name
And there are drums beyond the mountain Indian drums that you can't hearThere are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
And when they think that they'd changed me cut my hair to meet their needsWill they think I'm white or Indian quarter blood or just half breedLet me tell you Mr teacher when you say you'll make me rightIn five hundred years of fighting not one Indian turned white
And there are drums...
Well you thought that I knew nothing when you brought me here to schoolJust another empty Indian just America's first foolBut now I can tell you stories that are burnt and dried and oldBut in the shadow of their telling walks the thunder proud and bold
And there are drums...
Long Pine and Sequoia Handsome Lake and Sitting BullThere's Magnus Colorado with his sleeves so red and fullCrazy Horse the legend those who bit off Custer's soulThey are dead yet they are living with the great Geronimo
And there are drums...
Well you may teach me this land's history but we taught it to you firstWe broke your hearts and bent your journeys broken treaties left us cursedEven now you have to cheat us even though you this us tameIn our losing we found proudness in your winning you found shame
And there are drums...