They took the whole Cherokee nation

And put us on this reservation

They took away our ways of life

The tomahawk and the bow and knife

They took away our native tongue

And taught their English to our young

And all the beads we made by hand

Are nowadays made in Japan

Cherokee people

Cherokee tribe

So proud to live

So proud to die

They took the whole Indian nation

Locked us on this reservation

And though I wear a shirt and tie

I still part Redman deep inside

Cherokee people

Cherokee tribe

So proud to live

So proud to die

And some day when they've learned

Cherokee Indian will return

Will return will return

Will return will return