Put us on this reservation


Took away our ways of life


The tomahawk and the bow and knife


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


Though I wear a shirt and tie


I'm still part redman deep inside




Cherokee people, Cherokee tribe


So proud to live, so proud to die




But maybe someday when they learn


Cherokee nation will return, will return, will return, will

return, will return