They took the whole Cherokee Nation

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 a red man deep inside

Cherokee people

Cherokee tribe

So proud to live

So proud to die

But maybe someday when they've learned

Cherokee Nation will return

Will return will return

Will return will return