Pine trees seem to say "Where's Ben Black Elk Today?"
Didn't he used to sit here with a smile, take his picture with a child
While all the while you stole his land

Chorus:

Why it seemed just like yesterday that I heard Black Elk say
These here black hills are our land, stolen by the white man
Shrine of democracy, land of the free, but not for you or for me
Shrine of democracy, land of the free, but not for you or for me

If they wanted to be so fair, on Mount Rushmore, why isn't the Indian up there
Sitting Bull, Spotted-Tail, Red Cloud, we'd all be so proud
In the most sacred land of the Sioux, four faces carved on granite stone
In the midst of a home; in the midst of a home

Chorus:

Why it seemed just like yesterday that I heard Black Elk say
These here black hills are our land, stolen by the white man
Shrine of democracy, land of the free, but not for you or for me

Pine trees seem to say, Ben Black Elk is gone Gone to the great beyond
Back to the buffalo Back to his people; to his home

Chorus:

Why it seemed just like yesterday that I heard Black Elk say
These here black hills are our land, stolen by the white man
Shrine of democracy, land of the free, but not for you or for me (Remember that now)

Pine trees seem to say Ben Black Elk is home today
See his shadow on the granite stone; Black Elk has come home
Back to his people; to his land

People can't you here him say, that he's home to stay
These here black hills are his land, stolen by the white man
Shrine of democracy, land of the free, but not for you or for me
Shrine of democracy, land of the free, but not for you or for me (Remember that now)
But not for you or for me

Pine trees seem to say, Ben Black Elk is home to stay