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