They took the whole Cherokee Nation

And put us on this reservation

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

And locked us on this reservation

And 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 learn

Cherokee Nation will return

Will return

Will return

Will return

Will return