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 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