The general rode

For sixteen days

The horses were thirsty and tired

On the trail of a renegade chief

One he'd come to admire

The soldiers hid

Behind the hills

That surrounded the village

And he rode down

To warn the chief

They'd come to conquer and pillage



Lay down your arms

Lay down your spear

The chief's eyes were sad

But showed no sign of fear



It is a good day to die

It is a good day to die

Oh my children

Dry your eyes

It is a good day to die



He spoke of the days before the white man came

With his guns and whisky

He told of a time

A long time ago

Before what you call history

The general couldn't believe his words

Nor the look on his face

But he knew these people

Would rather die

Then have to live

In this disgrace



What law have I broken

What wrong have I done

That makes you want to bury me

Upon this trail of blood



It is a good day to die

It is a good day to die

Oh my children

Don't you cry

It is a good day to die



We cared for the land

And the land cared for us

And that's the way

It's always been

Never asked for more

Never asked too much

And now you tell me

This is the end



Laid down my weapon

Laid down my bow

Now you want to

Drive me out

With no place left to go



It is a good day to die

It is a good day to die

Oh my children

Don't you cry

It is a good day to die



And he turned to his people

And said dry your eyes

We've been blessed

And we are thankful

Raise your voices to the sky

It is a good day to die



He said

Oh my children

Don't you cry

Dry your eyes

Rise your voice up to the sky

It is a good day to die