They took the whole Cherokee NationPut us on this reservationTook away our ways of lifeThe tomahawk and the bowie knifeTook away our native tongueAnd taught their English to our youngAnd all the rest of the worldAnd all the rest of the worldThe beads we made by handAre nowadays made in JapanCherokee peopleCherokee tribeSo proud you liveSo proud you dieThey took the whole Indian NationLocked us on this reservationThough I wear a shirt and tieI'm still a gridman insideCherokee peopleCherokee tribeSo proud you liveSo proud you dieAnd maybe someday when they've learnedCherokee peopleCherokee Nation will returnWill returnWill returnWill returnWill returnWill return