Indian Reservation
Legacy of the Cherokee: A Song of Resilience
Lyrics
They took the whole Cherokee nation
Refers to the displacement and relocation of the entire Cherokee nation.
Put us on this reservation
Describes the establishment of a reservation where the Cherokee people were forced to live.
Took away our ways of life
Expresses the loss of traditional Cherokee customs and lifestyle.
The tomahawk and the bow and knife
Mentions the confiscation of symbolic weapons like tomahawks and bows.
Took away our native tongue
Highlights the suppression of the Cherokee native language.
And taught their English to our young
Addresses the imposition of English on the younger generation of Cherokee.
And all the beads we made by hand
Reflects on the loss of traditional craftsmanship as handmade beads are now mass-produced in Japan.
Are nowadays made in Japan
Continuation of the commentary on the impact of cultural assimilation.
Cherokee people
Reiterates the reference to the Cherokee people.
Cherokee tribe
Specifically mentions the Cherokee tribe and their sense of pride.
So proud to live
Expresses the pride of living as a Cherokee despite the challenging circumstances.
So proud to die
Conveys a strong sense of pride even in facing death as a Cherokee.
They took the whole Indian nation
Expands the narrative to encompass the broader Indian nation, facing similar challenges.
Locked us on this reservation
Reiterates the confinement of the Indian nation on reservations.
Though I wear a shirt and tie
Highlights the conflict between external appearances (shirt and tie) and internal identity.
I'm still part redman deep inside
Acknowledges that despite adopting a more mainstream lifestyle, the person retains their Indigenous identity.
Cherokee people
Repeats the reference to Cherokee people, emphasizing their existence.
Cherokee tribe
Reiterates the pride associated with being part of the Cherokee tribe.
So proud to live
Reaffirms the pride in living as a Cherokee despite adversities.
So proud to die
Echoes the sentiment of pride even in the face of death as a Cherokee.
But maybe someday when they learn
Expresses hope for a future return of the Cherokee nation once others have learned from past injustices.
Cherokee nation will return, will return
Repeats the anticipation of the Cherokee nation's eventual return.
Will return, will return, will return
Emphasizes the desire and expectation for the Cherokee nation to return in the future.
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