Colors Of The Wind
Alan Menken & Vanessa Williams Lyrics

You think I'm an ignorant savage
You believe that I, as a member of a different culture or race, lack knowledge and sophistication

And you've been so many places; I guess it must be so
I acknowledge that you have traveled extensively, as you claim

But still I cannot see, if the savage one is me
However, I fail to comprehend how I am the savage in this situation

How can there be so much that you don't know?
Despite your travels, there remains so much that you are unaware of

You think you own whatever land you land on
You hold the belief that you have the right to claim any patch of land that you happen upon

The earth is just a dead thing you can claim
You view the planet as an inanimate object that can be seized and possessed

But I know every rock and tree and creature
In contrast, I acknowledge and respect the natural world and all its varied living components

Has a life, has a spirit, has a name.
Everything living deserves recognition as a unique entity with a presence and identity

You think the only people who are people
You hold the opinion that only individuals of your similar appearance and opinion are worth identifying as human beings

Are the people who look and think like you
In essence, you define humanity and worth by physical and cognitive similarity to yourself

But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
However, if you venture outside your established circle and open yourself up to unfamiliar perspectives

You'll learn things you never knew you never knew
You will gain knowledge and insights that were not even on your radar previously

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
Do you appreciate the rich, varied, and often mystifying natural landscapes and sounds that exist beyond what you already know?

Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Do you inquire about and respect the intent and behavior of other living creatures?

Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain?
Do you allow yourself to fully engage with and appreciate the vast beauty and complexity of nature?

Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you translate your experiences and perspectives into meaningful expressions that capture the spirit and essence of these experiences?

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Join me in exploring the less-traveled paths through nature

Come taste the sun-sweet berries of the earth
Savor the unique flavors of the natural world from various regions and climates

Come roll in all the riches all around you
Embrace the richness and diversity of culture, geography, flora, and fauna that surrounds us

And for once never wonder what they're worth
However, refrain from the common habit of valuing things exclusively by their monetary value or utility

The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
I regard the elements of nature as beings with personalities and connections to myself

The heron and the otter are my friends
Additionally, I recognize other living creatures as beings with whom I share the natural world

And we are all connected to each other
As living creations, we share a connection and inevitable coexistence with one another

In a circle, in a hoop that never ends
This connection is an ongoing cycle that cannot be broken, reliably manifesting throughout generations

How high does a sycamore grow?
The natural world has many marvels and wonders, some of which even the wisest humans do not fully grasp

If you cut it down then you'll never know
Out of respect and sense of constant discovery, no part of the natural world should be destroyed without good reason

And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
By failing to respect and preserve the natural world, you may be missing out on the many wondrous sensory experiences it can offer

For whether we are white or copper skinned
Regardless of race and ethnicity differences, we are all members of the same species and natural world

We need to sing with all the voices of the mountain
Humans have much to learn from and integrate with the natural world, of which they are a vital component

We need to paint with all the colors of the wind
Through creativity, self-expression, and appreciation of the natural world, we can tap into and convey aspects of the human experience that transcend individual and ethnic lines

You can own the earth and still
Society often equates financial or political control with superiority and ownership, yet these metrics are often misleading

All you'll own is earth until
In the end, humans do not truly have ownership or control over any facet of nature

You can paint with all the colors of the wind
True ownership, connection, and understanding of the natural world involves full appreciation, respect, and cultivation of this realm beyond mere utilitarian purposes