Indian Wars
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics

Out in the desert where the wind never stops
In the barren wasteland where the wind constantly whips, there are people struggling to cultivate a few crops.

A few simple people try to grow a few crops
There are a few humble individuals attempting to establish their own farms.

Trying to maintain a life and a home
These people are striving to create a place of comfort and stability for themselves and their families.

On land that was theirs before the Romans thought of Rome
This is the very land that the people inhabited long before the historical society even existed.

A few dozen survivors, ragged but proud
Although only a small number of the original people remain, they remain resilient and dignified.

With a few woolly sheep, under gathering cloud
They only have a small quantity of livestock, which could potentially be threatened by the forthcoming storm.

It's never been easy, or free from strife
The people have always faced great difficulties and obstacles, often encountering conflict and obstacles.

But the pulse of the land is the pulse of their life
The essence of their existence is tied to the vitality of the land which they inhabit.

You thought it was over but it's just like before
Although it seemed to have ended, the battle is still ongoing even today.

Will there never be an end to the Indian wars?
Is there ever going to be a conclusion to the lengthy and painful struggle that the indigenous population has had to bear?

It's not breech-loading rifles and wholesale slaughter
Unlike in the past, the current struggle isn't characterized by bloody massacres or violent battles.

It's kickbacks and thugs and diverted water
Reprehensible acts of corruption and criminality, such as bribery and embezzlement, as well as the diversion of essential sources of water, are now the primary means by which the indigenous people are harmed.

Treaties get signed and the papers change hands
Although new laws and agreements may appear to resolve the disputes, it is frequently the case that the underlying issues remain.

But they might as well draft these agreements in sand
Because these agreements are imprecise and transitory, they lack the permanence that is necessary for proper resolution.

Noble Savage on the cinema screen
Indigenous individuals are frequently portrayed as being exotic and primitive in mainstream media, reinforcing negative stereotypes rather than dispelling them.

An Indian's good when he cannot be seen
Indigenous individuals are only considered acceptable when they are out-of-sight, hidden from view.

And the so-called white so-called race
People who are identified as Caucasians possess a distorted self-image of superiority.

Digs for itself a pit of disgrace
They are creating their own shameful legacy by their inhumane treatment of the indigenous population.