He recorded three albums, beginning in 1984 with a self-titled debut that had a such a strong country flavor that forever after he was most often referred to as a country artist. This may not have been such a problem as country & western has always been one of the most popular Anglo musics among aboriginal people, in Australia as well as the United States. (Down under, Hank Williams is the most-selected artists on aboriginal jukeboxes.) Red Bow's second recorded work, Journey to the Spirit World, remains a favorite of many listeners. It features songs and stories that he remembered learning from his elders and incorporates singing in both English and the Lakota language. His final work was the beautiful, eloquent Black Hills Dreamer, which featured two of his most famous songs, "Run, Indian, Run" and "Indian Love Song." A posthumous collection of favorites from each of these records, Indian Reservation has also been released. Several of his songs were also featured on the soundtrack to Hard Rider, which was not the opposite of Easy Rider, but a documentary on rodeo riders in Alberta and Saskatchewan. He was among the first group of artists to be inducted in the NAMA (Native American Music Awards) Hall of Fame, alongside Jimi Hendrix, who apparently had Cherokee as well as purple haze in his blood.
He has had a few small film parts, such as a walk-on in Thunderheart, but will mostly be remembered in the world of cinema for Pow Wow Highway, in which there is a character named Buddy Red Bow that is partially, if not totally, based on the famous singer. At first considered one of the best films about Native Americans, the film seems to have been the victim of a late critical backlash, in which one writer claimed the depiction of Red Bow made him "cringe." ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide
Run Indian Run
Buddy Red Bow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And this was what he was saying to his people
Run, run, Indian, run
Run, while you can
Here comes the white man
Run, through the valley
Once where your children, so playfully roamed
Run, through the river
That flows so clear
Run, Indian, run
The white men are here
They killed all our buffalo
They've taken all our land
Run, Indian, run
Run, while you can
Here comes the white man
Run, run, Indian, run
Run, while you can
Here comes the white man
Run, through the night
The night so cold
Run, Indian, run
White man's discovered your gold
Take one last look, at your beautiful lands
It is now in the hands, of the white man
They killed all our buffalo
They've taken all our land
Run, Indian, run
Run, while you can
Here comes the white man
They killed all our buffalo
They've taken all our land
Run, Indian, run
Run, while you can
Here comes the white man
Run, while you can
Here comes the white man
The lyrics to Buddy Red Bow's song "Run Indian Run" depict the harsh reality of the colonization of Native American land and the forced displacement of its people. The song features an old Indian Medicine Man who urges his people to flee from the white man who will soon arrive and steal their land. The chorus reminds the listeners to run as fast as they can, away from the incoming threat. The lyrics refer to the white man's destruction of the native buffalo population, the taking of their land, and the discovery of gold, which represented economic opportunities for the white man but further undermined the indigenous population's autonomy and independence.
Buddy Red Bow's "Run Indian Run" tells the story of the forced migration of Native Americans by white settlers, which resulted in their loss of land, culture, and economic independence. The lyrics emphasize the importance of running, either literally or figuratively, as a means of survival and resistance. In this way, the song serves not only as an entertaining musical composition but also as a vehicle for raising awareness of the injustices enacted against Native American people throughout American history.
Line by Line Meaning
An old Indian Medicine Man was standing by a hillside
The old Indian Medicine Man was observing his surroundings from a hill.
Run, run, Indian, run
The Indian Medicine Man was urging the natives to run for their lives.
Run, while you can
Run as quickly as you can to avoid being captured.
Here comes the white man
The presence of white men is imminent.
Run, through the valley
Flee through the valley.
That you once called home
The valley was once the land of the natives.
Once where your children, so playfully roamed
The valley was where native children used to play.
Run, through the river
Cross the river while running.
That flows so clear
The river had clear water in the past.
They killed all our buffalo
The white men wiped out the buffalo population.
They've taken all our land
The natives' land was seized by the white men.
Run, through the night
Escape through the darkness of the night.
The night so cold
The night was unbearably cold.
White man's discovered your gold
The white men have found the natives' gold.
Take one last look, at your beautiful lands
The natives should take a final gaze at their stunning land.
It is now in the hands, of the white man
The land is now owned by the white men.
Run, while you can
Evade the white men while there's still time.
Here comes the white man
Whites are still coming to conquer and take over.
Run, while you can
Run as fast as you can before it's too late.
Run, Indian, run
The Medicine Man was advising the Indian natives to run.
Run, while you can
Natives are instructed to run as soon and as far as possible.
Here comes the white man
The presence of white men is once again mentioned.
Run, while you can
Run away to save yourself from harm.
Writer(s): buddy red bow
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnnyacevedo681
He was my great friend he gave me his hat and the white feather and a few other things I miss him I played harmonica with him in reservation cowboy and brother of the road🦅 I have songs of him that I recorded that nobody in the world has ever heard, blizzard in my mind is one of my favorites
@peyotegardens
Shame on you for not sharing them. People would love more Buddy songs
@cherylmartin2195
Maybe he left them to you so you would share them with your future generations
@richardamerine1422
I cry each time that I listen to this song---- Buddy Red Bow ---more people need to listen to his music , then perhaps people will respect the Lakota oyate and more would speak up for them.
@emilylopez8540
Love his songs.!!!!!💕💞💋❤💕💞💋
@shotgunhobo1776
Much love and respect Buddy they may have taken your body but you are now soaring with the eagles
@jessieemerson4707
This song and this man said it all. It is heart rending.
@irisbeverly6202
buddy, what a legend amoung the natives
@kimjongun5691
My dad has his tape and I remember listening to this song
@michaelmccarthy4615
My local college station
played his songs....in LA!