Their first release in 1985 was a seven-inch single named "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls released a six-track Extended play album named "Indigo Girls", and in 1987 released their first full-length album, Strange Fire, recorded at John Keane Studio in Athens, Georgia, and including "Crazy Game". With this release, they secured the services of Russell Carter, who remains their manager to the present; they had first approached him when the EP album was released, but he told them their songs were "immature" and they were not likely to get a record deal.
They were signed to Epic Records in 1989 and won the Grammy for best contemporary folk album later that year (for their self titled release) Some of their hit songs include "Galileo," "Closer to Fine," and "Shame on You."
Aside from being musicians, Ray and Saliers are activists, constantly supporting causes like gun control, women's rights, Native American rights, environmental protection, the abolition of the death penalty, and as lesbians themselves, LGBT rights. They constantly devote their time and money to such causes, often playing benefit concerts.
Ray and Saliers both have side projects. Ray owns and founded Daemon Records, an independent label based in Decatur. She also has a career as a solo artist, and has released two albums thus far. Saliers is the part owner of Watershed, a restaurant and wine bar in Decatur.
Together, the Indigo Girls are constantly touring. Their new album, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, was released March 24, 2009.
Bury My Heart Wounded Knee
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he don't know much about the issues so he picks up the phone
And asks the advice of the senator out in Indian country
A darling of the energy companies ripping off
What's left of the reservation
I learned the safety rule
I don't know who to thank
And the corporate bank
They're sending federal tanks
It isn't nice but it's reality
Bury my heart at wounded knee
I said deep in the earth
Won't you cover me with pretty lies
Bury my heart at wounded knee
We got these energy companies
Who want to take the land
And we got churches by the dozens
Trying to guide our hands
And turn our mother earth
Over to pollution war and greed
No no
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart at wounded knee
I said deep in the earth
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Won't you cover me with pretty lies
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart at wounded knee
We got the federal marshals
We got the covert spies
We got the liars by fire
And the FBI
They lie in court and get nailed
And still Leonard Peltier goes off to jail
(the bullets don't match the gun)
Bury my heart at wounded knee
An eighth of the reservation
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Was transferred in secret
Bury my heart at wounded knee
We got your murder and intimidation
Bury my heart at wounded knee
My girlfriend anna may
Talked about uranium
Her head was full of bullets
And her body dumped
The FBI cut off her hands
And told us she died of exposure
To bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart at wounded knee
I said deep in the earth
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Won't you cover me with your pretty lies
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Talk about a revolution
They stole my land
They won't steal my soul
We had the gold rush wars
Why didn't we learn to crawl'
And now our history gets written in a liar's scrawl
They tell me "don't be so uptight
I mean honey you can still be an Indian
Down at the y on saturday night''
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart at wounded knee
I said deep in the earth
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Won't you cover me with your pretty lies
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart at wounded knee
Bury my heart
It was an eighth of the reservation
Bury my heart
Yeah was transferred in secret
Bury my heart
Got your murder, murder, murder and intimidation
Bury me
Bury me
Bury me
Bury my heart
Bury my heart
Bury my heart
Bury my heart
The Indigo Girls' song "Bury My Heart Wounded Knee" is a powerful commentary on the atrocities committed against Native Americans throughout history, particularly in relation to the exploitation of their land by energy companies and the government's complicit role in these offenses. The song begins with an image of a "do right" congressman who doesn't understand the issues being discussed and therefore turns to a senator in Indian country for guidance. However, rather than genuinely seeking advice, it's implied that the congressman is more interested in placating the energy companies who are greedily taking advantage of the reservation.
The chorus, "Bury my heart at Wounded Knee," refers to the tragic events that took place in 1890 when the U.S. Army massacred hundreds of unarmed Lakota Sioux men, women, and children. The song speaks to the ongoing legacy of this violence and the fact that Native Americans are still being systematically oppressed and exploited to this day.
The second verse further explores the destructive impact of corporations and churches on Native American land and culture. The federal marshals and covert spies mentioned in the lyrics represent the government's efforts to silence dissent and suppress Native American activism, including the imprisonment of Leonard Peltier. The references to Anna Mae Aquash's murder and the FBI's attempts to cover it up highlight the ongoing violence perpetrated against Native Americans, as well as the government's willingness to engage in immoral and illegal behavior.
Overall, "Bury My Heart Wounded Knee" is a stirring call to action that urges listeners to pay attention to the struggles of Native American communities and to work towards justice and equity for all people.
Line by Line Meaning
Indian legislation's on the desk of a do right congressman
A congressman who wants to do the right thing has Indian legislation on his desk.
And he don't know much about the issues so he picks up the phone
The congressman doesn't know much about the issues, so he seeks the advice of someone who does.
And asks the advice of the senator out in Indian country
He seeks advice from a senator who is familiar with Indian country.
A darling of the energy companies ripping off
This senator is in bed with energy companies that are exploiting Indian country.
What's left of the reservation
The reservation is already depleted, and they are taking what little remaining resources are left.
I learned the safety rule
I learned to be cautious.
I don't know who to thank
I don't know who to credit for teaching me this.
Don't stand between the reservation
Don't get in the way of the reservation.
And the corporate bank
And the banks that are exploiting them for profit.
They're sending federal tanks
The government is sending tanks to enforce their will.
It isn't nice but it's reality
It's not pleasant, but it's the truth.
Bury my heart at wounded knee
My heart is broken at the injustices towards the Native Americans.
I said deep in the earth
I want to be buried deeply in the earth.
Won't you cover me with pretty lies
I want to be buried under pretty words that hide the truth.
We got these energy companies
Energy companies are exploiting our resources.
Who want to take the land
They want to take our land.
And we got churches by the dozens
Churches are trying to convert us to their beliefs.
Trying to guide our hands
They are trying to control us.
And turn our mother earth
They are polluting the earth that we hold sacred.
Over to pollution war and greed
They are turning our earth into a place of pollution, war, and greed.
No no
This is unacceptable.
We got the federal marshals
The government has marshals.
We got the covert spies
They also have spies.
We got the liars by fire
They have liars who get away with their lies.
And the FBI
The FBI is also involved.
They lie in court and get nailed
They are caught lying in court, but still get away with it.
And still Leonard Peltier goes off to jail
Meanwhile, Leonard Peltier is imprisoned even though he is innocent.
(the bullets don't match the gun)
This injustice is evidence of a bigger problem.
An eighth of the reservation
A significant piece of the reservation.
Was transferred in secret
This piece was taken in secret.
We got your murder and intimidation
They are committing murder and intimidation against us.
My girlfriend anna may
My girlfriend Anna Mae.
Talked about uranium
She talked about Uranium.
Her head was full of bullets
She was killed by gunshots to her head.
And her body dumped
Her body was disposed of without care.
The FBI cut off her hands
The FBI mutilated her body.
And told us she died of exposure
They lied and said she died of natural causes.
Talk about a revolution
We need a revolution.
They stole my land
Our land was stolen from us.
They won't steal my soul
But they won't steal our spirit.
We had the gold rush wars
We fought wars over gold.
Why didn't we learn to crawl'
Why didn't we learn to compromise and coexist?
And now our history gets written in a liar's scrawl
Now our history is being written by those who distort the truth.
They tell me 'don't be so uptight
They ridicule me for being upset about these injustices.
I mean honey you can still be an Indian
They tell me that I can still identify as Native American.
Down at the y on saturday night''
As if that's all our culture is worth.
Bury my heart
My heart is broken.
It was an eighth of the reservation
A significant piece of the reservation was taken.
Yeah was transferred in secret
It was taken in secret.
Got your murder, murder, murder and intimidation
We are facing murder and intimidation.
Bury me
Please bury me.
Talk about a revolution
We need a revolution.
Bury my heart
My heart is broken.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BUFFY SAINTE MARIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind