Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Indigo Girls Lyrics

Indian legislation's on the desk of a do right congressman
There are laws about indigenous people that are being considered by a politician who doesn't fully comprehend them.

And he don't know much about the issues so he picks up the phone
The politician is not informed about the situation and seeks guidance from someone who lives in Indian country.

And asks the advice of the senator out in Indian country
The politician seeks guidance from a senator who is familiar with the issues faced by indigenous people.

A darling of the energy companies ripping off
The senator is favored by energy companies who are illegally exploiting the resources of the reservation.

What's left of the reservation
The reservation has already been devastated by the actions of the energy companies.

I learned the safety rule
The singer has learned that the reservation is not a safe place to be.

I don't know who to thank
The singer is unsure who they should thank for this knowledge.

Don't stand between the reservation
It is dangerous to interfere with what is left of the reservation.

And the corporate bank
The energy companies are backed by powerful financial institutions.

They're sending federal tanks
The government is using military force against the indigenous people.

It isn't nice but it's reality
This harsh reality is not pleasant but it is the truth.

Bury my heart at wounded knee
The artist is so devastated by the situation that they want to die and be buried where the massacre occurred.

We got these energy companies
The energy companies are causing the destruction of the reservation.

Who want to take the land
The energy companies are seeking to profit by illegally taking land from the indigenous people.

And we got churches by the dozens
Churches are attempting to influence the indigenous people against their own beliefs.

Trying to guide our hands
The churches are attempting to control the actions of the indigenous people.

And turn our mother earth
The actions of the energy companies and churches are damaging the environment.

Over to pollution war and greed
The singer fears that the environment will be damaged beyond repair due to the greed of these institutions.

No no
The singer strongly objects to these actions.

We got the federal marshals
The government is using law enforcement to enforce their attacks on the indigenous people.

We got the covert spies
The government is also using secret agents to gather intelligence and plan attacks against the indigenous people.

We got the liars by fire
The people in charge of this persecution are also known to be liars.

And the FBI
The FBI in particular is involved in persecuting the indigenous people.

They lie in court and get nailed
Although they are caught in their lies, there are no real consequences.

And still Leonard Peltier goes off to jail
The singer is frustrated that even though the lies are exposed, innocent people are still being unjustly punished.

(the bullets don't match the gun)
There has been a clear miscarriage of justice in the case against Leonard Peltier.

An eighth of the reservation
A significant portion of the reservation has been taken away.

Was transferred in secret
This transfer was done without the knowledge or consent of the indigenous people.

We got your murder and intimidation
The indigenous people are being oppressed through violence and fear tactics.

My girlfriend anna may
The singer's friend Anna May Aquash is mentioned.

Talked about uranium
Anna May Aquash spoke about the extraction of uranium (which is known to have harmful effects on the environment and health of humans).

Her head was full of bullets
Anna May Aquash was assassinated (shot in the head).

And her body dumped
Her body was left in an isolated area in South Dakota.

The FBI cut off her hands
The FBI mutilated Anna May Aquash's body after she was murdered.

And told us she died of exposure
The FBI lied to cover up their role in the murder of Anna May Aquash.

Talk about a revolution
The artist is calling for a radical transformation of the current system.

They stole my land
The indigenous people have had their land taken from them by force.

They won't steal my soul
The singer is determined to hold onto their heritage and identity despite the ongoing oppression.

We had the gold rush wars
The singer is referring to the conflicts between indigenous people and white settlers during the time of the gold rush.

Why didn't we learn to crawl'
The artist wonders why the indigenous people did not submit to the will of the white settlers.

And now our history gets written in a liar's scrawl
The history of the indigenous people is being distorted and misrepresented by those in power.

They tell me "don't be so uptight
The singer is frustrated by the dismissive attitude of those who are not affected by the oppression.

I mean honey you can still be an Indian
The singer is being encouraged to assimilate into white culture and abandon their heritage.

Down at the y on saturday night''
The artist is being encouraged to participate in cultural events that are not part of their heritage as a means of assimilation.