Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
I’m An Indian Too
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like those Indians
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux
A Sioux
Just like Battle Axe, Hatchet Face, Eagle Nose
Like those Indians
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux
Some Indian summer's day
Without a sound
I may hide away
With Big Chief Hole-in-the-Ground
And I'll have totem poles, tomahawks, pipes of peace
Which will go to prove
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux
A Sioux
With my chief in his teepee
We'll raise an Indian family
And I'll be busy night and day
Looking like a flour sack
With two papooses on my back
And three papooses on the way
Like the Chippewa, Iroquois, Omaha
Like those Indians
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux
A Sioux
Just like Rising Moon, Falling Pants, Running Nose
Like those Indians
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux
A Sioux
Some Indian summer's day
Without a care
I may run away
With Big Chief Son-of-a-Bear
And I'll wear moccasins, wampum beads, feather hats
Which will go to prove
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux
A Sioux
In the song “I’m An Indian Too,” Irving Berlin uses humor and satire to make a statement about cultural appropriation and the appropriation of Native American culture by white Americans. The song is sung from the perspective of a white person who claims to be “an Indian too,” mimicking the dress and customs of Native American people. The use of the phrase “an Indian too” implies that the person singing the song is equating their experience with that of Native Americans, when in fact they have no claim to that culture.
The lyrics mention various tribes, including the Seminole, Navajo, Kickapoo, Chippewa, Iroquois, and Omaha, but the singer identifies specifically as a Sioux. The use of stereotypical Native American names like Battle Axe, Hatchet Face, Eagle Nose, Rising Moon, Falling Pants, and Running Nose adds to the satirical tone of the song.
The final verse of the song takes on a romantic tone, with the singer dreaming of a life with a Native American family, complete with totem poles, tomahawks, and pipes of peace. The lyric “looking like a flour sack with two papooses on my back and three papooses on the way” both makes light of Native American dress and reinforces the idea of a white person trying to assimilate into their culture.
Overall, “I’m An Indian Too” is a parody of the way white Americans have appropriated Native American culture, reducing it to surface-level stereotypes and myths.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the Seminole, Navajo, Kickapoo
Similar to the Seminole, Navajo, and Kickapoo tribes
Like those Indians
Like those specific Native American groups
I'm an Indian too
I am of Native American descent as well
A Sioux
Member of the Sioux tribe specifically
A Sioux
Again, member of the Sioux tribe specifically
Just like Battle Axe, Hatchet Face, Eagle Nose
Similar to members of the Sioux tribe with names like Battle Axe, Hatchet Face, and Eagle Nose
Like those Indians
Similar to those specific members of the Sioux tribe
I'm an Indian too
I am also a member of the Sioux tribe
A Sioux
Again, member of the Sioux tribe specifically
A Sioux
Still a member of the Sioux tribe
Some Indian summer's day
At some point in the future, during warm weather associated with Native American culture
Without a sound
Quietly and without attracting attention
I may hide away
I might conceal myself
With Big Chief Hole-in-the-Ground
With the leader of my Sioux tribe who goes by Big Chief Hole-in-the-Ground
And I'll have totem poles, tomahawks, pipes of peace
I will possess symbols and tools associated with Native American culture like totem poles, tomahawks, and pipes of peace
Which will go to prove
This will show others
I'm an Indian too
I also belong to the Sioux tribe
A Sioux
Still a member of the Sioux tribe
A Sioux
Yet again, a member of the Sioux Native American tribe
With my chief in his teepee
In the dwelling where my tribe's leader lives
We'll raise an Indian family
Together, we will have and nurture children as a Native American family unit
And I'll be busy night and day
I will be constantly occupied and working hard both day and night
Looking like a flour sack
Wearing clothes that are shapeless and baggy
With two papooses on my back
Carrying two infants on my back
And three papooses on the way
Additionally, I will soon have three more infants on the way
Like the Chippewa, Iroquois, Omaha
Similar to the Chippewa, Iroquois, and Omaha tribes
Like those Indians
Like the specific Native American groups listed
I'm an Indian too
I am also of Native American descent
A Sioux
A member of the Sioux tribe specifically
A Sioux
Again, a member of the Sioux tribe
Just like Rising Moon, Falling Pants, Running Nose
Similar to Sioux tribe members with names like Rising Moon, Falling Pants, and Running Nose
Like those Indians
Similar to those specific Sioux tribe members
I'm an Indian too
I also belong to the Sioux tribe
A Sioux
Still a member of the Sioux tribe
A Sioux
Yet another confirmation that the singer is a member of the Sioux tribe
Some Indian summer's day
At some future point, at a time associated with Native American culture
Without a care
Without worrying or feeling concern
I may run away
I might leave quickly and secretly
With Big Chief Son-of-a-Bear
Departing with another Sioux tribe leader whose name is Big Chief Son-of-a-Bear
And I'll wear moccasins, wampum beads, feather hats
I will dress in traditional Native American garb such as moccasins, wampum beads, and feathered hats
Which will go to prove
This attire will demonstrate
I'm an Indian too
That I belong to the Native American community
A Sioux
Once again, a member of the Sioux tribe
A Sioux
Final recurrence of identifying as a member of the Sioux tribe
Contributed by Oliver W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.