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
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Like the Seminole, Navajo, Kickapoo
Like those Indians
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux ooh ooh!
A Sioux ooh ooh!
Just like Battle Axe, Hatchet Face, Eagle Nose
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux ooh ooh!
A Sioux ooh ooh!
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, small papoose
Which will go to prove
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux ooh ooh!
A Sioux
[Patter:]
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
[2nd refrain:]
Like the Chippewa, Iroquois, Omaha
Like those Indians
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux ooh ooh!
A Sioux ooh ooh!
Just like Rising Moon, Falling Pants, Running Nose
Like those Indians
I'm an Indian too
A Sioux ooh ooh!
A Sioux ooh ooh!
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 ooh ooh!
A Sioux
[Alternate line:]
And I'll have totem poles, tomahawks, pipes of peace
The song "I'm an Indian Too" written by Irving Berlin is a whimsical and satirical take on the cultural appropriation of Native American culture in the entertainment industry during the 1940s. The song features a narrator who claims to be an "Indian" like the Seminole, Navajo, Kickapoo, Chippewa, Iroquois, Omaha, and especially the Sioux (from which the chorus takes its refrain). The singer humorously adopts stereotypical Native American names such as Battle Axe, Hatchet Face, Eagle Nose, Rising Moon, Falling Pants, and Running Nose in a nod to Hollywood films and their portrayals of indigenous characters.
Berlin subverts the romanticized and inaccurate portrayals of Native American culture by embracing the absurdity of the stereotypes, such as wearing moccasins, wampum beads, feather hats, totem poles, tomahawks, small papoose, and pipes of peace. The song's patter section sees the singer imagining himself living in a teepee, raising a large family, and carrying multiple papooses on his back. It's all played for laughs and it highlights the ridiculousness of the cultural appropriation of Native American culture by non-Natives.
Overall, "I'm an Indian Too" was meant to be a lighthearted and comedic song, but it also highlighted the insensitivity of the entertainment industry during the time it was written. By poking fun at the absurdity of the stereotypes, Berlin was trying to bring attention to the issue and encourage audiences to think more critically about their perceptions of Native Americans and their culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the Seminole, Navajo, Kickapoo
I identify with indigenous peoples like the Seminole, Navajo, and Kickapoo.
Like those Indians, I'm an Indian too
I feel a connection to Native Americans and consider myself one of them.
A Sioux ooh ooh!
I specifically identify as a member of the Sioux tribe.
Just like Battle Axe, Hatchet Face, Eagle Nose
I recognize and respect the traditional names of Native Americans.
Some Indian summer's day, without a sound
One day, quietly and without drawing attention, I might fully embrace my Native American heritage.
I may hide away with Big Chief Hole-in-the-Ground
I might seek out the company of other Native Americans, perhaps even a respected leader.
And I'll have totem poles, tomahawks, small papoose, which will go to prove I'm an Indian too
I will proudly display symbols of Native American culture, such as totem poles and tomahawks, as proof of my connection to the tribe.
With my chief in his teepee, we'll raise an Indian family
If I find a partner within the Native American community, we'll build a life together and raise our children in the culture.
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
Being a parent in the Native American community will keep me busy, with multiple children to care for and carry around.
Like the Chippewa, Iroquois, Omaha
I also see myself reflected in other Native American tribes, including the Chippewa, Iroquois, and Omaha peoples.
Just like Rising Moon, Falling Pants, Running Nose
I continue to respectfully acknowledge traditional Native American names, even if some of them seem humorous to outsiders.
Some Indian summer's day, without a care, I may run away with Big Chief Son-of-a-Bear
I might one day decide to live a more traditional Native American lifestyle, perhaps even leaving my current life behind to do so.
And I'll wear moccasins, wampum beads, feather hats, which will go to prove I'm an Indian too
I will proudly wear Native American clothing and accessories as a symbol of my identity and culture.
Contributed by Mackenzie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.