The Ballad of Ira Hayes
Johnny Cash Lyrics

Ira Hayes
Johnny Cash is introducing the character of the song and setting the scene.

Call him drunken Ira Hayes
Although Ira Hayes was a war hero, he was labeled by many as a drunkard and this label overshadowed his heroic acts.

He won't answer anymore
Ira Hayes is dead and can no longer defend his reputation.

Not the whiskey drinking Indian
Ira Hayes was not just a stereotype; he was a human being with complexities and nuances that went beyond his addiction.

Or the marine that went to war
Ira's actions on the battlefield should be remembered and celebrated, just as much as any other soldier.

Gather 'round me people
Johnny Cash is calling the listeners to pay attention to the story he is about to tell.

There's a story I would tell
Johnny Cash believes that Ira Hayes' story is worth sharing and remembering.

'Bout a brave young Indian
Ira Hayes was a courageous man who overcame many obstacles in his life.

You should remember well
Johnny Cash is urging listeners to not forget Ira Hayes and his accomplishments.

From the land of the Pima Indian
Ira Hayes came from a proud and dignified people with a rich cultural heritage.

A proud and noble band
The Pima Indians had a strong sense of identity and were respected by others.

Who farmed the Phoenix Valley
Ira's people had a deep connection to the land and were skilled farmers who worked hard to make a living.

In Arizona land
This is the specific location where Ira Hayes' story takes place.

Down the ditches a thousand years
The Pima Indians had developed an irrigation system that had been used for generations.

The waters grew Ira's peoples' crops
The Pima Indians depended on water to grow their crops and make a living.

'Til the white man stole their water rights
White settlers took control of the water supply, which had a devastating impact on the Pima Indians' way of life.

And the sparkling water stopped
The once abundant resource was now scarce and polluted.

Now, Ira's folks were hungry
The Pima Indians suffered from starvation and poverty as a result of the loss of their main resource.

And their land grew crops of weeds
Without water, the land which once flourished was now barren with useless plants.

When war came, Ira volunteered
Despite everything, Ira still felt a deep sense of duty to his country.

And forgot the white man's greed
Ira Hayes' patriotism was not about race or politics, but rather a commitment to fighting for what he believed was right.

There they battled up Iwo Jima hill
This is the location where Ira Hayes fought bravely for his country.

Two hundred and fifty men
This is the number of soldiers who fought alongside Ira Hayes.

But only twenty-seven lived
The majority of the soldiers did not make it out alive.

To walk back down again
The ones who did survive had to carry the emotional and physical scars of their experiences.

And when the fight was over
This is the aftermath of the war in which Ira Hayes fought.

And Old Glory raised
The American flag was raised in victory as a symbol of pride and accomplishment.

Among the men who held it high
Ira Hayes was one of the brave soldiers who raised the flag.

Was the Indian, Ira Hayes
Despite being an underdog, Ira Hayes' bravery and dedication earned him a place among the nation's heroes.

Ira Hayes returned a hero
After the war, Ira Hayes was celebrated for his achievements.

Celebrated through the land
Ira Hayes' story captured the attention of the nation.

He was wined and speeched and honored
Ira Hayes was treated with accolades for his achievements both in the military and in bringing attention to the cause of Native Americans.

Everybody shook his hand
Ira Hayes was shown tremendous respect and admiration.

But he was just a Pima Indian
Despite his accomplishments, Ira was still seen as inferior due to his ethnicity.

No water, no home, no chance
Ira Hayes was still living in poverty with a bleak future.

At home nobody cared what Ira'd done
Ira's contributions to the country were not recognized by his own community.

And when did the Indians dance
The atrocities committed against the Native American people made it difficult to find cause for celebration.

Then Ira started drinking hard
Ira struggled to cope with the trauma of war and the difficulties in his daily life.

Jail was often his home
Ira's addiction led to a life of crime and instability.

They let him raise the flag and lower it
Ira's military background led to him being given menial jobs such as raising and lowering the flag, which were meant to be seen as rewards but were actually demeaning.

Like you'd throw a dog a bone
Ira was not given the respect he deserved and was treated as though he should be grateful for the little he was given.

He died drunk early one morning
Ira's addiction ultimately took a toll on his health and he passed away at a relatively young age.

Alone in the land he fought to save
Despite his accomplishments, Ira's tragic end was the result of a life marked by loneliness and poverty.

Two inches of water and a lonely ditch
This is the final resting place of a man who did not receive the recognition he was due.

Was a grave for Ira Hayes
Ira Hayes' story is ultimately one of tragedy and missed opportunities.

Yeah, call him drunken Ira Hayes
Johnny Cash is reinforcing the idea that Ira Hayes was labeled by society and not seen as a hero in the way that he deserved.

But his land is just as dry
Despite the passage of time, the tragedy of the Pima Indians and their loss of resources is still a major issue.

And his ghost is lying thirsty
Ira Hayes' story is still relevant today, and serves as a reminder of the injustices faced by many Native American communities.

In the ditch where Ira died
Ira's death is symbolic of the many ways in which Native American people have been mistreated throughout history.