Indian Reservation (The Lamen
Raiders Lyrics
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Put us on this reservation
Took away our ways of life
The tomahawk and the bow and knife
Took away our native tongue
And taught their English to our young
And all the beads we made by hand
Are nowadays made in Japan
So proud to live, so proud to die
They took the whole Indian nation
Locked us on this reservation
Though I wear a shirt and tie
I'm still part redman deep inside
Cherokee people, Cherokee tribe
So proud to live, so proud to die
But maybe someday when they learn
Cherokee nation will return, will return, will return, will return, will return
The lyrics to Raiders' song "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee)" vividly describe the forced relocation and cultural suppression of the Cherokee people. The song is an anthem of resistance and longing for freedom from oppression, as the singer laments about the loss of their way of life, the imposition of English on their children, and the dependency on foreign-made beads. The profound sadness of the displacement is reflected in lines like "Took away our ways of life" and "Took away our native tongue." To make matters even worse, the Cherokee people were locked up in a reservation, making it impossible for them to roam freely and live as they once did.
The chorus of the song, "Cherokee people, Cherokee tribe, so proud to live, so proud to die," focuses on the pride that the Cherokee people have in their heritage, despite the harsh circumstances that they have been subjected to. The phrase "I'm still part redman deep inside" in the third verse speaks to the painful reality that native people are forced to assimilate into mainstream American culture, but that their identity and heritage cannot be erased.
Overall, "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee)" is a powerful commentary on the violence that has been inflicted upon Indigenous communities throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and sovereignty for Native American peoples.
Line by Line Meaning
They took the whole Cherokee nation
The US government forcefully removed the entire Cherokee community from their ancestral lands and sent them to live on a designated reservation.
Put us on this reservation
The Cherokee people were forced to live in a confined area that was determined by the US government.
Took away our ways of life
The Cherokee people were robbed of their traditional means of living, including hunting, gathering, and farming.
The tomahawk and the bow and knife
The US government prohibited the Cherokee people from using their traditional tools and weapons, which were essential to their culture.
Took away our native tongue
The US government forced the Cherokee people to abandon their language and adopt English as the primary means of communication.
And taught their English to our young
The US government made it mandatory for Cherokee children to learn English and discouraged them from speaking their native tongue.
And all the beads we made by hand
The US government disrupted the Cherokee people's economy by introducing mass-produced goods, making traditional handmade crafts less valuable.
Are nowadays made in Japan
The US government's policies displaced Cherokee craftspeople, and now most of the beads sold and used are imported from Japan.
Cherokee people, Cherokee tribe
The Cherokee community, despite being forced to change their way of life, remains proud of their heritage and strong as a people.
So proud to live, so proud to die
The Cherokee community takes pride in their identity and is willing to fight for their survival until the end.
They took the whole Indian nation
The US government committed similar atrocities against many other Indigenous nations across the United States.
Locked us on this reservation
The US government forced many Indigenous communities to live on reservations that were often underfunded and in poor condition.
Though I wear a shirt and tie
Despite appearing assimilated to mainstream American culture, the singer still identifies strongly with his Indigenous heritage.
I'm still part redman deep inside
The singer remembers and holds onto his Cherokee background, even as he struggles to maintain his cultural identity in the face of oppression.
But maybe someday when they learn
The singer holds out hope that one day the US government and wider American society will understand the harm they've caused Indigenous communities.
Cherokee nation will return, will return, will return, will return, will return
The singer longs for the day when the Cherokee people will be able to reclaim their cultural traditions and sovereignty in their ancestral lands.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LOUDERMILK, JOHN D LOUDERMILK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind