My Country; 'tis Of Thy People You're Dying
Sainte marie buffy Lyrics

Now that your big eyes are finally opened
After realizing the reality of the situation

Now that you're wondering, How must they feel?
Wondering how native Americans feel

Meaning them that you've chased cross America's movie screens
Referring to the portrayal of native Americans in films

Now that you're wondering, How can it be real?
Questioning the authenticity of the portrayal

That the ones you've called colorful, noble and proud
Referring to the positive qualities attributed to native Americans

In your school propaganda
In textbooks and other educational materials

They starve in their splendor
Native Americans are living in poverty despite their culture and history

You've asked for our comment, I simply will render
Asked for a response, this is what I have to say

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying
The mistreatment and neglect of native Americans is killing the country

Now that the longhouses breed superstition
Native American culture is seen as superstitious

You force us to send our toddlers away
Forced to send their children to schools that teach them to abandon their cultural traditions

To your schools where they're taught to despise their traditions
Educated to reject their native history and culture

Forbid them their languages
Banned from speaking their native languages

Then further say that American history really began
An attempt to erase native American history and culture

When Columbus set sail out of Europe and stress
Starting from Columbus's arrival in America in teaching American history

That the nation of leeches that's conquered this land
Describing the American people as a parasitic group that has conquered the native Americans

Are the biggest and bravest and boldest, and best
Portraying the American people as superior to the native Americans

And yet where in your history books is the tale
Asking why the history of native American genocide is ignored

Of the genocide basic to this country's birth?
Referring to the mass killing of native Americans by European settlers

Of the preachers who lied?
Referring to the religious propaganda that justified the genocide

How the Bill of Rights failed?
The American constitution failed to protect the native Americans' rights

How a nation of patriots returned to their earth?
The native Americans who died in the genocide were patriots and loyal to their country

And where will it tell of the Liberty Bell
Referring to the symbol of American liberty

As it rang with a thud over Kinzua mud?
A reference to the destruction of a dam that flooded native American land

And of brave Uncle Sam in Alaska this year?
American imperialism in Alaska and elsewhere

Hear how the bargain was made for the West
Referring to the broken treaties that took land from native Americans

With her shivering children in zero degrees
The native Americans were left homeless and cold

Blankets for your land, so the treaties attest
The treaties were made in exchange for land

Oh well, blankets for land, is a bargain indeed
Sarcastically suggesting how one-sided the exchange was

And the blankets were those Uncle Sam had collected
The blankets were infected with the smallpox virus

From smallpox diseased dying soldiers that day
Referring to an incident in which the virus was intentionally spread to the native Americans

And the tribes were wiped out
Many native American tribes were wiped out by disease

And the history books censored
The true history of the genocide is not widely known

A hundred years of your statesmen have felt it's better this way
Politicians have concealed the truth about the genocide

Yet a few of the conquered have somehow survived
Despite the genocide, native Americans have persevered

Their blood runs the redder
Their heritage and culture are still alive

Though genes have been paled
The effects of intermarriage between native Americans and Europeans have diluted their genetic heritage

From the Grand Canyon's caverns
Referring to the vast expanse of native American land

To Craven's sad hills
Where native Americans were forced to leave their land

The wounded, the losers, the robbed sing their tale
Despite their suffering, native Americans continue to tell their story

From Los Angeles County to upstate New York
Native Americans across America suffer from similar injustices

The white nation fattens while others grow lean
The American people as a whole are benefiting at the expense of the native Americans

Oh, the tricked and evicted they know what I mean
The native Americans who have been deceived and displaced understand the situation

The past it just crumbled, the future just threatens
The past is irreparable, and the future is uncertain

Our lifeblood shut up in your chemical tanks
Native American resources are being commodified and sold for profit

And now here you come, bill of sale in your hand
The commodification of native American resources is justified through legal documents

And surprise in your eyes, that we're lacking in thanks
The American government expects gratitude for exploiting native American resources

For the blessings of civilization you've brought us
Sarcastically referring to the negative effects of American culture and society on native Americans

The lessons you've taught us
The negative aspects of American society have been imposed upon native Americans through force and coercion

The ruin you've wrought us
The American government's policies have devastated the lives of native Americans

Oh, see what our trust in America's bought us?
Referring to the broken promises and disregard for native American rights

Now that the pride of the sires receives charity
Native Americans are forced to accept charity from the people who have harmed them

Now that we're harmless and safe behind laws
Native Americans are forced to rely on American law for protection

Now that my life's to be known as your heritage
Native American history is not being preserved for future generations

Now that even the graves have been robbed
Even the dead have not been allowed to rest in peace

Now that our own chosen way is a novelty
Native American culture is not being recognized as valid or important

Hands on our hearts
Symbolic gesture of respect and loyalty

We salute you your victory
Sarcastically congratulating the American people on their victory over the native Americans

Choke on your blue, white and scarlet hypocrisy
The American flag symbolizes hypocrisy and deception

Pitying the blindness that you never see
Expressing sympathy for the ignorance and denial of the American people

That the eagles of war whose wings lent you glory
Referring to the military and their role in promoting American nationalism

They were never no more than carrion crows
The military has profited from the deaths of others

Pushed the wrens from their nest
Native American people and culture have been displaced by the American military

Stole their eggs, changed their story
The military has rewritten history to suit their own interests

The mockingbird sings it
The true history of the genocide is spread through word of mouth and cultural traditions

It's all that she knows
The mockingbird can only share what she has been taught

"Oh, what can I do?", say a powerless few
Feeling helpless in the face of American oppression

With a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye
Expressing sadness and grief for the situation

Can't you see that their poverty's profiting you?
The exploitation of native Americans is benefiting the American people

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying
The mistreatment and neglect of native Americans is killing the country