Now That The Buffalo's Gone
Sainte marie buffy Lyrics
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That you have held your head high
And told all your friends of your Indian claim?
Proud good lady and proud good man
Some great great grandfather from Indian blood came
And you feel in your heart for these ones
Oh, it's written in books and in song
Well over and over I hear those same words
From you good lady and you good man
Well listen to me if you care where we stand
And you feel you're a part of these ones
When a war between nations is lost
The loser we know pays the cost
But even when Germany fell to your hands
Consider dear lady, consider dear man
You left them their pride and you left them their land
And what have you done to these ones
Has a change come about my dear man
Or are you still taking our lands?
A treaty forever your senators sign
They do dear lady, they do dear man
And the treaties are broken again and again
And what will you do for these ones
Oh, it's all in the past you can say
But it's still going on here today
The governments now want the Navaho land
That of the Inuit and the Cheyenne
It's here and it's now you can help us dear man
Now that the buffalo's gone
The lyrics of Buffy's song "Now That the Buffalo's Gone" refer to the displacement and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples in North America. The song challenges the idea that Indigenous peoples' land claims are merely a thing of the past and suggests that the mistreatment and displacement of Indigenous peoples continues even in the present day. The first stanza of the song addresses non-Indigenous people who claim indigenous ancestry without taking any responsibility for Indigenous issues. The reference to Indian blood and the idea that Indigenous ancestry should make someone proud has been used to disassociate non-Indigenous people from their complicity in Indigenous oppression.
The second stanza of the song points out that even defeated nations are entitled to their pride and land. The reference to Germany implies a parallel between the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples in North America and the mistreatment of German people after World War II. The lyrics of the song suggest that non-Indigenous people have treated defeated nations in Europe with more respect than Indigenous people in North America. This is a significant point as it shows that the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples cannot be excused as being simply a consequence of war.
The final stanza of the song highlights the fact that Indigenous peoples' land rights are still being violated today. The reference to the Navajo, Inuit, and Cheyenne reminds the listener that the fight for Indigenous rights is ongoing. The lyrics suggest that non-Indigenous people have a responsibility to provide support for Indigenous peoples' land claims and rights. The song ends with the line "Now that the buffalo's gone," which is a metaphor for the destruction of Indigenous culture, land, and people. The buffalo is a significant symbol of Indigenous culture, and its disappearance represents the cultural genocide that has occurred in North America.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you remember the times
Do you recall the moments
That you have held your head high
When you felt pride in yourself
And told all your friends of your Indian claim?
And spoke about your Native American heritage to others?
Proud good lady and proud good man
You were an honorable and empowered woman or man
Some great great grandfather from Indian blood came
Your ancestry includes Indigenous bloodlines
And you feel in your heart for these ones
You have empathy and compassion for Native Americans
Oh, it's written in books and in song
The mistreatment of Indigenous peoples is documented in literature and music
That we've been mistreated and wronged
We have suffered abuse and injustice
Well over and over I hear those same words
I repeatedly hear these messages
From you good lady and you good man
From individuals like you
Well listen to me if you care where we stand
Please pay attention to the position we are in
And you feel you're a part of these ones
If you consider yourself a part of our community
When a war between nations is lost
When a country loses a war
The loser we know pays the cost
The defeated nation suffers the consequences
But even when Germany fell to your hands
However, after Germany surrendered to you
Consider dear lady, consider dear man
Please take a moment to think
You left them their pride and you left them their land
You allowed them to maintain their dignity and keep their territory
And what have you done to these ones
What have you done for Native Americans
Has a change come about my dear man
Has there been any transformation, my dear sir
Or are you still taking our lands?
Or are you still appropriating our territory?
A treaty forever your senators sign
Your lawmakers sign permanent treaties
They do dear lady, they do dear man
They do this, my dear woman or man
And the treaties are broken again and again
However, these treaties are repeatedly disregarded
And what will you do for these ones
What action will you take for Native Americans?
Oh, it's all in the past you can say
You may argue that it's all history
But it's still going on here today
But it continues to occur today
The governments now want the Navaho land
The government currently desires Navajo land
That of the Inuit and the Cheyenne
As well as Inuit and Cheyenne land
It's here and it's now you can help us dear man
You can assist us at this very moment, my dear sir
Now that the buffalo's gone
Since the buffalo population has depleted
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Buffy Sainte Marie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Combs
As part Native American, she touches something deep inside that cannot be explained. All children should hear and learn these great songs.
VinylForest
Thomas Combs: I totally agree. We all need to hear these songs……..and I’m not native, but I appreciate living on native land.
Lori Jo Crow
I love and adore her..... courage, strength, excellent storytelling song writer.....We must listen to her. It is still happening and it breaks my heart.
God Bless you Buffy
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Lori Jo Crow ❤️🌸🔥🙏🏻
manelle313
God bless you Buffy. May Indigenous and all people around the world be inspired and challenged by this and your other songs.
heatherp8
never fails to give me goose bumps.
One of the heroines of my youth and I love her still.
Dennis Secret
Buffy is simply amazing, and I always feel guilty listening to her songs. What have I done to help? Very little.
VinylForest
This song is so beautiful and meaningful! Thank you Buffy Saint Marie.
B. Bailey
i still get chills hearing this.
alan dvorkis
I wish somehow, Buffy's music could be heard. I wish the truth would be taught. The abuse of Native Americans continues. They lived in harmony with others and more importantly with the environment. It is probably too late. It would still be nice for the young to be enlightened. Truthful and sad, her music resonates, even if it is ignored. Simply brilliant.