Hibernation
Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, listen everybody,
To what I got to say.
There's hope for tomorrow,
Ooh,we're workin'on today.

Well,it happened long time ago,
In the new magic land.
The Indian and the buffalo,
They existed hand in hand....

The Indian needed food,
He needed skins for a roof.
But he only took what they needed,baby.
Millions of buffalo were the proof.

Yeah,its all right.

But then came the white man,
With his thick and empty head.
He couldnt see past the billfold,
He wanted all the buffalo dead.

It was sad...It was sad.
Oh yeah...yes indeed.
Oh yes,

it happened a long time ago,baby.
In the new magic land.
See,the Indian and the buffalo,
They existed hand in hand.

The Indians,they needed some food,
And some skins for a roof.
They only took what they needed,baby.
Millions of buffalo were the proof,yeah.

But then came the white dogs,
With their thick and empty heads.
They couldnt see past the billfold.
They wanted all the buffalo dead.

Everything was SO sad.

When I looked above the canyon wall,
Some strong eyes did I see.
I think its somebody comin' around
To save my ass,baby.

I think...I think he's comin' around
To save you and me.

Boys......

I said, above the canyon wall...
Strong eyes did glow.
It was the leader of the land,baby.
OH MY GOD,

The GREAT WHITE BUFFALO.....
LOOK OUT!!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!!!

Well,he got the battered herd.
He led em cross the land.
With the Great White Buffalo,
They gonna make a final stand.

The Great White Buffalo,
Comin'around to make a final stand.
Well,look out here he comes.
The great white buffalo,baby.
The Great White Buffalo....
Look out,here he comes.
He's doin'all right.
Makin'everything all right.






Yeah,yeah,yeah....

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Hibernation" by Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes describe the clash of two different worldviews – that of Native American communities and European settlers – and their impact on the natural world. The song starts with a hopeful message that emphasizes the potential for positive change and a better future, as long as people work together to achieve it. The first verse references a time when Native Americans and buffalo coexisted peacefully in a "new magic land," and how this balance was maintained by the Indians only taking what they needed from the buffalo, which allowed the population to remain in check.


However, the arrival of white settlers brought destruction, as they were motivated solely by profit and a desire for power. The lyrics express sadness and lamentation at the loss of the buffalo, as well as frustration with the narrow-mindedness of those responsible for their deaths, who couldn't see past their own greed. The last verse introduces the Great White Buffalo as a savior figure who will lead the remaining herd to safety, symbolizing the hope that nature can be preserved and restored with the right leadership.


The song is a powerful commentary on the negative impacts of human actions on the natural world and the importance of conservation. It highlights the dangers of overconsumption and the need for a more balanced and sustainable approach to resource management. Additionally, it pays homage to Native American culture and the wisdom they possessed in their relationship with the land, while also criticizing the cultural insensitivity and environmental destruction of European settlers.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, listen everybody,
Attention, everyone.


To what I got to say.
Pay attention to my message.


There's hope for tomorrow,
We have the potential for a brighter future.


Ooh,we're workin'on today.
But we need to take action now to make that future possible.


Well,it happened long time ago,
Let me tell you a story.


In the new magic land.
About a place filled with wonder and possibility.


The Indian and the buffalo,
Where two majestic creatures lived in harmony.


They existed hand in hand....
Coexisting in a way that sustained each other.


The Indian needed food,
The Native Americans relied on the buffalo for survival.


He needed skins for a roof.
The buffalo's skin provided protection from the elements.


But he only took what they needed,baby.
They took only what was necessary, respecting the balance of nature.


Millions of buffalo were the proof.
The abundance of buffalo was a testament to their responsible stewardship.


Yeah,its all right.
Everything was working out perfectly.


But then came the white man,
But then everything changed.


With his thick and empty head.
The settlers were stubborn and ignorant.


He couldnt see past the billfold,
Driven by greed and profit.


He wanted all the buffalo dead.
They did not care about the consequences of their actions.


It was sad...It was sad.
The loss of this way of life was heartbreaking.


Oh yeah...yes indeed.
It was undoubtedly a tragedy.


Oh yes,
Unfortunately, it's the truth.


See,the Indian and the buffalo,
Remember how it used to be.


The Indians,they needed some food,
The Native Americans were not wasteful.


And some skins for a roof.
They used every part of the buffalo.


They only took what they needed,baby.
They took no more and no less.


Millions of buffalo were the proof,yeah.
And the buffalo were thriving.


But then came the white dogs,
But the settlers were different.


With their thick and empty heads.
Even more stubborn, even more ignorant.


Everything was SO sad.
This tragedy cannot be overstated.


When I looked above the canyon wall,
But there is still hope.


Some strong eyes did I see.
Leaders of the future are emerging.


I think its somebody comin' around
I believe we have someone who can save us.


To save my ass,baby.
To rescue us from this destruction.


I think...I think he's comin' around
I can sense that something good is coming.


To save you and me.
We will be rescued if we believe.


Boys......
Let's get ready to fight for our future.


I said, above the canyon wall...
Look up, there is great power above us.


Strong eyes did glow.
Leadership is coming.


It was the leader of the land,baby.
The next leader is strong and powerful.


OH MY GOD,
Oh, this is incredible news.


The GREAT WHITE BUFFALO.....
The symbol of strength has arrived.


LOOK OUT!!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!!!
Get ready to fight for our future.


Well,he got the battered herd.
The Great White Buffalo has come to save the remaining buffalo.


He led em cross the land.
A hero has arisen to lead us towards salvation.


With the Great White Buffalo,
We are now following the path of strength and resilience.


They gonna make a final stand.
We'll fight for our future and our way of life.


Comin'around to make a final stand.
The Great White Buffalo is here to help us win this battle.


Well,look out here he comes.
Get ready for this fight.


The great white buffalo,baby.
The Great White Buffalo is here to save us.


The Great White Buffalo....
Our savior has arrived.


Look out,here he comes.
Prepare for his arrival.


He's doin'all right.
He's leading us towards victory.


Makin'everything all right.
Our future is bright again thanks to the Great White Buffalo.


Yeah,yeah,yeah....
We'll join forces with the Great White Buffalo to save our way of life.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: T. NUGENT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Albert Flores

classic rock stations missed their opportunity to give Tooth Fang and Claw it's due....especially Hibernation. beautiful.

Cesar Narro

Most classic rock stations play the same 2 or 3 hundred songs over n over

T-ROY B

One of my favorite instrumentals. It sure captures that out doors / wilderness feeling.

doulos737

Thanks for the post. This song just popped in my head after not hearing it for many, many years. I think it's Ted's best song. Reflects great controlled feedback. I saw him do it live opening up for Aerosmith (Toys in the Attic tour) in Chicago in the 70's. He played the entire side 2 of Tooth Fang and Claw. Excellent Concert all the way around! :)

Frokost

Wow, I found this song on accident and I'm glad I found it. This is amazing. My mouth was literally drooling from the sound of it.

Don walton

When you are a healthy 14 year old boy and you had to ride your bike 4 miles to go spend your hard earned money on a new album you hope ya come home with the goods. When that needle dropped It was like electricity and crack had a baby.   

Satchmo69

LOL !! True Dat brother !! I used to spend half my check at Music + here in LB Ca!! Going to see Teddy in Big bear next month.

Adam Holtz

Classic rock perfection from Ted & Amboy Dukes in 1974 !!!

William Gill_Esq.

Still my favorite Nugent song! 👍

Pizza Pie

Nugent is phenomenal with his epic instrumentals!

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