They took the whole Cherokee nation
put us on this resevation
took away our way of life
tomahawk and the bow and knife
Took away our native tongue
taught their English to our young
and all the beads we made by hand
are nowadays made in Japan

Cherokee people
Cherokee tribe
so proud you lived
so proud you'll die

They took the whole Indian nation
put us on this reservation
brick built houses by the score
won't need tepees anymore
Although they've changed our ways of old
they'll never change our heart and soul
And someday when the world has learned
Cherokee Indian will return

Will return
will return
will return
will return
will return!