They took the whole Cherokee Nation 
And put us on this reservation 
Took away our ways of life 
The tomahawk and the bow and knife 

They 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 

Cherokee people, Cherokee tribe 
So proud to live, so proud to die 

They took the whole Indian Nation 
And locked us on this reservation 
And though I wear a shirt and tie 
I’m still a red man 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