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The warm embrace and gentle touch
Of the Southern Winds did blow
Along the tattered creeks and trails
On which we traveled slow.
Through the dusty blades of grass
As horse and rider led
The Sun shone bright amid the sky
Our people were barely fed.
For days and weeks and months we tred
Surviving on our pride
Our womwn murmured and children wept
The hearts of the Elders sighed.
The white man led the caravan
Through the dusty creeks
As our people kept a somber pace
For hours and days and weeks.
The People walked through rain and snow
And hail storms and sleet.
Thousands died of thirst
In the desert’s heat.
The white man shivered in his sleep
From the evil dreams that came
And haunted his nights in anguish
As we called Great Spirit’s name.
The Eagle graced the mountain peaks
As we walked and hid our fears
Our pride was strong and never ceased
Upon the dusty trail of tears.
Death was close and soon at hand
We knew that we were near it
But the Peoples eye’s shone with strength
And their heart kept a strong Spirit.
They put us in a desolate place
We neither liked or knew
In time our children came again
As our People grew.
Our children are at peace again
Amid the wild flowers and rose
And play down by the river
where the honey suckle grows.
To this day we’re strong in mind
And wiser in the heart
No man, no beast, nor angered storm
Could tear our pride apart.
Our hearts are filled with love and peace
For all mankind are one
We share the Sacred Hoop with all
No matter what they’ve done.
We shall again stand tall and strong
As we declare our rights decree
And say to those who sought our death
“We are the Cherokee!”
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