Covers – Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)

So proud to live, so proud to die

“Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)” was written by John D. Loudermilk and first recorded by Marvin Rainwater in 1959 and released on MGM as “The Pale Faced Indian”, but that release went unnoticed.

The first hit version was a 1968 recording by Don Fardon – a former member of the Sorrows – that reached number 20 on the Hot 100 in 1968 and number 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970. In 1971, the Raiders recorded “Indian Reservation” for Columbia Records, and it topped the Hot 100 on July 24.

Raiders Personnel
  • Mark Lindsay – lead vocals
  • Hal Blaine – drums
  • Artie Butler – piano, organ
  • Gary Coleman – vibraslap, vibraphone
  • John D’Andrea – strings arrangements
  • Carol Kaye – bass guitar
  • Louie Shelton – guitar
  • David Cohen – guitar
  • Ron Hicklin Singers – backing vocals

The Raiders’ “Indian Reservation” entered the Billboard Hot 100 on April 10, 1971. It climbed to number 2 on July 3, where it stayed for three consecutive weeks, stuck behind Carole King’s double single “It’s Too Late”/”I Feel the Earth Move”. On July 24, it reached the top spot for a single week. “Indian Reservation” spent a total of 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

A well-known story told by Loudermilk is that when he was asked by the Viva! NashVegas[1] radio show about the origins of the song “Indian Reservation,” he fabricated the story that he wrote the song after his car was snowed in by a blizzard and he was taken in by a small group of Cherokee Indians. (Video linked below) In spite of the song’s title, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians,

and the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma are not known as “reservations”, and singing that they may someday “return” is at odds with the fact that these Cherokee Nations still exist. The original Rainwater version lacks the “Cherokee people!” chorus, replaced by “Hiya, hiya, ho!” chants. Fardon has a different 2nd verse from the Raiders version singing, “Altho’ they changed our ways of old/They’ll never change our heart and soul”, also found in Rainwater’s version.

Rainwater’s first verse has the unique line, “They put our papoose in a crib/and took the buck skin from our rib”. (Cherokee never used the term papoose). Also differing from the Raiders version, Fardon sings the line: “Brick built houses by the score/ No more tepees anymore”. The Cherokee never lived in tepees.

The legal name for the Cherokee people in North Carolina is: “The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.” Because “Native American” can refer to anyone born in America, the North American Indian Women’s Association recommends using the term “American Indians.”

Only the nomadic Plains Indians did so. The Cherokee were southeastern woodland Indians, and in the winter they lived in houses made of woven saplings, plastered with mud, and roofed with poplar bark. In the summer they lived in open-air dwellings roofed with bark. Today the Cherokee live in ranch houses, apartments, and trailers. In addition, the Raiders’ version mentions that “though I wear a shirt and tie, I’m still a red man deep inside”,

altered from the Rainwater-sung line “and though I wear a white man’s tie / I’ll be a red man ’til I die”. The John D. Loudermilk version of his song appeared in 1965 on his compilation Sings a Bizarre Collection of the Most Unusual Songs. He sings it very deliberately which can bring a tear to your eye. It is a very powerful rendition.

"The Pale Faced Indian" as sung by Marvin Rainwater

They took the whole Cherokee Nation
And put us on this reservation

Hum-hiya, hum-hiya, hum-hiya, yi yi
Hum-hiya, hum-hiya, hum

They took away our way of life
Our tomahawk and the huntin' knife
And the old teepee we all loved so
They're using now just for a show
They put our papoose in a crib
And took the buckskin from our rib
And they took away our native tongue
And taught their English to our young

Hiya, hiya-ho
Hiya-hi, hiya-ho
Hiya, hiya, hiya-ho

Although they've changed our ways of old
They'll never change our heart and soul
And though I wear a white man's tie
I'll be a red man 'til I die

Hiya, hiya-ho
Hiya-hi, hiya-ho
Hiya, hiya, hiya-ho

All the beads we made by hand
Are nowadays made in Japan

Hiya, hiya-ho
Hiya-hi, hiya-ho
Hiya, hiya, hiya-ho

_____________________

"Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" as sung by The Raiders

They took the whole Cherokee nation
Put us on this reservation
Took away our ways of life
The tomahawk and the bow and knife
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
Locked us on this reservation
Though I wear a shirt and tie
I'm still part redman 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

The line “And all the beads we made by hand/Are nowadays made in Japan” is represented in all the lyrics I could find as “nowadays made” which is defined “as at the present day; in these times” which makes sense, but I had always thought it was “now, a days made” as in what took them so much time and effort could be manufactured in a factory in a few minutes. I guess either one makes the point.

A mondegreen in this song is from the line “The tomahawk and the bow and knife” which is often misheard as ” The tomahawk and the bowie knife”.

Footnotes
  1. Viva! NashVegas is a lively and dynamic radio show that celebrates the vibrant music and cultural scene of Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted by passionate and knowledgeable DJs, the show takes listeners on a musical journey through the heart of Music City, featuring a diverse range of genres such as country, rock, blues, and folk. Viva! NashVegas showcases both legendary artists and emerging talent, making it a must-listen for music enthusiasts looking to explore the rich musical heritage of Nashville. With its engaging commentary and carefully curated playlists, the show embodies the spirit of this iconic music hub. [Back]
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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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