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The general rode for sixteen days |
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The horses were thirsty and tired |
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On the trail of a renegade chief |
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One he'd come to admire |
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The soldiers hid behind the hills |
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That surrounded the village |
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And he rode down to warn the chief |
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They'd come to conquer and pillage |
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Lay down your arms lay down your spear |
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The chief's eyes were sad but showed no sign of fear |
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It is a good day to die |
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Oh my children dry your eyes |
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It is a good day to die |
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He spoke of the days before the white man came |
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With his guns and whiskey |
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He told of a time a long time ago |
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Before what you call history |
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The general couldn't believe his words |
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Nor the look on his face |
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But he knew these people would rather die |
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Then have to live in this disgrace |
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What law have I broken? What wrong have I done? |
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That makes you want to bury me on this trail of blood |
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It is a good day to die |
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Oh my children you cry |
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It is a good day to die |
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We cared for the land and the land cared for us |
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And that's the way it's always been |
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Never asked for more never asked too much |
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And now you tell me this is the end |
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I laid down my weapon, I laid down my bow |
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Now you want to drive me out with no place left to go |
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It is a good day to die |
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Oh my children don't you cry |
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It is a good day to die |
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And he turned to his people and said dry your eyes |
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We've been blessed and we are thankful |
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Raise your voices to the sky it is a good day to die |
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Oh my children don't you cry |
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Oh my children dry your eyes |
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Raise your voices to the sky |
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It is a good day to die |