G
[Verse 1]
G C7 G
From the Indian reservation to the governmental school
C7 G D7
Well they're going to educate me to the white men's Golden Rule
G C7 G
And I'm learning very quickly for I've learned to be ashamed
C7 G D7 G
And I come when they call Billy though I've got an Indian name
[Chorus]
G C7 G
And there are drums beyond the mountain, Indian drums that you can't hear
C7 G D7 G
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
[Verse 2]
G C7 G
And when they think that they'd changed me cut my hair to meet their needs
C7 G D7
Will they think I'm white or Indian quarter blood or just half breed
G C7 G
Let me tell you Mr teacher when you say you'll make me right
C7 G D7 G
In five hundred years of fighting, not one Indian turned white
[Chorus]
G C7 G
And there are drums beyond the mountain, Indian drums that you can't hear
C7 G D7 G
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
[Verse 3]
G C7 G
Well you thought that I knew nothing when you brought me here to school
C7 G D7
Just another empty Indian just America's first fool
G C7 G
But now I can tell you stories that are burnt and dried and old
C7 G D7 G
But in the shadow of their telling walks the thunder proud and bold
[Chorus]
G C7 G
And there are drums beyond the mountain, Indian drums that you can't hear
C7 G D7 G
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
[Verse 4]
G C7 G
Long Pine and Sequoia, Handsome Lake and Sitting Bull
C7 G D7
There's Magnus Colorado with his sleeves so red and full
G C7 G
Crazy Horse the legend those who bit off Custer's soul
C7 G D7 G
They are dead yet they are living with the great Geronimo
[Chorus]
G C7 G
And there are drums beyond the mountain, Indian drums that you can't hear
C7 G D7 G
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
[Verse 5]
G C7 G
Well you may teach me this land's history but we taught it to you first
C7 G D7
We broke your hearts and bent your journeys: broken treaties left us cursed
G C7 G
Even now you have to cheat us, even though you this us tame
C7 G D7 G
In our losing we found proudness, in your winning you found shame
[Chorus]
G C7 G
And there are drums beyond the mountain, Indian drums that you can't hear
C7 G D7 G
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near
