CGC
[Verse 1]
CF
Come gather 'round me, people, a story I'd like to tell
GFC
About a brave young Indian, that you should remember well
CF
From a tribe of Pima Indians, a proud and noble band
GFC
Who farmed the Phoenix Valley, down in Arizona land
[Verse 2]
CF
Down their ditches for ten thousand years the sparkling waters rushed
GFC
Then the White Man stole the water rights, and all the running waters hushed
CF
Ira's folks go hungry, their farms grow crops of weeds
GFC
When war came, Ira volunteered; forgot the White Man's greed
[Chorus]
CF
Call him drunken' Ira Hayes, he won't answer anymore
GFC
Not the whiskey drinking Indian, the Marine that went to war
[Verse 3]
CF
They battled up Iwo Jima Hill, two-hundred and fifty men
GFC
Only twenty-seven lived to walk back down again
CF
When that fight was over, when Old Glory raised
GFC
Among the men that held Her high was the Indian, Ira Hayes
[Verse 4]
CF
Well Ira came back a hero, he was celebrated throughout the land
GFC
He was wined and speeched and honored, everybody shook his hand
CF
But he was just a Pima Indian; had no money, no home, no chance
GFC
In Arizona no one cared what Ira had done; just "When do the Indians dance?"
[Verse 5]
CF
So Ira started drinkin' hard, jail was often his home
GFC
They let him raise the flag and lower it, like you'd throw a dog a bone
CF
Well he died drunk early one morning, all alone in this land he'd fought to save
GFC
Two inches of water in a lonesome ditch was the grave for Ira Hayes
[Chorus]
CF
Call him drunken' Ira Hayes, he won't answer anymore
GFC
Not the whiskey drinking Indian, the Marine that went to war
[Verse 5]
CF
Yeah, call him drunken Ira Hayes, but his land is still as dry
GFC
And his ghost is lyin' thirsty inside the ditch where Ira died