Author: peglegsam
Length: 06:43
LYRICS:Now that your big eyes have finally openedNow that you're wondering how must they feelMeaning them that you've chased across America's movie screensNow that you're wondering how can it be realThat the ones you've called colorful, noble and proudIn your school propagandaThey starve in their splendorYou've asked for my comment I simply will renderMy country 'tis of thy people you're dyingNow that the longhouses breed superstitionYou force us to send our toddlers awayTo your schools where they're taught to despise their traditionsYou forbid them their languages, then further sayThat American history really beganWhen Columbus set sail out of Europe, then stressThat the nation of leeches that conquered this landAre the biggest and bravest and boldest and bestAnd yet where in your history books is the taleOf the genocide basic to this country's birthOf the preachers who lied, how the Bill of Rights failedHow a nation of patriots returned to their earthAnd where will it tell of the Liberty BellAs it rang with a thud Over Kinzua mudAnd of brave Uncle Sam in Alaska this yearMy country 'tis of thy people you're dyingHear how the bargain was made for the WestWith her shivering children in zero degreesBlankets for your land, so the treaties attestOh well, blankets for land is a bargain indeedAnd the blankets were those Uncle Sam had collectedFrom smallpox-diseased dying soldiers that dayAnd the tribes were wiped out and the history books censoredA hundred years of your statesmen have felt it's better this wayAnd yet a few of the conquered have somehow survivedTheir blood runs the redder though genes have paledFrom the Gran Canyon's caverns to craven sad hillsThe wounded, the losers, the robbed sing their taleFrom Los Angeles County to upstate New YorkThe white nation fattens while others grow leanOh the tricked and evicted they know what I meanMy country 'tis of thy people you're dyingThe past it just crumbled, the future just threatensOur life blood shut up in your chemical tanksAnd now here you come, bill of sale in your handsAnd surprise in your eyes that we're lacking in thanksFor the blessings of civilization you've brought usThe lessons you've taught us, the ruin you've wrought usOh see what our trust in America's brought usMy country 'tis of thy people you're dyingNow that the pride of the sires receives charityNow that we're harmless and safe behind lawsNow that my life's to be known as your "heritage"Now that even the graves have been robbedNow that our own chosen way is a noveltyHands on our hearts we salute you your victoryChoke on your blue white and scarlet hypocrisyPitying the blindness that you've never seenThat the eagles of war whose wings lent you gloryThey were never no more than carrion crowsPushed the wrens from their nest, stole their eggs, changed their storyThe mockingbird sings it, it's all that he knows"Ah what can I do?" say a powerless fewWith a lump in your throat and a tear in your eyeCan't you see that their poverty's profiting youMy country 'tis of thy people you're dyingBuffy Sainte-Marie on Rainbow Quest with Pete Seeger (Episode 38)