You were wild and you were free You would search your destiny But the white man came and took your land away You were fire and you were flame You were blood inside that (vein) How he brought you fame the day he came to stay I hear you howling through the night The wind is cold the moons are fading The pride and sorrow curse the light And wakes a vengeance in your heart You were young but you were wise You were smoke that always raised How they put you down and spit upon your name You were snow and you were rain You would walk without a shame But they changed your life and gave you all the blame The sound of thunder breaks the arch 10000 riders side by side The time has come to end the fight For their freedom, for their right Cherokee, riding free You ride into the sky Where your spirit lives forever Cherokee, riding free You ride into the sky Where all your freedom lasts forever The fire burns tonight We all recall the fight Where blood was shed without a reason 200 years have passed since you stood ashore And raped your land down to the core Cherokee, riding free You ride into the sky Where your spirit lives forever Cherokee, riding free You ride into the sky Where all your freedom lasts forever