Song title: Native american
(Steven Van zandt) by Steven Van zandt
Native american - Bruce / Steve
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah (Steven and Bruce)
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh [1]
Life was forever when we were young (Steven)
The land was protected for everyone (Bruce)
Forever as long as the rivers run (Both)
But now the water no longer comes (Steven)
And now all that remains (Both)
Is darkness a poisoned Earth
And now before it’s too late
We must provide our own new birth
Chorus:
I am Native American
I am Native American
The question of honor you must decide (Bruce)
The soul of the nation has been denied (Steven)
Our dreams have been stolen before our eyes (Both)
How do you say there’s no tomorrow to a child? (Bruce)
From us there is much to learn (Both)
There is so much you’ve forgotten
You can’t change me
Try and understand I am proud of who I am
(chorus)
I am Native American
I am Native American
We must try and remember what we’re here for (Steven)
You will suffer the darkness alone no more (Bruce)
You will have the strength of all of us
gathered here today (Both)
That is something they can never take away (Bruce)
(chorus)
I am Native American
I am Native American
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah (Steven and Bruce)
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
repeat 7 more times til fade Notes:
[1] This is war cry of the Lakota(Sioux) meaning
“Let’s Go – Now”
Native american - Steve's original
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh [1]
Life was forever when we were young
The land was protected for everyone
Forever as long as the rivers run
But now the water no longer comes
And now all that remains
Is darkness and poisoned earth
And now before it's too late
We must provide our own new birth
I am Native American
The question of honour you must decide
The soul of the nation has been denied
Our dreams have been stolen before our eyes
How do you say there's no tomorrow to a child?
From us there is much to learn
There is so much you've forgotten
You can't change me
Try and understand
I am proud of who I am
I am Native American
We must try and remember what we're here for
You will suffer the darkness alone no more
You will have the strength of all of us gathered here today
That is something they can never take away
I am Native American Notes:
Released on Steve's album Freedom - No Compromise, 1986.
[1] This is war cry of the Lakota(Sioux) meaning
“Let’s Go – Now”
This song has never been published on any official release.
Very few performances of this songs are known (to me, at least!):
- 21/08/1987 Stone Pony, Asbury Park,NJ ,USA during the 1987 "Bar tour"
- 08/10/1987 The Ritz, New York,NY ,USA during the 1987 "Bar tour"
Data from the www.brucespringsteen.it database
First known live performance: 21/08/1987 Stone Pony, Asbury Park,NJ ,USA
Last known live performance: 08/10/1987 The Ritz, New York,NY ,USA
Song 'history':
Played during the '1987 bar tour', which is the name under which I group the 1987 shows Bruce played with various small bands, or guesting, in small NJ clubs.
Data from the www.brucespringsteen.it database