the general rode for sixteen days the horses were thirsty and tired on the trail of a renegade chief one he d come to admire the soldiers hid behind the hills that surrounded the village and he rode down to warn the chief they d come to conquer and pillage lay down your arms lay down your spear the chief s eyes were sad but showed no sign of fear it is a good day to die oh my children dry your eyes it is a good day to die and he spoke of the days before the white man came with his guns and whisky he told of a time long ago before what you call history the general couldn t believe his words nor the look on his face but he knew these people would rather die then have to live in this disgrace what law have i broken what wrong have i done that makes you want to bury me upon this trail of blood it is a good day to die oh my children don t you cry it is a good day to die we cared for the land and the land cared for us and that s the way it s always been never asked for more never asked too much and now you tell me this is the end i laid down my weapon i laid down my bow now you want to drive me out with no place left to go it is a good day to die oh my children don t you cry it is a good day to die and he turned to his people and said dry your eyes we ve been blessed and we are thankful raise your voices to the sky it is a good day to die oh my children don t you cry dry your eyes raise your voice up to the sky it is a good day to die