Lone Dog - The Great Chief Tecumseh

Noble Tecumseh;
Chief of the Shawnee;
Where do your naked bones
Rest `neath the soil?
Where is the hiding place
That your brave remnants grace?
Where is this hallowed place
Near the Thames' flow?

Great Indian war chief;
Voice of compassion;
A pagan more Christian
Than Christians themselves.
Show me the hallowed ground -
Oh precious hallowed ground! -
Where burdened bones are found
Barren but free.

Nurtured by forests;
One with all nature;
Angered by hunting grounds
Ravaged at will.
Oh how you fought to save
That which the Spirit gave
To all your nations brave
Centuries before!

Painted for battle;
Riding white pony;
Chivalrous, dignified,
Eloquent, proud.
Fighting the losing fight
Like a crusading knight,
`Gainst the foe's greater might
Built upon greed.

Speaker of burning words
Rousing to action;
Green eyes in copper skin
Flashing with fire.
Eager to fight and die;
Hear now the warrior's cry
Screamed to the flaming sky
O'er cannons' roar!

Vanquished in battle
But fallen as hero;
History remembers not victor but you.
Yet, you hide the hallowed ground
Where your brave bones are found,
For when in secret ground
You still are free.

Lone Dog

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