J.D. Nash Tribute SOng
Flight of the Hawkman

Editor's note: Although the following are song lyrics, it also works well as poetry, don't you think?


FLIGHT OF THE HAWKMAN
by: J.D. Nash copyrite 1996

It was 1890, just past Christmas Day
The 7th rode in, took our weapons away
Then they opened fire, revenge on their minds
For Custer's last stand, 14 years behind

85 years later and nothing had changed
In the chill of the morning they came riding in again
At a place we call Jumping Bull and fresh on their minds
The liberation of Wounded Knee, just 2 years behind

The guns again rattled and the ground again shook
With a bullet to the back, brother Joe's life they took
But 2 of their own lay dead that day
For their criminal trespass on Indian ways

Goddamn American ain't you heard?
The body of a man and the spirit of a bird
Goddamn America where you been?
You locked him down but you can't keep him in.

They set their sites on the Hawk when 2 others went free
For the self defense killing of these agents, you see
So up North to Canda the Hawk did fly
'Til the lies of a woman brought him home to try.

Tried in North Dakota, white faces all around
The hearing it started with a loud gavel sound
But the Hawk had a witness, an alabi you know
'Til they found poor Anna Mae dead in the snow.

Goddamn America can't you see
That you can't cage a hawk no its gotta fly free
And Goddamn America where you been?
You locked him down but you can't keep him in.

The jury was set in their minds that day
2 Indians went free this 1 had to pay
The judge told him, "boy that's life times 2
Cause the killing of these agents we're pinning on you."

There was a cry from the people, "my god what a sham."
"How can you imprison an innocent man?"
But justice is blind and its deaf to our wails
And for 21 years Leonard's lived in their jails.

You better listen America to what's being sung
Cause we won't be silent til this wrong is undone
And we won't let you rest, no we won't let you be
'Til the day that the Hawkman, he finally flies free.

Goddamn America don't you know
That you can't keep the Hawk, no you gotta let him go.
And Goddamn America where you been?
You locked him down but you can't keep him in.

You locked him down but you can't keep him in.

You locked him down...now YOU'RE guilty as sin.

by: J.D. Nash copyrite 1996