Chaska – an elegy in the voice of Sarah Wilson
Music and lyrics by Elisa Korenne
We were prisoners of war
I thought I’d lost all I cared for
I was walking through hell without a way out
And you saved my life more times than I can count
I defended you then and I’ll do it again
I couldn’t care less about the color of your skin
Your name should be known
For your virtue towards a woman not one of your own
Chaska, my true friend
Chaska, man among men
You saved my life, with no regard for your end
Then you were hanged by my people for being my friend,
And an Indian
You made my children safe in your tepee
You put yourself between the bullets and me
You sold your coat for our food
You gave me your horse when I couldn’t walk for my wounds
You risked your life to keep us alive
But my people’s rage wouldn’t let you survive
We are alive because of you
Your reward was the white man’s noose
Chaska, my true friend
Chaska, man among men
You saved my life, with no regard for your end
Then you were hanged by my people for being my friend
And an Indian
The more I spoke for you
The worse it went for you
The more I spoke of you
The less they believed
You refused to take my hand the last time I saw you
You thought I had done you wrong
The only pain in my heart hear the pain of your death
Is that you thought I had a hand in it
Chaska, my true friend
Chaska, man among men
You saved my life, with no regard for your end
Then you were hanged by my people for being my friend
And an Indiian
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