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
It is a good day to die
Oh my children
Dry your eyes
It is a good day to die

He spoke of the days before the white man came
With his guns and whisky
He told of a time
A long time 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
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

Laid down my weapon
Laid down my bow
Now you want to
Drive me out
With no place left to go

It is a good day to die
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

He said
Oh my children
Don't you cry
Dry your eyes
Rise your voice up to the sky
It is a good day to die