BORN ON THE REZ
Music & Lyrics by: Robby Romero
I was born on the reservation in 1973
On a trail of tears exiled in the land of the free
In the spirit of Crazy Horse
And our people buried at Wounded KneeAcross the waters of San Creek
Winter winds blow cold
From Cheyenne River to the Standing Rock stronghold
Where Sitting Bull lives on
And the struggle of our people unfoldsMní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is LifeGhost dancers thread the prairies of my mind
Dancing through history on smoke singles of time
As we fight for our lives against the black snake Dakota access pipelineI was born on the reservation on a fateful Bigfoot ride
Hotchkiss cannons rang out unarmed men, women and children died
The Cannonball and Missouri rivers of tears our people criedMní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is LifeMní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is LifeI was born on the rez in 1909
In a prison of unjust men who’s laws are not mine
In the spirit of Goyaałé Geronimo and water protectors on the front-lineMní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is LifeI was born in Oceti Sakowin camp in 2016
During the largest spiritual resistance the world’s ever seen
My people they named me Mní WičóniMní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is LifeMní Wičóni Water is Life
Mní Wičóni Water is LifeJust got back from Standing Rock….
Copyright © 2016 by Eagle Thunder Music
BORN ON THE REZ was recorded at Capitol Records Studios in Hollywood, California. It was produced by Don Was, a four-time Grammy Award-winning musician, record producer, and executive, along with Ed Cherney, a three-time Grammy Award-winning producer and music engineer. The track was mixed by Steve Addabbo, a Grammy Award winner, at Shelter Island Sound in New York City. It was mastered by Steve Fallone, a two-time Grammy winner, at Sterling Sound in New York City. Laila Nabulsi and Dennis Banks served as executive producers for the recording.
The Red Thunder lineup consists of renowned artists and activists, including Ojibwa Warrior Dennis Banks, co-founder and leader of the American Indian Movement, and Country Outlaw Kris Kristofferson. Kris has won three Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe and has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The lineup also features legendary and acclaimed musicians: Jim Cox on piano, Hammond organ, and vocals, Jim Keltner on drums, rattles, and vocals, Danny "Kooch" Kortchmar on guitar and vocals, and Don Was on upright bass and vocals. They are accompanied by Gary Farmer, Native American Film Award, First Americans in the Arts, and Red Nation Film Festival winner, on blues harp and vocals, and Robert Mirabal, Grammy winner, on Pueblo Flute and vocals. The Water Protector chorus is made up of distinguished singers, songwriters, and actors, including Victoria Asher, Ta'kaiya Blaney, Tina Malia, Bob Neuwirth, Dakhóta Romero, Chris Stills, Kholan Studi, Jimmy Lee Young, Raye Zaragoza, with a special guest appearance by Frances Fisher.