MY BEAUTIFUL ISLE OF SOMEWHERE

Episode 7: Black Elk speaks

I've held the floor now long enough, it's someone else's turn
I think ET has asked Black Elk
to come that you may learn

How Innuits and 'Indians' have suffered just as we
and what it means to still be called
an Aborigine

I'd like to thank you Milerum for telling how our lives
were similar in suffering
caused by those loathsome Fives.

And right here at the onset I say there is no chance
of change for us until mankind
gives up on gun and lance

Wasichus* came with lies and greed, they heard that there was gold
We stood our ground and fought them off
our Braves were strong and bold

They came again and tried to say they meant us all no harm
they thought by being mealy-mouthed
they'd cause us to disarm

No sooner had they grabbed some land, they lusted even more
for yellow dirt unhinged their minds
they paid no heed to law

Our Sioux lived by the maxim, to only kill for food
and bison were our mainstay
when hungry we pursued

Relentlessly the soldiers came to hunt and kill our band
they slaughtered and they plundered
no more could we withstand

The brave, true Ogalalas* fought to the very end
To no avail, it grieves me so
there’s no more to defend.

We live in degradation but our spirit is not dead
our aim is now to teach the Fives
man lives on more than bread.

The nation’s Hoop is broken, the Sacred tree is dead
There is a book called Black Elk Speaks*
By all it must be read.

There’ll be a celebration if lawlessness should cease
and ALL will join the Circle
to smoke the Pipe of Peace

I feel so sad said Milerum, because our lands were taken
by people who weren’t really bad
but felt they were forsaken

Society rejected some and others who tried hard
to make a new beginning
in a house with own “backyard”

For them there was no future and nothing left to lose
the prospect of adventure
would help to make them choose

It was the Fives who needed them to populate the plains
and rid the lands of “Indians”
who stopped their roads and trains

So once again we see the Fives manipulating Man
creating the dissension
essential to their plan

My dear Black Elk and Milerum, I thank you most sincerely
for helping to enlighten me
your people suffered dearly

Your life, your land, your families were wrecked by greedy Fives
And to the five’s eternal shame
you also lost your lives

The Fives had planned to fill this land with convicts from UK
But first they had to let us die
from want and slow decay

Then Black Elk laughed out loudly, his belly shook with mirth
The silly Fives, they clean forgot
The Meek Inherit Earth

For all their sad betrayals, for all their devious schemes
The Fives knew not that Salties
can also have their dreams

Again Black Elk I thank you, I’ll try with all my might
to try and find like-minded souls
who seek to find the light

The trouble is my family, they feel that I need healing
They think I spend my time in bed
talking to the ceiling!

Black Elk laughed again and said, Now, try to settle down
because WE know that you’re OK
we’ll wipe away that frown

Just go about your daily chores, fulfilling all their wishes
for you can always talk with us
while washing up the dishes

No need for you to go to bed or get down on your knees
We can always come to you
anytime you please

Black Elk I said, If that’s the case, I might enjoy my work
I really do feel guilty
when work I try to shirk

Then Black Elk said, there’s more to life than you can ever dream
so get your friends together
and formulate your team

You’ll find that life’s more interesting, fulfilling and exciting
by using up your energy
on things that look inviting

It is often said that many hands will make the work seem lighter
it’s also said that many heads
can make the world much brighter

The first thing Lou that you must do is start from where you are
it’s better far to start from scratch
when reaching for a star

Could I bring some friends, I asked, to sit around the table
and would you speak directly so
they’ll know that you’re no fable?

Why sure you can, said Milerum, but do not be deceived,
it’s hard for some to hear us
and we may not be believed

Episode 6

Episode 8