My Children

 
The white men came, they took my children
They said it was for their own good
The white men came, they took my children
Why? I never understood.

They told me that they were savage
And must be taught the way
They told me that they were savage
An must be shown how to live each day.

The white men came, they took my children
And put them in their schools.
The white men came, they took my children
And said that we were fools.

I need my children, I want my children
Without them we're not free
I need my children, I want my children
Please give them back to me.

They cut their hair off, then taught them English
So they could become like them.
They cut their hair off, then taught them English
Then put them in a pen.

I need my children, I want my children
Without them we're not free
I need my children, my Beautiful children
Please send them back to me.

The white men came, they took my children
They told them we were bad
The white men came, they took my children
They told them to be glad.

I want my children, I need my children
You give them back to me.
I want my children, I need my children
Without them we're not free.

I'll teach my children, you don't have to
I'll teach them my own way
I'll teach my children, you don't have to
They'll learn to live my way.

I'll tell them how to live in Beauty
I'll tell them all they need to know
I'll tell them how to live in Beauty
With knowledge to let them grow.

I want my children, I need my children
Please send them back to me
I want my children, my beautiful children
Without them we're not free.