Cash, Johnny - The Ballad Of Ira Hayes Lyrics

if I'd heard this before the rest of the album I probably would've been like "ugh okay a song about a drunken Indian who white people treat well but his own people don't"
but in context, it's an extension of the betrayal and disaster the settlers brought, and an example of someone just trying to survive within the new system.
The welcoming citizens are hypocrites - or at least some form of self-serving. They only welcome him as a friend because he fought for the US, while his family back home is still having their rights eroded.
That's why His family are not kind to him in turn, because he fought for a country that killed and displaced their people.
He feels abandoned because he grew up in a time of war, when American Exceptionalism and propaganda for patriotism is being forced down everyone's throats. He feels like he was only doing his part for his neighbors, but it felt more like admiring an enemy. It's kind of similar to how Sequoia in Talking Leaves was disowned for trying to take inspiration for a written language system. But instead of becoming an inventor, he was spiritually crushed by the turn his life took and turned to alcohol - the common narrative for that being that Europeans had built up centuries of tolerance for it and so when Natives began indulging, many more quickly fell prey to addiction.
The framing of "Whiskey-drinkin' Indian or the Marine who went to war" is because it centers on someone who sees through that frame of mind - strong Americans against broken Native Americans. it contrasts so well with Custer, which is sardonically told from the first person as an Indian man who is fondly remembering Custer's defeat.
In the end, the white people may have loved him and remembered him fondly, even made him a legend, but he never got the support he needed and died in a way associated with "lowly" people

Excelente cantante y compositor de musica country de usa dios lo tenga en su santa gloria🤠👍.

I just love finding Johnny songs that I have not heard! I am so in love with their love story!

Blocked in country

Alcohol is not a friend to an American Indian or anybody else for that matter.

Love you, Grandfather ',zz

Indian Died, Butt knotted on me WAYCH ORR TYME KEEP ER

Love this song. Who knew that The Man In Black would have a song that was about my Great Grandfather..🇺🇸.R.I.P. Ira Hayes always be in our hearts Warriors and Heros are never forgotten...🇺🇸

More like FORCED(drafted) to go to war.. like so many. My grandpa told us “they”(you know who) told him “if you don’t serve we’ll take your family away” so for white America who still don’t appreciate the “American” Indian for what they did...

Thank you Johnny <3 :)

Shout out to my indian folk

RIP Ira Hayes and Johnny Cash.

The Navy should name a ship for him.

It is just as raciest to call a first nations person an Indian as it is to call a black person a Nigger.

There’s no country singer these days that come close to telling a story like Johnny Cash

Dark ass song :(

only song of his i didnt like. I wouldn't call a marine vet drunken ira hayes.

Cw Tbird It wasn’t out of disrespect. Ira Hayes was someone so scarred by the horrors of war and the things he faced when he returned home that he drank himself to death. Thus the “drunken” part of his name was to represent the failures of the people who were supposed to help him.

@Choumane The whole album was about kissing american indian butt so it's not my favoorite but the song is calling out an individual.

A fantastic tribute to a brave man.

I wanna die like lra Hayes. RIP Ira, and Johnny✌🇺🇸

In many ways this song is a metaphor for Johnny Cash's life raised as a sharecropper's son in the Arkansas Delta.

Great song for Veteran's Day!

Seen you when you came to Australia and God bless you mate you where the best

If you search around there's a clip of the 1973 performance in Australia on YouTube. There's also some footage of him going down into some mines in the same film. I think there's also some footage of the concert in the 90's, and some footage of him singing to a guy dying of cancer in a hospital after a Highwaymen show. Here's the link to the 1973 concert so you don't have too look around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lfWj92TZEw

Can’t add a public comment, can’t, speaks for itself, like most veterans should understand

My dad for fought right beside Ira and they were best friends! My dad helped raise the flag at Iowa Jima too! Shortly after the war they found poor Ira face down in a ditch where he had froze to death! Dad died shortly after in a bad car accident!

Which guy is your dad in the famous photo of the flag being raised? That's some interesting family history you got if it's true.

Johnny,your voice will always be with us........

The very very best❤️❤️❤️

Thank you 🙏🏽

Great share JohnnyCashVevo! Liked and put up on the music playlist. God bless! Rest in peace Mr. Ira Hayes and Mr. Johnny Cash.

NOBODY in America ever got jacked around as bad as the Indians!!!

I remember seeing the movie about Ira Hayes back in 69. What a tragic story showing the injustice toward our first peoples. Johnny Cash stands tall among the balladers of our time.

America.is.full.of.shit.columbus.didn.t.discover.america..the.indians.were.here.first.they.stole.everything.from.the.indian.s.now.they.steal.everything.people.has.politict.s.are.all.lier.s.theives.crook.s.this.is.no.free.country.

Respect Mr Hayes.

Ira should've had support.

👏👏👏

I grew up very close to where he died. It's so sad I'd cry when I'd walk by.

I'd gladly buy a shot of jack for either ira and johnny with my bottom dollar

You can tell in his voice, he truly cared about the struggles of Ira and his family

The story of him performing Nixon’s White House and refusing to play well fair cadillac is the definition of icon

Me too want to belong a Nature race as the indians or our...for ME...beloved Lapplanders in North Norwegian.
I LOVE THESE FOLKS GROUPS.
Bible..."Folk groups with borders between them"
Apostel.com 17.26
Old Testament is full of Folks groups...edomitts. hetitts. kanaanites. moabites..levits.
Read self.
I want to be nature/forrest-race.
To be with your own folks group

Poor Ira .He.did Not want to go on that War Bond Drive.He never claimed to be a hero.Did his job, saw friends especially his sargeant get killed and was tramatized by Iwo Jima.
So damn sad how Ira died.He was educated and intellegent .The damn whiskey; a curse to the native folks. But we all know That sad story. What more can be said.

Hwhite men stole his water so he went for whiskey.

Kyle hayes love ya buddy and your girls are being taught that right way sahra will make sure of that you would be proud of them rip buddy...say hi to stan for me! If its brown it's down

Love this song. Love Johnny Cash. He had powerful words to his songs.

Song puts tears in my eyes always has

My grandmother was Indian but we never heard bad things about Indians from anyone. Of course she wasn't raised on a reservation and she married my grandfather when she was 18. They moved to Oklahoma and bought land. Ended up owning lots of acreage and plowing and planting. Had workers who helped in the field and never once had to worry about prejudice. They were well liked. This song is sad. I know people drink and some to the point they become alcoholics. I had an uncle who was and died from it. It's a choice and you have to choose. I don't fully understand alcoholics and why they choose it, but I'm frankly tired of hearing about Indians being nothing but drunks and lazy. I never met one who was lazy, refusing to work and drunk. Ugh!

This is one of the best comments I have come across

Such amazing song ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️this thank you so much

On behalf of my old man, thank you, Johnny.

Ira Hayes is a Hero! so sad how many of our soldiers are treated like shit. died in a gutter..

Джонни кэш низкий поклон тебе брат!!!! США я тебя обожаю! Спасибо за таких людей!!! 👍 я из России! Казань с тобой!

i'm not crying

Another Awesome Cash song!

the best johnny cash song

🇺🇸 Johnny cash 🇺🇸

Nice one

Thank you Johnny, for your great music <3

I used to visit the village to provide services to Ira's people. I am blessed to have had that opportunity in my work life to have been to his home area and to have met so many of his family members. So sad how he passed. Semper Fi Corp. Hayes.

Pamela Wooten , He was discharged as a Corporal ----and he earned his stripes .

@Adler H Thanks for letting me know that!

Rest In Peace relative

One of my Favorite songs as I'm also, Native~Indigenious, American. Wa-do for now. Have a Great Holiday!...

Liked....sings it well..John...

Amazing song!

It is great that Johnny Cash paid tribute to Ira Hayes. I am of the Dine' Nation (Navajo) and my first concert was Johnny Cash. I was only 6 at the time. Awesome!!!

Irv Hawke that’s awesome!!!

Irv Hawke I’m a former marine and Ira was talked about threw boot camp often. We never forget our brothers

@Evil Mofo Thank you for service!!! Thumbs up!

Ira Hayes
And
John Bradley
Rene Gagnon
Harlon Block
Mike Strank
Frank Strousley

Its because of this song I made it a point to memorize all of their names

Ira Hayes
Ira Hayes
Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won't answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinking Indian
Or the marine that went to war

Gather 'round me people
There's a story I would tell
'Bout a brave young Indian
You should remember well
From the land of the Pima Indian
A proud and noble band
Who farmed the Phoenix Valley
In Arizona land
Down the ditches a thousand years
The waters grew Ira's peoples' crops
'Til the white man stole their water rights
And the sparkling water stopped
Now, Ira's folks were hungry
And their land grew crops of weeds
When war came, Ira volunteered
And forgot the white man's greed

Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won't answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinking Indian
Or the marine that went to war

There they battled up Iwo Jima hill
Two hundred and fifty men
But only twenty-seven lived
To walk back down again
And when the fight was over
And Old Glory raised
Among the men who held it high
Was the Indian, Ira Hayes

Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won't answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinking Indian
Or the marine that went to war

Ira Hayes returned a hero
Celebrated through the land
He was wined and speeched and honored
Everybody shook his hand
But he was just a Pima Indian
No water, no home, no chance
At home nobody cared what Ira'd done
And when did the Indians dance

Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won't answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinking Indian
Or the marine that went to war

Then Ira started drinking hard
Jail was often his home
They let him raise the flag and lower it
Like you'd throw a dog a bone
He died drunk early one morning
Alone in the land he fought to save
Two inches of water and a lonely ditch
Was a grave for Ira Hayes

Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won't answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinking Indian
Or the marine that went to war

Yeah, call him drunken Ira Hayes
But his land is just as dry
And his ghost is lying thirsty
In the ditch where Ira died

Without Johnny Cash, Ira Hayes would’ve been lost to the sands of time

I always thought that it was due to Tony Curtis.

AB C HOOOOORRAAAHH!!

@AB C True that!

@Adler H true but it is because of people like Cash that people besides the marines know who he was and what he did

@mike Grey , True

I meant to say he gave a voice and shed light on injustices done to people

Johnny Cash had so much heart he gave to so many injustices done to native peoples and all people rip Mr cash and June

One of the big reasons I like Johnny Cash, even though he died when I was 2 or 3, is that he always spoke out for those who didn’t have a voice and deserved one. Prisoners whose conditions were horrid, soldiers fighting for a government that didn’t care about them, and Native Americans. Unfortunately, he never really brought up the plight of African Americans despite being at the height of his popularity during the civil rights movement. That’s definitely understandable though as his audience was primarily white southerners, so it basically would have been career suicide to pick a side in the movement. Great song and sung by a great storyteller.

Tom Eskew he didn’t sing about the African Americans because every one else did.They had a voice the prisoners didn’t the natives didn’t bitter tears was nearly suicide but he still released it

Youre wrong. Listen to the ballad of John Henry.

Ira Hayes’ story is a deeply tragic one, he’ll never be forgotten ❤️

I heard this ballad at thirteen in history class. Johnny Cash's voice is CAPTIVATING... I started listening to all his material. My favorite is 'Ring Ó fire'

Norbero Fontanez Good choice! I think Man in Black is my personal favourite

@legendgamer676 Lynn...
THIS isJohnny cash 's version of THE BALLAD OF IRA HAYES. I never realized that he was in my mother's oldest brothers company. I dont know why I never connected the dots. I knew Uncle Reatus was a. MARINE and fought at IWO JIMA. Duh....I also knew that Marines weren't drafted. I. Certainly didn't connect him with raising the flag when the battle was won. Reatus has been dead for years. But....
He was one of the pall bearers for Ira. I CAN'T SEND. THE WHOLE STORY. so you will have to. go online and type in IRA HAYES. Evidently he is buried at Arlington.

IRA DROWNED IN A DITCH BECAUSE HE WAS SO DRUNK HE DIDNT TRY TO GET OUT OF THE DITCH. HE WAS ONLY 32. AFTER IT WAS TOO LATE TO HELP IRA THEY GAVE HIM A MILITARY FUNERAL AT ARLINGTON.

Uma música dessa tem que ser ouvida várias vezes 😍

Eu amo Johnny Cash.

Pay attention kids because this is a true story!!!! So when you're listening 2 this New so called music they have on the radio now!!!!! Ear polution!!!! And if u enjoy your freedom... It's because of selfless acts from people like lra Hayes!!!! Rip....

@Reel Outdoors ya l wasn't talking about all young people... That's cool you respect and listen 2 cash....peace!!!!!!

JingleTitties fuck off asshat

SHUT
THE
FUCK
UP
BOOMER

William Brooks boomer confirmed

William, would you believe me that in 1964 some old fart said the exact same thing about Johnny Cash's music? It's always been like that. There's always people that hate new music for the sake of hating it.

One day ill become an artist just like Johnny cash

I hope you do! Good luck!

Whoever is running this channel please keep uploading these Johnny cash videos. And my golly if you run out of videos (which you shouldn't), I will very well take it upon myself to sing his songs.

I'll do it I got a pretty deep voice

@THE REDEEMER YOU DON'T HAVE SHIT!!!

The man in black. Johnny Cash had a way with storytelling songs. Miss him singing for us now. He was a humble man. Hope he is in heaven with June Carter Cash.

Yes he was a good man and I miss him signing his stories.

@Iamasniperrifle He is.

@Iamasniperrifle Believers aren't the only ones that get into heaven.

SilverSmoke you sure about that?

Jamming with hank Williams 😊

Only 3 hour late 230th like and 978th view and 17th comment apparently. Cool song Johnny Cash was funny.

*_Fallout New Vegas Introduce Me To This Kind of Music and now i Love It_*

I didn't need a video game to listen to Johnny Cash my Dad got me into Johnny Cash

Fallout NV was amazing but, what got me into the k-pop legend was callmekevin (check him out) with the legendary Ring of Fire

@THE REDEEMER I love call me Kevin!

@Joker ah. A man of culture

@THE REDEEMER lol yep!

Braasill

The one and only JRC. He gave us so much by his great and amazing music. He'll never be forgotten. /CD

why dont you write Johnny R Cash instead? OMG

Anyone going to comment about Ira Hayes himself?

@Darryl Donnelly well your all stupid

Bo Rupert you’re*

Y'all need to stop. We miss the man, the father, the convict, the human, the husband and THE LEGEND. Respect Mr Cash

Thank you Johnny

The one and only JRC.
The best ever. /CD

Obrigada Johnny Cash.

👍 Merci 👍

Johnny Cash is my favorite for many many reasons but one of the most important aspects of his music was his connection to history! Not very often does an artist tell stories in their music, especially when it relates to our history. Long live JOHNNY CASH

I have been in a live concert

Totally agree, today's "country" is shit and my golly do their voices all sound the same with the red trucks and the beer and the woman they and don't forget the auto tune

@Generation Station gee golly whiz

Same with Johnny Horton, Marty Robbins yeah

Sabaton has amazing historical songs

Your voice is mesmerizing

Jayesh Mange it’s a little late for him to read that

Jayesh Mange He’s dead bro.

What a talent

Love it 👍

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