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'They Killed Him' [1985], written by Kris Kristofferson, performed as the 'Just Another Holy Man' version by Floyd Red Crow Westerman at the Rainbow Warrior festival, rural New Mexico *****

                            THERE IS A PLACE CALLED SOUTH DAKOTA,

                            IT'S THE HOME OF SITTING BULL.

                            HE WAS BRANDED A REDSKIN SAVAGE,

                            WHEN HE TRIED TO DEFEND HIS LAND THAT DAY.

                            BUT HIS DREAM OF BEAUTY

                            THEY COULD NOT BURN AWAY,

                            JUST ANOTHER HOLY MAN

                            WHO DARED TO BE A FRIEND.

                            MY GOD, THEY KILLED HIM!

 

 

Red Crow personally added these very personal lyrics to Kristofferson's already haunting melody of mass madness and societal oppression of the world's great compassionate leaders, who dare step forward throughout history regardless of the tragic (and permanent) cost they may incur. His conclusion? All great leaders leave a legacy that "they cannot burn away, just another holy man."**

Floyd Red Crow Westerman

*Sioux Prophet and Elder**

THE THEME of this cutting-edge, innovative Campaign is infinitely more ethereal and existential than wholly substantive-oriented; thus, we turn to purely patriotic poetry and song to illustrate its searing, soaring spirit and soul -- although admittedly, like a will-o'-the-wisp in the wayward wind, its true heart and soul can never be captured in a bottle or any other bland embellishment from the white man's world.

Wafting across the prairie and plains of the heartland like a plaintive midnight cry of an eagle, elder Red Crow pins down the spirit and substance of this courageous Campaign's theme in such a way that cuts across all genres and mechanisms of politics, poetry, patriotism and populism. SING ON!~

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