Chaska

In the back of the heart of blue earth county, many many years ago
I stood in the cold next to my mother and 38 men blindfold  

As the natives took their place singing their death song
The prison chaplain called their names, but he got one of the names wrong

Now I've been, fighting, with this notion that the world does a good man well
I seen all around me, a man do hateful things and he's still walking around y'see, while the good one's gone

Some say there was no mistake, some say they wanted that man to be hung
For falling in love with a white woman and caring for her infant son

When he was first captured, she cried don't take him, you don't know
If not for him, my bones would be bleaching on the prairie, my children with little crow

Now I've been fighting with this notion that the world does a good man well
I seen all around me, a man do hateful things and he still walking around y'see, while the good one's gone

The moment came and the ropes all placed and the drums they quieted the crowd
The men wailed and danced on the trap door gallows and yelled eachother's names so loud

And when they heard their name they yell I'm here, I'm here, and they yell out their fellowman's name for the heavens to hear

And the clergyman spoke on, about christ and how he died
And the ax was lifted high

I've been fighting with this notion that the world does a good man well
I seen all around me, a man do hateful things and he's still walking around y'see, while the good ones gone