About The Song
Johnny Cash’s deep, resonant voice and his ability to delve into the heart of social and historical issues have made him a country music legend. One of his most powerful and poignant songs, “The Ballad of Ira Hayes,” is a haunting tribute to a Native American war hero and a heartbreaking commentary on the treatment of indigenous people in America.
The song tells the tragic story of Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian who was one of the six flag-raisers at the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Despite his heroic actions, Hayes returned home to a country that failed to recognize his contributions and instead subjected him to discrimination and prejudice. Cash’s haunting ballad explores the themes of patriotism, racism, and the psychological toll of war.
The lyrics, penned by Peter LaFarge, are both powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of Hayes’s life and the injustices he faced. Cash’s delivery is both mournful and angry, perfectly capturing the complexities of the story. The arrangement is sparse, with a driving rhythm and a simple melody that allow the lyrics to take center stage.
“The Ballad of Ira Hayes” is more than just a country song; it’s a social commentary that continues to resonate today. The song’s themes of racism, prejudice, and the cost of war are as relevant now as they were when the song was first released. Cash’s performance is both powerful and moving, and his interpretation of the song has become a standard for subsequent recordings.
Beyond its musical merits, “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” also offers a glimpse into the life and career of Johnny Cash. The song was released during a particularly politically charged period in American history, and it reflects Cash’s commitment to social justice.
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Lyric
Ira HayesIra HayesCall him drunken Ira HayesHe won’t answer anymoreNot the whiskey drinking IndianOr the marine that went to warGather ’round me peopleThere’s a story I would tell‘Bout a brave young IndianYou should remember wellFrom the land of the Pima IndianA proud and noble bandWho farmed the Phoenix ValleyIn Arizona landDown the ditches a thousand yearsThe waters grew Ira’s peoples’ crops‘Til the white man stole their water rightsAnd the sparkling water stoppedNow, Ira’s folks were hungryAnd their land grew crops of weedsWhen war came, Ira volunteeredAnd forgot the white man’s greedCall him drunken Ira HayesHe won’t answer anymoreNot the whiskey drinking IndianOr the marine that went to warThere they battled up Iwo Jima hillTwo hundred and fifty menBut only twenty-seven livedTo walk back down againAnd when the fight was overAnd Old Glory raisedAmong the men who held it highWas the Indian, Ira HayesCall him drunken Ira HayesHe won’t answer anymoreNot the whiskey drinking IndianOr the marine that went to warIra Hayes returned a heroCelebrated through the landHe was wined and speeched and honoredEverybody shook his handBut he was just a Pima IndianNo water, no home, no chanceAt home nobody cared what Ira’d doneAnd when did the Indians danceCall him drunken Ira HayesHe won’t answer anymoreNot the whiskey drinking IndianOr the marine that went to warThen Ira started drinking hardJail was often his homeThey let him raise the flag and lower itLike you’d throw a dog a boneHe died drunk early one morningAlone in the land he fought to saveTwo inches of water and a lonely ditchWas a grave for Ira HayesCall him drunken Ira HayesHe won’t answer anymoreNot the whiskey drinking IndianOr the marine that went to warYeah, call him drunken Ira HayesBut his land is just as dryAnd his ghost is lying thirstyIn the ditch where Ira died