NATIVE AMERICAN

Little Steven's album version



Backing vocalists:I am Native American

Van Zandt and Springsteen:Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah

Steven Van Zandt:Life was forever when we were young
Bruce Springsteen:The land was protected for everyone
Van Zandt and Springsteen:Forever as long as the rivers run
Steven Van Zandt:But now the water no longer comes

Van Zandt and Springsteen:And now all that remains is darkness, a poisoned earth
And now before it's too late we must provide our own new birth

Backing vocalists:I am Native American
I am Native American

Bruce Springsteen:The question of honor you must decide
Steven Van Zandt:The soul of the nation has been denied
Van Zandt and Springsteen:Our dreams have been stolen before our eyes
Bruce Springsteen:How do you say there's no tomorrow to a child

Van Zandt and Springsteen:From us there is much to learn
There's so much you've forgotten
You can't change me, try and understand
I am proud of who I am

Backing vocalists:I am Native American
I am Native American

Steven Van Zandt:Woah ah ah ah
Ah ah

Steven Van Zandt:We must try and remember what we're here for
Bruce Springsteen:You will suffer the darkness alone no more
Van Zandt and Springsteen:You will have the strength of all of us gathered here today
Bruce Springsteen:That is something they can never take away

Backing vocalists:I am Native American
I am Native American

Van Zandt and Springsteen:Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh
Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey...
[Fades out]

Info

NATIVE AMERICAN is a song written by Steven Van Zandt and released on his 1987 album Freedom No Compromise. The song features a guest appearance by Bruce Springsteen on co-lead vocals. The above lyrics are for Little Steven's album version of NATIVE AMERICAN as released in 1987.

Little Steven -- Freedom No Compromise
Little Steven -- Freedom No Compromise

LP - Manhattan Records (ST 53048) - USA, 1987

The song, or at least Springsteen's parts, was recorded in early 1987 at Shakedown Studios in New York City, NY.

"Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah, Ho Ka Hey Wah Nah Woh" is a war cry of the Lakota Sioux that means "Let's Go - Now".

Other Official Releases

In addition to its releases on the Freedom No Compromise album, NATIVE AMERICAN also appears on two more official releases.

Little Steven -- Trail Of Broken Treaties
Little Steven -- Trail Of Broken Treaties

7" single - Manhattan Records (MT 28) - UK, 1987

A1- TRAIL OF BROKEN TREATIES
B1- NATIVE AMERICAN
Little Steven -- Trail Of Broken Treaties
Little Steven -- Trail Of Broken Treaties

12" single - Manhattan Records (12MT 28) - UK, 1987

A1- TRAIL OF BROKEN TREATIES [Extended Mix]
B1- TRAIL OF BROKEN TREATIES [LP version]
B2- NATIVE AMERICAN
Little Steven -- Greatest Hits
Little Steven -- Greatest Hits

CD - EMI (7243 522340 2 8) - Europe, 1999
CD - EMI (7243 522340 2 8) - Australia, 1999

Live History

NATIVE AMERICAN was performed off-tour on 21 Aug 1987 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul.

NATIVE AMERICAN was performed off-tour on 08 Oct 1987 at The Ritz in New York City, NY, during a guest appearance with Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul. See the live 08 Oct 1987 version for more details.

  1. 21 Aug 1987 at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
  2. 08 Oct 1987 at The Ritz, New York City, NY

Available Versions

List of available versions of NATIVE AMERICAN on this website:

NATIVE AMERICAN [Little Steven's album version]
NATIVE AMERICAN [Live 08 Oct 1987 version]

Page last updated: 15 Mar 2019