Kris Kristofferson Ballad of Ira Hayes (Johnny Cash tribute 1999 - with the bugler)

I left out the bugler with my first upload thinking the lyrics of the song would have been the most important message of Kris' great performance. Some viewers complained. So, here you are.
It's a song by the Indian folk singer Peter LaFarge (Narragansett Indian Tribe), but Johnny's interpretation made it popular.
He heard "The Ballad of Ira Hayes," one of La Farge's most heartfelt songs, and then saw La Farge perform in New York. They met in Nashville, and the country music star later cut an entire album, Bitter Tears, devoted to the status of the Native American in the United States, which included a half-dozen of La Farge's songs. Cash's single of "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" reached No. 3 on the country music charts, despite the refusal of many country disc jockeys to play the serious, politically provocative song, and Cash later gave it further exposure with a performance at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival.
There is a movie about the life of Ira Hayes, "The Outsider" (1961 with Tony Curtis) and another one "Flags of our fathers" (2006) about the soldiers in the battle of Iowa Jima and the events around that famous photo with this following show that the three survived soldiers had to act in. It's very well-made, impressive and touching ... Produced by Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg
The tribute show was only a short time before Kris had to undergo a triple bypass operation in May, and to me he didn't look really healthy on that stage.
Or was it just because this song is so sad?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Hayes
Ballad of Ira Hayes
Peter LaFarge
Gather round me, people, there's a story I would tell,
About a brave young Indian who you should remember well;
From the land of the Pima Indians, a proud and noble band,
Who farmed the Phoenix Valley out in Arizona land.
Down their ditches for a thousand years the waters grew Ira's people's crops,
till the white man stole their water rights and the sparklin' water stopped.
Now Ira's folks grew hungry, 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-drinkin' Indian, nor the Marine that went to war.
Well, they battled up Iwo Jima hill - two hundred and fifty men,
But only twenty-seven lived to walk back down again.
When the fight was over and Old Glory raised
Among the men who held it high was the Indian Ira Hayes.
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;
back home nobody cared what Ira had done and when do the Indians dance.
Then Ira started drinkin' hard and jail was often his home;
They let him raise the flag of glory like you'd throw a dog a bone;
He died drunk early one morning, alone in the land he'd fought to save
Two inches of water in a lonely ditch was the grave for Ira Hayes...
Call him drunken Ira Hayes, but his land is just as dry,
his ghost is lying thirsty In the ditch where Ira died.
Ballad of Ira Hayes
Versammelt euch um mich, Leute,
es gibt da eine Geschichte,
die ich euch erzählen will,
über einen mutigen jungen Indianer,
an den ihr euch gut erinnern solltet,
vom Land der Pima Indianer,
stolzen und angesehenen Leuten,
die das Phoenix Tal in Arizona bebauten.
Tausend Jahre lang hatte Wasser das Getreide
von Iras Volk unten im Graben bewässert,
bis der weiße Mann ihre Wasserrechte stahl
und ihr schäumendes Wasser stoppte.
Jetzt musste Iras Volk hungrig aufwachsen
und auf ihren Farmen wuchs nur noch Unkraut.
Als der Krieg kam, meldete sich Ira freiwillig
und vergaß die Gier des weißen Mannes.
Nennt ihn den betrunkenen Ira Hayes-
er wird nicht mehr antworten,
weder der Whiskey trinkende Indianer,
noch der Marinesoldat,
der in den Krieg gezogen war.
Sie kämpften um den Iwo Jima Hügel,
250 Männer, aber nur 27 überlebten
und konnten wieder runter gehen
als der Kampf zu Ende war
und der alte Ruhm wieder wuchs
war unter den Männern, die ihn hochhielten,
der Indianer Ira Hayes.
Ira Hayes kam als Held zurück
und wurde im ganzen Land gefeiert.
Er wurde fürstlich bewirtet,
Reden auf ihn gehalten und er wurde geehrt,
jeder schüttelte seine Hand.
Aber er war nur ein Pima Indianer,
hatte kein Wasser, kein zuhause, keine Chance.
Wieder daheim interessierte es niemanden,
was Ira getan hatte,
und wann tanzen die Indianer?
Dann fing Ira an zu trinken,
oft war das Gefängnis sein zuhause;
sie ließen ihn die Flagge hissen und runterlassen,
wie wenn du einem Hund einen Knochen hinwirfst.
Er starb betrunken eines frühen Morgens;
allein in dem Land, für das er kämpfte
um es zu retten.
Fünf Zentimeter Wasser in einem einsamen Graben -
das war das Grab für Ira Hayes.
Ja, nennt ihn den betrunkenen Ira Hayes,
aber sein Land ist noch genauso trocken,
und der Geist liegt durstig in dem Graben,
in dem Ira starb.

[@lillianshurtleff6613]

Taps as a tribute not only to Ira Hayes USMC who helped raise the flag on Iwo Jima, but to all who gave all. Taps always makes me cry--it was played for my uncle, father, father-in-law, and husband.

[@xine9992]

It seems rather ironic in context of the song

[@345kobi]

I have heard only two voices that could do this song justice. Kris is one and Johnny is the other.

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

Townes van Zandt!

[@stevedaniels5113]

The taps get me every time. A tribute to a man and a Marine that truely deserves it. All the Marines who fought on that bloody island deserve a tribute like that of Ira Hayes. A little over 24,000 casualties the highest single action losses in Marine Corps history were sustained by both the Marines and organic Navy personnel. Of those 6,140 died. Roughly one Marine or corpsman became a casualty for every 3 that landed on Iwo Jima.

[@wfuller1907]

The U.S. just observed its Memorial Day holiday. This song should have been on every damned radio station and TV network in the country -- that is, if the country cared or remembered.

[@MrWoodyanders]

Bugler playing "Taps" at the end is spot on. I get chills when he starts playing.

[@xine9997]

For the irony?

[@kevingurley698]

Very good version of Johnny's song. I love the playing of taps at the end done by a Marine!!!

[@loishill9064]

THE SONG WAS WRITTEN BY MR LEFARGE.NOT JOHNNY.😮

[@xine9992]

Wonderful expression of the political commitment shared by Cash & Krisofferson.

[@cherylfairbanks4905]

I love Kris Kristofferson he the best songwriter,actor singer much that he has done in his life !! God Bless you and keep Up good work ,I know your in retirement I love you videos and interviews you are loved And respected C.F

[@debbieveasey4224]

Kris and Johnny are true legends..because of their musical courage

[@tapiabarberena]

Y Willie Nelson

[@OneBadComic]

this WHOLE ENTIRE TRIBUTE IS PURE FIREEEE!!!

[@philpatton8521]

KRIS WROTE ALOT OF MUSIC FOR VERY FAMOUS ARTISTS WHAT A LEGEND HE IS

[@AllMyLove111]

Yep Fabulous Person And Singer Songwriter!!!

[@williesayulita]

He didn't write this one. Peter La Farge did

[@jacquelineajones5536]

Love this but always end up crying 😢for all the waste and unappreciated lives lost - thank you for your soul Kris x

[@dennisjensen6924]

Thank. You. Mr. Kris. Kristofferson. And. Thankb you. For. Your. Service. Sir. Respectfully. Private. First. Class. P. F. C. Dennis. Lee. Jensen. ❤❤❤

[@patriot52realfinn22]

Ira Hayes was a Pima indian and fought at marine corps when his people were poor and without water. Ironically Ira died two inches from water 1955 as a forgotten hero from the battle of Iwojima where he was one of those six men who raised US flag "Old glory" on Mt Suribachi february 1945.

[@idicula1979]

I love Kris Kristofferson.

[@AllMyLove111]

Yep!!! Agree 100%%%

[@AndrewJoyce76]

Wow! I saw the movie. It's ironic that Mr. Hayes fought to get his people water and was rebuffed and told no way, and then he drowned in two inches of water. His life and the way he was treated after the war is indicative of how the military treats soldiers once they have no further use of them.

[@biggestkkfan1506]

the movie is really impressing and sad...

[@AllMyLove111]

Yep... You made me Cry Sir!!!

[@paulafondren1788]

Amen to that Andrew Kris did a great job And. thanks to Johnny Cash for writing this song love both of them ❤❤❤❤

[@waldemarakrapsata8406]

Už proto by američané neměli chodit do válek,které jejich vláda stále vyvolává.Ať bojují sami,když se jim to líbí.Ne,oni obětují vás😢

[@deborahhenderson8547]

​@@paulafondren1788 in

[@brittajoki5918]

I love this song! I love the native americans and the culture. This song is a great work. And I love when Kris sings ;-)

[@AllMyLove111]

So Agree!!!

[@anthonycavacini7297]

NOTHING MORE TO SAY JUST THE BEST THERE IS. TONY SOUTH PHILLY.PA.

[@sujasara6900]

Awesome, great song

[@sananto6896]

Awesome! Great song yet only heard it few weeks ago. This should have been top song in the country for Johnny Cash.

[@xine9997]

Too many people just want to ignore the horrors visited on Native Americans, and their ongoing consequences, for a song like this to be a big hit, alas.

[@sananto6896]

@@xine9997 .....Yea, it took guts for Johnny Cash to sing this song. It's too bad the radio disc jockeys didn't play it.

[@desjarlaitr]

great song, proud to be from the Red Lake Nation of Ojibwa

[@larrycree238]

Great, Great tribute. From a proud member of the " Turtle Mt. Band of Ojibwa Nation " Belcourt, N.D. !!!!

[@KreigsMarine2]

It still shocks me to know that IRA only lived to be 32. I would have fought right beside you, Ira!!!

[@paulafondren1788]

Thanks Kris you did a great job on that song I love it the bugles pay at the end a great Johnny Cash song but Kris aced it love both of them

[@srhcb1]

A great rendition of an important song. And, I like the bugler.

[@thomasmaier4698]

Thank You very much Sir...Praise the Lord!!!

[@fefieschwind811]

Love this song love Kris he ist so good

[@wardusmcdi7166]

A true Marine!

[@lynnsnyder5680]

i am nativeamerica love this song ty

[@biggestkkfan1506]

+Lynn Snyder You're welcome.

[@larrycree238]

This is why that I'm proud to be a Native American on this Veteran's day

[@waynepowers2881]

The Mavericks guitar playing in the background is fantastic! They really add to that luther Perkins sound in a big way .

[@paoloboniardi7398]

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON E JHONNY CASH TE BEST

[@Watertender-lu7vj]

Peter LaFarge wrote the song. Both Johnny Cash's version and this one are excellent

[@daveinthailand]

Seen Kristofferson in Sunderland UK AMAZING

[@Ms2blackcats]

Army sings about Marines love it

[@RonjasDrHookChannel]

I love this upload! ♥

[@dagnyschn2417]

beautiful song

[@gerardlarkinhaverstock5153]

I of the greatest singer songwriter of the twenty century.

[@gerardlarkinhaverstock5153]

The backing group are the best.

[@corneliadenninger5395]

Gerard Larkin Haverstock This is Raoul Malo with the mavericks. They are Great /CD

[@jurgenklein334]

Ich liebe die alten Aufnahmen super Song cool

[@paulafondren1788]

Amen Lillian my brother was in the navy ertired but got a brain tumor had 13 surgerys didn’t last long after that a great man miss him so much ❤❤❤❤🎉

[@helenheeney2284]

Just brilliant soooooo lovely

[@sets51]

I love this, too. Thank you biggie.

[@biggestkkfan1506]

You're welcome, Thanks for watching and commenting...

[@Kine1]

Tina, just an other fantastik video from you, I loved it, and the quality is so fine.

[@biggestkkfan1506]

Thanks Kine... I was just tired of the people's complaining about the bugler that I left out with the other upload. I wouldn't need the bugler to understand the message of this great song. And for the bugler... I would play that tune on the trumpet myself long ago :-)

[@gunterhohl4850]

Very Nice!

[@dianejarmon1990]

Wow!

[@guenterhohl1260]

Very good

[@nilzarodrigues5]

Amoooooooo...

[@redneck4541]

Great version of this song

[@joasha156]

Real good stuff Tina.AHappy Xmas to you and yours.I have a couple of tickets for KK's 2016 Dublin Gigs

[@douglasward1379]

We come from back in the day. We give no ground when it comes to the USA.

[@britt-mariemortlund9174]

So thinkebel lyrics. ❤

[@leebaker5518]

Written by Peter LaFarge Ira Hamilton Hayes Akimel O'odham Native and a United States Marine.

[@paulafondren1788]

Amen 🙏 😅😅

[@gunterhohl4850]

Classe. JOHNNY CASH. song!

[@orianagrimod1366]

Grande grande

[@guenterhohl1260]

Strong as CASH! 👍😅😒

[@user-vt2lx4gu2d]

Damn this was 27 years ago.

[@antoniopastore5094]

K. Kristofferson, è fuori discussione, ma dietro di lui, i Mavericks,,,,,,,,,,,!!!!

[@sakariviitaniemi5962]

👍

[@tommypetersen2540]

I have officially become the "biggest kkfans" biggest kkfan! ( hey it makes sense to me :) )

[@biggestkkfan1506]

You're welcome ☺ Keep the spirit!

[@idicula1979]

Can I be the second biggest ok fan.

[@cameroncollins4445]

Sad no one knows who Peter la farge is

[@holgerbundgaard5265]

Verdensmusik

[@ElisabethKlaassen]

** * **

[@johnjacobs3502]

.

[@douglaswarner5845]

I pretty sure Kris wrote this.

[@taurektaurek6213]

Sorry Kris. Our comrade Ira died .. that ain`t be cause for some uppity version of this song.. Thank you for your service

[@biggestkkfan1506]

What is uppity about this version?

[@seagerseager5174]

It doesn't seem uppity

[@xine9997]

Passion and political commitment to calling out injustice is uppity?

[@camreese]

Bob dylan did it the best

[@rolandocastillo3166]

Love it. Great job always Good Music Exelente. Pure COUNTRY USA .❤

[@holgerbundgaard5265]

Verdensmusik