Folk icon Neil Young has always been outspoken for social justice, using his music as a media for important causes. A prime example of that is his organization of and performance at Farm Aid last weekend. In addition to that, Young also wrote a song called “Indian Givers” in protest of the current situation with the Dakota Pipeline.
With tension surrounding the Keystone XL Pipeline heating up, Young has delivered a poignant song on the issue. Listen to “Indian Givers” below, and read the lyrics as well courtesy of Stereogum.
There’s a battle raging on the sacred land
Our brothers and sisters have to take a stand
Against us now for what we all been doing
On the sacred land there’s a battle brewingI wish somebody would share the news
Now it’s been about 500 years
We keep taking what we gave away
Just like what we call Indian givers
It makes you sick and gives you shiversI wish somebody would share the news
Big money going backwards and ripping the soil
Where graves are scattered and blood was boiled
When all who look can see the truth
But they just move on and keep their grooveI wish somebody would share the news
Saw Happy locked to the big machine
They had to cut him loose and you know what that means
That’s when Happy went to jail
Behind big money justice always failsI wish somebody would share the news
Bring back the days when good was good
Lose these imposters in our neighborhood
Across our farms and through our waters
All at the cost of our sons and daugthersOur brave sons and daughters
We’re all here together fighting poison waters
Standing against the evil way
That’s what we have at the end of dayI wish somebody would share the news