Purple Hearts for the wounded brave Wakinyan Akicita Purple, yellow, red, black, and white Isnala Wakan Inajin So many names, so many friends Wakinyan Akicita, War chief who will never fall
“Wakinyan Akicita”
Words and music by Scott Simpson
with Mrs. Little’s 5th Grade Class
©2001 Scott Simpson
He’d give them all his fallen friends to save
Hear the stories Grandmother told
Life on the prairie in the days of old
War chief who will never fall
A walking stick and a prayer in the night
Parched corn and a game upon the field
Laughter is the medicine that heals
He’s the Clown Man, come laugh with him
In war, in life, the spirit never ends
A time to laugh and a time to die
A time to live and and time to fly
Isnala Wakan Inajin, He’s the Clown Man, come laugh with him
Wakinyan Akicita, War chief who will never fall
Isnala Wakan Inajin, He’s the Clown Man, come laugh with him
I have many names. I grew up on the reservation. I lived with my Grandmother. My grandfather was very strict. I went to St. Francis Boarding School when I was about 8. I learned to speak English, and I learned to play football. I have 5 purple hearts from being wounded in battle. My grandfather, Fools Crow, named me a war chief because of my battle I am most proud of being sober. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I am Wakinyan Akicita, The Thunder and Lightening warrior.
I am Isnala Wakan Inajin, The Clown Man.
But my friends call me Sam.
I remember the Lakota stories she told in the evening.
I had a happy childhood, playing games and riding horses.
When we didn’t do as we were told, he caught his wildest horse.
Then he tied us on and hit the horse with a quirk.
We learned to mind, and we learned to ride!
They cut my hair, deloused me, and took my native clothes.
If I spoke a word of Lakota, I had to kneel on a rod.
I was known as Systematic Sam because I never missed a field goal.
I went to college on a football scholarship.
But I’d give all those medals back if I could have my friends back.
Too many people die in wars. I fought in Korea and served four tours in Viet Nam.
I was shot in the knee and the back, but a rifle launched Grenade blew up in my face, so I have fake cheekbones.
record and the way I stand up for my people. My people have many traditions.
We honor our elders, and those who have passed into the spirit world with Pow
Wows.
We have a Sun Dance when we fast and dance for four days and four nights.
I have a wonderful family, and they mean the world to me.
I’m proud to be an American.