DmCDm
Pinestraw on the ground around a fallen Cherokee rose
GDm
It's got me wonderin' why those mighty winds of change must blow
CDm
Once this land was free from fences and shotguns
G
Back when the people killed here for food instead of fun
F
When the Earth was sanctified
G
Cherished in the red-man's eyes
DCadd9
Before the Cherokee rose
DmG
The Cherokee rose
The Cherokee rose
DmCDm
My boots sink down into the soft red Georgia clay
GDm
Bought with their blood, this land here never was ours to take away
CDm
Disheartened souls unjustly driven from their homes
G
Many died along the way, now we build our houses upon their bones
F
After all these years
G
I can see the trail of tears
DCadd9
Damn this Cherokee rose
DmG
Oh the Cherokee rose
The Cherokee rose
DmCGDm
Oh they call us the land of the free
C
And the home of the brave
G
But I don't hear much
Dm
About the injustice that we've done along the way
Cm
We try to black it out
Never think about
C
The price they had to pay
G
We never cry for what was lost
FG
Shed a tear for the heavy cost
DmCG
Of what we call 'freedom'
DmCDm
All the gold in the world couldn't pay the debt we owe
G
We'll never right those wrongs, but I believe we should let them know
DmC
That we won't forget and sure as hell won't justify
DmG
And we'll do our best to keep their memories alive
F
Oh the least that we could do
G
Is dedicate one lonesome bloom
DmC
Won't ya take this Cherokee rose
DmG
Oh the Cherokee rose
DmC
The Cherokee rose
DmG
The Cherokee Rose
Dm
The Cherokee Rose