Lyrics Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash

As Long As The Grass Shall Grow

As long as the moon shall rise as long as the rivers flow

As long as the sun will shine as long as the grass shall grow

The Senecas are an Indian tribe of the Iroquios nation

Down on the New York Pennsylvania Line you'll find their reservation

After the US revolution cornplanter was a chief

He told the tribe these men they could trust that was his true belief

He went down to Independence Hall and there was a treaty signed

That promised peace with the USA and Indian rights combined

George Washington gave his signature the Government gave its hand

They said that now and forever more that this was Indian land

As long as the moon shall rise...

On the Seneca reservation there is much sadness now

Washington's treaty has been broken and there is no hope no how

Across the Allegheny River they're throwing up a dam

It will flood the Indian country a proud day for Uncle Sam

It has broke the ancient treaty with a politician's grin

It will drown the Indians graveyards cornplanter can you swim

The earth is mother to the the Senecas they're trampling sacred ground

Change the mint green earth to black mud flats as honor hobbles down

As long as the moon shall rise...

The Iroquios Indians used to rule from Canada way south

But no one fears the Indians now and smiles the liar's mouth

The Senecas hired an expert to figure another site

But the great good army engineers said that he had no right

Although he showed them another plan and showed them another way

They laughed in his face and said no deal Kinuza dam is here to stay

Congress turned the Indians down brushed off the Indians plea

So the Senecas have renamed the dam they call it Lake Perfidy

As long as the moon shall rise...

Washington Adams and Kennedy now hear their pledges ring

The treaties are safe we'll keep our word but what is that gurgling

It's the back water from Perfidy Lake it's rising all the time

Over the homes and over the fields and over the promises fine

No boats will sail on Lake Perfidy in winter it will fill

In summer it will be a swamp and all the fish will kill

But the Government of the USA has corrected George's vow

The father of our country must be wrong what's an Indian anyhow

As long as the moon shall rise (look up) as long as the rivers flow (are you thirsty)

As long as the sun will shine (my brother are you warm) as long as the grass shall grow