Lyrics

Buffalo Thunder Rising

[Intro]
[low chant
Building
Handclaps]
Ho-ya hey-ya
Ho-ya hey-ya
Ho-ya hey-ya
Ho

[Verse 1]
Painted red
Black across the eyes
Smoke in the sky
Grandfather’s drum in my chest

Feathers shake
Breath of the morning grass
Hooves in my heartbeat
I listen
I listen

[Chorus]
Buffalo thunder rising
Spirit of the plains
We call
Brothers of the running storm
Hear us
Hear us
We ride with your wild hearts
Take only what we dare to face
Buffalo thunder rising
Guide our hands
Our ways

[Verse 2]
Circle drawn
Sage on the glowing coal
Old songs on younger tongues
We lean to the listening ground

Names of the herds
Spoken like quiet prayer
I touch the earth
The dust
“I come with an open hand”

[Chorus]
Buffalo thunder rising
Spirit of the plains
We call
Brothers of the running storm
Hear us
Hear us
We ride with your wild hearts
Take only what we dare to face
Buffalo thunder rising
Guide our hands
Our ways

[Bridge]
[stomps and claps
Call-and-response]
Leader: Hey-ya hey-ya
Hunting spirits
Group: Hey-ya hey-ya
Guide our sight
Leader: Show us courage
Show us mercy
Group: Walk beside us in the light

Leader: For your bodies
We give thanks
Group: For your breath
We give our song
All: From your passing
We keep living
From your strength
We grow strong (hey!)

[Chorus]
Buffalo thunder rising
Spirit of the plains
We call
Brothers of the running storm
Hear us
Hear us
We ride with your wild hearts
Take only what we dare to face
Buffalo thunder rising
Guide our hands
Our ways

[Outro]
[drums slow
Deep chant]
Ho-ya hey-ya
Ho-ya hey-ya
Ho-ya hey-ya
Thank you
Buffalo