The Bear Dance

The people stand and crowd
they've come from all around
to get a touch, feel the beat
"CHEE CHI YO! CHEE CHI YO!"
An eagle man, his beaded wing
fans the smoke, across my face
an indian girl, next to me
smiles, proud to stand
in that place, mother in hand
I can't feel as clean
"CHEE CHI YO! CHEE CHI YO"
The bears, they dance
slow steps, heads bowed
beneath a prayer, to the song
that tears my heart, bleeds me slow 
An elder there dances, knows the song
with the people, slow shuffle
But I can't sing, sunglasses on
at 12:00 night, who wonders why
"CHEE CHI YO! CHEE CHI YO"
What I can't hide, when the bear
stops his dance, offers fur
for me to touch, but my hands
might paint with blood, stain with shame
Should I touch, sacred skin
but he knows, so he goes and I bleed.
CHEE CHI YO! CHEE CHI YO!
HINAh may, hinah may, hinah may,
hina may chee chi yoh............