I had never heard of the Bitter Tears album until a lady in my church heard I was a Johnny Cash fan and gave it to me. I could never give it up now, because the music is very moving.

I'll get the negative out of the way early: I'm no fan of the Ballad of Ira Hayes. Any time someone puts together an album of Johnny Cash singing songs about Indians, they will put in Ira Hayes. That's it, end of negatives.

Now why should you own this album? Two words: Apache Tears. This song inspired me to gather Apache Tears in the desert Southwest one summer. It is a beautiful song.
Here are the tracks on the song:

1. As long as the grass shall grow.The title refers to the grants of land to Native Americans by treaties with the United States. These lands shall belong to the Native people as long as the grass shall grow. The song speaks of treachery and broken treaties.

2. Apache Tears. Here the Trail of Tears is remembered. Where atrocities were done to the people on the Trail of Tears you will find the black Apache tears as a marker of wrongs done.

3. Custer. This is a humorous song about Little Big Horn. My favorite line goes like this "Now I can tell you buster, that I ain't a fan of Custer, but the General he don't ride well anymore." And "Custer split his men, well (laugh) he won't do that again, and the General he don't ride well anymore!"

4. Talking Leaves. Sequoyah invented the Cherokee alphabet. The song story says that he saw papers on the ground with writing on them and asked his father. The father told him of the white man's talking leaves which bring bad medicine. The young man was not to be put off, because if leaves could speak to the whites they could speak to the Cherokee.

5. Ballad of Ira Hayes. Ira Hayes returned home from war a hero. He was soon forgotten as he went back to his people who were in poverty.

6. Drums. A young Indian is taken to a white man's school where he is forced to become and American. How ironic that a descendant of the true Americans is to be Americanized. He hears drums in the distance calling him to remember who he is even if called by a white name.

7. White Girl. This young Indian man dates a white girl. She seemed to be fond of him until he asked her to marry him. She would not marry an Indian she said. A sad song. I consider it to be her loss.

8. Vanishing Race. This one is a haunting song. It music remains with you even after the album is done. The native people are a vanishing race. He fears for his people.

Yes, in this album bitterness and sorrow are expressed. Still, Johnny Cash holds on to the heritage of the Native American. He holds out some hope as he sings their songs.

If you can find it, add Bitter Tears to your collection.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving