Hero or Drunken Indian?- The Ballad of Ira Hayes

The Battle of Ira Hayes some say is the most important track on the Bitter Tears LP. It has been referred to as an anthem. 

Who was Ira Hayes and what were the Pima Tribe from Arizona?

Story behind the iconic photograph in Iwo Jima at Mt. Suribach. 

Linking Photographers Joe Rosenthal & Jim Marshall.

Ira did not want to be a war hero and should have stayed with troops which led to PTSD. Hear the statistics for Indigenous people with mental illness, suicide, and substance abuse. 

Singer and friend of Johnny Cash tells what happen to the Apache Tear that Cash received from Ira Hayes’ mother. 

Ira Hayes is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, but would he really want to be there? 

Pima tribe did live on oasis, but the water rights turned their land into a dry crust!

Listen to the words of the song to get a full picture of this. 

Links:

The Ballad of Ira Hayes Lyrics: https://songofamerica.net/song/ballad-of-ira-hayes/

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears