Valley of the Little Bighorn
Words and Music by Jack Gladstone


The most written-about battle in U.S. history in song, from the viewpoint of a fine Blackfeet Native American songwriter - who is also a good friend.


The sun arose far to the east where we had once been born
The order had been given to be ridin’ before morn
Mounted men of calvary we faced a trail of thorns
In the valley of the Little Bighorn

Reno, Benteen, and Custer, were in command that day
Spotted Sioux and Cheyenne, camped beyond the plain
Who would see survival, who would be forlorn
In the valley of the Little Bighorn

I was a soldier who rode to the tune
Of a bugler’s Garryowen on a June afternoon
Away from my loved ones, away from my home
Apart from the woman that I held as my own
A leave will be granted to the man without help
Who kills the first savage and brings me his scalp

For what is the reason for our presence in this land
Has gold, lust, or bloodthirst taken our command
It doesn’t really matter now, headin for the storm
In the Valley of the Little Bighorn

There made three battalions from the Seventh Calvary
One with Major Reno, another with Benteen
But glory followed Custer’s men, so with glory we were torn
From the valley of the Little Bighorn

I was a soldier who rode to the tune
Of a bugler’s Garryowen on a June afternoon
Away from my loved ones, away from my home
Apart from the woman that I held as my own
Ford the creek and go in camp, kill everyone you see
Long will live this day for us, the seventh calvary

Fire swept the prairies, and dust hid the flames
When out of the haze rode the masters of the plains
Then death they delivered, we invaders from afar
At the valley of the Little Bighorn

The sun arose far to the east where we had once been born
The order had been given to be ridin’ before morn
Mounted men of calvary we faced a trail of thorns
In the valley of the Little Bighorn

©Glacier Pacific, BMI