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The Ballad of Ira Hayes – Johnny Cash

The Ballad of Ira Hayes - song by Johnny Cash | Spotify

About the Song

Johnny Cash’s “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” is a powerful and poignant song that tells the story of a Native American Marine who was one of the first to raise the American flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. Despite his heroic actions, Hayes was largely forgotten and overlooked after the war, a victim of both racism and the psychological trauma he experienced as a result of his service.

Cash’s deep, resonant voice delivers the lyrics with raw emotion, capturing the pain and isolation that Hayes felt after returning home. The song’s somber melody and haunting guitar accompaniment create a mournful atmosphere that reflects the tragic nature of Hayes’ story.

The lyrics of “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” highlight the irony of Hayes’ situation. As a Native American, he was denied the same rights and privileges as other Americans, despite his bravery and sacrifice. The song also explores the psychological toll that war took on Hayes, who struggled with alcoholism and depression after returning home.

Cash’s decision to write and perform this song was a significant act of social justice. By telling Hayes’ story, he helped to bring attention to the plight of Native American veterans and the injustices they faced. “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by countless soldiers, and the importance of honoring their memory.

Key themes and elements explored in the song:

  • Racism: The song highlights the racism that Hayes faced as a Native American, both during and after the war.
  • Psychological trauma: The song explores the psychological toll that war took on Hayes, including his struggles with alcoholism and depression.
  • Social justice: The song is a powerful statement of social justice, calling attention to the injustices faced by Native American veterans.
  • Sacrifice: The song honors the sacrifices made by Hayes and other soldiers during World War II.

Coda, Music homage, Johnny Cash, "The Ballad of Ira Hayes,… | Flickr

Video 

Lyrics: The Ballad of Ira Hayes

Ira Hayes,
Ira Hayes

[CHORUS:]
Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won’t answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian
Nor the Marine that went to war

Gather round me people there’s a story I would tell
About a brave young Indian you should remember well
From the land of the Pima Indian
A proud and noble band
Who farmed the Phoenix valley in Arizona land

Down the ditches for a thousand years
The water grew Ira’s peoples’ crops
‘Till the white man stole the water rights
And the sparklin’ water stopped

Now Ira’s folks were hungry
And their land grew crops of weeds
When war came, Ira volunteered
And forgot the white man’s greed

[CHORUS:]
Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won’t answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian
Nor the Marine that went to war

There they battled up Iwo Jima’s hill,
Two hundred and fifty men
But only twenty-seven lived to walk back down again

And when the fight was over
And when Old Glory raised
Among the men who held it high
Was the Indian, Ira Hayes

[CHORUS:]
Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won’t answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian
Nor the Marine that went to war

Ira returned a hero
Celebrated through the land
He was wined and speeched and honored; Everybody shook his hand

But he was just a Pima Indian
No water, no crops, no chance
At home nobody cared what Ira’d done
And when did the Indians dance

[CHORUS:]
Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won’t answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian
Nor the Marine that went to war

Then Ira started drinkin’ hard;
Jail was often his home
They’d let him raise the flag and lower it
like you’d throw a dog a bone!

He died drunk one mornin’
Alone in the land he fought to save
Two inches of water in a lonely ditch
Was a grave for Ira Hayes

[CHORUS:]
Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won’t answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinkin’ Indian
Nor the Marine that went to war

Yeah, call him drunken Ira Hayes
But his land is just as dry
And his ghost is lyin’ thirsty
In the ditch where Ira died

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