~Cherokee Indian Tsali~

~When Cherokees were made to leave this land~they held to these mountains making a stand.~Ancesters died on the trail of tears,~but their spirits still linger here.~

~Great Chief Junaluska had spoken for peace~to live along side the white man and fighting should cease.~The braves and warriors took heed~ but in the white man's heart was greed.~

~Cherokees for years had walked this ground,~The Great Spirit was all around.~Cherokee Mountain Indians, brave and proud~honored this land in the clouds.~

~But there came a plan to take their land.~The white man said, "trust us".~But for the Cherokees there was no justice.~

~The Indians could no longer stay~making a trail of tears along the way.~Forced from their land without care,~their sorrow so hard to bear.~

~By the Great Spirit these mountains were given~but out of this land the Cherokees were driven.~A trail of tears was shed as their brave hearts bled.~

~They were hunted down~til none could be found.~It seemed the Great Spirit no longer heard~their plantive words.~

~No matter how hard they strived ~many lost their lives.~One band was held against their will~with the threat to kill.~

~But out of the land there came~one whose honor burned like a flame.~Tsali, a Cherokee Indian brave,~his noble life he gave.~

~He walked tall that day~as his life was taken away.~His people he did save~as his life he bravely gave.~

~Look unto these hills as in your eyes tears fill.~It was Tsali's choice.~Now these mountains speak with his voice.~

~Tsali's spirit lives all around~this Cherokee Indian ground~It is present in the night's foggy mist~and the mornings dew kissed.~

~In these old mountains so high~Tsali's spirit floats free in the sky.~Everywhere is Tsali's face~as his spirit is embraced.~

~In the vallys, mountains, rivers and streams~Tsali comes to his people in their dreams.~His decendants eagle dance still~lwith an unbroken will.~

~ Tsali's name and spirit remains honored yet~as the Cherokees will never forget.~Tsali's very life and soul did he give~so that his people might live!~

~@Barbara LaBarbera~
~(LadyBleaux)~
hpbobbi@cs.com

*Footnote:

~You can see this story unfold every summer~in Cherokee, North Carolina,~in an out-door drama called~"Unto These Hills".~Acted out by the Cherokees,~some are actual decendants of Tsali's.~