Don Fardon’s Stirring Performance Transforms “Indian Reservation”

“(The Lament of the Cherokee) Indian Reservation” is a song recorded by Don Fardon in 1968. However, the most well-known version of the song was later recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders in 1971.

The song tells the story of the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to reservations in present-day Oklahoma, as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The lyrics depict the sorrow and hardship faced by the Cherokee people during this tragic event in American history.

When Paul Revere & the Raiders recorded the song in 1971, it became a major hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The powerful lyrics, combined with the band’s energetic performance, resonated with listeners, making it a standout protest song of the era.

“(The Lament of the Cherokee) Indian Reservation” is considered one of the notable songs addressing the plight of Native Americans and their struggle for justice and recognition. Its enduring message and poignant melody have cemented its place in the folk-rock and protest music tradition.