Thick cloud steam rising hissing stone on sweat lodge fire

Around me buffalo robe sage in bundle run on skin

Outside cold air stand, wait for rising sun

Red paint eagle feathers coyote calling it has begun

Something moving in I taste it in my mouth and in my heart

It feels like dying slow letting go of life

Heya Wambdetanka! (Arise Big Eagle!)

Medicine man lead me up though town Indian ground so far down

Cut up land each house a pool kids wearing water wings drink in cool

Follow dry river bed watch Scout and Guides make pow-wow signs

Past Geronimo's disco Sit 'n' Bull steakhouse white men dream

A rattle in the old man's sack look at mountain top keep climbing up

Way above us the desert snow white wind blow

I hold the line the line of strength that pulls me through the fear

San Jacinto I hold the line

San Jacinto the poison bite and darkness take my sight I hold the line

And the tears roll down my swollen cheek think I'm losing it getting weaker

I hold the line I hold the line

San Jacinto yellow eagle flies down from the sun from the sun

We will walk on the land

We will breathe of the air

We will drink from the stream

We will live hold the line

Hold the line