The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
The Idle Race
A song written by Jeff Lynne about the chief of a Native American tribe (here using the outdated racist epithet “Indian”) who tries to survive against the growing threat of White settlers who exploit and steal his land, only for a battalion of soldiers to retaliate and murder the chief and his tribe...
[Bridge 1]
In the land they call the West
On the prairie's virgin crest
Lived a great man and his braves
And he led them to their graves
[Verse 1]
Big Chief plays with baby son
The work of the Indian today is done
Life is easy, life is grand
'Til there is white man, gun in hand
[Chorus]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
[Verse 2]
Started out when settlers came
And built their homes on the Indian range
Big chief Woolly Bosher liked it none
Traded with a bad man for a gun
[Chorus]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
[Verse 3]
Big Chief looks out at his great land
Locomotive on the prairie stands
"Life that leak from the city in the east
Let us destroy that iron beast"
[Chorus]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
[Verse 4]
Big Chief rides on the trail tonight
Tread the land for which he must fight
[Bridge 2]
In their fight for love and glory
Some Indians were saved
They lived to tell the story
And Woolly Bosher prayed
[Chorus]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
[Verse 5]
Big Chief rides on the trail tonight
Soldier boys marching in the morning light
"Bring the guns, bring the bows
Let's blow them into Heaven
Let's see if God knows"
[Chorus]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
[Verse 6]
One hundred men must have to die
When a thousand soldiers look you in the eye
Big Chief sees his men fall 'round
The soldiers kill and the bugle sounds
[Bridge 3]
In their fight for love and glory
No Indians were saved
And Big Chief Woolly Bosher
Had written on his grave
[Chorus]
"He has done no wrong
Except being bold"
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Big Chief Woolly Bosher was written by Jeff Lynne.
Big Chief Woolly Bosher was produced by Jeff Lynne.