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Speeches

Song Cycle by Anna-Karin Klockar (b. 1960)

2. Surrender Speech
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
I am tired of fighting. The old men are all dead. 
It is cold and we have no blankets; 
the little children are freezing to death. 
My people have run away to the hills. 
No one knows where they are – freezing to death.
I want to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. 
Maybe I shall find them among the dead.
Hear me my Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. 
From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hinmuuttu-yalatlat (1840 - 1904)

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Excerpt from speech given at the surrender of a group of Nez Perce Native Indians to General Nelson in Montana Territory on 5th October 1877, after a devastating battle.


Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]

3. The Best Friend
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Gentlemen of the Jury: 
The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him 
and become his enemy. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, 
those whom we trust with our happiness 
and our good name may become traitors to their faith. 
The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him,
perhaps when he needs it most.
A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. 
The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor 
when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice
when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, 
the one that never deserts him,
the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.

Text Authorship:

  • by George Graham Vest (1830 - 1904)

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Excerpt from a closing speech of a trial in Warrensburg, Missouri on 23rd September 1870. Vest was representing a man who sued another for killing his dog.


Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
Total word count: 238
Gentle Reminder

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–Emily Ezust, Founder

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