The Fire and the Bears

Long ago there lived a tribe the Apache proud and free

In painted homes of wigwams by the forest and the sea

Their faces shone with colors, their spirits touched the skies

By the fire and the peyote, visions opened in their eyes

Oh dance around the firelight sing beneath the stars,

Eagles soaring higher the drums beat in our hearts

Fear will turn to laughter and sorrow fade away

For love is in the circle, where the children run and play

Conchita and her mother walked the river’s gentle fall

They washed their clothes in silence then they heard a mighty call

Two bears with claws like thunder came stepping through the trees

The ground was shaking under their hearts fell to their knees

Oh dance around the firelight sing beneath the stars

Eagles soaring higher the drums beat in our hearts

Fear will turn to laughter, and sorrow fade away

For love is in the circle, where the children run and play

But one bear gave a gentle wink

And softly said Don’t cry

I’m not here to harm you my child

I’m gentle kind and wise

The tribe came running swiftly they saw the truth was clear

The bears were not the monsters that their hearts had learned to fear

So hand in hand together, they feasted danced and sang

And joy rose to the heavens as the fire brightly rang

Oh dance around the firelight sing beneath the stars

Eagles soaring higher the drums beat in our hearts

Fear will turn to laughter and sorrow fade away

For love is in the circle where the children run and play