Pepkijtemaqn

Pepkijetemaqn is Mi'kmaq for Drums, this song was created and sung by Johnny Cash. It is translated and sung in Mi'kmaq by Kylie Francis from Elsipogtog First Nation. This song is about the hard times Aboriginals have gone through and still hung on to our ways and traditions. Special thanks to Anne Marie Marchand for helping with the translation, Hubert Francis for providing the music and Jimmy Augustine for the recording. Welaliek !
Drums in english:
From the Indian reservation to the governmental school
Well they're goin' to educate me to the white men's Golden Rule
And I'm learning very quickly for I've learned to be ashamed
And I come when they call Kylie Jane though I've got an Indian name
Chorus: And there are drums beyond the mountain, Indian drums that you can't hear
There are drums beyond the mountain and they're getting mighty near.
And when they think that they'd changed me cut my hair to meet their needs
Will they think I'm white or Indian quarter blood or just half breed
Let me tell you Mr. Teacher when you say you'll make me right
In five hundred years of fighting not one Indian turned white
Chorus: And there are drums...
Well you thought that I knew nothing when you brought me here to school
Just another empty Indian just first fool
But now I can tell you stories that are burnt and dried and old
But in the shadow of their telling walks the thunder proud and bold
Chorus: And there are drums...
Our old ancestors Michael Augustine, John Julian, Jean Peguitalouet, Jean Baptiste Cope
with sleeves so red and full. Anna Mae Pictou and Donald Marshall
Remember them as they are dead yet they are living as well as the great Membertou
Chorus: And there are drums...
Well you may teach me this land's history but we taught it to you first
We broke your hearts and bent your journeys broken treaties left us cursed
Even now you have to cheat us even though you this us tame
In our losing we found proudness in your winning you found shame
Chorus: And there are drums...