Alexander Henry

I was born before you all became
Alexander Henry is my name
Some people called me a handsome man
It would be impolite to disagree with them

In 1762 I said
I see a way to get ahead
There's a fur trade up around Mackinaw
Where the woods are wild and there ain't much law

The French were out and the British were in
So it looked pretty good for an Englishman
In Montreal my plans were made
With a fur trading pass from General Gage

But the closer I got to where I was going
The more people said I should have known
That every single Indian
Loved the French and hated Englishmen

So many people said that I was gonna die
That I worked hard on a good disguise
I changed my clothes, my face and then
I paddled with my French Canadiens
I made it to the Fort and I hid my name
But it wasn't too long 'till a visitor came
Chief Menavavana of the Chippewa band
Turned up with sixty of his friends

Menavavana he stared me down
Then he smoked his pipe without a sound
When he was ready he began to talk
With words like bullets that he aimed and shot
Englishman! You must be brave
To come up here to meet your grave
Englishman! Enemy of France
Did you come to watch the warrior's dance?

Englishman ! We have been told
That the king of France is sick and old
But listen! I hear him awake
And I think he'll soon retaliate
Englishman! You did attack
Our beloved father, the king of France
You conquered him but you never know when
The spirits of the dead will want revenge

Well I wondered how I might save my skin
When Minavavana called me friend
Since I came in peace with goods to trade
There was no need to be afraid
We smoked the pipe and all shook hands
And then he sat back down again
He said, Now since we did not come to kill
Let's have a keg of that English milk

I was born before you all became
Alexander Henry is my name
Some people called me a handsome man
It would be impolite to disagree with them