I've been waiting and watching and it won't be long
I've been living and learning and it won't be long
I have come to my senses and it won't be long
Brace yourself companeiros the road is long

I've been waiting and watching and it won't be long
I've been living and learning and it won't be long
I have come to my senses and it won't be long
Brace yourself companieros the road is long, we must be strong.

I've been waiting and watching and it won't be long
I've been living and learning and it won't be long
I have come to my senses and it won't be long
Brace yourself companeiros the road is long

(an excerpt from Dee Brown's novel titled "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" An Indian History of the American West.)
In a short time a group of commissioners arrived to begin organization of a new Indian agency in the valley.
One of them mentioned the advantages of schools for (Indian Chief) Joseph's people.
Joseph replied that the Nez Perces did not want the white man's schools.
"Why do you not want schools"? the commissioner asked.
They will teach us to have churches," Joseph answered.
"Do you not want churches?"
"No, we do not want churches."
"Why do you not want churches?"
"They will teach us to quarrel about God." (end excerpt)

Softly, I'm empty
Softly, I'm fading away