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SKY HORSES(c) Linda Terrell 2014There's herds of spotted horsesSpilling out across the plainsThunder rolling In The MountainsIs speaking to us againIn the Valley of the PalouseWhere Ancient voices can still be heardThere was no AppaloosaThat didn't know the Nez Perce WordGrandfather in their heartAnd eagles on their feetThey outran the mighty cougarOnly deer magic was as fleetSo when the Nez Perce fought the ArmyOver the trail of ancient wilesIt was our spotted horsesOutrun them eight-hundred milesThey brought us through the mountainsFar from the valley of their nameThey carried the women and babiesPutting Army mounts to shameWirey and sure-footedCarried our lodges and the oldCarried our Warriors and their weaponsGave us courage, made us boldWhen we stumbled and we falteredDesperate for food and restWe ate our beloved horsesThe Army had finally killed the bestDead beside the babes and mothersDead beside the chiefs and bravesDead in the snows of IdahoTheir courage was their graveRolling Thunder hid them in his heartAmong the ancient legendsAnd they became Sky HorsesGuardians of the braveWe thought we'd forever lost our horsesNez Perce would be no moreDying on the reservationsTheir deeds only Indian loreAfter seven generationsRolling Thunder spoke againTelling us to lift our heartsThe time was past for painIn the Valley of the PalouseSpotted horses still run thereFewer now but as fast and braveI return them to your careNever again will Nez Perce falterNever again will Nez Perce cryBECAUSE THE APPALOOSA LIVES FOREVERNez Perce will never die