464. The Ballad of Ira Hayes (Peter La Farge)

Peter La Farge (1931-1965) was part of the folk scene in New York in the 1950s and 60s. He was of Native American descent and raised on a ranch in Fountain, Colarado, by his mother. He worked as a rodeo rider and singer, eventually working with Big Bill Broonzy, Josh White and Cisco Houston, who acted as his mentor. After serving in the US Navy in Korea he moved to New York, where he became a central figure in the folk movement, along with Dylan, Rambling Jack Elliott, Dave Van Ronk and Pete Seeger.

This is his most famous song, "The Ballad of Ira Hayes." It tells of a Pima Indian who was one of the five Marines who raised the US flag on Iwa Jima, but who returned home to prejudice and alcoholism.

Johnny Cash covered the song in 1964 and it reached number 3 on the Billboard country music chart.

In October,1965, Peter La Farge was found dead in his apartment, supposedly from a stroke, possibly from an overdose, though according to Liam Clancy, who lived next door, it was suicide by slitting his wrists. Fortunately for us, his music lives on.

Peter was not the first notable member of his family. His father, Oliver La Farge, won the Pulitzer Prize for his 1929 book "Laughing Boy", a love story set in the Navajo Nation, and the first Native American novel to receive this honor.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• native
• american
• indian
• marine
• iwo
• jima
• drink
• johnny
• cash

[Daddymccourt]

Very well sung. Been a fan of Peters since the 60s, a few sing it, including Cash (a great version) but none come near the original

[raymondcrooke]

True. It's a pity we don't hear more of his music.

[thoostorm3]

cash sang it but peter la/farge wrote it

[raymondcrooke]

Peter La Farge also sang it very well.

[mangocomputer]

Thanks for posting. Love all your songs Raymond.

I get a lot of pleasure from you singing.

Larry

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you, Larry, and thanks for subscribing.

[KamakaTexas]

Thank you for posting this video on the day that we Americans are celebrating Memorial Day.

Semper Fi!

[pinchold]

Kiki Friedman's version is good

[wildshotsintheair]

Ira Hayes..Ira Hayes...

[ErnstBecker]

We had a honored celebration and remberance for Ira Hayes ibn Scaton, Arizona recently. He is honored every year.

Angle'a Ashes?

[raymondcrooke]

I'm sure you'd know it if you were a fan of Johnny Cash. That's where most people have heard it. Thanks for your comment. Made me realise I hadn't replied to any of the comments here!