One of my favourite folksingers, Buffy Sainte-Marie (born Beverly Sainte-Marie, 1941), is an Academy Award-winning Canadian First Nations musician, singer-songwriter, teacher, artist and social activist. When I first started hearing her records I was struck by her unique voice, often with a strong use of vibrato, on songs like A Lyke Wake Dirge.

Little Wheel Spin and Spin

Perhaps Buffy's greatest album is "Little Wheel Spin and Spin" (1966), and the magnificent title song may well be the best of the many beautifully performed songs here. I can't possibly sing with the depth of expression she gives to this powerful song, but I attempt it here as my tribute to this unique folk artist.

The lyrics are here.

My Country 'Tis of Thy People You're Dying

Now That the Buffalo's Gone

The Kinzua dam of upper New York State was one of the many projects that drove the North American Indians from what little land the governments allowed them. This song attacks the pious humanitarians who mourn the savagery of our past treatment of the Indians while allowing the continuing theft of their lands. Buffy dedicated this song to fellow activist and singer, Peter La Farge.

Here is a video of Buffy herself singing her song.

Here is my rendition, and here are the lyrics.

Piney Wood Hills

One of her most popular country songs, this was included on her album Many a Mile. Country star Bobby Bare enjoyed a hit with his cover of this song.

Here is my cover of the song, and here are the lyrics.

The Universal Soldier

Buffy wrote Universal Soldier in the basement of The Purple Onion Coffee House in Toronto in the early sixties, at a time when America was fighting a secret undeclared war in Vietnam. In her words, "It's about individual responsibility for war and how the old feudal thinking kills us all." It was included on her first album, It's My Way (1984).The following year, Donovan covered it and his recording became a big hit.

Buffy talks about and sings the song on this video.

My cover is here and here are the lyrics.