Tear My Clothes

I am a half breed my father Cherokee my mother Irish
It was a long journey for many across the wide Missouri
My family pioneers trying to settle
But one night the soldiers came in the ones on the opposite side of our belief
My  clothes torn off and I was raped not by the natives but the white man
Here I am ten years later and three children I love 
My husband a military man now returns to our home happily
Tear my clothes and give me shame but you will never be 
The Native American I am
The tearing of my clothes means I am righteous of my people and I am sorrowful for those who take us down