On the banks of the river 
stood Runnin' Bear, young Indian brave 
On the other side of the river 
stood his lovely Indian maid 
Little White Dove was-a her name, 
such a lovely sight to see 
But their tribes fought with each other 
so their love could never be 

Runnin' Bear loved Little White Dove 
with a love big as the sky 
Runnin' Bear loved Little White Dove 
with a love that couldn't die 

He couldn't swim the raging river 
'cause the river was too wide 
He couldn't reach Little White Dove, 
waiting on the other side 
In the moonlight he could see her 
blowing kisses 'cross the waves 
Her little heart was beating faster, 
waiting there for her brave 

Runnin' Bear loved Little White Dove 
with a love big as the sky 
Runnin' Bear loved Little White Dove 
with a love that couldn't die 

Runnin' Bear dove in the water, 
Little White Dove did the same 
And they swam out to each other 
through the swirling stream they came 
As their hands touched and their lips met, 
the ragin' river pulled them down 
Now they'll always be together 
in that happy hunting ground 

Runnin' Bear loved Little White Dove 
with a love big as the sky 
Runnin' Bear loved Little White Dove 
with a love that couldn't die