Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian is a concept album by Johnny Cash released in 1964. Cash wrote or co-wrote several songs on the album, focusing on the historical injustices suffered by Native Americans. The album was recorded in Nashville with production by Frank Jones.
The album includes songs such as "The Ballad of Ira Hayes", about the Native American war hero who faced discrimination after World War II, and "Apache Tears". Cash faced resistance from radio stations due to the album's political content, but he publicly defended it.
Despite the initial controversy, Bitter Tears became one of Cash's most important albums for its social message. It reached number 47 on the Billboard pop albums chart and number 4 on the country albums chart.