 Brian Swann has compiled songs and poetry of the Native American Indigenous people. One of his books is 'Wearing the Morning Star." These are songs of the sky, mourning, love ceremonies, rites and rituals. Some of them are familiar but they all show the complexities and differences of the native cultures. When the Europeans came to this country they didn't pay any attention to the songs, dances and ceremonies of the natives. They thought they were just noise. Late in the 19th century as the native way of life was disappearing many of their songs were being documented. Swann did not speak any of the native languages so these songs are not literal translations. They are songs of the land and living, connecting the past and hopes for the future. They are not lyrical as we think of songs and in our language not poetic, but they have a rhythm all their own. They are part of ceremonies and native dances. We usually refer to them as chants. An example is "Ojibwe Cradle song" "Who is this, who is this with wide bright eyes at the top of my lodge? It is I, the little owl, coming down, it is I swooping down. Look out baby look out!" Can't you see an Ojibwe Mother singing that to her baby.; |
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