My war-drum 'tis you hear.
I walk upon the sky,
And call the clouds; be still,
My war-drum 'tis you hear!
Death Wail
Frederic Homer Balch, writing in 1884 of a visit to Memaloose Island, said that "the river moving around the island prolongs the Indian death wail forever." J. G. Swan gives the words of a death song, with the following explanation regarding it: "While the corpse remained in the house, not a word was spoken except in a whisper, nor did they commence their lamentations till the whole funeral ceremonies were over; then, the signal being given, they began to sing a death song, and thump the roof with their long poles. . . . The burden of their song . . . is simply an address to the dead. . . . Every day, at sunrise and sunset, this chant is repeated by the relatives for thirty days—when the days of mourning are ended. . . .
"Oh, our mother! why did you go and leave us so sad? We can scarcely see by reason of the water that falls from our eyes.
"Many years have you lived with us, and taught us the words of wisdom.
"You were not poor, neither are we poor; neither were you weak, but your heart and limbs were strong.
"You should have lived with us many years, and told us more of the deeds of ancient times."
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POEMS
The Heart's Friend
Shoshone Love Song
By George William Cronyn
George William Cronyn is a teacher, dramatist, artist and novelist, who at various times has made his home at Hood River, Oregon, where in 1914 he married a Hood River girl, Allura Miller. He has taught in New York City and Oakland, California. He is the
