COMFORTING THE CHILD.
The three following songs have a common motive, and are parts of one ceremonial action; but the motive is treated differently in each song, so as to conform to the movements of the ceremony.[11] An unconscious art is here shown, which is interesting as a bit of musical archæology. During the "calumet" ceremony among the Pawnees, if a child cried and would not be comforted, its parents were permitted to appeal to the "calumets" for help.
The fan-shaped pendant of one of these "calumets" was made of the feathers of the golden eagle. This bird in the ceremony was called Kawas, and symbolised the peaceful and conserving power, the giver and preserver of life, the parent of all things. It was to the priestly bearer of this particular "calumet" that the parents appealed. On receiving the appeal, the priest and his assistants arose, and, standing beside "the holy place,"—the consecrated space where the "calumets" were laid at ceremonial rest,—they sang this song, thus passing on to Kawas the appeal of the parents.
KAWAS, THY BABY IS CRYING.
Pawnee.
Transcribed from Graphophone record
and Harmonized by E.S. Tracy.
[[Listen]] [[PDF]] [[MusicXML]]
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Ho o Kawas ta wha-ka ra-tsa we Kawas ta wha-ka ra-tsa we Ah he-wi! wha-ka ra-tsa we, Kawas ta wha-ka-ra tsa we. |
The words are in the nature of a prayer, the music has the swing of a lullaby.
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Kawas, thy baby is crying! Grieving sore, wailing, and weeping. Aye, forsooth! wailing and weeping, Kawas, thy baby is crying! |
Then the bearers took up the "calumets" and moved with slow rhythmic steps toward the crying child, singing as they went and swaying the sacred symbols to the measure of this song. Its meaning was explained to me as follows:—
"Hah-ars (a contraction of the word meaning father) signifies Ti-ra´-wa, the power that animates all things, all animals, all men, the heavens, and the earth. Ti-ra´-wa is represented by the Hako (the 'calumets'), and it is this power which now approaches to console the child."
In the music one hears the coming of Ti-ra´-wa in the footsteps of his creatures, both great and small.
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Thy father is coming, E'en now he is near thee; Cry no more: the mighty one, Thy father, is coming! |
THY FATHER IS COMING.
Pawnee.
Transcribed from Graphophone record and
Harmonized by E.S. Tracy.
[[Listen]] [[PDF]] [[MusicXML]]
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Ho Hah-ars si-rah ti we-ra, Hah-ars si-ra ti we-ra Re-ko ji! He ti we-ra, Hah-ars si-ra ti we-ra. |
Upon reaching the child, the golden eagle "calumet" was gently swayed above it, while in the background the other "calumet" was waved to ward off disturbing influences, and the priests sang this song. It is said that on hearing it "the child always looks up and ceases its crying."
The caressing, almost playful rhythm of the music twines about the deep religious feeling expressed in the words, like the arms of an infant about the neck of its thoughtful, reverent parent.
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Lift thine eyes, 'tis the gods who come near, Bringing thee joy, release from all pain. Sending sorrow and sighing Far from the child, Ti-ra´-wa makes fain. Ah, you look! Surely, you know who comes, Claiming you his and bidding you rise, Blithely smiling and happy, Child of Ti-ra´-wa, Lord of the skies! |
LOOK UP!
Pawnee.
Transcribed from Graphophone record, and
Harmonized by E.S. Tracy.
[[Listen]] [[PDF]] [[MusicXML]]
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Ho Ha! Is-te wa-ta si wi-ta ha, Ha! Is-te wa-ta si wi-ta ha Hah-ars hi re wa-ha-ki, Ha! Is-te wa-ta si wi-ta ha. |