Essays of an Americanist / I. Ethnologic and Archæologic. II. Mythology and Folk Lore. III. Graphic Systems and Literature. IV. Linguistic.

by Daniel G. Brinton

One of the Pawnee war-songs has a curious metaphysical turn. It is one which is sung when a warrior undertakes to perform some particularly daring individual exploit, which may well cost him his life. The words seem to call upon the gods to decide whether this mortal life is only an illusion, or a divine truth under the guidance of divine intelligence.

PAWNEE WAR-SONG.

Let us see, is this real,

Let us see, is this real,

Let us see, is this real,

Let us see, is this real,

This life I am living?

Ye gods, who dwell everywhere,

Let us see, is this real,

This life I am living?