It is I, it is I, hither swinging, (wa wa)
Dodge, dodge, baby dodge;
And she springs towards it and down goes the little head. This is repeated with the utmost merriment upon both sides.
| Who is this, who is this eye-light bringing |
| To the roof of my lodge? |
| It is I, it is I, hither swinging, |
| Dodge, dodge, baby dodge. |
Here is another, slower and monotonous, but indicating the utmost maternal content:
| Swinging, swinging, lul la by, |
| Sleep, little daughter sleep, |
| 'Tis your mother watching by, |
| Swinging, swinging she will keep, |
| Little daughter lul la by. |
| 'Tis your mother loves you dearest, |
| Sleep, sleep, daughter sleep, |
| Swinging, swinging, ever nearest, |
| Baby, baby, do not weep; |
| Little daughter, lul la by. |
| Swinging, swinging, lul la by, |
| Sleep, sleep, little one, |
| And thy mother will be nigh— |
| Swing, swing, not alone— |
| Little daughter, lul la by. |
This of course is exceedingly simple, but be it remembered these chaunts are always so in the most refined life. The ideas are the same, that of tenderness and protective care only, the ideas being few, the language is in accordance. To my mind it has been a matter of extreme interest to observe how almost identical are the expressions of affection in all states of society, as though these primitive elements admit of no progress, but are perfect in themselves. The e-we-yea of the Indian woman is entirely analogous to the lul la by of our language, and will be seen to be exceedingly pretty in itself.
2. The original words of this, with their literal import, are also added, to preserve the identity.
(a.)
Wa wa—wa wa—wa we yea, (Swinging, twice, lullaby.)
Nebaun—nebaun—nebaun, (Sleep thou, thrice.)
Nedaunis-ais, e we yea, (Little daughter, lullaby.)
Wa wa—wa wa—wa wa, (Swinging, thrice.)
Nedaunis-ais, e we yea, (Little daughter lullaby.)
(b.)