The Song of Hiawatha (Canto I) - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A Legendary Tale of Love, Nature, and Native American Lore
Should you ask me, whence these stories?
Whence these legends and traditions,
With the odors of the forest,
With the dew and damp of meadows,
With the curling smoke of wigwams,
With the rushing of great rivers,
With their frequent repetitions,
And their wild reverberations
As of thunder in the mountains?
I should answer, I should tell you,
“From the forests and the prairies,From the great lakes of the Northland,From the land of the Ojibways,From the land of the Dacotahs,From the mountains, moors, and fen-landsWhere the heron, the Shuh-shuh-gah,Feeds among the reeds and rushes.I repeat them as I heard themFrom the lips of Nawadaha,The musician, the sweet singer.“
Should you ask where Nawadaha
Found these songs so wild and wayward,
Found these legends and traditions,
I should answer, I should tell you,
“In the bird's-nest of the forest,In the lodges of the beaver,In the hoofprint of the bison,In the eyry of the eagle!“All the wild-fowl sang them to him,
In the moorlands and the fen-lands,
In the melancholy marshes;
Chetowaik, the plover, sang them,
Mahng, the loon, the wild-goose, Wawa,
The blue heron, the Shuh-shuh-gah,
And the grouse, the Mushkodasa!“If still further you should ask me,Saying, “Who was Nawadaha?
Tell us of this Nawadaha,“I should answer your inquiriesStraightway in such words as follow.“In the vale of Tawasentha,
In the green and silent valley,
By the pleasant water-courses,
Dwelt the singer Nawadaha.
Round about the Indian village
Spread the meadows and the cornfields,
And beyond them stood the forest,
Stood the groves of singing pine-trees,
Green in Summer, white in Winter,
Ever sighing, ever singing.
“And the pleasant water-courses,You could trace them through the valley,By the rushing in the Spring-time,By the alders in the Summer,By the white fog in the Autumn,By the black line in the Winter;And beside them dwelt the singer,In the vale of Tawasentha,In the green and silent valley.“There he sang of Hiawatha,
Sang the Song of Hiawatha,
Sang his wondrous birth and being,
How he prayed and how he fasted,
How he lived, and toiled, and suffered,
That the tribes of men might prosper,
That he might advance his people!“Ye who love the haunts of Nature,Love the sunshine of the meadow,Love the shadow of the forest,Love the wind among the branches,And the rain-shower and the snow-storm,And the rushing of great riversThrough their palisades of pine-trees,And the thunder in the mountains,Whose innumerable echoesFlap like eagles in their eyries;—Listen to these wild traditions,To this Song of Hiawatha!Ye who love a nation's legends,Love the ballads of a people,That like voices from afar offCall to us to pause and listen,Speak in tones so plain and childlike,Scarcely can the ear distinguishWhether they are sung or spoken;—Listen to this Indian Legend,To this Song of Hiawatha!Ye whose hearts are fresh and simple,Who have faith in God and Nature,Who believe that in all agesEvery human heart is human,That in even savage bosomsThere are longings, yearnings, strivingsFor the good they comprehend not,That the feeble hands and helpless,Groping blindly in the darkness,Touch God's right hand in that darknessAnd are lifted up and strengthened;—Listen to this simple story,To this Song of Hiawatha!Ye, who sometimes, in your ramblesThrough the green lanes of the country,Where the tangled barberry-bushesHang their tufts of crimson berriesOver stone walls gray with mosses,Pause by some neglected graveyard,For a while to muse, and ponderOn a half-effaced inscription,Written with little skill of song-craft,Homely phrases, but each letterFull of hope and yet of heart-break,Full of all the tender pathosOf the Here and the Hereafter;—Stay and read this rude inscription,Read this Song of Hiawatha!
Introduction to "The Song of Hiawatha (Canto I)"
"The Song of Hiawatha" is an epic poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in 1855. This work is notable for its unique style, inspired by the Finnish national epic "Kalevala," and its focus on Native American legends and traditions. The poem's opening canto sets the stage by introducing the origins of the stories and songs that form the backbone of the narrative.
The Origins of the Stories
The poem begins with a rhetorical question: "Should you ask me, whence these stories?" This inquiry invites readers to consider the sources of the legends and traditions that follow. Longfellow uses vivid imagery to describe the natural elements associated with these tales:
- "With the odors of the forest": Suggesting the rich, earthy scents of wooded areas.
- "With the dew and damp of meadows": Evoking the freshness and moisture of open fields at dawn.
- "With the curling smoke of wigwams": Conjuring images of Native American dwellings and their daily life.
- "With the rushing of great rivers": Symbolizing the powerful and constant flow of nature.
These descriptions connect the stories to the land and its elements, emphasizing their deep roots in the natural world.
Geographical and Cultural Context
Longfellow provides a geographical backdrop for the tales, citing specific locations and tribes:
- "From the forests and the prairies": Highlighting the vast landscapes of North America.
- "From the great lakes of the Northland": Referring to the Great Lakes region.
- "From the land of the Ojibways": Mentioning the Ojibwe people, known for their rich oral traditions.
- "From the land of the Dacotahs": Including the Dakota tribes, further expanding the cultural scope.
This diverse array of locations and peoples underscores the universality and shared heritage of the stories within Native American cultures.
The Role of Nawadaha
A central figure introduced in this canto is Nawadaha, described as a musician and sweet singer. He is portrayed as the keeper and transmitter of these ancient songs and legends:
- "I repeat them as I heard them / From the lips of Nawadaha": Indicating his role as a storyteller preserving oral tradition.
Longfellow elaborates on where Nawadaha found these songs:
- "In the bird's-nest of the forest": Suggesting the songs' origins in nature’s hidden places.
- "In the lodges of the beaver": Emphasizing the connection between wildlife and cultural narratives.
- "In the hoofprint of the bison": Linking the stories to the mighty beasts of the plains.
- "In the eyry of the eagle": Elevating the tales to lofty heights, symbolizing their grandeur.
Various birds are mentioned as contributors to Nawadaha's repertoire, each adding its voice to the chorus of nature.
The Setting of Tawasentha
The poem situates Nawadaha in the vale of Tawasentha, a serene valley characterized by:
- "Green and silent": Conveying tranquility and peace.
- "Pleasant water-courses": Providing life and movement through the landscape.
- "Groves of singing pine-trees": Creating a harmonious, ever-present melody.
This idyllic setting serves as the backdrop for Nawadaha’s storytelling, particularly his recounting of Hiawatha’s deeds.
An Invitation to Listen
Longfellow concludes the canto with an invitation to various audiences:
- "Ye who love the haunts of Nature": Calling to those who appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
- "Ye who love a nation's legends": Addressing those interested in cultural heritage and folklore.
- "Ye whose hearts are fresh and simple": Appealing to those with pure and open hearts.
- "Ye, who sometimes, in your rambles": Engaging readers who find inspiration in solitary reflection amidst nature.
Each group is encouraged to listen to the wild traditions and the Song of Hiawatha, suggesting the universal appeal and timeless relevance of these stories.
Conclusion
In "The Song of Hiawatha (Canto I)," Longfellow masterfully intertwines elements of nature, geography, and culture to create a rich tapestry that introduces readers to the epic tale of Hiawatha. Through Nawadaha’s songs, the poet emphasizes the importance of oral traditions and the deep connections between humanity and the natural world. This canto serves as both an origin story and an invitation, drawing readers into the mystical and enchanting world of Native American legends.
Key points
Longfellow's 'The Song of Hiawatha' immerses readers in a rich tapestry of Native American culture, blending mythological storytelling with themes of nature, love, and heroism. The first canto introduces key motifs such as harmony between humans and the natural world, the importance of oral tradition, and the spiritual connection to ancestors. Readers will appreciate how Longfellow crafts an enchanting narrative using rhythmic trochaic tetrameter, evoking a musical quality that mirrors the flow of rivers and winds—a hallmark of this timeless work.
