By the shores of Gitche Gumee

By the shining Big-Sea-Water,

Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,

Dark behind it rose the forest,

Rose the black and gloomy pine trees.

There the wrinkled Nokomis

Nursed the baby Hiawatha.

Rocked him in his linden cradle,

Safely bound with reindeer sinews.

Stilled his fretful wail by saying,

"Hush! The Naked Bear will hear thee!"

Lulled him into slumber, singing,

"Ewa-yea! My little owlet!

Who is this that lights the wigwam?

With his great big eyes lights the wigwam?

Ewa- yea, my little owlet!"

Many things Nokomis taught him,

Of the stars that shine in heaven;

Showed him the fiery comet,

Showed tthe Death Dance of the spirits,

Warriors with their plumes and war clubs

In the frosty nights of Winter,

Showed the broad wide road in heaven.

At the door on summer evenings,

Sat the little Hiwawatha,

Heard the whispering of the pine trees

Heard the lapping of the waters.

Sounds of music, words of wonder.

Saw the fire-fly

Flying through the dusk of evening

And he sang the song of children,

Sang the songs Nokomis ttaught him.

Saw the moon rise from the water,

Saw the flecks of shadows on it.

Whispered, "What is that, Nokomis?"

And the good Nokomis answered,

"Tis the moon, the silver moon,"

Saw the rainbow in the heavens,

Whispered, "What is that, Nokomis?"

And the good Nokomis answered,

"Tis the heaven of flowers you see there,

When on earth they fade and perish,

Blossom in that heaven above us."

Then the little Hiawatha,

Learned of every bird its language,

Learned their names and all their secrets,

Talked with the, whene'er he met hem,

Called them 'Hiawatha's Chickens'.

Of all the beasts, he learned their language,

Where the beavers built their lodges,

Where the squirrel hid their acorns,

How the reindeer ran so swiftly

Why the rabbit was so timid.

Talked to them whene'er he met them,

Called them 'Hiawatha's Brothers.'