112 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOOY 



fnni.L. ci 



No. 10. Song of the Return of the Toung Men (Catalogue No. 481) 



Sung by Lone Man 

 Voice J =112 

 Drum J= 104 

 Drum-rhythm similar to No. 5 



Analysis — An unusual foatiire. of this song is tliat seven of the 12 

 intervals which it contains are fourths, four being ascending, and 3 

 descending, progressions. The tonic occurs only in the upper octave, 

 the song closing on the dominant. The seventh and second tones 

 of the octave are not found in the song, which is major in tonality 

 and harmonic in structure. 



The announcement of a choice was followed by preparation for 

 cutting the tree and bringing it to the camp. The cutting of the 

 tree for the Sun-dance pole was an important part of the cere- 

 mony, and many went to witness it. Some went from curiosity, 

 and others wished to make offerings when the tree was cut. Even 

 the children went to see the cutting of the pole. The young people, 

 riding their fleet ponies, circled around the party. The leading mem- 

 bers of the company were the Intercessor (or, in his absence, one 

 of the old medicine-men), the four young men who selected the 

 tree, the four young women who were to cut the tree, and the 

 pole-bearers, who were to carry it to the camp. It was the duty 

 of the Leader of the Dancers to provide the ax with which the tree 

 was felled, but he did not accompany the party who went to cut 

 it. In the old days a primitive implement was used; in later times 

 this was replaced by an ax purchased from the trader, but it was 

 required that the ax be a new one, never used before. 



Great interest centered in the selection of the tree, and when it 

 was indicated by the young men the Intercessor raised his pipe, 

 holding the stem toward the top of the tree and lowering it slowly 

 to the earth, repeating a prayer in a low tone. When he held the 

 pipe toward the top of the tree, he spoke of the kingbird; lowering 

 it about one- third of the distance to the ground, he spoke of the 

 eagle; lowermg it half the remaining distance, he spoke of the yellow- 

 hammer, iand holding it toward the ground he spoke of the spider. 

 The tree was regarded as an enemy, and in explanation of the refer- 

 ence to these animals it was said that "the kingbird, though small, is 



