482 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



[BDLL. 61 



It is called simply wici'loway' pi, 'bogging song.' Yellow Ilair said 

 that she had a relative who went to war, and that the man's wife, 

 with three other women relatives of the absent warrior, stood in the 

 middle of the village and sang this song until donations were brought 

 to them. The words arc not transcribed, but are taunting in char- 

 acter, their general idea being, "If you have no buffalo chips in the 

 tipi, go find some on the prairie for us,'" buffalo chips, used as fuel, 

 being mentioned as the smallest gift which could be bestowed upon 

 the poor. 



No. 204. Begging Song of the Old Women (( atalogue No. 682) 



Sung by Yellow Hair 

 Voice J . 96 

 Drum not recorded 



Ci^ 



Analysis. — In this song, as in No. 215 by the same singer, the only 

 tones are those of the minor third and fourth, the song having a com- 

 pass of four tones. (See song No. 217.) It is a wailing melody, well 

 calculated to wear out the patience of listeners. The intonation was 

 particularly unsteady, but the repetitions were so many that it was 

 possible to determine the tones and make the transcription. The 

 minor third and major second are the only progressions. 



The following song is said to have been composed about the year 

 1870, being, therefore, comparatively modern. It came into use when 

 the Indians first secured bread and coffee by trading with the white 

 men. If it were known that an Indian had bread and coffee in his 

 tent a party would go and sing this song, remaining in front of the tent 

 and sino;ing until he shared his luxuries with them. 



