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TETON SIOUX MUSIC 



519 



PLOTS OK SONGS OF SADNESS 



Only 13 of the 240 songs under observation contain an ascending 

 relation between the first two accented tones. On examining these 

 songs with reference to their titles it was found that those which 

 begin with a large ascending interval are songs which have an idea, 

 more or less evident, associated with sadness, disappointment, or 

 suffering. This type of plot, appearing to be distinct from others 

 and to be comiected with the content of the song, was accordingly 

 designated Class E. The plots of songs Nos. 238 and 239 (fig. 43) 

 resemble each other, both being Sisseton songs, the former associ- 

 ated with a tragic incident and the latter expressing dissatisfaction. 

 Similar to these is the plot of song No. 99, concerning the driving of 

 buffalo against wind which cut their faces hke a lance. (See p. 419.) 



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No. 238 



No. 239 



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No. 147 



No. 148 



Fig. 43. Plots, Group 8. 



Songs Nos. 147 and 148 are songs concerning slain warriors. The 

 initial ascent is not so large in these, the large ascent occurring later 

 in the song. Song No. 149 begins with an ascending fifth and is 

 similar in content to those last mentioned. Song No. 191 is an 

 exception, as it begins with an ascending sixth and contains no trace 

 of the ideas mentioned. Other songs having an ascending relation 

 between the first and second accented tones are as follows : No. 207 

 (ascent of a fifth), moccasin-game song; No. 200 (ascent of a third), 

 grass-dance song; No. 35 (ascent of a whole tone), Sun-dance song; 

 No. 105, Elk-society song; No. 206, moccasin-game song; No. 212, 

 hiding-stick game song; and No. 219, song of a ghost. The last- 

 named is distinctly a song of sadness; with one exception the others 

 have no words, and the origin of these songs is somewhat uncertain. 

 This final analysis group comprises several small groups of songs. 

 P'irst are thi'ee incidental songs (Nos. 18, 24, 25) used durmg the Sun 



