Songs of the Copper Eskimos 253 



Certainly the version that has become attached to the first song in No. 69 is 

 less detailed and apparently more carelessly put together. The F phrase there 

 represents the refrain, which is C in song No. 70. It is most instructive to 

 compare these two versions, for nothing shows more clearly how a song may 

 deteriorate and yet retain enough of its original character to be recognizable. 

 The prelude of the second song of No. 69 furnishes the melodic material for the 

 ensuing verses. 



The first song on the record is a pisik with a brief prelude which is the same 

 as the later connectives. The refrain is short for a verse with two phrases, 

 but this is not uncommon. The first song begins on the tonic with the first beat 

 of the measure and ends on the same tone. The second also begins on the tonic 

 with the first beat, and presumably should end on the same tone. The tonal 

 range of the second tune is larger than that of the first, but their many similar 

 tones makes for a ready combination into a homogeneous melody. 



