Frances Densmore > Quotes

“Dream Song of Thunders:

Sometimes
I go about pitying
Myself,
While I am carried by the wind
Across the sky. ”
― Frances Densmore, American Indians and Their Music

“Dream Song:

As my eyes
Search the prairie,
I feel the summer in the spring.
Whenever I pause
The noise
Of the village. ”
― Frances Densmore, American Indians and Their Music

“Dream Song:

The heavens
Go with me. ”
― Frances Densmore, American Indians and Their Music

“Song after Battle:

As the young men went by
I was looking for him.
It surprises me anew
That he has gone.
It is something
To which I cannot be reconciled.

Owls hoot at me.
Owls hoot at me.
That is what I hear
In my life.
Wolves howl at me.
Wolves howl at me.
That is what I hear
In my life.

-American Indian Songs”
― Frances Densmore

“Song on Applying War Paint:

At the center of the earth
I stand,
Behold me!
At the wind center
I stand,
Behold me!
A root of medicine
Therefore I stand,
At the wind center
I stand. ”
― Frances Densmore

“Steam Lodge Song of the Sun Dance Ceremony:

A voice,
I will send.
Hear me!
The land
All over,
A voice
I am sending!
Hear me!
I will live! ”
― Frances Densmore, American Indians and Their Music

“Dream Song:

In the heavens
A noise,
Like the rustling of the trees.”
― Frances Densmore, American Indians and Their Music

“Song for the Puberty Rite of a Girl Named Cowaka:

A poor man takes the songs in his hand
And drops them near the place where the sun sets.
See, Cowaka, run to them and take them in your hand,
And place them under the sunset.”
― Frances Densmore, Papago Music