@migu music@

Indian Names - Natalie Merchant

You say they all have passed away

That noble race and brave

That their light canoes have vanished

Off the crested wave

That 'mid the forests where they roamed

There rings no hunter's shout;

But their name is on your waters

You may not wash it out

'Tis where Ontario's billow

Like Ocean's surge is curled;

Where strong Niagara's thunders wake

The echo of the world;

Where red Missouri bringeth

Rich tributes from the west

And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps

On green Virginia's breast

You say their cone-like cabins

That clustered o'er the vale

Have fled away like withered leaves

Before the autumn gale:

But their memory lives on in your hills

Their baptism on your shore;

Your everlasting rivers speak

Their dialect of yore

Old Massachusetts wears it

Within her lordly crown

And broad Ohio bears it

'Mid all her young renown;

Connecticut hath wreathed it

Where her quiet foliage waves

And bold Kentucky breathed it hoarse

Through all her ancient caves

Wachuset hides it's lingering voice

Within his rocky heart

And Alleghany graves it's tone

Throughout his lofty chart;

Monadnock on his forehead hoar

Doth seal the sacred trust;

Your mountains build their monument

Though you destroy their dust