The Young Indian's Song

The Young Indian's Song

I'll hie to the westward, my own native home,

On the breast of the dark rolling river;

My light bark shall dance o'er its water in foam,

With the force that a strong arm can give her.

I'll hie to the west, to the land of my birth,

And revisit the scenes of my childhood!

I will roam through the glades where my young arrow first,
Drank the blood of the deer in the wild wood.
I will rush to the arms of my dear Indian girl,
As she comes on the pathway to meet me;
I'll deck her dark locks with the bright shining pearl,
And her young heart shall throb as she greets me.
I have been to the white world and found that her men

Were as pale in their hearts as their faces;

Then welcome ye forests! I never again

Will abandon my home for their places.

Great Spirit look down on thy red son in love,

Speed my bark o'er the wide lake beside me!

And the smoke of my incense shall column above

The rude altar I raise to adore Thee!

Unattributed

1:18, p. 72

1827.07.13