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THE CHIEFTAIN'S DAUGHTER aka CHIEF BRIGHT SKY (Traditional - USA) George Vinton Graham - 1938 In autumn when evening was spreading Her pinions of darkness o'er all In numbers the Indians came treading Approaching Niagara Falls For the love of tradition had taught them That one of their tribe every year At the casting of lots should be chosen To pass down the Falls without fear The Chieftain had only one daughter He loved her as loved he his life Possessing the braveness he taught her She fears not, though costing her life They thought that the Chieftain would surely Have them to cast lots o'er once more But nothing unfair did he claim her She left them and marched off to shore A coffin, canoe and a paddle Lie waiting for her to step in Long farewell to pony and saddle Long farewell to forest and kin And just as a moonbeam was sparkling To gather her in its bright beam She quickly pushed out her boat light And silently rowed down the stream Now out from the banks of the river A boat was seen skimming the tide Oh, see how he loves his daughter He takes of his place by her side But one weeps alone in the moonlight On the night comes a pitying cry From a mother who makes her heart quiver For daughter and Chieftain Bright Sky (Transcribed by Mel Priddle - June 2004) ***** Slightly different traditional version with extra verses. Kindly contributed by Hazel Studdard - May 2005 In Autumn when evening was spreading Her pinions of shawdows o'er all The Indians, in numbers, came treading All nearing Niagara Falls The love of tradition had taught them That one of their number each year Must come and by lots be chosen To go over the falls without fear The chieftian had only one daughter He loved her as loved he his life Possessing the braveness he taught her She feared naught though costing her life They thought that surely the chieftian Would have them cast lots o'er once more But nothing unfair would he ask them So, turning she walked down the shore A coffin, a canoe and a paddle Stood ready for her to step in Long farewell to pony and saddle Long farewell to forest and kin Just as the moonbeams was sparkling To gather her in its bright beams She Stepped in her boat lightly And silently rowed down the stream Now out from the banks of the river A boat was seen skimming the tide See how he loves his daughter The cheiftain now rides by her side. On, onward, still nearing the thunder Rides daughter and Chieftain Bright Sky Oh, look now, I see they've gone under Down where the fury rage wild A shout from the bank of the river Broke forth in a pityful cry From a Mother that made all hearts quiver For daughter and Chieftain Bright Sky Is the faith of a daughter more stronger In the race of the white man today? Or the love of a father more tender that Bright Sky? The Chieftain obeyed! *****

    





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