Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Smith Music Hall [PAGE 17]

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How in distant lands and age* All our town in peace awaits yon, He had lived on earth us we do; All our doors stand open for you; How he fasted, prayed, and laboured; You shall enter all our wigwams, How the Tews, the tribe accursed. For the heart's right hand we give you. Mocked him, scourged him, crucified him; "Never bloomed the earth so gaily, How he rose from where they laid him, Never shone the sun so brightly, Walked again with his disciples, As to-day they shine and blossom, And ascended into heaven. When you come so far to see us! Never was our lake so tranquil, MALE CHORUS Nor so free from rocks and sand-bars ; For your birch canoe in passing And the chiefs made answer saying: Has removed both rock and sand-bar! "We have listened to your message. "Never before had our tobacco We have heard your words of wisdom, Such a sweet and pleasant flavour, We, will think on what you tell us. Never the broad leaves of our corn-fields It is well for us, 0 brothers, Were so beautiful to look on, That you come so far to see us!" As they seem to us this morning, CHORUS When you come so far to see us!" Then they rose up and departed Tenor Solo and Chorus Each one homeward to his wigwam, And the Black-Robe chief made answer, To the young men and the women Stammered in his speech a little, Told the story of the strangers Speaking words yet unfamiliar: * Whom the Master of Life had sent them "Peace be with you, Hiawatha, From the shining land of Wabun. Peace be with you and your people, Heavy with the heat and silence Peace oi prayer and peace of pardon, Grew the afternoon of Summer; Peace of Christ and joy of Mary!" With a drowsy sound the forest CHORUS Whispered round the sultry wigwam, With a sound of sleep the water Then the generous Hiawatha Rippled on -.the beach below it; Led the strangers to his wigwam, From the cornfields shrill and ceaseless Seated them on skins of bison, Sang the grasshopper, Pah-puk-keena; Seated them on skins of ermine, And the guests of Hiawatha, And the careful old Nokomis Brought them food in bowls of bass-wood, Weary with the heat of Summer, Slumbered in the sultry wigwam. Water brought in birches dippers, And the calumet, the peace-pipe, Slowly o'er the simmering landscape Filled and lighted for their smoking. Fell the evening's dusk and coolness, And the long and level sunbeams All the old men of the vilhgtt Shot their speurs into the forest, All the warriors of the nation, Breaking through its shields of shadow, All the Jossakccds, the prophets, Rushed into each secret ambush, The magicians, the Wabcnos, Searched each thicket, dingle, hollow; And the medicine-men, the Medas, Still the guests of Hiawatha Came to bid the strangers welcome; Slumbered in the silent wigwam. "It is well," they said, "0 brothers, That you come so far to see us!" From his place rose Hiawatha, In a circle round the doorway, Bade farewell to old Nokomis, With their pipes they sat in silence, Spake in whispers, spake in this wise. Waiting to behold the strangers, Did not wake the guests that slumbered: Waiting to receive their message; Till the Black-Robe chief, the Pale-face, Baritone Solo From the wigwam came to greet them. "I am going, O Nokomis, Summering in his speech a little, On a long and distant journey, Speaking words yet unfamiliar; To the portals of the Sunset, "ft is well," they said, " 0 brother. To the regions of the home-wind. • That you come so far to see us!" But these guests I leave behind me, Tenor Solo In your watch and ward I leave them; Then the Black-Robe chief, the prophet. See that never harm comes near them, Told his message to the people, See that never fear molests them, Told the purport of his mission, Never danger nor suspicion, Never want of food or shelter, Told them ot the Virgin Mary, In the lodge of Hiawatha 1" And her blessed Son, the Saviour: