Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)
| "Hiawatha" | |
|---|---|
| (A Summer Idyl) | |
 Sheet music cover (1902)[1] | |
| Song | |
| Written | 1901 |
| Composer(s) | Neil Moret |
| Language | English |
Cover of vocal version (1903).
"Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)" is a popular song written by Neil Moret (Charles N. Daniels) in 1901. James J. O'Dea (1870–1914) added lyrics in 1903 and the music was re-subtitled "(His Song to Minnehaha)".
"Hiawatha" was extremely popular when released, and sold half a million copies.[2][3] It has been recorded numerous times and started a decade long fad for "Indian" songs.[4]
"Hiawatha" was named for Hiawatha, Kansas, not for Longfellow's poem.[5]
Lyrics
The lyrics as written by O'Dea:[6]
- Oh the moon is all agleam on the stream
- Where i dream here of you my pretty Indian maid.
- While the rustling leaves are singing high above us overhead
- In the glory of the bright summer night
- In light of the shadows of the forest glade
- I am waiting here to kiss your lips so red.
- There's a flood of melodies on the breeze
- From the trees and of you they breathe so tenderly
- While the wodlands all around are resounding your name,
- Oh my all in life is you only you
- Fond and true and your own forevermore I'll be.
- Hear them the song I sing with lips aflame
- Refrain:
- I am your own your Hiawatha brave— my heart is yours you know
- Dear one I love you so
- Oh Minnehaha gentle maid decide— decide and you'll be,
- My Indian bride.
- In the tresses of your hair, lies a snare and its there
- Where my heart a willing captive is.
- Oh my woodland queen I pray you'll hold it ever in your care
- In my little birch canoe love with you
- Just we two down the stream of life in wedded bliss
- I would drift sweetheart with you my lot to share.
- When the birds upon the wing in the spring
- Gaily sing of the green and golden summer time
- When the snows of early winter robe the wodlands in white,
- Then your Hiawatha free I will be
- And to thee ev'ry though of mine will o'er incline.
- Heed then the vows I pledge to thee this night.
- (Refrain)
References
- ↑ Moret, "Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)"
- ↑ Jasen, Tin Pan Alley, p. 102: "In 1901, Daniels published his Indian song, 'Hiawatha,' which became a success after Daniels prevailed upon Sousa to perform and record it (Victor 2443). The following year, when Jerome Remick purchased Whitney Warner of Detroit, he paid Daniels $10,000 for his firm so that Remick could have 'Hiawatha.' It was the highest sum yet paid for a song."
- ↑ Sanjek, American Popular Music and Its Business, p. 414. "500,000".
- ↑ Jasen, Tin Pan Alley, p. 102: "The following year, James J. O'Dea (1870–1914) added words to 'Hiawatha,' and sales zoomed again when it became a song. Thus started the trend of Indian songs, which were extremely popular during the first decade of the twentieth century."
- ↑ Parlor Songs 1800-1920. "The song was originally written around 1900 by Moret as an instrumental work as a tribute to a town in Kansas (Hiawatha, Kansas) where his sweetheart lived."
- ↑ O'Dea, "Hiawatha (His Song to Minnehaha)".
Bibliography
- Jasen, David A. Tin Pan Alley: An Encyclopedia of the Golden Age of American Song. New York: Routledge (2003).
- Moret, Neil (m.). "Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)" (Sheet music). Detroit: Whitney-Warner Pub. Co. (1902).
- O'Dea, James J. (w.) (1870–1914); Moret, Neil (m.). "Hiawatha (His Song to Minnehaha)" (Sheet music). Detroit: Whitney-Warner Pub. Co. (1903).
- Sanjek, Russell. American Popular Music and Its Business: The First four Hundred Years, Vol. II. New York: Oxford University Press (1988).
- Parlor Songs 1800-1920 (Aug 2000). ">Parlor Songs Association.
External links
- "Hiawatha", Columbia Orchestra (Columbia Phonograph Co. 32092, (c. 1903)—Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project.
- "Hiawatha", Edison Grand Concert Band (Edison Gold Moulded 8347, (c. 1906)—Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project.
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