 | James Roane Gregory - Part I |  |
4. The Green Corn Dance[1]
My children are happy unto this day
He-yo-we-yoo! My mother! Hi-yo-chee!
The ashes of fires were cold and gray,
The paths are long that lead from the blue sea;
The Southern winds breathed and the snow was gone,
The warm sun counseled with the great dark cloud,
Then He-yo-we-yoo sent down his new corn
With his lightning fire dancing, singing loud,
He-yo-we-yoo-hi-yo.
He-yo-we-yoo! My mother! Hi-yo-chee!
The ashes of fires were cold and gray,
The paths are long that lead from the blue sea;
The Southern winds breathed and the snow was gone,
The warm sun counseled with the great dark cloud,
Then He-yo-we-yoo sent down his new corn
With his lightning fire dancing, singing loud,
He-yo-we-yoo-hi-yo.
The children of the storms rejoice this day:
He-yo-we-yoo! My mother! He-yo-chee!
The ashes of the fires are blown away,
The rain came up straight from the deep blue sea.
The Southern winds came blowing the new corn,
The warm sun counseled with the lightning cloud;
He-yo-we-yoo sends the lightning free born,
With his lightning fire we dance singing loud.
He-yo-we-yoo-hi-yo.
My children are happy.
He-yo-we-yoo! My mother! He-yo-chee!
The ashes of the fires are blown away,
The rain came up straight from the deep blue sea.
The Southern winds came blowing the new corn,
The warm sun counseled with the lightning cloud;
He-yo-we-yoo sends the lightning free born,
With his lightning fire we dance singing loud.
He-yo-we-yoo-hi-yo.
My children are happy.
Wagoner Record, August 9, 1900.
[[1].]
The Green Corn Ceremony, commonly called the "busk" by whites, was an annual celebration held usually in late July or early August. Activities included fasting, taking "medicine," dancing, and playing stickball. The celebration, which lasted several days, marked the beginning of the New Year. Crimes and social offenses were forgiven, names were conferred, family affairs were sorted out, and order and unity among the people were reaffirmed. The ceremony was the most important event in the people's ceremonial cycle.
| James Roane Gregory - Part I | |