"Hiawatha" is a popular song written by Neil Moret (Charles N. Daniels) in 1901. James O'Dea 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. It has been recorded numerous times and started a decade long fad for "Indian" songs.

"Hiawatha" was named for Hiawatha, Kansas

Hiawatha, Kansas

Hiawatha is the largest city and county seat of Brown County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,172. It is the largest city on U.S. Route 36 between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado.Hiawatha is named after a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow...

, not for Longfellow's poem.

Lyrics

The lyrics as written by O'Dea:

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 hig 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)

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.