A marriage proposal, 1903.
words by James O’Dea
music by Neil Moret
The composer, Neil Moret, had lived in Kansas City. He had dated a girl from Hiawatha, Kansas. One day enroute to visit the girl the melody came to him and he jotted it down. The music was published as Hiawatha (a march) in 1901. The Sousa Band made it well known. Words were added and it became this song in 1903. Several other Indian songs came along in the years following.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
- Oh the moon is all a-gleam 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 the light
And 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 woodlands 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 then the song I sing with lips aflame
Chorus
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 say you’ll be, my Indian bride
- In the tresses of your hair, lies a snare
And it’s 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 woodlands in white
Then your Hiawatha free I will be and to thee
Every thought of mine will e’er incline
Heed then the vows I pledge to thee this night
Sung here by Fred Feild: