4

Cover all gently, leave the print of our feet
On the earth mellowed fine, so brown, so sweet.

Refrain:  Ah hey they,
            Ah hey hey they,
            Ah hey they ha! 
              Ah hey they,
            Ah hey hey they,
            Ah hey they ha!

In the action for this stanza the hoe and the feet of the dancers have a special part.  The movements of the dancers should represent the covering of the dropped seed with the mellowed earth and the making of the footprint on the top of the little hill within which the seed is now hidden.  In the native Ritual Song the term “footprint” is used symbolically; it represents a person—­in this instance the one who had done the work—­also the work itself that has been accomplished.  The dancers should be careful to remember the rhythm of the second, fourth, sixth and eighth measures, as these can be used to emphasize “footprints” and also the completion of the task.  During a repeat of the refrain the dancers should drop their hoes and gather in groups as if to look at the field; this action will bring them into the position required for the fifth stanza.

5

How like lines of buffalo upon the slope,
Lie our little brown hills, so full now of hope.

Refrain:  Ah hey they,
            Ah hey hey they,
            Ah hey they ha! 
              Ah hey they,
            Ah hey hey they,
            Ah hey they ha!

The motions of the hands and the movements of the body should indicate that in looking over the field one is struck by the striped appearance made by the rows of little hills, recalling the resemblance to the buffalo descending the slope.  The final “ha!” of the refrain should indicate pleasure.  A brief silence should follow, during which the dancers pick up their hoes, adjust their pouches, fall into line and sing the following song: 

Song No. 2

  Light our hearts and gay
  As we homeward take our way,
  While the winds about us play,
      Singing as we go. 
    Hy-ya hy-ya hy-ya ho! 
    Hy-ya hy-ya hy-ya ho! 
        Hy-ya ho! 
          Ho! 
        Hy-ya ho!

[Music]

This song should be repeated many times as all the dancers, with rhythmic, springing steps, wind about the camp ground before they finally disperse.

DANCE III

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—­This dance is from the Corn Ritual Song and is a dramatization of a visit to the planted field after the lapse of a few weeks.  Life has been stirring in the kernels of corn that had been hidden within the little hills, and the kernels now call to those who had planted them to come and see what was taking place.

Properties.—­The same as those used in the preceding dance.  Both the boys and the girls should wear the same costume as in Dance II.