WARRIOR SONGS
Cheyenne warriors often sang while they traveled.
Usually these short songs were of encouragment,
about a lover or in praise of deeds past.
These were collectively called wolf traveling songs.
They usually came often to the men in their dreams.
"A wolf I considered myself...
But the owls are hooting and the night
I fear."
(Sioux)
A Warrior might have compared himself to a a wolf
in order to warn young men of the dangers they would be facing.
"At daybreak I roam
ready to tear up the world...
I roam.
At daybreak I roam
shivers coming up my spine...
I roam.
At daybreak I roam
awake to who is following...
I roam.
At daybreak I roam
eyes in the back of my head...
I roam."
(Santee Sioux)
