1909
Far Off I Hear a Lover’s Flute
Composed by 
Charles Wakefield Cadman
Charles Wakefield Cadman Text by 
Nelle Richmond Eberhart
Nelle Richmond Eberhart From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water Song Collection
"Far Off I Hear a Lover's Flute" is the third song of Cadman's song cycle From the Land of Sky-Blue Water (Four American Indian Songs), Op. 45. The cycle sets traditional melodies of the Omaha tribe and text by poet Nelle Richmond Eberhart.
Text
Far Off I Hear a Lover’s Flute
by Nelle Richmond Eberhart
Far off I hear a lover’s flute
A-crying thro’ the gloom;
Far off the golden waters flow
A-down their sandy flume.
I see the shrunken Mother Moon
Go forth to meet the Day,
While dim and white the dead ones walk
Upon the Spirit Way.
Why should I wake and walk tonight
When all the lodge is still?
Why should I watch the Ghostly Road,
So high and white and chill?
Why should I hate the crying flute
Which happy lovers play?
Ah! far and white my loved one walks
Along the Spirit Way!
Sheet Music
‘Four American Indian Songs,’ Op. 45 (High Voice)
Charles Wakefield Cadman
1. From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water
2. The White Dawn is Stealing
3. Far Off I Hear a Lover's Flute
4. The Moon Drops Low
2. The White Dawn is Stealing
3. Far Off I Hear a Lover's Flute
4. The Moon Drops Low
High
‘Four American Indian Songs,’ Op. 45 (Low Voice)
Charles Wakefield Cadman
1. From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water
2. The White Dawn is Stealing
3. Far Off I Hear a Lover's Flute
4. The Moon Drops Low
2. The White Dawn is Stealing
3. Far Off I Hear a Lover's Flute
4. The Moon Drops Low
Low