1908

Song of the Deathless Voice

Three Indian Songs, Op. 32 Song Collection

In 1908, Farwell composed Three Indian Songs, op. 32, based on the piano solos contained in his earlier American Indian Melodies. “Song of the Deathless Voice” is the first song in the collection.

Audio

“Song of the Deathless Voice” (from “Three Indian Songs, Op. 32”)

Thomas Hampson (baritone) & Craig Rutenberg (piano)2:41

Arthur Farwell

Composer

Arthur Farwell

Poet(s)/Writer(s)

2009

Date

Minnesota Beethoven Festival; Winona, Minnesota

Location

Recorded for Instant Encore as part of American Public Media's Performance Today series; available for download via Instant Encore with the download code: THSOA2009

About

Farwell published American Indian Melodies in 1901, in his recently founded Wa-Wan Press, a publication dedicated strictly to American contemporary music. Scored for piano solo, American Indian Melodies contains Farwell’s arrangements of ten melodies that were transcribed from the songs of the Omaha tribe and preserved in Alice C. Fletcher’s Indian Story and Song from North America (1900).

Text

Song of the Deathless Voice
by Arthur Farwell
Words adapted from the “Indian”

Hi-dho ho!
Behold, here a warrior fighting fell,
A warrior’s death died.
Hear, O hear,
There was joy in his voice,
Joy in his voice as he fell,
Ha-he dho-ee dha hey ee dho-ee.
Ah he dho he dho.
Behold, here a warrior fighting fell,
A warrior’s death died.
Hear, O hear,
There was joy in his voice,
Joy in his voice as he fell,
Ha-he dho ee dha hey dho-ee.

Related Information

Instant Encore

instantencore.com/music/details.aspx?PId=5041048

Sheet Music

American Indian Melodies, Op. 11 (piano solo)

Arthur Farwell

Buy via Sheet Music Plus

Three Indian Songs, Op. 32

Arthur Farwell

Buy via Classical Vocal Reprints