SONGS 335

Nutltdqwagotsumkx otdisxteuntcinki | otdisxteuntcinki
Swallow right down(c), to your very tail, | to your very tail;

dinusémwakalutan-istaix
why you cannot even break one of our hairs(d¢).

(a) Recorded as song VII D 9a, National Museum of Canada; singer, Louie Hall.

(4) The vocative form is used.

(c) That is: Swallow the bait.

(d) A reference to the use of human hairs for fishlines. The lad is, of course,
trying to “dare” the fish.

Fishing Song(a)

This is a song sung by lads as they splash in the water
after minnows, trying to drive them ashore.

Waksdiman-u Waksdiman-u
Who is your father? | Who is your father?
Qwalaiyutink dimén-u qwalaiyutink dimén-u

“Rotten stomach”(4) | is your father;} “Rotten stomach” | is your father.

(a) Recorded as song VII D 26b, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim
Pollard.

(2) It is uncertain whether this refers to any particular kind of fish, or is merely
a general term of opprobrium.

Song Sung to a Cormorant(a)

When a cormorant is seen near a canoe, the paddlers
often sing the following song. The bird, delighted, is said
to come near. and dance around the craft.

- a - H - bad ae - - 2 . .
Qanéxomaks datiopén-idax ganaxomaks datsitaowidax
Dance, cormorant, dance, cormorant(J).

Nusésaik

Take the breast(c).

(2) Recorded as song VII D 34c, National Museum of Canada; singer, Jim
Pollard.

(6) This is the Bella Bella word for cormorant.

(c) The singer insisted on inserting this refrain after the song. It is really a
lullaby and it is doubtful whether it normally accompanies the cormorant song.