Native American Songs and Poems: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

Brian Swann (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Dover Thrift Editions | Publication Date: September 18, 1996

Wonderful collection of authentic traditional songs and contemporary Indian verse composed by Seminole, Hopi, Navajo, Pima, Arapaho, Paiute, Nootka, other Indian writers and poets. Topics include nature's beauty and rhythms, themes of tradition and continuity, the Indian in contemporary society, much more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Grandmother by Sherman Alexie
How To Write The Great American Indian Novel by Sherman Alexie
Cedar Swamp by Carroll Arnett
Anza Borrego by Kimberly M. Blaeser
Ride The Turtle's Back by Beth Brant
Geese Flying Over A Prison Sweat Lodge by Joseph Bruchac
The Owl by Joseph Bruchac
This Blessing by Barney Bush
Inside Osage by Duane Big Eagle
Two Heart Clan by Duane Big Eagle
Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo
Lines From A Pariah Notebook: 1 by Lance Henson
Lines From A Pariah Notebook: 2 by Lance Henson
Naming The Animals by Linda Hogan
The Origins Of Corn by Linda Hogan
In The Cornfield by Rex Lee Jim
Sky Woman by Maurice Kenny
This Is No Movie Of Noble Savages by Adrian C. Louis
Evening Near The Hoko River by Duane Niatum
Stones Speak Of The Eartless Sky by Duane Niatum
After Lightning by Simon J. Ortiz
Skins As Old Testament by Carter Revard
What The Eagle Fan Says by Carter Revard
Durable Breath by John E. Smelcer
Arapaho Ghost Dance Songs by Anonymous
Bear Song by Anonymous
Cradle Song by Anonymous
Dance Song by Anonymous
Deer Song by Anonymous
Delight In Nature by Anonymous
Havasupai Medicine Song by Anonymous
He-hea Katzina Song by Anonymous
Hymn Of The Horse by Anonymous
In The Valley by Anonymous
Luiseno Songs Of The Seasons: 1 by Anonymous
Luiseno Songs Of The Seasons: 2 by Anonymous
Luiseno Songs Of The Seasons: 3 by Anonymous
Old Song Of The Musk Ox People by Anonymous
Paiute Ghost Dance Song by Anonymous
Ptarmigan by Anonymous
Quail Song by Anonymous
She Will Gather Roses by Anonymous
Six Dream Songs: 1: You An I Shall Go by Anonymous
Six Dream Songs: 2: Minnow And Flowers by Anonymous
Six Dream Songs: 3: Sleep by Anonymous
Six Dream Songs: 4: Dandelion Puffs by Anonymous
Six Dream Songs: 5: There Above by Anonymous
Six Dream Songs: 6: Strange Flowers by Anonymous
Song by Anonymous
Song For Bringing A Child Into The World by Anonymous
Song For The Dying by Anonymous
Song From The Mountain Chant by Anonymous
Song Of The Earth by Anonymous
Two Newe Songs: 1 by Anonymous
Two Newe Songs: 2 by Anonymous
Utitia'q's Song by Anonymous
Yaqui Song by Anonymous
To Those Who Matter by Roberta Hill Whiteman
Tradition From Inside by Roberta Hill Whiteman
-- Table of Poems from Poem Finder®

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (September 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486294501
• ISBN-13: 978-0486294506
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Special Groups > Native American Studies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A stirring gathering of voices, November 2, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Native American Songs and Poems: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

"Native American Songs and Poems: An Anthology," edited by Brian Swann, is an impressive volume overall. At 56 pages, it is a concise but rich anthology. The book can basically be broken down into two sections: (1) traditional ethnic songs from various cultures, and (2) poems by contemporary Native American authors, again representing many cultures.

The traditional material includes the Seminole "Song for Bringing a Child into the World," the Navajo "Hymn of the Horse," the Pima "Quail Song," and more. Contemporary authors included are Beth Brant (of the Mohawk people), Joy Harjo (Muscogee), Simon J. Ortiz (Acoma Pueblo), and others.

The book contains a useful bibliography. However, there is almost no biographical data on each contemporary author, and very little data on the various nations represented. The book would have been stronger if such data had been included. Still, this is a beautiful and enriching anthology. Topics covered include spirituality, animal and plant life, conflict with Eurocentric culture, Native language loss, and more. Some of the best poems include Joseph Bruchac's moving "Geese Flying over a Prison Sweat Lodge"; Maurice Kenny's sensuous, mystical "Sky Woman"; and Carter Revard's deeply spiritual "What the Eagle Fan Says." I recommend this book both for classroom use and for general reading.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent introduction to Native American poetry..., August 12, 2002

By 

Jason Argentum (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Native American Songs and Poems: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

...but I have to ask how 50 pages can possibly be considered to constitute an anthology.

I'll admit it was the poetry (which is mostly if not completely modern) rather than the traditional songs which attracted my attention. In particular, I quite liked "This Is No Movie of Noble Savages" by Adrian Louis and the poems by Sherman Alexie. One thing in particular that annoyed me with this book, however, was what would seem to be an anachronism perpetuated by the translator(s). Namely, several traditional Native American songs in the book from different tribes refer to 'the Milky Way'. Now, I don't know what the words are that these were translated from, but I'm fairly sure that there weren't any Native Americans (or anybody else at th time) that were calling anything a Milky Way.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice selection of poetry, April 3, 2000

By 

"vikingbob" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Native American Songs and Poems: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

This collection is a nice cross-section of Native American songs and poetry. It includes everything from traditional lullabyes to works by prominent modern Native American authors. Male and female authors are both well represented. This a good introduction for readers unacquainted with this facet of Native American literature.