Introduction
Cherokee War Song and Lenape War Song provide a glimpse into the Native people’s values and worldview. The tribes strive to preserve their way of life at any cost, as reflected in their battle chants. These poems reveal how Indigenous Americans are bound by traditions, obligations, vengeance, and even fame to combat invaders.
Analysis of the Songs
First, the texts show a sense of loyalty to the people these speakers protect. The first source mentions that the bloodshed is done in the “glorious country’s name,” while the second one states that “the welfare of his nation” is above his self-preservation (Levine et al. 56-57). This sentiment is evident in both poems, as the warriors express their sense of being the protectors of the land.
The resolve to fight, whether it comes from duty, pursuit of glory, or vengeance, is also apparent. The second song makes it evident, as the speaker states that he has “no power over his own body” and is compelled to fight to the death for his nation (Levine et al. 57). Hatred toward the invading force makes it clear that the speakers are not afraid of their enemies. The first song mentions how “their painted scalps shall be a step to fame” (Levine et al. 56). In conjunction, these factors show that these people are honor-bound to try to repel the attackers.
Finally, these speakers reveal their deeply rooted traditions throughout the poems. The second writing is a plea to the deity to “prevent [the warrior’s family] mourning” and make him return home alive (Levine et al. 57). The Great Spirit mentioned in the Lenape War Song is the foundation of the poet’s inner strength, who strives to protect his way of living by any means necessary and wishes prosperity to his nation.
Conclusion
In summary, these songs provide an overview of the values of its characters and, by extension, their culture, including loyalty, duty, and adherence to local traditions. They show the resolve of the defending force, whose strength comes from the need to protect what is sacred to these communities. Both poems underscore that the willingness to die for a righteous cause is the primary binding factor that preserves these societies.
Work Cited
Levine, Robert S., et al. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 9th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2017.