The folk stories of the Passamaquoddies are but little known to the
young boys and girls of the tribe. It is mostly from the old and
middle-aged persons that these stories can be obtained. I was told by
one of these story-tellers that it was customary, when he was a boy,
for the squaws to reward them for collecting wood or other duties with
stories. A circle gathered about the fire after work, and listened for
hours to these ancient stories, fragments no doubt of an ancient
mythology, upon which possibly had been grafted new incidents derived
by the Indians from their intercourse with the various Europeans with
whom they had been brought in contact.


WAR SONGS.

I succeeded in getting upon the phonograph several war songs, typical
of a large number known to the Passamaquoddies. The words of many are
improvised, though there is no doubt that the tunes are ancient. The
words of one of these songs are given below.

I will arise with tomahawk in my hand, and I must have
revenge on that nation which has slain my poor people. I
arise with war club in my hand, and follow the bloody track
of that nation which killed my people. I will sacrifice my
own life and the lives of my warriors. I arise with war club
in my hand, and follow the track of my enemy. When I
overtake him I will take his scalp and string it on a long
pole, and I will stick it in the ground, and my warriors
will dance around it for many days; then I will sing my song
for the victory over my enemy.