By the shores of Gitchee Gumee, by the shining big-sea waters
Stood the wigwam of Nakomis, daughter-of-the-moon Nakomis
Dark behind rose the forest, rose the dark and gloomy pine trees
Bright in front beat the water, beat the clear and shining water
Here the wrinkled, old Nakomis cared for little Hiawatha
Rocked him in his linden cradle, bedded soft with moss and rushes
And she hushed the baby's crying, lulled him into slumber singing
Who is this that lights the wigwam? Ewa-yea, my little owlet.
O Hiawatha !

Many things Nakomis taught him, of the stars that shine in heaven
Showed him Ishkoodah the comet, Ishkoodah with fiery tresses
Showed the broad, white road in heaven, pathway of the ghosts & shadows
Running straight across the heavens, crowded w/ the ghosts and shadows
At the door on summer evenings sat the little Hiawatha
Minne-wah-wah said the pine trees, mudway-aushka said the water
Saw the firefly wah-wah-taysee, sang the songs Nakomis taught him
Wah-wah-taysee little firefly, little dancing white-fire creature
O Hiawatha !

Saw a rainbow in the heavens, in the eastern sky the rainbow
Whispered "What is that Nakomis?" and the good Nakomis answered
"All the wild-flowers of the forest, all the lilies of the prairie
When on earth they fade and parish, blossom in that heaven up above."
From the beasts he learned their language, learned their names and all their secrets
Spoke with them whene'er he met them, called them "Hiawatha's Brothers"
O Hiawatha !