The Song of Hiawatha

This is a beautiful poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It's somewhat long but it's worth it. You'll remember lines from it and want to listen again.

I searched for Longfellow’s Hiawatha. While looking at one of the options a notice came up that a first edition was available. I decided to order it. It arrived today and it is NOT Hiawatha but rather a play based on Hiawatha. I can’t prove now that what I originally put in my basket was Longfellow’s Hiawatha but I’m extremely disappointed.

This is a nice book on so many levels. It features beautiful artwork and the rythmic poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; and tells the story of Hiawatha's childhood with his wise grandmother Nokomis and all the plants and animals of the forest. It's a bedtime favorite of my little boy and me. It's also a good way to spark interest in the Native American culture and the beauty of nature.

Although very popular in its day; Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha" was later viewed to be superficial and saccharine. Where as Walt Whitman may have spoken with more of an organic American voice, Longfellow drew upon English Romantic models and looked to Norse and especially the Finnish epic or "edda" "Kalevala" for inspiration. Not with standing; Longfellow's saga is pure New England Renaissance; touching upon values and aesthetics characteristic of Longfellow's circle: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Emerson and Thoreau. The nature-painting of the "Song of Hiawatha" is outstanding; the poetry is full of quotables; and the over-arching message is profound.

Hiawatha is a beautiful, richly detailed poem of Native Americans before the treahery of the white man overwhelmed their way of life. Susan Jeffers took each verse and created a breathtaking, artist's view of the young Hiawatha. Each verse becomes vibrantly alive with her delicate rendiions."By the shores of ..." and Nokomis fill the readers souls with new images because of the renderings made by the talented Susan Jeffers.

I have this poem memorized because my father recited it to me so many times as a child. This illustrated version has beautiful pictures that capture the fact that this is the story of child and embody the lyric quality of Longfellows poem.

"The Song of Hiawatha" is the best book I have ever been exposed to. Every time I hear the wonderful rhyme of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, I begin to think of what this land was like before the Europeans conquered it. It is a wonderful tale of peace between nations and a great book to read to children.