The Mountain Man

He came from over the mountain
Early one morning in the Spring
He brought with him two fine ponies
For he wanted the woman he'd heard sing

He spoke to my Father in a calm voice
But my brother, Gray Wolf shouted, NO
Father raised his hand and all was quiet
And thought the white man surely would go

But Father saw the wanting look in my eye
And agreed to listen to the man
The mountain man entered Father's tipi
And alone to the forest Gray Wolf ran

The white man took the peace pipe
As the smoke curled up into the air
Many days have I admired this young woman
And for her love do I now declare

Many days have I watched her at work
Never tiring nor speaking a word
So if she is a mind to come live with me
Then all of her words would be heard

Two ponies is all you can offer

For my only daughter, Father asked
She is worth far more than you offer
Go, come back when you can do better

Two ponies is all I can offer
For these two ponies are all that I own
I offer them to you freely this morning
For the woman who will bear my many sons

I will teach them the ways of my father
And she will teach them the ways of the Sioux
They will grow up strong among the people
And bring honor to the Great White Father

For two ponies I give you my daughter
Love her well and bring her no harm
Remember she is my only daughter
And was raised here under my arm

The mountain man took the girl to wed
And loved her more each day
She gave him fine sons and daughters
And taught each one how to pray

She learned the words of the white man
And he learned the ways of the Sioux
They taught these things to their children
And to their heritages remained ever true