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Funny Songs About Raven
A series of humorous songs about Raven, or ascribed to him, were recorded. These
were sung as happy songs during the peace-making ceremonies, usually by the wives of the
captors, whUe their husbands danced (pp. 570-571, 601-602).
'Raven and the Herring Heads,' 'Raven and Snipes,' 'Raven Steals Dayhght,' 'Raven
Loses his Nose,' and 'Raven Washes Himself in Vain,' were all specifically designated as funny
peace dance songs. The last was said to have been danced by the men holding mock weapons.
'Raven and the Mussel People,' although funny, was said to have been sung by the
K'^actqwan when guests at a potlatch. 'How Raven Became Drunk' is funny, but I do not
know on what occasions it was sung.
Funny Peace Dance Song: Raven and the Herring Heads
1954, 6-1-E (a); recorded by Sarah Williams and
Jenny Jack on May 10.
This song, and the foUowing "Raven and Snipes"
(1954, 6-1-E [b]), both belong to the story of how
Raven was invited to a potlatch (by the Sea Otters,
according to Sarah Williams). He refused to go, because
he did not like the codfish heads they always
served. Later he sent his servant, a man made of wood,
to find out what was being eaten at the feast, and to
ask for a place for him. No one paid attention. Raven
then collected a number of Snipes, his nephews, and
went to the house. They came dancing in. Raven ate
herring heads from a wooden box, climbing right into
it. Supposedly he composed this song about the herring
heads; or, it is supposed to be derived from his caw.
In any case, it is an old one. Then the Snipes danced
into the house, singing "Raven and Snipes" (see below).
The singers made several mistakes in the words
before they were able to sing the two songs, which
they presented together. Each lasted 32 seconds. The
words to the first are: (sung t^vice)
A
B
A
A
'a° 'a° 'a yayit yaw cayi—'A° 'a° those herring
heads
yel tculsex(a)—Raven ate them up.
The structure is:
B
B'
Funny Peace Dance Song: Raven and Snipes
1952, 3-1-B; recorded by Annie Johnson and Minnie
Johnson on August 13 (version a).
1954, 5-1-E; recorded by Nick Milton (drumming)
Katy Dixon Isaac, Mary Thomas, and Louise
Peterson on April 25 (version b).
1954, 6-1-E (b); recorded by Sarah Williams and Jenny
Jack on May 10 (version c).
The recording (a) in 1952 was preceded by a good
deal of talk, and by the singing of the humorous song
about Raven and the Mussel People, which the singers
were not wilUng to record. Finally they sang 'Raven and
Snipes,' which they entitled "'Raven's Claw' (yel xaku).
It lasted 40 seconds (cf. score p. 1262). According to
Minnie Johnson, it was composed by Raven himself,
when h^went to a potlatch given by the KUlerwhales.
The recording by Sarah WiUiams and Jenny Jack
followed immediately upon the song 'Raven and the
Heiring Heads.' This was, according to Sarah Williams,
the second song connected with the potlatch given by
the Sea Otters. The Snipes danced into the house,
singing this song. It had one stanza and lasted 3 2
seconds. This version (c) is different in tune and rhythm
from that recorded by the group (1954, 5-1-E).
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