|
NANYEHI
BELOVED WOMAN
OF THE CHEROKEE
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
BECKY HOBBS
Song List
1. WHITE WOLF ON THE HORIZON -
Tenia, Nanyehi’s mother sings, as she washes her newborn in the
river and notices the white wolf on the horizon. The appearance
of the White Wolf is very powerful, as “white” is the color for
peace, and Nanyehi was born into the Wolf Clan. The whole
village of Chota joins in.
2. SONG OF THE NUNNEHI – The “spirit
people” who live in the woods beckon a young Nanyehi and take
her into their hideaway.
3. STICKBALL SONG – Sung by the
children of Chota, as they play this popular game. It is the
first time young Nanyehi notices Kingfisher, a young brave of
the Deer Clan. The spectators join in. Fully choreographed
with bright colors.
4. O GREAT SPIRIT – Kingfisher and
Nanyehi sing to each other on their wedding day. Dressed in
their finest white buckskin, they will speak the wedding vows in
Cherokee during the solo section. He gives her a leg of venison
and she gives him an ear of corn. They each have a blanket, and
fold them together.
5. BATTLE OF TALIWA - The women of
Chota start with the war chant, as they prepare the black drink,
by throwing herbs, etc., into a giant kettle hanging over a
raging fire. The warriors join is, as they dance the war dance
and ask Great Spirit for protection. Costumes are vivid and the
music is powerful. Scene moves onto the battlefield, where the
Cherokees are fighting the Creeks. Nanyehi is crouched behind a
rock, chewing the bullets to make them more deadly. Kingfisher
is killed and Nanyehi takes his rifle and leads the Cherokee to
victory.
6. DONADAGOHVI (UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN)
– Nanyehi sings at Kingfisher’s grave.
7. LITTLE FELLOW MY SON – Kingfisher
sings from the spirit world as Nanyehi cradles their newborn
son. Neither she, nor Kingfisher, knew she was pregnant when
Kingfisher was killed.
8. PASS THE WHISKEY – Bryant Ward,
is singing this around a campfire, as he is trying to sell his
wares to the Cherokee. He will soon become Nanyehi’s 2nd
husband.
9. BY THE FIRE – Nancy sings to
Bryant.
10. THIS LAND IS NOT OUR LAND –
Dragging Canoe sings to white settlers, who keep claiming land
11. LONG WAY OVER – Nancy and Bryant
sing (via writing letters) to each other after he had to go
back to SC. It was too dangerous to stay in Cherokee
territory.
12. THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Dragging
Canoe sings to the Whites at the famous Sycamore Shoals Treaty,
1775.
13. THE SAME THING – Nancy & Lydia
Bean, a white woman whom Nancy saves at the stake, sing about
their differences, and what they share in common.
14. BRAVE LITTLE SOLDIER – Nancy
sings to a young soldier, who happens to be Bryant Ward’s
nephew. He dies in her arms.
15. PALE MOON – Nancy sings outside
her Inn, a place of refuge, after putting orphaned children to
bed.
16. LET THERE BE PEACE – After
Nancy’s death scene, this is sung by the various Nancys. Whole
cast joins in.
17. NANYEHI – This song will be
featured in the overture before the musical begins. Parts of
the melody will be used throughout as underscore.
|
