Steady as the Beating Drum
This is the second half of the opening duet, melding in beautifully from the trail end of Virginia Company, and introduces to us the other party of the future conflict: the Native Americans. This provides a direct contrast of lifestyle and priorities between these people who are one with the earth with those other people who simply want the earth. The drum background is soothing.
The reprise is sung by Chief Powhatan to Pocahontas, as he gently reminds her their life philosophy.
Hega hega ya-hi-ye hega
Ya-hi-ye ne-he hega
Hega hega ya-hi-ye hega
Ya-hi-ye ne-he hega
Steady as the beating drum
Singing to the cedar flute
Seasons go and seasons come
Bring the corn and bear the fruit
By the waters sweet and clean
Where the mighty sturgeon lives
Plant the squash and reap the bean
All the earth our mother gives
O Great Spirit, hear our song
Help us keep the ancient ways
Keep the sacred fire strong
Walk in balance all our days
Seasons go and seasons come
Steady as the beating drum
Plum to seed to bud to plum
(Hega hega ya-hi-ye hega)
Steady as the beating drum
Hega hega ya-hi-ye hega
Ya-hi-ye ne-he hega
Hega hega ya-hi-ye hega
Ya-hi-ye ne-he hega
Reprise
As the rivers cuts his path
Though the river’s proud and strong
He will choose the smoothest course
That’s why rivers live so long
They’re steady...
As the steady beating drum