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300 Music of the Waters. |
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Our headlong, forward rush no man can hinder. What seeks the sage, calling upon us rivers ?" .
The hymn is a long one ; the verses alternately attributed to the saint and the rivers. |
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INDIAN ROWING AND BOAT-SONGS.
The sailors of the province of Sinde, in Hindustan, have their peculiar songs, as seafaring men generally have. They are Mohammedans, and the songs used by them when they are pulling their ropes and sails often contain expressions of reverence to their saints. The translator of the following specimen of these songs praises its simplicity and beauty of expression in its original language :—
" Pull, oh! pull! Raise your shoulders, Press your feet. The boat will sail, The steersman's a warrior. The mast is tall: Beat the drum; The port is attained. Use your strength ; By the favour of God, By the saints' assistance, She is a pretty boat: The water is deep, She will harbour in safety. Of King Acbar, By the favour of God." '
Sirens existed in Indian waters and lulled mariners to sleep by their songs. In speaking of them, in his "Legends and Superstitions of the Sea and of Sailors," Mr. Bassett |
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1 From Engel's " Music of the Most Ancient Nations." |
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