"Identified by Bacille George 8/28/58 as an old Up-the-line Dance Song, which he had heard as a kid at a big potlatch at Upper Tonsina, when his father gave away $3000."; ;
audio:6767; APSdigrec_1611; Recording Number: 02; Program Number: 02
Description
Two potlatch songs, with conversation. Recording ends with summary information and corrections by Frederica de Laguna. "The potlatch song is sung when everybody stands and sways from side to side, arms folded, and wishes for good luck. Each potlatch song is composed for a special occasion, and is sung once at the potlatch by the assembly. It then becomes the property of the host's clan and may not be sung by another clan unless they pay for it - $10-20."
"This is a Tanacross song, belonging to Big Frank, a wUdjicyu man, now dead. It is a sorry song. Some one else said it was a dance song."; Recorded at Chistochina Song Fest.;
"The song was composed that afternoon, on a trip to Gulkana. Dick Ewan is the cross-cousin, sudE', of the two sisters."; Recorded at Chistochina Song Fest.;
"Bill Joe introduces the song. It was composed by Titus John, former husband of Lucy (Albert??). 'When I'm drunk I act like a muskrat, go around collecting grass.' There is also said to be a reference to an outboard motor on a lake."; Recorded at Chistochina Song Fest.;
"Ralf Sanford: 'Another one from Tanacross.' Harry Frank: 'From Nabesna River.' Others mention Northway, Tanacross, Tatlin."; Recorded at Chistochina Song Fest.;
