Rabbit Sioux Songs
William Horncloud sings Rabbit Sioux Songs
©1971 Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ
William Horncloud of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, is a well known and respected traditional Sioux singer. He grew up in an area known for its singers, and has been singing since boyhood. He knows many of the old songs, and is sought after to perform and teach.
He has traveled throughout the Northern Plains states to inter-tribal celebrations, and is well known to audiences at the Flagstaff Pow-Wow and Sheridan All Indian Days. In 1970 he spent a number of weeks at Wesleyan University in Connecticut teaching Indian music.
His daily work is the work of a farmer and rancher – raising his grain crops and cattle, and drilling for water. Yet, in Indian tradition, the two parts of his life intertwine. Bill sings at early morning chores, and during the day's work. Often at night, under the cottonwood trees in Bill's front yard, come other Indian singers, or non-Indian students, or a celebrity like Johnny Cash to talk songs, and hit the drum, and make music.
The Rabbit Dance is a social dance, and the Only Sioux dance for couples. They dance together, facing forward, in a circle clockwise, with their hands joined, and crossed in front in skaters' position. The left foot takes the forward step (almost a low hop), and the right slides to close. There may be variations as the dancers feel it, so long as they follow the basic rhythm.
Since the words of the songs are always amorous, it is fun for dancers and spectators.
He has traveled throughout the Northern Plains states to inter-tribal celebrations, and is well known to audiences at the Flagstaff Pow-Wow and Sheridan All Indian Days. In 1970 he spent a number of weeks at Wesleyan University in Connecticut teaching Indian music.
His daily work is the work of a farmer and rancher – raising his grain crops and cattle, and drilling for water. Yet, in Indian tradition, the two parts of his life intertwine. Bill sings at early morning chores, and during the day's work. Often at night, under the cottonwood trees in Bill's front yard, come other Indian singers, or non-Indian students, or a celebrity like Johnny Cash to talk songs, and hit the drum, and make music.
The Rabbit Dance is a social dance, and the Only Sioux dance for couples. They dance together, facing forward, in a circle clockwise, with their hands joined, and crossed in front in skaters' position. The left foot takes the forward step (almost a low hop), and the right slides to close. There may be variations as the dancers feel it, so long as they follow the basic rhythm.
Since the words of the songs are always amorous, it is fun for dancers and spectators.