A Fire-Lighting Invocation

This variation on "Hiawatha" may be changed to fit the name and location of the camp. If your master of campfire can memorize this, it will be quite an impressive ceremony, especially if accompanied by a trick method of lighting the fire.

On the shore of Old Lake ...

By the brightly shining water,

Stand the wigwams of our campers.

Dark behind it stands the forest,

Stand the chestnut, oak, and hemlock,

Stand the firs with cones upon them.

Many things they learn and do here:

How Wakonda, the Great Spirit,

Cares for all his faithful children,

Cares for all the forest people;

Learn they of the stars in heaven,

Of the birds that fly and nest here,

Learn the language of all creatures,

Call them friends whene'er we meet them.

Oh Great Spirit, then, in heaven,

Send us flame to light our campfire

That we may for this be thankful;

Oh Great Spirit, this we ask thee,

Send us fire and we shall praise thee!