The Death of Minnehaha
Dzö-nga Lyrics


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Icy hollow, bitter vale
Blackened river, frozen lake
The darkness falls
Death comes for us all

I am the endless snow
I am the ghastly cold
Famine and the hunger grows
Starve and die alone

Wasting famine, fever's burn
Children cry and mothers wail
The waiting wolves
Death comes for us all

I am the endless snow
I am the ghastly cold
Famine and the hunger grows
Starve and die alone

Journey afar, forest of grey
Desolate cries fading away
I will follow you, my love
Through the storm we'll find a way
Hiawatha, hear my cry
Echoes in the endless snow
I cannot escape the dark
Death is calling and I must go

Calling are the raging falls
Rushing water in the night
Reaching out, gripping you
Eyes of fire, hands of ice
Look away now, my beloved
Death approaches and deceives
I return with strength and light
Do you remember, still believe?

Over earth and mountain fly
By the the snowy wasted path
Endless miles passing by
Smoke and ash of heaven's wrath
Would that I had perished for you!
Were that I were lost instead!




In the dark eyes of the mother
See that love, my heart is dead

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dzö-nga's song "The Death of Minnehaha" describe a bleak and desolate landscape, characterized by icy hollows, bitter valleys, blackened rivers, and frozen lakes. It portrays a sense of imminent death that looms over all living beings, symbolized by the darkness that falls and the inevitability of death coming for everyone.


The singer identifies themselves as the endless snow and the ghastly cold, embodying the harshness of the winter and the famine that accompanies it. They speak of the hunger that grows, causing people to starve and die alone. The lyrics convey a sense of despair and hopelessness in the face of a relentless winter and its dire consequences.


The second verse further emphasizes the suffering caused by famine and the desperation it brings, as children cry and mothers wail. The waiting wolves symbolize the imminent threat of death that lurks in such times. The lyrics continue to reinforce the theme of the singer being the embodiment of the endless snow and the ghastly cold, emphasizing the oppressive nature of their presence.


As the song progresses, there is a shift in focus. The lyrics introduce the character of Hiawatha, who is being called upon by the singer. They express a longing to follow Hiawatha through the storm and find a way out. The mention of Hiawatha's name serves as a plea for salvation, a hope for deliverance from the darkness and death.


However, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance in the closing verses. The singer acknowledges that death is calling, and they cannot escape the darkness. The raging falls and rushing water represent the alluring and deceptive aspects of death. The lyrics suggest that the singer has resolved to face death, as they state that they return with strength and light and ask Hiawatha if they still remember and believe in their love.


Overall, "The Death of Minnehaha" is a powerful and introspective song that explores themes of death, despair, and the harsh realities of winter and famine. It delves into the yearning for salvation and the acceptance of one's fate in the face of inevitable death.


Line by Line Meaning

Icy hollow, bitter vale
A cold and desolate place filled with sorrow


Blackened river, frozen lake
A river and lake frozen in time, devoid of life


The darkness falls
The despair and hopelessness consume us


Death comes for us all
No one can escape the inevitability of death


I am the endless snow
I represent the eternal coldness and desolation


I am the ghastly cold
I embody the chilling and haunting presence


Famine and the hunger grows
As resources dwindle, hunger becomes more severe


Starve and die alone
Suffering alone until death takes us


Wasting famine, fever's burn
The devastating effects of hunger and sickness


Children cry and mothers wail
The anguish and sorrow of families in distress


The waiting wolves
Danger lurks in the shadows, ready to consume us


I am the endless snow
I am the embodiment of everlasting despair


I am the ghastly cold
I am the haunting and chilling presence that lingers


Famine and the hunger grows
As resources diminish, hunger intensifies


Starve and die alone
Enduring the pain of starvation until death claims us


Journey afar, forest of grey
Venturing through a desolate and lifeless forest


Desolate cries fading away
The echoes of suffering slowly disappearing


I will follow you, my love
I am devoted to you and will stay by your side


Through the storm we'll find a way
Together, we will navigate through the hardships


Hiawatha, hear my cry
I plead for Hiawatha to listen to my plea for help


Echoes in the endless snow
My cries resonate through the never-ending despair


I cannot escape the dark
I am trapped in the depths of darkness and despair


Death is calling and I must go
The presence of death beckons me, and I cannot resist


Calling are the raging falls
The powerful waterfall calls out to me


Rushing water in the night
The torrent of water rushes under the cover of darkness


Reaching out, gripping you
Death's grip tightens, embracing its victim


Eyes of fire, hands of ice
A terrifying and contradictory presence


Look away now, my beloved
Please avert your gaze from the impending doom


Death approaches and deceives
The arrival of death brings deception and illusion


I return with strength and light
I come back with resilience and hope


Do you remember, still believe?
Do you recall our love and hold onto faith?


Over earth and mountain fly
Swiftly moving across vast landscapes


By the snowy wasted path
Through the desolate path covered in snow


Endless miles passing by
Continuously traversing great distances


Smoke and ash of heaven's wrath
The aftermath of a divine anger, leaving destruction


Would that I had perished for you!
I wish I had died in your place!


Were that I were lost instead!
I yearn to be the one lost in this despair


In the dark eyes of the mother
The sorrow and pain reflected in a maternal figure


See that love, my heart is dead
Witness the love that now lies lifeless within me




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Alexander Newton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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