This valley, near Helen, Georgia, takes its name from the tale of an ill-fated love between a Chickasaw warrior named Sautee and a Cherokee maiden named Nacoochee. They met when Sautee was hunting deer for his tribe.He and his hunting party were given access to Cherokee land to hunt. He met Nachoochee there. Since their love was forbidden by tribal edict, Sautee and Nacoochee escape to nearby Mount Yonah, where Cherokee warriors discover the couple and toss Sautee from the heights of the mountain. Nacoochee follows her murdered lover voluntarily. After they died Chief Wahoo (her father) saw how much the two loved one another. He ordered their bodies taken to the valley below Mount Yonah and buried together in a mound.
No laws can seperate them for eternity now.
Nachoochee and Sautee
It's a joy and a comfort and a feeling so complete
To sit beside this river and contemplate the heat
Of the summer and humidity...the smiles of all the guests
Who come to the Chattahochee to fish love and rest
For the Indians that were here first and the legend that was spun...
From the test of true love's mistress and the hearts that death had won
Over a valley named for lovers and the river that runs deep
With the blood of all their faith and the whispers locked to keep
The secret of Nacoochee and the love within her heart
For a brave that never lost her,
For their love would never part
For the beat within the spirit of two loves forever here
By the river Chattahochee that still dispels their fears
And the echo of two lovers who sleep forever sound
Within ear shot of this river where their tomb can still be found
For the worship of these souls who fought for love and won...
Over trials that only hearts can win with sadness their outcome
Here lies a couple with the oneness of two hearts
Still beating with this river as the flow comes and departs
For hearts are gay in Helen as lovers come and seek
The magic of this river and two souls from 'lover's leap'
In legend, ever happy, their spirits entertwined...
Along rivers, creeks and valleys...that whisper " ever mine".
A love story, tragically spent. Beats the double-dog-hell outta that Shakespeare guy's Romeo and Whatshername.
Reviewed by Thomas Lanechanger (Reader)
Reviewed on August 17, 2004
Susan, as part Cherokee myself, my Grandmother had told me about this legend many moons ago, so I am familiar with this timeless story. Although I must admit, I did forget about it until reading this magnificent creation, knocked some sense back into this failing brain. You have a pure gift at putting these epic story/tales/legends together into a seamless poetic masterpiece my friend! Well-done, Poet! Thank you for sharing your work and knocking some sense back into me. Take care.
Susan this is excellent, a story of love and pain, a story that will last thru eternity, one that I will never forget thats for sure...Peace, Ed & Rufuz
Captivating write and legend, Susan. I've been to a similar place, with a similar Native American legend, in New Mexico, and there is something sublime about it, as there seems to be at your Lover's Leap.
i've heard of lover's leap, but had no idea of the legend behind it--thank you for enlightening me with your powerful prose! excellent meter and rhyme. BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
Reviewed by La Belle Rouge (Reader)
Reviewed on August 16, 2004
This is exceptional, I am familiar with the place and the legend. So well penned, Susan.
The authors of Savannah: Brokers, Bankers and Bay Lane: Inside the Slave Trade (Civil War Savannah), received the 2012 Award for Excellence in Research from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board. The Award was issued by then Georgia Secretary
Share
Print
Save
Follow
This brings a tear to your eye
Such a unique love and devotion..
Peter
well penned
William .....Peace
exquisite visuals
is an exceptionally lovely 'history write.'
This is exceptional in every way!Kudo's!
Love Tinka
Well Done!
i've heard of lover's leap, but had no idea of the legend behind it--thank you for enlightening me with your powerful prose! excellent meter and rhyme. BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)