Knowing your American Heroes
Chief Massasoit (1580?-1660)
Born around fifteen-eighty
They called him Massasoit.
The chief of the Wampanoag’s
Of the land now called Massachusetts.
His dominions extended from
Cape Cod to Narragansett Bay.
His tribe numbered in the thousands
Yellow fever took most away.
Shortly before the Pilgrims
Stepped onto Plymouth Rock.
Massasoit warriors about
Three hundred left in his flock.
In March of sixteen-twenty-one
The Pilgrims in their new land.
An Indian named Samoset
Entered the town with a welcome hand.
“Welcome Englishmen!” he announced
“I am the envoy of Massosoit.”
“The greatest commander of the country”
Shall offer peace if you should choose it.
A treaty of friendship was completed
In few and unequivocal terms.
Massasoit and the Pilgrims
A contract that would stay firm.
Massasoit was human and honest
Never violated his word.
The oldest act of diplomacy
In New England that’s on record.
Two of his sons were named
Wamsutta and Pometacom
Soon after the death of Massasoit
Wamsutta would carry on.
Wamsutta died within a year
Pometacom became the chief.
Took the Christian name of Philip
Would bring his people grief.
Massasoit constantly endeavored
To imbue his people with love and peace.
Not forgotten by the Colonists
Named a state after this great Chief.