The Residents Lyrics
"The Walrus Hunt"

Walrus hunting in kayaks among the floating ice must
sometimeproceed in the winter darkness or in a condition
known as "whiteout" when atmospheric conditons turn
the sky into a virtual mirror of the snow and ice below
and orientation becomes difficult.
At these times, women on shore blow a large horn made
from a giant narwhal's hollowed tusk and chant to give
directional orientation to the hunters.
Winter had almost arrived,
for the wind had a more pronounced bite in itsinsistence.
The noonday sun sat momentarily on the horizon before
hastening back into the icy waters.
Floating on the rising winds,
the sounds of the narwhal horn and chanting combined
to give assurance to the Eskimo hunters.
The paddling of the kayak was smooth and steady.
Not much light was left and a sleeping walrus could
easily hide in the deep shadowed recesses of the floating icebergs.
But wait! There, on the ice.
.. yes, a walrus! A happy but silentdiscovery.
The sling-like harpoon was removed from its leather
container and spun rapidly around over the hunter's
head until sufficient speed was reached to send it
zooming toward its unsuspecting prey.
The walrus was hit. Cheers rang out from the men as
they all paddled toward the animal which had plunged
into the icy sea; but the water offered no protection
as the Eskimo men reached for their whale bone clubs
and bludgeoned the creature.
The walrus floated quietly in the water and the kayaks
moved on in search of other sleeping prey.