Based upon a journal entry from Louis Joliet in 1678 and a story written in 1836 by John Russell with inputs from several other variations of the legend of the Piasa Bird.

Stormbird
by Alan D. Taylor

This story of ancient Inokinghi
Noohkoma told me when I was a young brave
Up high on the bluff above Mitchiseepeewi
Two terrible creatures lived in a cave
Mare dangerous than panther or eagle or bear
When hunting for food in the forest each day
One creature would capture a meal to share
With his mate in that cave not far away

Stormbird thunder. Stormbird shriek.
Stormbird coming up the creek
Stormbird, Stormbird hunts for deer
Stormbird don’t you come ‘round here.

Inoca shared the hunting ground
With Stormbird that they learned to fear
Stormbird’s wings made thunder sound
A warning of the danger near
Inoca brave was stalking game
Unaware, in fact, he was the prey.
The dreaded creature quickly came
Inoca brave now catch of the day.

Stormbird thunder, Stormbird squeal
Stormbird hunting for a meal
Stormbird, Stormbird stay away.
You’ll not feed on me today.

The monsters never satiated,
To Ouatoga the village turned
For a full moon he meditated
Great Spirit spoke; Ouatoga learned.
A tender spot beneath each wing
The weakness that Stormbird possessed
Pierced by a poisoned arrow’s sting
Sends Stormbird to eternal rest.

Stormbird thunder, Stormbird roar
Stormbird come around once more
Stormbird, Stormbird very vain.
Ouatoga soon will be your bane

Special arrowheads were made
And painted with a toxic mix
People fasted; people prayed.
The trap was set; the plan was fixed
To Stormbird Ouatoga called
Atop the bluff he was the bait
Six archers were the best of all
Silently concealed they’d wait

Stormbird thunder, Stormbird screech
Ouatoga sees roots within his reach
With Stormbird’s talons in his flesh
He holds on to the wooden mesh

Trying to pull Ouatoga free
Stormbird cried and spread his wings
Seizing the opportunity
Archers aimed; released the strings
Pierced by poisoned arrow tips
Stormbird writhed in woe and pain
With anguished bays released its grip
Plunged out of sight, not seen again

Stormbird thunder, Stormbird scream
Stormbird defeated by a dream.
Into the river Stormbird fell
Where he rests no one can tell

Two creatures once lived on that bluff
According to our history.
Just one was killed. Was that enough?
The fate of his mate’s a mystery.
As you travel the River Road
Upstream from the flour mill
In memory of Chief Ouatoga
The Piasa Bird is seen there still

Stormbird thundered; Stormbird cried
“Stormbird,” people say, “has died.”
Remember what you’ve heard me say
Should thunder clap one cloudless day

Footnotes - Illini words used in this song.

Inokinghi – The land of the Inoca (Illini)
Noohkoma – “My Grandmother”
Mitchiseepeewi- The Mississippi River
Ouatoga – Legendary chief of the Illini credited for defeating the “Piasa Bird.”