This piece begins in A minor and modulates during the scene. "Massacre/Canoes" relies heavily on two main subjects: the primary subject of four notes, repeating at different intervals over and over again throughout the piece, and three appearances of the Mohican Theme, a recognizable variation of the A section of the "Main Title", as discussed in detail in Themes and Motifs of LOTM. Also, the "Main Title" appears in full grandeur just as Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Uncas rescue Cora and Alice, taking them away from the fighting and down to the lake (3:27-4:05 on the CD). Just prior, in working up to the "Main Title" as Hawkeye races to save Cora from the Huron, then hits the Huron again and again, "Massacre" goes through a series of modulations of key to arrive at the odd key of E minor.

"Massacre/Canoes" is in 3/4 time with a syncopated rhythm, meaning that the orchestra comes in on the off-beat (the second beat of the measure); just the drums play on the first beat. This gives the piece a strong driving feeling, something akin to the awkward thrusts and parries of battle.

"O Fortuna"?

The following sound clip plays first a snippet from "O Fortuna" followed by a snippet from "Massacre/Canoes", which is the same set of notes in abbreviated form (that is, the same notes but fewer of them). (Click on the Play button.)

The following are the words to "O Fortuna": O luck, like the moon changeable in state you are always waxing or waning; hateful life is one moment hard and the next moment watches over the mind's playful acumen; poverty, power, it melts like ice.

The following sound clip plays an orchestral version of "O Fortuna" in MIDI format. Listen to it, listen to "Massacre/Canoes" on your CD, and judge for yourself. (Turn your volume down a bit, then click on the Play button.)

As you can hear from these sound clips, there are strong similarities between "Massacre/Canoes" and "O Fortuna". Not that any of us should mind what the inspiration was, as the end product works so well in the movie.