On the Great Spirit and Nature: American First Nation Songs and Chants, Part 2 of 2

Today, it is a pleasure to present selections from the book “The Path on the Rainbow: An Anthology of Songs and Chants from the Indians of North America,” edited by George W. Cronyn.

Let’s continue with songs from the Ojibwe, also known as the Chippewa First Nation people, who were originally from the Eastern woodlands in the areas that are present-day Ontario and Manitoba in Canada and Minnesota and North Dakota in the United States. The first song gracefully expounds on life and the natural elements. The next two songs detail the work of the Midé, or medicine man, and the spiritual knowledge they impart.

SONGS OF THE CHIPPEWA

“[…] I AM AS BRAVE AS OTHER MEN Men who are brave and heroic as you esteem them to be Like them I also consider myself to be.

MY MUSIC REACHES TO THE SKY My music Reaches to the sky. […]

FRIENDLY SONG Over there in the sky they have taken pity on me. The sky loves to hear me. […]

CARRIED AROUND THE SKY As the wind is carrying me around the sky.

THE SKY WILL RESOUND It will resound finely the sky when I come making a noise.

AN OVERHANGING CLOUD An overhanging Cloud repeats my words with pleasing sound.

HEAPS OF CLOUDS Great heaps of clouds in the direction I am looking. […]”

SACRED MIDÉ [MEDICINE MAN] SONG

“Drifting snow, why do I sing? The Sun and Moon, Their bodies shine over the world unto me as unto you, my Midé [medicine man] friend.”

Next is the “Holy Song” from the Ho Chunk First Nation people, who traditionally lived around the Lake Winnebago area in present-day Wisconsin, United States. This song details how the spirits can share wisdom with us through our dreams.

Finally, we would like to present “Songs in the Garden of the House God” from the Navajo or Diné First Nation people who traditionally lived in Dinétah, the area between four sacred mountains now known as Blanca Peak in Colorado, Mount Taylor in New Mexico, Humphries Peak in Arizona, and Hesperus Mountain in Colorado. This song shows appreciation for the natural elements, such as the rains, which help the bountiful harvests grow.