NAVAJO CEREMONIAL SONGS BASED ON THE CREATION MYTH
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NAVAJO CEREMONIAL SONGS
p. 127
p. 128
The following songs, from the Museum’s collection of over 1500 records, have been selected to show the connection between the songs used in Navajo ceremonials and the Creation Myth narrative.
These songs, sung by Hasteen Klah, were recorded and translated by Dr. Harry Hoijer and edited by Dr. George Herzog.
p. 129
1. SONG OF THE ETHKAY-NAH-ASHI*
| That which is good May it be made as offering to him May it be made as offering to him The young man who walks in the darkness May it be made as offering to him May it be made as offering to him The beautiful black bead May it be made as offering to him May it be made as offering to him The beautiful sparkling stone May it be made as offering to him May it be made as offering to him The beautiful blue pollen May it be made as offering to him May it be made as offering to him The beautiful corn pollen May it be made as offering to him May it be made as offering to him They will be exchanged tor his mind, his voice; May it be made as offering to him. p. 130 The young woman of the dusk May it be made as offering to her May it be made as offering to her The beautiful white shell May it be made as offering to her May it be made as offering to her The beautiful sparkling stone May it be made as offering to her May it be made as offering to her The beautiful blue pollen May it be made as offering to her May it be made as offering to her The beautiful corn pollen May it be made as offering to her May it be made as offering to her They will be exchanged for her voice, her mind; May they be made as offering to her. That which is good May it be made as offering to her May it be made as offering to her. |
p. 131
2. SONG OF THE FLOOD*
| The first man—you are his child, he is your child The first woman—you are her child, she is your child The water monster—you are his child, he is your child The black sea-horse—you are his child, he is your child The black snake—you are his child, he is your child The big blue snake—you are his child, he is your child The white corn—you are his child, he is your child The yellow corn—you are his child, he is your child The corn pollen—you are his child, he is your child The corn beetle—you are his child, he is your child Sahanahray—you are his child, he is your child Bekayhozhon—you are his child, he is your child |
3. SECOND SONG OF THE FLOOD
| They are running from the water, I came up with it When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with it When it was holy, I came up with it They start moving from the water, I came up with it When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with it When it was holy, I came up with it The rocks which extend upward, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them The mountains which extend upward, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them. When it was holy, I came up with them The waters which extend upward, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them p. 132 The clouds which extend upward, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them The mists which extend upward, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them They arrived at the sky, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them They came through the sky, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them They came up to it, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them They are camping in it, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them They are moving away from each other, I came up with them When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them When it was holy, I came up with them. |
p. 133
4. SONG OF THE SUN AND MOON
| The first man holds it in his hands He holds the sun in his hands In the center of the sky, he holds it in his hands As he holds it in his hands, it starts upward. The first woman holds it in her hands She holds the moon in her hands In the center of the sky, she holds it in her hands As she holds it in her hands, it starts upward. The first man holds it in his hands He holds the sun in his hands In the center of the sky, he holds it in his hands As he holds it in his hands, it starts downward. The first woman holds it in her hands She holds the moon in her hands In the center of the sky, she holds it in her hands As she holds it in her hands, it starts downward. |
p. 134
5. SONG OF THE LADDER
| The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder. From down in the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder The Talking God moves with me up the black ladder—the ladder, the ladder He moves with the rainbow—the ladder, the ladder To the edge of the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder; Blue-bird is humming before me—the ladder, the ladder Corn-beetle is humming behind me—the ladder, the ladder I, I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon—the ladder, the ladder Before me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder Behind me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder. The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder. From down in the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder The House God moves with me up the blue ladder—the ladder, the ladder He moves with the lightning—the ladder, the ladder To the edge of the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder; Corn-beetle is humming behind me—the ladder, the ladder Blue-bird is humming before me—the ladder, the ladder I, I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon—the ladder, the ladder Behind me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder Before me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder. The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder. |
p. 135
6. THERE ARE NO PEOPLE SONG
| You say there were no people Smoke was spreading* You say there were no people Smoke was spreading. First Man was the very first to emerge, they say, Smoke was spreading He brought with him the various robes and precious things they say, Smoke was spreading He brought with him the white corn and the yellow corn, they say, Smoke was spreading He brought with him the various animals and the growing things, they say, Smoke was spreading. You say there were no people Smoke was spreading. First Woman was the very first to emerge, they say, Smoke was spreading She brought with her the various precious things and robes, they say,** Smoke was spreading She brought with her the yellow corn and the varicolored corn, they say, Smoke was spreading p. 136 She brought with her the various animals and the growing things, they say, Smoke was spreading. You say there were no people Smoke was spreading You say there were no people Smoke was spreading. |
7. THE SONG OF COYOTE WHO STOLE THE FIRE
| I am frivolous Coyote; I wander around I have seen the Black God’s fire; I wander around I stole his fire from him; I wander around I have it! I have it! I am changing Coyote; I wander around I have seen the bumble-bee’s fire; I wander around I stole his fire from him; I wander around I have it! I have it! |
8. SWEATHOUSE SONG
| The earth has been laid down, the earth has been laid down The earth has been laid down, it has been made. The earth spirit has been laid down It is covered over with the growing things, it has been laid down Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been laid down The earth has been laid down, it has been made. The sky has been set up, the sky has been set up The sky has been set up, it has been made. p. 137 The black sky has been set up It is covered over with the heavenly bodies, it has been set up Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been set up The sky has been set up, it has been made. The mountains have been laid down, the mountains have been laid down The mountains have been laid down, they have been made. The mountain spirits have been laid down They are covered over with all the animals, they have been laid down Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been laid down The mountains have been laid down, they have been made. The waters have been laid down, the waters have been laid down The waters have been laid down, they have been made. The water spirits have been laid down They are covered over with the water pollen,* they have been laid down Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been laid down The waters have been laid down, they have been made. The clouds have been set up, the clouds have been set up The clouds have been set up, the clouds have been made. The black clouds have been set up They are covered over with the male rain, they have been set up Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been set up The clouds have been set up, they have been made. p. 138 The fog has been set up, the fog has been set up The fog has been set up, the fog has been made. The black fog has been set up It is covered over with female rain, it has been set up Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been set up The fog has been set up, it has been made. |
9. SECOND SWEATHOUSE SONG
| There is no wood, there is no wood There is no wood, there is no wood There is no wood. Beaver man talks to me He gives me his wood With it I take a sweat bath There is no wood, there is no wood. Sahanahray Bekayhozhon They give me their wood With it I take a sweat bath There is no wood, there is no wood. There is no wood, there is no wood There is no wood, there is no wood. |
p. 139
10. THIRD SWEATHOUSE SONG
| There are no stones, there are no stones There are no stones, there are no stones There are no stones. Mountain sheep man talks to me He gives me his stones With them I take a sweat bath There are no stones, there are no stones. Sahanahray Bekayhozhon They give me their stones With them I take a sweat bath There are no stones, there are no stones. There are no stones, there are no stones There are no stones, there are no stones. |
11. FOURTH SWEATHOUSE SONG
| There is no fire, there is no fire There is no fire, there is no fire There is no fire. Bumble-bee man talks to me. He gives me his fire With it I take a sweat bath There is no fire, there is no fire. Sahanahray Bekayhozhon They give me their fire With it I take a sweat bath There is no fire, there is no fire. There is no fire, there is no fire There is no fire, there is no fire. |
p. 140
12. FIFTH SWEATHOUSE SONG
| There is no water, there is no water There is no water, there is no water There is no water. Muskrat girl talks to me She gives me her water With it I take a sweat bath There is no water, there is no water. Sahanahray Bekayhozhon They give me their water With it I take a sweat bath There is no water, there is no water. There is no water, there is no water There is no water, there is no water. |
13. SIXTH SWEATHOUSE SONG
| He made it, he made it, they say. Right on the edge of the Place of Emergence, he made it First Man, he made it The little darkness, he made it* Of the various robes, he made it Sahanahray Bekayhozhon. He made it, he made it, they say. Right on the edge of the Place of Emergence, she made it First Woman, she made it The little daylight, she made it* Of the various precious things, she made it Sahanahray Bekayhozhon. She made it, she made it, they say |
p. 141
14. HOUSE SONG (FROM THE HAlL CHANT)
| Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood Below the East, the burning firewood The fire of the trees is the burning firewood The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood The burning firewood. Below the West, the burning firewood The fire of the trees is the burning firewood The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood The burning firewood. Below the South, the burning firewood The fire of the trees is the burning firewood The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood The burning firewood. Below the North, the burning firewood The Big Star blazing is the burning firewood The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood The burning firewood p. 142 Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood Here the burning firewood. |
15. SONG OF CREATING PEOPLE (FROM THE HAIL CHANT)
| Hozhoni, hozhoni, hozhoni Hozhoni, hozhoni, hozhoni. The Earth, its life am I, hozhoni, hozhoni The Earth, its feet are my feet, hozhoni, hozhoni The Earth, its legs are my legs, hozhoni, hozhoni The Earth, its body is my body, hozhoni, hozhoni The Earth, its thoughts are my thoughts, hozhoni, hozhoni The Earth, its speech is my speech, hozhoni, hozhoni The Earth, its down-feathers are my down-feathers, hozhoni, hozhoni. The sky, its life am I, hozhoni, hozhoni—* The mountains, their life am I— Rain-mountain, its life am I— Changing-Woman, her life am I— The Sun, its life am I— Talking God, his life am I— House God, his life am I— White corn, its life am I— Yellow corn, its life am I— Corn-pollen, its life am I— The corn-beetle, its life am I— Hozhoni, hozhoni, hozhoni Hozhoni, hozhoni, hozhoni. |
p. 143
16. MOUNTAIN SONG
| He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere He can see everywhere. From below the East, he can see everywhere From the top of Pelado Peak, he can see everywhere From the top of the White Shell Mountain, he can see everywhere From the top of the Talking Mountain, he can see everywhere From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, he can see everywhere The Talking God Boy, he can see everywhere Through twelve pieces of obsidian, he can see everywhere. He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere He can see everywhere. From below the West, he can see everywhere From the top of San Francisco Peak, he can see everywhere From the top of the Abalone Mountain, he can see everywhere From the top of the Talking Mountain, he can see everywhere From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, he can see everywhere The House God Boy, he can see everywhere Through twelve pieces of obsidian, he can see everywhere. He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere He can see everywhere. From below the South, he can see everywhere From the top of Mount Taylor, he can see everywhere From the top of the Turquoise Mountain, he can see everywhere p. 144 From the top of the Talking Mountain, he can see everywhere From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, he can see everywhere The Male God Boy, he can see everywhere Through twelve pieces of obsidian, he can see everywhere. He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere He can see everywhere. From below the North, she can see everywhere From the top of San Juan Mountain, she can see everywhere From the top of the Jet Mountain, she can see everywhere From the top of the Talking Mountain, she can see everywhere From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, she can see everywhere The Female God Girl, she can see everywhere Through twelve pieces of obsidian, she can see everywhere. She can see everywhere, she can see everywhere, she can see everywhere She can see everywhere. |
17. SONG OF HOW THE SUN WAS MADE
| They emerged; they say he is planning it* They emerged; they say he is planning it They emerged; they say he is planning it. Right on the edge of the Emergence Pit, they say he is planning it In the center of First Man’s hogahn, they say he is planning it In the center of a hogahn of robes, they say he is planning it On top of a pile of robes, they say he is planning it The sun will be created, they say he is planning it His face will be blue, they say he is planning it His eyes will be black, they say he is planning it p. 145 His chin will be yellow, they say he is planning it His horns will be blue, they say he is planning it Black is around him, they say he is planning it White is around him, they say he is planning it Yellow is around him, they say he is planning it Red is around him, they say he is planning it In his body there is danger, they say he is planning it Sahanahray Bekayhozhon it shall be, they say he is planning it. They emerged; they say he is planning it They emerged; they say he is planning it They emerged; they say he is planning it. Right on the edge of the Emergence Pit, they say he is planning it In the center of the First Woman’s hogahn, they say he is planning it In the center of a hogahn of precious things, they say he is planning it On top of a pile of precious things, they say he is planning it The moon will be created, they say he is planning it His face will be white, they say he is planning it His eyes will be black, they say he is planning it His chin will be yellow, they say he is planning it His horns will be white, they say he is planning it Black is around him, they say he is planning it Yellow is around him, they say he is planning it Blue is around him, they say he is planning it Red is around him, they say he is planning it In his body there is danger, they say he is planning it Sahanahray Bekayhozhon it shall be, they say he is planning it. They emerged; they say he is planning it They emerged; they say he is planning it They emerged; they say he is planning it.* |
p. 146
18. SONG OF SUN AND MOON
| From far away he commands; he rises, see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! From far below the East he commands; he rises, see him! The Sun commands; he rises, see him! His face is blue; see him! His eye-sockets are black; see him! His chin is yellow; see him! His horns are blue; see him! Around him is black; see him! Around him is white; see him! Around him is yellow; see him! Around him is red; see him! In his body is danger; see him! A round corn (kernel) moves through the air*; see him! See how he shines over all the earth; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where earth and sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where mountain and sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where water and sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where the growing things and the sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to the horizon of the heavenly bodies; see him! Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! p. 147 From below the East he commands; he rises, see him! The Moon commands; he rises, see him! His face is white; see him! His eye-sockets are black; see him! His chin is yellow; see him! His horns are white; see him! Around him it is black; see him! Around him it is yellow; see him! Around him it is blue; see him! Around him it is red; see him! In his body is danger; see him! A round corn (kernel) moves through the air; see him! See how he shines over all the earth; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where earth and sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where mountain and sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where water and sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to where the growing things and the sky meet; see him! See how he shines over all the earth to the horizon of the heavenly bodies; see him! Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! From far away he commands; he rises, see him! |
19. WHERE THE STARS WERE MADE
| Man will be created, man will be created. The first man, the first woman From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created p. 148 The Big Dipper, the Little Dipper From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created The Pleiades, the first constellation (1) From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created The second constellation, (2) the third constellation (3) From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created The “Rabbit’s Tracks” (4), the Milky Way From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created Pelado Peak, Mount Taylor From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created San Francisco Peak, San Juan Mountain From them, man will be created, man will be created The Talking God, the House God From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created The white corn, the yellow corn From them, man will be created, man will be created Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created The corn-pollen, the corn-beetle From them, man will be created, man will be created p. 149 Sahanahray Bekayhozhon From them, man will be created, man will be created Man will be created, man will be created.* |
20. WHEN THEY SAW EACH OTHER
| The Earth is looking at me; she is looking up at me I am looking down on her I am happy, she is looking at me I am happy, I am looking at her. The Sun is looking at me; he is looking down on me I am looking up at him I am happy, he is looking at me I am happy, I am looking at him. The Black Sky is looking at me; he is looking down on me I am looking up at him I am happy, he is looking at me I am happy, I am looking at him. The Moon is looking at me; he is looking down on me I am looking up at him. I am happy, he is looking at me. I am happy, I am looking at him. The North is looking at me; he is looking across at me I am looking across at him I am happy, he is looking at me I am happy, I am looking at him. |
p. 150
21. CRADLE SONG
| Hush, hush, hush, hush Hush, hush, hush, hush!* On the edge of the place of Emergence, hush! On top of the Johleen Mountain, hush! White-Shell-Woman is here, hush! The Talking God is here, hush! The white corn, hush! About its feet—hush—the earth; hush! At the end of its leaves—hush—the black cloud; hush! At its water—hush—the male rain; hush! Its big stalk—hush—my body; hush! Placed on alternate sides—hush—its pollen; hush! On its flowers—hush—its pollen; hush! On its hair—hush—the rainbow; hush! On its kernels—hush—the white shell; hush! Before it—hush—the Talking God; hush! Behind it—hush—the House God; hush! Under it—hush—the lizard; hush! Above it—hush—the night bird; hush! On top of it—hush—the blue bird; hush! All around it—hush—the corn beetle; hush! Under it—hush—the earth; hush! Above it—hush—the black sky; hush! Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, hush! Before it all is beautiful, hush! Behind it all is beautiful, hush! Hush, hush, hush, hush Hush, hush, hush, hush! p. 151 On the edge of the place of Emergence, hush! On top of Huerfano Mountain, hush! Changing-Woman is here, hush! The House God is here, hush! The yellow corn, hush! About its feet—hush—the earth; hush! At the end of its leaves—hush—the black fog; hush! At its waters—hush—the female rain; hush! Its big stalk—hush—my body; hush! Placed on alternate sides—hush—its pollen; hush! On its flowers—hush—the pollen; hush! On its hair—hush—the rainbow; hush! On its kernels—hush—the abalone; hush! Behind it—hush—the House God; hush! Before it—hush—the Talking God; hush! Above it—hush—the night bird; hush! Under it—hush—the lizard; hush! On top of it—hush—the corn-beetle; hush! All around it—hush—the growing things; hush! Above it—hush—the black sky; hush! Under it—hush—the earth; hush! Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, hush! Behind it all is beautiful, hush! Before it all is beautiful, hush! Hush, hush, hush, hush Hush, hush, hush, hush! |
p. 152
22. SONG OF THE FIRST PUBERTY CEREMONY
| She moves, she moves She moves, she moves. White-Shell-Woman, she moves Her shoes of white shell, she moves Her shoes trimmed in black, she moves Her shoe-strings of white shell, she moves Her leggings of white shell, she moves Her garters of white shell, she moves Her buckskin-fringed trousers of white shell, she moves Her dancing-skirt of white shell, she moves Her belt of white shell, she moves Her shirt of white shell, she moves Her bracelet of white shell, she moves Her necklace of white shell, she moves Her earrings of white shell, she moves The pollen of the various robes is placed in her mouth, she moves Her visor of white shell, she moves A white shell has been placed on her forehead, she moves Her feather of white shell, she moves Above her a male blue-bird dances about beautifully, she moves He sings: his voice is beautiful, she moves Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, she moves Before her all is beautiful, she moves Behind her all is beautiful, she moves. She moves, she moves She moves, she moves. |
p. 153
23. SECOND SONG OF THE PUBERTY CEREMONY*
| She moves, she moves She moves, she moves. Changing-Woman, she moves Her shoes of turquoise, she moves Her shoes of turquoise trimmed in black, she moves Her shoe-strings of turquoise, she moves Her leggings of turquoise, she moves Her garters of turquoise, she moves Her buckskin-fringed trousers of turquoise, she moves Her dancing-skirt of turquoise, she moves Her belt of turquoise, she moves Her shirt of turquoise, she moves Her bracelet of turquoise, she moves Her necklace of turquoise, she moves Her earrings of turquoise, she moves The pollen of the various precious things has been placed in her mouth, she moves Her visor of turquoise, she moves A turquoise has been placed on her forehead, she moves Her feather of turquoise, she moves Above her a female blue-bird dances about beautifully, she moves She sings: her voice is beautiful, she moves Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, she moves Behind her all is beautiful, she moves Before her all is beautiful, she moves. She moves, she moves She moves, she moves. |
p. 154
24. THE OLD AGE SPIRITS*
| From far away they are coming From far away they are coming, from far away they are coming From far away they are coming From far away they are coming. I am the child of Changing-Woman; they are coming From the road below the East; they are coming, Old age is coming for them; they are coming, from far away they are coming From far away they are coming From far away they are coming. I am the grandson of Changing-Woman; they are coming On the many roads below the East; they are coming, Old age is coming for them; they are coming, from far away they are coming From far away they are coming From far away they are coming. |
p. 155
25. SONG OF OLD AGE (FROM THE BLESSING CHANT)*
| Age, age It goes about above, age, age. It goes about above the Earth, age, they say It goes about beneath, beneath Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say. It goes about beneath, below the Sky, age, they say It goes about beneath, beneath Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say. Above all the mountains, age, they say It goes about beneath, beneath Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say. It goes about beneath the Sun, age, they say It goes around it, around Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say It goes about beneath, age, they say. It goes about around them, all the springs, age, they say It goes about around them, around Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say It goes about around them, age, they say It goes about around them, age, they say. It goes about around them. |
p. 156
26. SONG OF THE RAINBOW*
| It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me. I am the Talking God; it has been stretched over me Seven rainbows appear; it has been stretched over me Seven kinds of robes appear; it has been stretched over me Seven kinds of precious things appear; it has been stretched over me I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; it has been stretched over me. It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me. I am the House God; it has been stretched over me Five strings of beads appear; it has been stretched over me Five kinds of precious things appear; it has been stretched over me Five kinds of robes appear; it has been stretched over me I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; it has been stretched over me. It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me. |
p. 157
27. SONG OF THE WHITE SHELL PRAYER-STICKS
| Beautiful—I wander about Beautiful—I wander about Beautiful—I wander about. I am the House God, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about Where the (logs) of my house lie toward each other, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about At the far wall of my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about In the center of my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about In the fireplace of my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about In the inside door-corner of my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about In the entrance-way of my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about The Talking Gods are standing all around my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about The House Gods are standing all around my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about The white corn boys are standing all around my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about The yellow corn girls are standing all around my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about The corn-pollen boys are standing all around my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about The corn-beetle girls are standing all around my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about The sky surrounds all of my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about Sahanahray Bekayhozhon surround all of my house, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about p. 158 Before me it is beautiful, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about Behind me it is beautiful, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about Below me it is beautiful, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about Above me it is beautiful, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about All around me it is beautiful, I wander about, I—beautiful—wander about. Beautiful—I wander about Beautiful—I wander about Beautiful—I wander about. |
28. SONG OF THE CHIEF’S HOGAHN*
| He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it. The main beams of the earth will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main beams of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it. The main beams of the mountain spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main beams of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it. p. 159 The main beams of the water spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main bearns of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it. The main beams of the corn spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main bearns of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it. He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it. |
29. SONG OF THE TWO CHILDREN (FROM THE HAIL CHANT)
| Come, come! Come, come! Come, come! Come, come!* I am the child of White-Shell-Woman—come! Come, come! Rainbow makes a wavy trail over it—come! Come, come! On top of Mount Pedernal—come! Come, come! Where White-Shell-Woman was born—come! Come, come! Tracks of corn-pollen on top—come! Come, come! Where White-Shell-Woman arrived—come! Come, come! I arrived there too—come! Come, come! Around me black cloud, it surrounds me—come! Come, come! Around me male rain, it surrounds me—come! Come, come! Around me all plants, beautiful all around me—come! Come, come. p. 160 Around me corn-pollen, beautiful all around me—come! Come, come! Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, where they were born—come! Come, come! I am the child of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon—come! Come, come! Before me is peace—come! Come, come! Behind me is peace-come! Come, come! Come, come! Come, come! I am the child of Changing-Woman—come! Come, come! Sunbeams make a wavy trail over it—come! Come, come! On top of Huerfano Mountain—come! Come, come! Where Changing-Woman was born—come! Come, come! Tracks of corn-pollen on top—come! Come, Come! Where Changing-Woman arrived—come! Come, come! I arrive there too—come! Come, come! Around me black fog, it surrounds me—come! Come, come! Around me female rain, it surrounds me—come! Come, come! Around me blue-birds are singing, all around me—come! Come, come! Around me corn-beetles are humming, all around me—come! Come, come! Where Sahanahray Bekayhozhon were born—come! Come, come! I am the child of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon—come! Come, come! Behind me is peace—come! Come, come! Before me is peace—come! Come, come! Come, come! Come, come! |
p. 161
30. SONG OF THE EARTH (FROM THE BLESSING CHANT)
| The Earth is beautiful The Earth is beautiful The Earth is beautiful. Below the East, the Earth, its face toward East, the top of its head is beautiful The soles of its feet, they are beautiful Its feet, they are beautiful Its legs, they are beautiful Its body, it is beautiful Its chest, it is beautiful Its breast, it is beautiful Its head-feather, it is beautiful The Earth is beautiful. Below the West, the Sky, it is beautiful, its face toward West, the top of its head is beautiful—* Below the East, the dawn, its face toward East, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the West, the afterglow of sundown, its face toward West, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the East, White Corn, its face toward East, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the South, Blue Corn, its face toward South, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the West, Yellow Corn, its face toward West, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the North, Varicolored Corn, its face toward North, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the East, Sahanahray, its face toward East, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the West, Bekayhozhon, its face toward West, the top of its head is beautiful— p. 162 Below the East, corn-pollen, its face toward East, the top of its head is beautiful— Below the West, the corn-beetle, its face toward West, the top of its head is beautiful— The Earth is beautiful. |
Footnotes
* The Ethkay-nah-ashi, literally “The two who go about together,” are mentioned in the Creation story, p. 41. The offerings are meant to be given to “The young man who walks in the darkness” and “The young woman of the dusk.” This is the very first song of the Creation story as given by the singer Klah. Five songs with the same melody and text follow except that the refrain—May it be made as offering to him—is changed to:
They have started off with it (the offering).
They have taken (the offerings) away (for the dead).
They have set (the offerings) down (for the dead).
He picks (the offerings) up.
He is pleased (with the offering).
Sandpainting No. 4, Series I, shows the Ethkay-nah-ashi.
p. 131* The Flood is expressed in Navajo by the phrase, “we are running from the waters.” The Navajo words in the last two lines are esoteric expressions which are used only in songs and prarers. Their meaning is sacred and medicine-men disagree on their exact interpretation. The second word contains the Navajo word for “holy.”
* Over the earth.
** “The various robes” include skins and possessions of soft materials which the Navajo contrast with “hard” possessions such as jewelry, translated with “precious things” here. Two songs with the same melody and text follow. The first changes the refrain—Smoke was spreading (over the earth)—to: Smoke streamed out (from behind them). The second changes the refrain to: He (First Man) commanded them, they heard them, except the last line of each stanza where it has instead: He on the chief mountain commanded them, they heard him.
* “Water pollen” refers to the detritus carried by a stream and deposited in black streaks along the sides of the banks.
* “The little darkness” is a poetic reference to the sweathouse; “the little daylight” to the entrance of the sweathouse.
* 1. After each of the following first lines, the last six lines of the first stanza are repeated, substituting “Sky, mountains,” etc. for “Earth.”
The word hozhoni (meaning peace or beauty) indicates the perfect rhythm betwern man and the universe.—M. C. W.
* That is, the creator is planning the creation of the sun.
* Three songs with the same melody and text follow, except that they substitute for the refrain: They say he is planning it, the following: They say he is talking about it; They say he has made it.
* A poetic reference to the sun or moon.
1 A constellation said to be near the Pleiades; literally: “The first one which is narrow.”
2 Unidentified, literally: “The old man with his legs apart.”
3 Unidentified, literally: “The cane of the first big one.”
4 Another constellation.
* A song with the same melody and text follows, except that the refrain: Man will be created is replaced by: Man has increased (in numbers).
* The Navajo word translated here as “hush” is an interjection used by mothers to quiet crying babies.
* Two songs with the same melody and text follow, except that they substitute “abalone” and “jet” for “white shell” and “turquoise.” Then come five groups of four songs each, substituting for the refrain “She moves”: She stands up, She stands, She dances, She jingles, and: (Her ornaments) crowd up on her again and again. In all other details, they are identical with the first group of four songs.
* This song is about the journey of the two War-Gods to their father, the Sun, see p. 79 of the story. The odd divisions of the poem attempt to follow the musical treatment in the song, according to which the second and third repetition of the refrain-formula are joined together in the introduction. What would be the third line of the brief stanzas is joined to the refrain-sections that form the connective and the coda. Two songs with the same melody and text follow, except that they change they are coming in the refrain to: They two are coming, and: Several of them are coming.
* The singer commented: “On top of the Earth, below the Sky, below the Sun, among the small waters, old age goes around.”
* Three songs with the same melody and text follow, substituting for the refrain: He places it around me, It is beautiful on me, and: I have passed through it (i.e., the ring formed by the rainbow).
* Three songs with the identical melody and text follow, except that they substitute for the refrain, He is thinking about it; He is talking to them about it, They are placing them (i.e., the main beams of the hogahn), and: They laid them down. Also, in the last song the phrase “will be main beams” is everywhere replaced by: “they are placing them”.
* This song is sung by Changing-Woman when her two children visit her on her island, see p. 122 of the story. The singer stated that the song was sung when the patient steps into the footstep marks on the sandpainting, before he is made to sit down on it.
* The second to the ninth lines of the stanza are repeated to make a full stanza after each of the following introductory lines.
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