Posted by: AGuyNamedWayne contact

A Glorious Gift

Besides the treasured time I’ve been able to spend with my mother, my favorite gift this Christmas is a hard-to-find copy of a rare book of original Native American poetry. Though, truth be told, to call it poetry is a bit of a misnomer. Native people believed in the power of words; to say something out loud was a literal request or command to make the words reality. So a prayer or incantation might be a more accurate description. I thought I’d share one along with a literary translation in English: Chant to the Fire-fly (Chippewa).

Wau wau tay see!

Wau wau tay see!

E mow e shin

Tahe bwau ne baun-e-wee!

Be eghaun-be eqhaun-ewee!

Wau wau tay see!

Wau wau tay see!

Was sa koon ain je gun.

Was sa koon ain je gun.

(Literary Translation)

Fire-fly, fire-fly! Bright little thing.

Light me to my bed, and my song I will sing.

Give me your light, as you fly over my head.

That I may merrily go to my bed.

Come little candle that flies as I sing.

Bright little fairy-bug – night’s little king.

Come, and I’ll dance as you guide me along,

Come, and I’ll pay you, my bug, with a song.

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