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Navajo Ceremonial Songs

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p. 127

Navajo Ceremonial Songs

Based On The

Creation Myth


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

Navajo Ceremonial Songs

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.

Next

Footnotes


p. 129

*
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."

p. 135

*
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".

p. 137

*
\"Water pollen" refers to the detritus carried by a stream and deposited in black streaks along the sides of the banks.

p. 140

*
\"The little darkness" is a poetic reference to the sweathouse; "the little daylight" to the entrance of the sweathouse.

p. 142

* 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.


p. 144

*
That is, the creator is planning the creation of the sun.

p. 145

*
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".

p. 146

* A
poetic reference to the sun or moon.

p. 148

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.

p. 149

* 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").

p. 150

*
The Navajo word translated here as "hush" is an interjection used by mothers to quiet crying babies.

p. 153

*
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.

p. 154

*
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".

p. 155

*
The singer commented: "On top of the Earth, below the Sky, below the Sun, among the small waters, old age goes around."

p. 156

*
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).

p. 158

*
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".

p. 159

*
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.

p. 161

*
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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