Lakota Ceremonial songs

Wopila Song (Thank You Song)

This is probably the most popular Lakota Sweat Lodge Song and is also sung in the presence of the Sacred Chanupa:

Wakan Tanka Tunkasila Great Spirit, Grandfather

Wakan Tanka Tunkasila Great Spirit, Grandfather

Pilamaye ye I thank you

Canunpa wakan ca mayakuwe You have given me a sacred canupa

Pilamaya ye Thank you, thank you

Wicozani wa mayaku we You have given me a good healing

Pilamaya ye pilamaya ye Thank you, thank you

Canunpa wakan ca maya kuwe You have given me a sacred canupa

Pilamaya ye Thank you

wicozani wa maya kuwe ye You have given me a good

Pilamaya ye pilamaya Thank you thank you ye

The Sacred Nation must live.

Lay yuah chey wa ceyelo Canupa kei

Lay yuah chey wa ceyelo

Oyate ke Zanipikta

Oye wayelo

With this sacred pipe I go to the centre of the earth to prey. I pray for the whole of creation, that all creatures shall live in good health, and that the whole of creation be blessed.

Taught by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame Deer. Translated by Mark Buijs and Nicholas Breeze Wood.

This Pipe Is Sacred

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Canupa kile

Wakan yelo, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Canupa kile

Wakan yelo,Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Canupa kile

Wakan yelo,Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Oyan ke kile

Wakan yelo, Wan yan kiye,

This pipe which I carry

Is sacred Watch out!

This pipe which I carry

Is sacred Watch out!

This pipe which I carry

Is sacred Watch out!

This place where I am standing

Is sacred Watch out!

Taught by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame Deer. Translated by Mark Buijs and Nicholas Breeze Wood.

Buffalo Honouring Song

Tatanka wa maniyey

Atey heyelo, Atey heyelo

Mako cewan waste ci cupica

Yanipey Ktelo

Ate heyelo, Ate heyelo

Tatanka wa maniyey

Atey heyelo, Atey heyelo

Canupa waci cu pica

Yanipey Ktelo

Ate heyelo, Ate heyelo

Look up and look down,

The Buffalo nation goes on.

Your Grandfather has said

'I give you this beautiful Earth

Upon which you shall live and flourish,

You should respect Her'.

This is what your Grandfather has said

This is what your Grandfather has said

Look up and look down,

The Buffalo nation goes on.

Your Grandfather has said

'I give you this sacred pipe

With Her you shall travel to

The centre of the Earth

And every thing you ask for

Shall be given to you'.

This is what your Grandfather has said

This is what your Grandfather has said

Taught by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame Deer. Translated by Mark Buijs and Nicholas Breeze Wood.

(Traditionally the lines that end in 'elo' should be sung ending in 'lei' by all women singers).

Spotted Eagle Song

Miye toka heya

Maka Wakinyanlo

Wamble gliska wa

Heyayo welo wayan kayo.

I say I was the first one created I fly higher than the whole of creation I am the spotted Eagle. I am the messenger of your Grandfather the Greatspirit. The spotted Eagle comes in that way, The spotted Eagle will speak when he comes.

Taught and translated by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame Deer.

Songs To Spirit Powers

Song to the Thunder beings

Wakanyan Ouye, Wakanyan Ouye,

Wakanyan Ouye, Wakanyan Ouye,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Song to the sacred Pipe

Canupa Ouye, Canupa Ouye,

Canupa Ouye, Canupa Ouye,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Song to the power of Sage

Peya juta Ouye, Peya juta Ouye,

Peya juta Ouye, Peya juta Ouye,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Song to the woti stones

Woti Ouye, Woti Ouye,

Woti Ouye, Woti Ouye,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

More songs using the melody of the first set of songs. Taught and translated by Ed McGaa Eagle Man.

Great Mystery Have Pity On Me

Wakan Tanka osimalayo wey hey

Wakan Tanka osimalayo

weya hey, weya hey, ney yo.

Great Mystery have pity on me wey hey.

Great Mystery have pity on me,

weya hey, weya hey, ney yo.

Translated by Nicholas Breeze Wood

Grandfather, To Him I Pray First

Tukashshila tokaheya

Tukashshila tokaheya

Cewakiyelo Wakanceyelo

Ah hey wa hey chayo

Wachio hey hey.

Grandfather to Him first,

Grandfather to Him first,

I pray in a sacred way.

Ah hey wa hey chayo

Wachio hey hey.

learnt from Arwyn Dreamwalker. Translated and amended by Nicholas Breeze Wood.

Back Elk's Song

Weyo weyo Weyo Weyo Wey

Weyo Weyo Wey Weyo Weyo Weyo

Weyo Weyo Wey Weyo Weyo Weyo

Wey hey o

Wakan Tanka ohimalayo

Makakicheilo Wani wachiaylo

Canupa kiley

yah ha ho yey wa yey o wey hey yo

Great Mystery, have pity upon me

I am suffering I want to live

The way of the pipe.

yah ha ho yey wa yey o wey hey yo.

Taught by Wallace Black Elk. Translated by Nicholas Breeze Wood.

Dedication And Thank You Songs

Great Mystery thank you

Wakan Tanka pila maye,

Wakan Tanka pila maye,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Mother Earth

I seek to protect you

Ina Maka awei yakei,

Ina Maka awei yakei,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

What I have said is true

Ho heteitu, Ho heteitu,

Ho heteitu, Ho heteitu,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

For all my relations

Mitakuya Oyasin,

Mitakuya Oyasin,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Taught and translated by Ed McGaa Eagle Man.

Wopila Song (Thank You Song)

Wakan tanka tunkasila, Wakan tanka tunkasila, Pilamaya yelo, Canunpa wakan ca mayaku welo, Pilamaya yelo, Wicozani wa mayaku welo, Pilamayaye pilamaya yelo.

Canunpa wakan ca mayaku welo, Pilamaya yelo, Wicozani wa mayaku welo, Pilamayaye pilamaya yelo.

Great Spirit, grandfather, Great Spirit, grandfather, I thank you, You have given me a sacred canunpa, Thank you, You have given me a good healing, Thank you, thank you.

You have given me a sacred canunpa, Thank you, You have given me a good healing, Thank you, thank you.

Wakatakiya Ahhintuwan Olowan

Wakatakiyia ahhintunwan na blehic iya po heyeye

(Upward) (Look towards) (And) (Humble yourselves)

Oyate ki tehic iya unpo otehikelo heyeyeye

(The people) (Cherish) (Exist) (It's hard to come by)

Mitakuyekinhan tanyan iyukcanpo unlakotapelo heyeye

(All my relatives) (Good way) (Think) (We are friends)

Waunsilapo lakotaki otehikelo heyeyeyo

(Help each other) (The allies) (Hard to come by)

Free Translation: Take a look upward and humble yourself, my people live a

life of sharing with each other, it's difficult, yet a beautiful way to live. (E.

Bullhead 2012)

WACINKSABYA OLOWAN

tunkashila ahintunwan unkokuyipa yelo

oyate kin wa cinksabiya uninpi na iyotiye unkunbpe yelo

tunkashila ahintunwan na un siunlapo!