My Life Is Such

Sung by Spencer Little Owl

Song No. 106 • Catalog No. 575
Densmore recording sung by Okhúte (Shooter)

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From Teton Sioux Music by Frances Densmore and Brave Buffalo’s description in connection with his dream of the elk:

The hoop carried by an elk dreamer is referred to as ‘a rainbow.’

The following was given as an explanation of the use of this term:

‘Part of the rainbow is visible in the clouds and part disappears in the ground. What we see is in the shape of a hoop. This word is employed by Medicine Men and especially by dreamers of the elements of the air and the earth.’

The hoop of an elk dreamer was considered sacred, and the dreamer took great pride in it. When carrying it he sometimes put it around his neck or thrust one arm through it and carried it on his shoulder.

Lyrics

Mióuŋčhaǧe léčheča ye
“Mióuŋčhaǧe waŋyáŋka yo,” eyé ló
Mióuŋčhaǧe léčheča ye
Waŋyáŋka yo yo

My life is such
My life behold me, it is said
My life is such
Behold me

Red Weasel’s Prayer

Before singing, Red Weasel bowed his head in prayer, “Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka, hear me. This day I am to tell your word. But without sin I shall speak. The tribe shall Live. Behold me for I am humble. From above watch me. You are always the truth, listen to me, my friends and relatives, sitting here, and I shall be at peace. May our voices be heard at the future goal you have prepared for us.”

From Teton Sioux Music & Culture by Frances Densmore

The Densmore Repatriation Project

The Densmore/Lakota Song Repatriation Project is supported by a generous Community Innovation grant from the Bush Foundation. It is made possible also by funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal American Rescue Plan Act, in partnership with Humanities North Dakota. Further support is provided by the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, and Dakota Legacy.

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