Learn the Songs of Victory

“They call these songs Ič’ílowaŋ. Ič’ílowaŋ means a death song,” says Kevin Locke. “All these things were suppressed. When they would have funerals all around the reservation, the priest would come out and give the last rites before the coffin would be there. He'd do his benediction, whatever he does, and then he'd take off. When they're lowering the grave, that's when they sing these songs.”

Lyrics

Matȟó Uŋžíŋča
Hé heyíŋ naháŋ iyáye he he
E Kȟaŋǧí Wičháša ya owále kte ló o,
Heyíŋ naháŋ iyáye ye a he
Hé tȟaŋké lowáŋpi kiŋ uŋspéič’ičhiya yo.

Bobtail Bear said this
And went away, never to return —
The Crow Indians