Behold All These Things

Eagle Shield said that he received his knowledge of herbs from the bear and the badger, the former giving him instructions concerning most of the remedies which he used for adults, and the latter telling him of remedies for children…those who dreamed of the bear were supposed to have particularly effective remedies.

Eagle Shield gave the following narrative:

“A man appeared to me in a dream, showed me a plant, and said, ‘My friend, remember this plant well. Be sure to get the right one, as this is good’.  It was a badger, who appeared to me in the form of a man and said this. Whatever herb the badger introduces is especially good. Some consider his medicine stronger than that of the bear, as he digs deeper and farther into the ground.”

Eagle Shield said that he sang this song when treating wounded persons with herbs.

Between the renditions of all these songs he gave deep groans, like those of a man in extreme distress.

Lyrics

First rendition:

Ihó lená waŋyáŋka yo
Ihó lená waŋyáŋka yo
Táku waŋ heȟáka s’e waŋláke čiŋ uŋ
Yanípi kte ló

Behold all these things
Something elk-like you behold
You will live

Second rendition:

Ihó lená waŋyáŋka yo
Ihó lená waŋyáŋka yo
Táku waŋ tȟatȟáŋka s’e waŋláke čiŋ uŋ
Yanípi kte ló

Behold all these things
Something buffalo-like you behold
You will live