A Gathering of Spirits

** (spoken)
Today, unlike past generations,
We stand below the smallest nation.
Around our homes and situations,
Comes a new foe - intoxication -
Effect of chemical production,
A deadly cause of our destruction!

Ah, shall this civilized temptation
Be final cause for termination
Of what is left of our poor nation?
Shall we, in careless contemplation,
Refuse to give our whole attention,
And say, "There shall be no prevention?"

Let not this cause of tribulations
And painful physical privations,
And seeming mental aberrations,
Divert your power of concentration
From all the good in education
And leave your naught for occupation!

But, while we are a dying nation,
So weak and few in numeration,
We'll concentrate our whole attention
Without a spark of vain pretension,
To give our dying reputation
A stronger, purer demonstration.

Redeem from all hallucinations,
The coming Indian generations.

* Iyaye...Wata na macoce
(Spirit travels by canoe and land)
Wowiyuskin
(In a state of joy)
Mita Wakan Tanka na nakunye
(Gathering near the creator)
Ah...
(Listen)
Hokin nawicun honpi
(Voices we have heard)
Secun ohomni
(Gather around the soul)

- Iyaye Album
*  words by Barbara Means Adams
** words by Elijah Skyman, March 1898
Vocals: Char Sundust