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Home : Songs : Paiute Ghost Dance Song Lyrics

 
Paiute Ghost Dance Song Lyrics


These song lyrics were originally documented and translated by James Mooney in 1894. If you notice an error or have a suggestion how to make these better, please contact us.

 
1. Nüvä' Ka Ro'rani'

Nüvä' ka ro'rani'!
Nüvä' ka ro'rani'!
Nüvä' ka ro'rani'!
Nüvä' ka ro'rani'!
Gosi'pa' hävi'ginû',
Gosi'pa' hävi'ginû'.

Translation:

The snow lies there—ro'rani'!
The snow lies there—ro'rani'!
The snow lies there—ro'rani'!
The snow lies there—ro'rani'!
The Milky Way lies there,
The Milky Way lies there.


2. Dena' Gayo'n

Dena' gayo'n, Dena' ga'yoni',
Dena' gayo'n, Dena' ga'yoni',
Bawa doro'n, Ba'wa do'roni',
Bawa doro'n, Ba'wa do'roni'.

Translation:

A slender antelope, a slender antelope,
A slender antelope, a slender antelope,
He is wallowing upon the ground,
He is wallowing upon the ground,
He is wallowing upon the ground,
He is wallowing upon the ground.


3. Do' Ti'mbi

Do' ti'mbi, Do' ti'mbi-nä'n,
Do' ti'mbi, Do' ti'mbi-nä'n,
Ti'mbi bai'-yo, Timbi ba'i-yo-ä'n,
Ti'mbi bai'-yo, Timbi ba'i-yo-ä'n.

Translation:

The black rock, the black rock,
The black rock, the black rock,
The rock is broken, the rock is broken,
The rock is broken, the rock is broken.


4. Päsü' Wi'noghän

Päsü' wi'noghän,
Päsü' wi'noghän,
Päsü' wi'noghän,
Wai'-va wi'noghän,
Wai'-va wi'noghän,
Wai'-va wi'noghän.

Translation:

The wind stirs the willows,
The wind stirs the willows,
The wind stirs the willows,
The wind stirs the grasses,
The wind stirs the grasses,
The wind stirs the grasses.


5. Pägü'nävä'

Pägü'nävä'! Pägü'nävä'!
Tûngwü'kwiji'! Tûngwü'kwiji!
Wûmbe'doma'! Wûmbe'doma'!

Translation:

Fog! Fog!
Lightning! Lightning!
Whirlwind! Whirlwind!


6. Wûmbi'ndomä'n

Wûmbi'ndomä'n, Wûmbi'ndomä'n,
Wûmbi'ndomä'n, Wûmbi'ndomä'n.
Nuvä'ri'p noyo'wana', Nuvä'ri'p noyo'wana',
Nuvä'ri'p noyo'wana', Nuvä'ri'p noyo'wana'.

Translation:

The whirlwind! The whirlwind!
The whirlwind! The whirlwind!
The snowy earth comes gliding, the snowy earth comes gliding;
The snowy earth comes gliding, the snowy earth comes gliding.


7. Kosi' Wûmbi'ndomä'

Kosi' wûmbi'ndomä',
Kosi' wûmbi'ndomä',
Kosi' wûmbi'ndomä',
Kai'-va wûmbi'ndomä',
Kai'-va wûmbi'ndomä',
Kai'-va wûmbi'ndomä'.


8. Dombi'na So'wina'

Dombi'na so'wina',
Dombi'na so'wina',
Dombi'na so'wina'.
Kai'-va so'wina',
Kai'-va so'wina',
Kai'-va so'wina'.

Translation:

The rocks are singing,
The rocks are singing,
The rocks are singing.
They are ringing in the mountains,
They are ringing in the mountains,
They are ringing in the mountains.


9. Sû'ng-ä Ro'yonji'

Sû'ng-ä ro'yonji', Sûng-a ro'yon,
Sû'ng-ä ro'yonji', Sûng-a ro'yon,
Sû'ng-ä ro'yonji', Sûng-a ro'yon.
Pu'I do'yonji, Pu'I do'yon, Pu'I do'yonji, Pu'I do'yon,
Pu'I do'yonji, Pu'I do'yon.

Translation:

The cottonwoods are growing tall,
The cottonwoods are growing tall,
The cottonwoods are growing tall.
They are growing tall and verdant,
They are growing tall and verdant,
They are growing tall and verdant.