Lakota Ceremonial songs

Wopila Song (Thank You Song)

This is probably the most popular Lakota Sweat Lodge Song and is also sung
in the presence of the Sacred Chanupa:
Wakan Tanka Tunkasila

Great Spirit, Grandfather

Wakan Tanka Tunkasila

Great Spirit, Grandfather

Pilamaye ye

I thank you

Canunpa wakan ca mayakuwe

You have given me a sacred canupa

Pilamaya ye
you

Thank you, thank

Wicozani wa mayaku we
Pilamaya ye

You have given me a good healing

pilamaya ye

Canunpa wakan ca maya kuwe

Thank you, thank you

You have given me a sacred canupa

Pilamaya ye
wicozani wa maya kuwe ye

Thank you
You have given me a good

Pilamaya ye pilamaya

Thank you thank you

ye

The Sacred Nation must live.

Lay yuah chey wa ceyelo Canupa kei
Lay yuah chey wa ceyelo
Oyate ke Zanipikta
Oye wayelo
With this sacred pipe I go to the centre of the earth to prey. I pray for the
whole of creation, that all creatures shall live in good health, and that the
whole of creation be blessed.

Taught by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame Deer.
Translated by Mark Buijs and Nicholas Breeze Wood.

This Pipe Is Sacred

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,
Wan yan kiye, Canupa kile
Wakan yelo, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Canupa kile
Wakan yelo,Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Canupa kile
Wakan yelo,Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Wan yan kiye,

Wan yan kiye, Oyan ke kile
Wakan yelo, Wan yan kiye,

This pipe which I carry

Is sacred Watch out!

This pipe which I carry

Is sacred Watch out!

This pipe which I carry

Is sacred Watch out!

This place where I am standing

Is sacred Watch out!

Taught by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame Deer.
Translated by Mark Buijs and Nicholas Breeze Wood.

Buffalo Honouring Song

Tatanka wa maniyey
Atey heyelo, Atey heyelo
Mako cewan waste ci cupica
Yanipey Ktelo
Ate heyelo, Ate heyelo

Tatanka wa maniyey
Atey heyelo, Atey heyelo
Canupa waci cu pica
Yanipey Ktelo
Ate heyelo, Ate heyelo

Look up and look down,

The Buffalo nation goes on.
Your Grandfather has said
'I give you this beautiful Earth
Upon which you shall live and flourish,
You should respect Her'.
This is what your Grandfather has said
This is what your Grandfather has said

Look up and look down,

The Buffalo nation goes on.
Your Grandfather has said
'I give you this sacred pipe
With Her you shall travel to
The centre of the Earth
And every thing you ask for
Shall be given to you'.
This is what your Grandfather has said
This is what your Grandfather has said

Taught by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame Deer.
Translated by Mark Buijs and Nicholas Breeze Wood.
(Traditionally the lines that end in 'elo' should be sung ending in 'lei' by all
women singers).

Spotted Eagle Song

Miye toka heya
Maka Wakinyanlo
Wamble gliska wa
Heyayo welo wayan kayo.

I say I was the first one created I fly higher than the whole of creation I am
the spotted Eagle. I am the messenger of your Grandfather the Greatspirit.
The spotted Eagle comes in that way, The spotted Eagle will speak when he
comes.

Taught and translated by Mark Buijs who learned it from Archie Fire Lame
Deer.

Songs To Spirit Powers

Song to the Thunder beings

Wakanyan Ouye, Wakanyan Ouye,

Wakanyan Ouye, Wakanyan Ouye,
Hey, Hey, Hey.

Song to the sacred Pipe

Canupa Ouye, Canupa Ouye,
Canupa Ouye, Canupa Ouye,

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Song to the power of Sage

Peya juta Ouye, Peya juta Ouye,
Peya juta Ouye, Peya juta Ouye,
Hey, Hey, Hey.

Song to the woti stones

Woti Ouye, Woti Ouye,
Woti Ouye, Woti Ouye,
Hey, Hey, Hey.
More songs using the melody of the first set of songs. Taught and translated
by Ed McGaa Eagle Man.

Great Mystery Have Pity On Me

Wakan Tanka osimalayo wey hey
Wakan Tanka osimalayo
weya hey, weya hey, ney yo.
Great Mystery have pity on me wey hey.
Great Mystery have pity on me,
weya hey, weya hey, ney yo.
Translated by Nicholas Breeze Wood

Grandfather, To Him I Pray First

Tukashshila tokaheya
Tukashshila tokaheya
Cewakiyelo Wakanceyelo
Ah hey wa hey chayo
Wachio hey hey.
Grandfather to Him first,
Grandfather to Him first,
I pray in a sacred way.
Ah hey wa hey chayo
Wachio hey hey.
learnt from Arwyn Dreamwalker. Translated and amended by Nicholas
Breeze Wood.

Back Elk's Song

Weyo weyo Weyo Weyo Wey
Weyo Weyo Wey Weyo Weyo Weyo
Weyo Weyo Wey Weyo Weyo Weyo
Wey hey o

Wakan Tanka ohimalayo

Makakicheilo Wani wachiaylo
Canupa kiley

yah ha ho yey wa yey o wey hey yo

Great Mystery, have pity upon me

I am suffering I want to live
The way of the pipe.
yah ha ho yey wa yey o wey hey yo.

Taught by Wallace Black Elk. Translated by Nicholas Breeze Wood.

Dedication And Thank You Songs

Great Mystery thank you
Wakan Tanka pila maye,
Wakan Tanka pila maye,
Hey, Hey, Hey.

Mother Earth
I seek to protect you
Ina Maka awei yakei,
Ina Maka awei yakei,
Hey, Hey, Hey.

What I have said is true

Ho heteitu, Ho heteitu,

Ho heteitu, Ho heteitu,
Hey, Hey, Hey.

For all my relations

Mitakuya Oyasin,
Mitakuya Oyasin,
Hey, Hey, Hey.

Taught and translated by Ed McGaa Eagle Man.

Wopila Song (Thank You Song)
Wakan tanka tunkasila, Wakan tanka tunkasila, Pilamaya yelo, Canunpa
wakan ca mayaku welo, Pilamaya yelo, Wicozani wa mayaku welo,
Pilamayaye pilamaya yelo.
Canunpa wakan ca mayaku welo, Pilamaya yelo, Wicozani wa mayaku welo,
Pilamayaye pilamaya yelo.
Great Spirit, grandfather, Great Spirit, grandfather, I thank you, You have
given me a sacred canunpa, Thank you, You have given me a good healing,
Thank you, thank you.
You have given me a sacred canunpa, Thank you, You have given me a good
healing, Thank you, thank you.

Wakatakiya Ahhintuwan Olowan

Wakatakiyia ahhintunwan na blehic iya po heyeye
(Upward) (Look towards) (And) (Humble yourselves)

Oyate ki tehic iya unpo otehikelo heyeyeye

(The people) (Cherish) (Exist) (It's hard to come by)

Mitakuyekinhan tanyan iyukcanpo unlakotapelo heyeye

(All my relatives) (Good way) (Think) (We are friends)

Waunsilapo lakotaki otehikelo heyeyeyo

(Help each other) (The allies) (Hard to come by)

Free Translation: Take a look upward and humble yourself, my people live a
life of sharing with each other, it's difficult, yet a beautiful way to live. (E.
Bullhead 2012)

WACINKSABYA OLOWAN
tunkashila ahintunwan unkokuyipa yelo
oyate kin wa cinksabiya uninpi na iyotiye unkunbpe yelo
tunkashila ahintunwan na un siunlapo!