Songs Of The Sioux

Songs Of The Sioux

Canyon Records
To record a song is to preserve it. But a recording session is more than that. It is also a time of happiness; a time of getting together and singing for the sheer joy of singing. It is old songs and new songs, Lakota songs and toka lowanpi (literally enemy songs or songs learned from other tribes), it is religious songs and social dance songs. We hope you will enjoy these songs as much as the singers enjoyed singing them.
These songs were recorded by F. Dennis Lessard during January and February 1964 at Ironwood Cree, Rosebud Sioux Reservation, South Dakota.
Canyon Record ARP 6062

Play song

Name

Performed by

Description

Native Words

Translation

Notes
Omaha Song Some non-religious dance songs, such as rabbit songs, round dance songs, and Omaha songs can be sung 'in honor of' some one, and this particular song is one of these. The words remind the man that " ... you have a lot of friends among the people. You will be continuous help to each one of them." Sioux
Penny Song Members of the committee sponsoring a celebration will be honored by special songs called penny songs. During the celebration they line up with all the goods they have assembled for their 'give-away' and as the songs are sung they dance to the center of the dance area. This song refers to this dancing in, prior to the 'give-away'. "I Like the Indian way, therefore I suffer. Saying this, she comes towards the center." Sioux
Round Dance Song This is another song used for honoring purposes and alluding to the generosity of the one honored. "Take courage . . . , people who need help are gathering all around you." Sioux
Omaha Song Some dance songs, like this one are made up entirely of vocables and have no words. Sioux
Omaha Song The Sioux are proud of the fact that Sioux soldiers served valiantly in WW I, WW II, the Korean War, and in Viet Nam, and there are songs to commemorate this service. This song dates from WW I and says: "Indian boys, you went overseas. So the Germans, our friends, are retreating and regretting their action." The reference to the Germans as friends implies that they, and all men, are brothers and should be friends, not enemies. Sioux
Grass Dance Song At some of the more traditional Sioux dances (not the big summer fairs) a dancer, who for some reason is not dancing or dressed to dance but merely watching, may be fined for this apparent lack of enthusiasm. A song is sung for him and he is made to dance, after which he or his female relatives will 'give-away'. This is all in good-natured fun, of course. This is such a song and the words say: "Why is it you don't dress up? Why is it that you don't care? A pow-wow has gone to waste." Sioux
Old Grass Dance Song Without words. Sioux
Old Grass Dance Song Also without words Sioux
Kettle Dance Songs In former times the kettle dance was a part of the grass dance and was performed before the feast, a vital part of any Sioux function. It was, in effect, a ritual food blessing. The first song is actually a prayer but the second and third songs recall deeds of valor.


1st song: "Great Spirit, have mercy on me."


2nd song: "Your friends walk with great effort." (Referring to wounded warriors returning to camp.) "Your friends walk proud." (Referring to the same men.)


3rd song: "They're harassing a Ree (Arickara Indians) so the Rees are crying."

 Sioux
Fourth Song of Kettle Dance No words: vocable only. Sioux
Fifth Song of Kettle Dance No words; vocables only. Sioux
Round Dance Songs The first of these two songs dates from World War I, the second one from the 1920's.


1st song: "The war leader, they say, likes to donate so I'm coming to see him."


2nd song: "I wanted to see you and dance on your side (of the hall or dance area). Whenever I see you I feel good for a while."

 Sioux