Porcupine Singers Vol 3

Concert in Vermillion

Canyon Records
Singers: Severt Young Bear (Drum Keeper), Francis Menard, Henry Green Crow, Ronnie Theisz, James Clairmont (Lead Singer)

©1978 Canyon Records
The traditional Lakota song recorded on this album were performed somewhat differently from the celebration or pow-wow context.
The Institute of Indian Studies of the University of South Dakota invited the Porcupine Singers to sing their songs in a concert setting. The motive was to demonstrate that even though the primary purpose of this form of Lakota music is to make people dance. Indian music is a viable art form and can be enjoyed on a stage.
Thus these traditional songs were performed for an audience in a recital hall on the Campus of the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, South Dakota, in February of 1979.
The singers on this album are Jame Clairmont, Severt Young Bear, Francis Menard, Ronnie Theisz, and Henry Green Crow. The other members of the group could not be there.

Play song

Name

Performed by

Description

Native Words

Translation

Notes
Drum Song For Porcupine Singers Traditionally the drum of an established singing group is considered a person and treated as such. It has a name and even certain belongings that are kept with it. Thus the Porcupine Singers' drum Oyate Ho Nah'unpi (The People Hear Its Voice) owns a Sacred Pipe and a bonnet. In keeping with these ways, in traditional gatherings the following special song should be the first one sung by the group. Oyate ki wamayakapo le miye yelo.
Oyate wawiyokipiye k'un he miye ca iyotiyewakiyelo.		 People look at me. It's I. I am the one who entertained
people, but now I am having hard times.		 Sioux
Drum Keeper's Song This song is meant for someone who acts as the keeper of the drum or leader of a drum group. The name of the drum keeper is inserted at the appropriate place in the song. In this song it is Wasicu Waste, Jim Clairmont's Indian name. The words "There are no horses" is a reference to the generosity of traditional singers who customarily give away many things to those who are in need. Miyestuka. Wasicu Waste mayuh ca blihiciya wa un we.
Omaha ki sunka wakan wanicelo		 Here I am. Wasicu Waste is keeping me. Take heart; I like my ways. Among the Omaha (pow wow) singers there are no horses. Sioux
Warrior's Taunt A warrior, on the warpath or at war, taunts those who have stayed at home by saying the he feels bad they are not with him, that they are afraid. Nake kola ceya nayape. Nake kola ceya nayape.
Nake kola ceya nayape. Nake kola ceya nayapelo.
Lakota toki ilale?
Nake kola ceya nayape. Nake kola ceya nayapelo.		 My friend, you are crying before the enemy (4 times).
Lakotas, where are you?
My friend, you are crying before the enemy (2 times).		 Sioux
Old Singer's Song A song sung for an old singer or perhaps dancer, especially upon his death. If the singer is deceased the words owah'ah sunkeca ye are sung in place of Oyate ki wamayakapo le miye.
Omaha ki iyotanwacanmik'un iyotiye wakiye.		 People look at me. It is I. I thought I was the best of the
Omaha dancers or singers, but now I'm having a hard time.		 Sioux
Memorial Song As in other songs honoring a person, the name of the person being honored is inserted at the proper place in the song. This song honors the memory of Clement Whirlwind Soldier (Bare Legs, Hu Cola) and Drury Cook (Lone Elk, Hehaka Isnala) both deceased singers who sand with the Porcupine Singers. Oyate ki kawita a u cana oiyokipi ca hecel miksuyapo.
Hu Cola (alternating with Hehaka Isnala) heyin nayan tokiya iyaye.		 When the people gather to enjoy themselves, remember me.
Hu Cola (alternating with Hehanka Isnala) said this and now he's gone.		 Sioux
Veteran's Song Wasicula, Lakota ki toka mayaye k'un nakehca wacinmayaye.
Iyasica ki ceye wayelo.		 White man, you made me your enemy; But now you depend on me (as a soldier). I made the Germans cry. Sioux
Deceased Veteran's Song Kola weksuye; Kola weksuye; Kola weksuye; Kola heyapelo.
Maka sitomni akicita ki heya ukiye.
Wanbli Gloglipi; Kola wesuye; kola heyapelo.
Maka sitomni akicita ki heya ukiye.		 "I remember my friend". (repeated 3 times). All his friends are saying that. All over the land soldiers are coming back.
Eagle Brings Him Back (John Attack Him, Sr.); I remember my friend. All his friends are saying that. All over the land soldiers are coming back.		 Sioux
Korean Veteran's Song The Porcupine Singers are honoring Tyrone Head (Mato Ohitika, Courageous Bear) with this song. The first phrase is repeated three times in the first verse. In the second verse the man's name replaced the first repetition of the phrase. Sota tanin natan yelo (3 times)
Koreata sota tanin nanta yelo.		 Through the smoke of battle he is charging (3 times).
In Korea, through the smoke of battle he is charging.
Courageous Bear, Through the smoke of battle he is charging.
Through the smoke of battle he is charging.		 Sioux
Charging-The-Feather Song The ceremony is performed when an eagle feather is dropped during the dance. Four veterans are selected to dance around the feather. Two renditions of a soldier or warrior society song are sung first, during which time the dancers circle the feather. In the past the dancers raised their hands toward the direction of some battles fought by their grandfathers. Then the singers switch into the Charging-the-Feather Song proper based on battles of the present, such as World War I and II, and sing it four times. In the latter half of each of these four repetitions, the dancers feign coup at the feather on to veer off again except for the fourth time when all the dancers chosen count coup on the feather on the last four beats of the song. Soldier Song (sung 2 times)
Kola tokile, kola tokile, kola tokile,
Kola tokile, kola tokile, kola tokile.
Kola ceyapelo. Waziyata kicizape.
Kola tokile, kola tokile, Kola ceyapelo.

Charging-the-Feather song (sung 4 times)
Natan hinape; natan hinape; natan hinape;
Natan hinape; natan hinape; Iyasica ceyapelo.
Natan hinape; nata hinape; nata hinape;
Nata hinape. Iyasica ceyapelo.		 Soldier Song (sung 2 times)
Friend, you are going somewhere (repeated 6 times)
Friend, they are crying. They are fighting in the North.
Friend, you are going somewhere (2 times). Friend, they are crying.

Charging-the-Feather song (sung 4 times)
He comes out attacking (5 times)
The Germans are crying.
He comes out attacking (4 times).
The Germans are crying.		 Sioux
Song Of Encouragement Najin yo. Lakotapi tehikelo. Najin yo. Lakotapi tehikelo.
Najin yo. Lakotapi tehikelo.
Lakota hoksila, najin yo.
Lakotapi tehikelo. Najin yo. Lakotapi tehikelo.		 Stand up! It's hard being a Lakota (3 times).
Lakota boys, stand up! It's hard being a Lakota.
Stand up! It's hard being a Lakota.		 Sioux