Lyrics
Songs are meant to be sung, and we would love for you to sing ours! We only ask that these songs be sung in a good way, in a good place, at a good time, and to honor the *Cherokee words.
*Cherokee Language Consultant: Prentice Robinson (Western dialect)
Beautiful World ©2005
By Barbara A. Warren
| 1st Verse: | |
| O-tsi-go-ti e-lo-hi u-wo-du-hi | We see a beautiful world |
| O-s-da a-le-ni-to-hv | Life is good |
| O-s-da a-le-ni-to-hv | |
| Way hen na hay ya hay ya | |
| Way hen na ho | |
| Chorus: | |
| Way hen na way hen na | |
| Way hen na hay ya hay ya | |
| Way hen na | |
| Way hen na hay ya hay yo | |
| 2nd Verse: | |
| Wa-do-hi ga-lv-la-di e-hi | Thank you the One Who Dwells Above |
| O-s-da a-le-ni-to-hv | Life is good |
| O-s-da a-le-ni-to-hv | |
| Way hen na hay ya hay ya | |
| Way hen na ho | |
| Chorus: Repeat |
Cherokee Fire
(Eternal Fire © 2005)
By Barbara A. Warren
| 1st Verse | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo—hey ya | |
| A-tsi-la i-go-hi-dv | Eternal Fire |
| A-tsi-la i-go-hi-dv | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo—hey ya | |
| Chorus: | |
| Fire fire Cherokee fire | |
| Fire fire Tsa-la-gi… fire | |
| 2nd Verse | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo—hey ya | |
| A-da-n(v)-do Ani-yv-wi-ya | Heart of the People |
| A-da-n(v)-do Ani-yv-wi-ya | |
| Ya hey ya hey hey ya hey yo—hey ya | |
| Chorus: Repeat |
Colors Are Everywhere ©2012
By Barbara A. Warren
| Colors are everywhere | |
| Don’t you agree (We do agree). | |
| Creating beauty | |
| For all to see | |
| Join me (us) now | |
| And sing along | |
| To learn the colors | |
| In this song | |
| Gigage | Red |
| Sagonige | Blue |
| Itseiyusdi | Green |
| Dalonige | Yellow |
| Uwodige | Brown |
| Gigesdi | Purple |
| Adalonige | Orange |
| Gvnige | Black |
| Color words | |
| In this song | |
| You (we) have learned | |
| As you (we) sang along | |
| Osdadv | |
| Now you (we) know | |
| All the colors | |
| In the rainbow! |
Gifts ©2006
By Barbara A. Warren
| I see beauty around me | |
| I hear beauty around me | |
| I feel beauty surrounds me | |
| Everywhere I go | |
| I see beauty around me | |
| I hear beauty around me | |
| I feel beauty surrounds me | |
| Gifts of life I know | |
| The beauty of a butterfly | |
| The laughter of a child | |
| The breeze I feel | |
| Beneath the trees | |
| Eagles free and wild | |
| Ka-ma-ma | Butterfly |
| De-tlv-gv | Trees |
| A-ni-tsi-lv-s-gi | Flowers |
| A-yo-tli | Child |
| Wo-ha-li | Eagle |
| U-de-ya-di-s-di | Brook |
| U-no-le | Wind/air |
| Di-da-ne-di | Gifts |
Gigage ©2005
By Barbara A. Warren
| Way ya ho | |
| Hey a way ya ho | |
| A-su-wi-s-di | Color |
| Ga-lv-quo-di | Sacred |
| Gi-ga-ge | Red |
|
Gi-ga-ge u-la-ni-gv-gv |
Red is power |
| Gi-ga-ge u-la-ni-gi-da | Red is strong |
| Gi-ga-ge a-su-wi-s-di | Red color |
| Gi-ga-ge ga-lv-quo-di | Red is sacred |
| Gi-ga-ge | Red |
| Chorus: | |
| Way way way a ho | |
| Way ya hey ya way a ho | |
| Way way way a ho | |
| A way a ho hey a way ya ho | |
| Way Way Way a ho | |
| Way ya hey ya way a ho | |
| Way Way Way a ho | |
| A way a ho hey a way ya ho |
Going to Water
(Public Domain, “Down in the River to Pray”)
Lyrics adapted by Barbara A. Warren and Valerie Retallack ©2015
| As I went down in u-we-yv to pray | (River) |
| Seeking our sacred White Pathway | |
| And going to water for purity | |
| U-ne-tla-nv show me the way | (Creator) |
| Oh Sisters let’s go down | |
| Let’s go down; come on down | |
| Oh Sisters let’s go down | |
| Down in u-we-yv to pray | |
|
(Repeat: As I went…) |
|
| Oh Brothers let’s go down | |
| Let’s go down; now come on down | |
| Oh Brothers let’s go down | |
| Down in u-we-yv to pray | |
| (Repeat: As I went…) | |
| Oh Mothers let’s go down | |
| Let’s go down; oh won’t cha come down | |
| Oh Mothers let’s go down | |
| Down in u-we-yv to pray | |
| (Repeat: As I went…) | |
|
Oh Fathers let’s go down |
|
|
Let’s go down; well come on down |
|
|
Oh Fathers let’s go down |
|
|
Down in u-we-yv to pray |
|
| As I went down in u-we-yv to pray | |
|
Seeking our sacred White Pathway |
|
|
And going to water for purity |
|
|
U-ne-tla-nv bless us this day |
Happiness is a Song © 2015
By Barbara Warren
| Hey hey ya na hey ya na ho | |
| Hey hey ya na hey ya na ho | |
| Hey ya na ho oh hey ya na ho | |
| Hey ya na hey ya na ho | |
| A-li-he-li-tsi-da-s-di | Happiness |
| Ka-no-gi-s-di ge-sv-i | Is a song |
| Ni-ga-da o-tsa-li-e-li-ga | We are all happy |
| Do-tsi-no-gi-s-di-ha | We are singing |
Joy ©2011
By Barbara A. Warren
| Call: Ya na na na na na na hey yo | |
| Response: Ya na na na na na na hey yo | |
| Call: Ya na na na na na na hey yo | |
| Response: Ya na na na na na na hey yo | |
| Call: Ya na hey ya na hey ya na hey yo | |
| Response: Ya na hey ya na hey ya na hey yo | |
| Chorus: | |
| Ya na hey yo | |
| Ya na hey yo | |
| Ya na hey yo; hey yo; hey yo | |
| U-li-he-li-s-di | (Joy!) |
| Ya na hey ya na hey ya na hey yo | |
| Ya na hey yo | |
| Ya na hey yo | |
| Ya na hey yo; hey yo; hey yo; hey yo… | |
| U-li-he-li-s-di | (Joy!) |
| Hey yo (ends song) |
Keeper of the Family ©2007
By Barbara A. Warren
| Woman, woman who am I | |
| I am Mother to Mankind | |
| Woman, woman I am she | |
| Keeper of the Family | |
| Ga-da-nv-wi-s-gi | Healer |
| Ga-da-ne-la-ne-di tsi-ge-ya | Provider; I am woman |
| Ga-li-s-de-li-s-gi | Protector |
| Di-ga-de-yo-hv-s-gi | Teacher |
| I am Woman | |
| Healing, teaching, nurturing woman | |
| I am Woman | |
| Woman | |
| Woman, woman who am I | |
| I am daughter, sister, wife | |
| Woman, woman I am she | |
| Life of Man begins in me | |
| Ga-da-ne-hi | Giving |
| A-qua-da-ge-yu-hi tsi-ge-ya | Loving; I am woman |
| A-qua-ka-se-s-to-di | Caring |
| A-qua-la-ni-gi-dv | Powerful |
| I am Woman | |
| Giving, caring, loving woman | |
| I am Woman | |
| Woman | |
| I am Woman | |
| Powerful, enduring woman | |
| I am Woman | |
| Woman | |
| I am Woman | |
| Woman | |
| I am Woman | |
| Woman |
My Darlin’ ©2013
By Barbara A. Warren
| Oh my darlin’ | |
| How I love you | |
| I love you more and more each day | |
| You are my sweetheart | |
| I love you truly | |
| So please remember when I say… | |
| Di na da da tlu gi | Sweetheart |
| Ha-da-nv-da-di-s-di Ga-do ga-di-s-go’i | Remember what I say |
| Di na da da tlu gi | |
| Gv ge yu hi yi gi | I love you truly |
| Ga lv quo di | Darlin’ |
Native Women ©2006
By Barbara A. Warren
| O-si-yo di-gi-na-li-yi | Greetings Friends |
| O-tsi-ge-ya do-tsi-no-gi na-quu | We, women, are singing now |
| Ne-ye-hi-ya o-tsi-ge-ya | Native Women |
| U-tlo-i a-ni-tsi-lv-s-gi | Are like flowers |
| Way hi yo hey way hi yo a hey | |
| A-ni-tsi-lv-s-gi | Flowers |
| A-le o-tsi-ge-ya | And women |
| Di-(gi)-o-du-hi di-(gi)-o-du-hi-yu | Are beautiful; very beautiful |
| Native Women are so beautiful | |
| Like the blooming wildflowers | |
| Way hi yo hey way hi yo a hey | |
| Women as all can see | |
| Like flowers are definitely | |
| Very beautiful; very beautiful | |
| A-ni-tsi-lv-s-gi | |
| A-le o-tsi-ge-ya | |
| Di-(gi)-o-du-hi di-(gi)-o-du-hi-yu |
No Goodbye© 2014
By Barbara A. Warren
(Melody public domain, “Largo” movement of
Antonin Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony, 1893)
| There’s no “goodbye” in Cherokee | |
| Way a hey a hey | |
| I say to you | |
| You say to me | |
| “Until we meet again” | |
| Donadagohvi (Until we meet again) | |
| Until we meet again | |
|
Donadagohvi |
|
| Oginali, my friend (My friend) | |
| No matter how far we go | |
| Down our separate roads | |
| One day our paths | |
| Will cross and then | |
| We’ll meet again, my friend | |
| There’s no “goodbye” in Cherokee | |
| Way a hey a hey | |
| I’ll think of you | |
| You’ll think of me | |
| Until we meet again | |
| Donadagohvi | |
| Until we meet again | |
| Donadagohvi | |
| Oginali, my friend |
Osiyo
(Cherokee Greeting Song ©2012)
By Barbara A. Warren
(Melody from public domain, “White Coral Bells”)
| O-gi-na-li-i o-si-yo to-hi-tsu | My friend, hello! How are you? |
| O-si-quu wa-do ni-hi – O-s-da wa-do | Very well. Thank you. And you? – Fine, thanks. |
| Ga-to i-ga u-wo-du-hi-yu | What a beautiful day. |
| Do-na-da-go-hv-i – To-hi he-do-he-s-di | Until we meet again. Go in peace. |
Selu Gadu ©2004
By Barbara A. Warren
(Adapted from public domain tune “Shortnin’ Bread”)
| Hey ya la hey ya | |
| Ga-li-e-li-ga | I am happy |
| Hey ya la hey ya | |
| Tsi-yv-wi-ya | I am Indian |
| Hey ya la hey ya | |
| Tsi-tsa-la-gi | I am Cherokee |
| Hey ya la hey ya | |
| De-tsi-no-gi | I am singing |
| I love cornbread | |
| I love beans | |
| I could eat them in my dreams | |
| I love cornbread | |
| I love beans | |
| They make the tastiest Native cuisine | |
| Chorus: | |
| Se-lu ga-du a-le tu-yv | Cornbread and beans |
| A-l(i)-s-da-yv-n(v)-di o-s-da-dv | Food very good |
| Se-lu ga-du a-le tu-yv | Cornbread and beans |
| A-gi-yo-si-ha ni-hi-na | I am hungry. How about you? |
Selu Sings ©2010
By Barbara A. Warren
| First verse: | |
| Gi-ni-tsi se-lu | (Corn Mother of Us All) |
| Se-lu sings | |
| Gi-ni-tsi se-lu; | |
| Se-lu sings | |
| Na-quu de-ga-no-gi | (Now she sings.) |
| I-gv-yi a-ge-ya | (First Woman) |
| Gi-ni-tsi se-lu | |
| Gi-n(a)-da-n(a)-to-gi | (In our hearts…) |
| E-ni-dv-gi-ha | (We hear her.) |
| Gi-ni-tsi se-lu | |
| Second verse: | |
| Gi-ni-tsi se-lu | |
| Se-lu sings | |
| Si-quu de-ga-no-gi | (Again she sings.) |
| I-gv-yi a-ge-ya | (First Woman) |
| Gi-ni-tsi se-lu | |
| In our hearts, we can hear | |
| Her song so clear | |
| Gi-ni-tsi se-lu |
~ Selu sings the song of survival ~
This song honors Ginitsi Selu, Corn Mother of the Cherokee who embodies the power and the strength of women as life-givers. Through her wisdom, we seek balance and harmony so that our songs will travel as prayers.
South Wind©2003
By Barbara A. Warren
| Ya way ya hey hey a way ya | |
| Ya way ya hey a way a hey | |
| Ya way ya hey hey a way ya | |
| Ya way ya hey a way a hey | |
| U-ga-na-wv u-no-le | South Wind |
| O-s-da a-yo-hi-ho-i | Good brings |
| U-ga-na-wv u-no-le | |
| O-s-da a-yo-hi-ho-i | |
| Way ya way way a hey | |
| Ga-lv-la-di e-hi | One Who Dwells Above |
| Do-gi-hv a-da-do-li-gi | For our blessings |
| O-tsa-li-he-li-ga | We are thankful |
| Ga-lv-la-di e-hi | |
| U-ne-tla-nv-hi | Creator |
| Do-gi-hv a-da-do-li-gi | |
| O-tsa-li-he-li-ga |
In Cherokee spiritualism, the 4 Winds hold great powers. These spirit beings are placed at the four corners of the world. Their task is to attend to the cycle of the 4 seasons of the year. The South Wind is mild and causes all things to grow. In this song, we sing about the South Wind bringing good things. We are grateful to the Creator for all our blessings.
Sweet Medicine ©2010
By Barbara A. Warren
“Sweet Medicine” honors the Jingle Dress Dancers and the gift of their healing dance.
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha aye ha oh | |
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha aye ha oh | |
| Do-tsi-no-gi do-tsi-no-gi | We are singing; we are singing |
| U-ga-na-s-da nv-wo-di | Sweet Medicine |
| Do-tsi-no-gi do-tsi-no-gi | We are singing; we are singing |
| Ka-nv-wo-di ka-no-gi-s-di | A healing song |
| Chorus: | |
| U-ne-tla-nv-hi a-dv-gi | Creator hears |
| Di-ka-no-gi-s-di do-tsi-no-gi | The songs we are singing |
| O-ga da-do-li-s-di-s-gv | Our prayers |
| Ga-lv-la-di-e-hi a-dv-gi | Creator hears |
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha aye ha oh | |
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha | |
| Oh way a aye ha aye ha oh |
Sweetheart © 2015
By Barbara A. Warren
| E-he-na di-na-da-da-tlu-gi | Come here, Sweetheart |
| E-he-na di-na-da-da-tlu-gi | |
| I-nv-(li)-s-gi-ha | Dance with me |
| Gv-ge-yu-hi | I love you |
| E-he-na di-na-da-da-tlu-gi | |
| Oh ya na hey yo | |
| Oh ya na hey yo | |
| Hey no hey yo hey no hey yo | |
| Ho-wa-tsu gv-no-he-ha hey yo | Please, I am telling you |
| Ho-wa-tsu gv-no-he-ha hey yo | |
| I-nv-(li)-s-gi-ha | |
| Gv-ge-yu-hi | |
| Ho-wa-tsu gv-no-he-ha hey yo | |
| Oh ya na hey yo | |
| Oh ya na hey yo | |
| Hey no hey yo hey no hey yo |
Usti (Baby) ©2006
(Cherokee Lullaby)
By Barbara A. Warren
| U-s-ti ga-li-hv u-wo-du-hi | Baby sleeping; beautiful |
| Sv-no-yi-e-hi-nv-do a-ha-ni | The moon is here |
| U-s-ti ga-li-hv u-wo-du-hi | |
| Sv-no-yi-e-hi-nv-do a-ha-ni | |
| Ga-lv-di a-yo-tli | Sleep child |
| Tsa-tsi a-di-ha gv-ge-yu-hi | (Your) Mother says; “I love you” |