Sawaenemiyah
Reference
About the Song
From Wade's new CD "Breathe & Flow". Sung in the Menominee anguage - a language that is endangered with less than 10 original speakers left. The Menominee people are based in the area called Wisconsin.
Nicianosaeh Whapi-Mahwaewsaeh, Maecewatok somekoh
Nicianosaeh Waqsepaekecewin, Penesew mesek wahkamiw
Kemewenukiw
Pon kekatow kipackiyaenemem, Kespentaeh
Sawaenemiyah
Nicianosaeh Awaesaeh Oskas, Maecewatok kemenen kaekoh
Nicianosaeh Awaesaeh Nepowaew, Kaec menikew
Kemewenukiw
Naqsniw anahkok waqnenam menipaniw
Mesek Noweqnan kewehnaw
Naqsnew kesoq kenatamowim kewaeqsaehkosem
Anah Keskehsekoh waqsahkonawaew
Wahkamiw Pamenan, Nisaehcoq piw mesek mahchi P
ameq niyah, enahkah enes
Kemenen eyom, kakenaha wapehtum,
Mesek kitahpahonen
Kemewenukiw
Pon kekatow kipackiyaenemem, Kespentaeh
Sawaehnemiyah
Sawaehnemiyah
Sawaehnemiyah
lyrics & music by Wade Hernandez (c) All rights reserved.
A note from Wade Fernandez: “Please note that Menominee Language was not a written language until fairly recently, so spellings are not always consistent. Also, the English is only an interpretation & not an exact translation. It can sometimes be difficult to find words in English for Menominee words and vice versa, especially when writing lyrics that have to fit with rhythm, melody, and time. Menominee Language is very descriptive and sometimes a word in Menominee can be a paragraph in English.”
Translation(s)
“We Are Blessed”
My child, Little White Wolf
Creator smiles on you
My child, Clear Pure Sparkling Water
Pure & clear water
Rain Woman we should never have to wonder
If we are blessed
My child Bear Claw
Creator gave a gift
My child Standing Bear
This beauty grows & grows
May the stars light your way
And the wind cry your name
May the moon make you shine
And the stars twinkle in your eyes
As clear waters flow & tears come & go
We fly our own ways
Take these seeds & sow; let them nourish your souls
And plant them everywhere you go
Rain Woman we should never have to wonder
If we are blessed
We are blessed
We are blessed
(My child Rain) We are blessed
