Haida Songs — John R. Swanton · Tianmu Anglican Church

Recorded and translated by John R. Swanton

John R. Swanton recorded these 106 Haida songs during the winter of 1900–01, in the course of the same fieldwork on Haida Gwaii that produced his better-known Haida Texts and Myths, and published them in 1912 as part of Volume III of the Publications of the American Ethnological Society. The collection falls into three groups: cradle-songs, which Swanton's introduction notes belonged as property to particular Haida families; mourning-songs; and a closing group of miscellaneous songs. Each song is given in Haida, with a word-by-word gloss beneath the Haida line and a connected English translation beneath that, following Swanton's own interlinear method.

This edition reproduces the complete text as digitized from the sacred-texts.com archive's copy of the 1912 edition: Swanton's introduction and phonetic alphabet, and all 106 songs in their original three-part grouping and numbering.

Introduction

THE following songs were collected by the writer in connection with his work for the Jesup North Pacific Expedition during the winter of 1900-01. The general characteristics of the songs were described in "Contributions to the Ethnology of the Haida" (Publications of the Jesup North Pacific Expedition, Vol. V, p. 121). As has been stated in a discussion of the songs, the cradle-songs are the Property of the various families. For this reason the songs which form the bulk of the collection here presented are arranged according to the families to which they be long. The names of the families will also be found in the publication before referred to.

The following alphabet is used for rendering Haida songs:--

Explanation of Alphabet Used in Rendering Indian Sounds

		A,
i e,	î̲	a	ô̲	o u
î ê	ä	â	(â),	ô û
			ᵃ	ᵒ ᵘ

A obscure a.

i, e, are probably the same sound, intermediate between the continental values of i and e.

î̲

= i in hill.

a has its continental value.

o, u, are probably the same sound, intermediate between the continental values of o and u.

ä = German ä in Bär.

â = aw, in law, only in foreign words.

ᵃ ᵒ ᵘ indicate that the preceding, consonant is pronounced with a, o, and u position of the mouth respectively.

	Sonans.	Surd.	Fortis.	Spirans.	Nasal.
Velar	g̲	q	q!	x	---
Palatal	g	k	k!	x̲	ñ
Alveolar	d	t	t!	s	n
Dental	dj	tc	tc!	---	---
Labial	b	p	---	---	m
Lateral	L̲	L	L!	ł	---	l
Laryngeal catch and breathing	?			ˣ
	h, y, w.

indicates great length of preceding vowel.

I have omitted the anterior palatal series, because the Haida sounds which should be classed under that head seem to me accidentally produced, owing to the presence of a following close vowel. p seems to occur only in onomatopoetic elements; b occurs not more than two or three times in strictly Haida words; and m, although considerably more abundant, is by no means common. The catch (?) is used in Masset instead of Skidegate g̲ and , instead of Skidegate x. x is like German ch in Bach; x̲ is similar, but pronounced farther forward. Even among old people the fortis-sounds are frequently reduced to simple pauses. This is particularly true of sounds formed far forward in the mouth. At other times they are uttered with rapidity and force. In recording my texts, I found it difficult to distinguish fortis-sounds from sonants. L̲ sounds something like dl, and L something like tl or kl; in both the tip of the tongue touches the back of the teeth, and the air is expelled at the sides: ł is similar, but more of the tongue is laid against the roof of the mouth, and a greater volume of air allowed to escape. ñ is identical with English ng in such words as string.

Words in parentheses in the translations have been added to make the sense of the Indian clearer; bracketed words or parts of words in Indian indicate forms which are inserted in the rhythmic songs, but would be omitted in prose.

Cradle-Songs

1. Xâ'gi lâ'nas

(Skidegate Dialect.)

L'djâ'ada kûdju's L̲û Q!ô'na l'nagâ'-i ya'kAłsî'g̲a L g̲aya'og̲a

sg̲aqô'ng̲a-łî̲ña's L̲û'hao L djâ'adag̲a-i!

large | may be | when | what (kind of a) woman (are you)!

L'djâ'ada kûdjû'sgu Łg̲a-i g̲A'nL̲a-i ge'istA L! sî'qîgAñ[ga]

qa-ix̲una'ñ-łî̲ña's L̲û'hao L djâadâ'ga!

of singing continually | may (not) be | when | what | (kind of a) woman are (you)!

You need not think that the smoke of your house in the middle of Skedans will be as great as when you were a woman (in your previous life upon earth [1]).

You need not think that they will make such a continual noise of singing in Skedans Creek as they used to when you were a woman (in your previous existence).

Notes

[1] The child is considered a re-incarnation of some dead relative.

2. Q!â'dAsg̲o qê'g̲awa-i

Gî'tîns dja'tg̲añ ya'+nañ sûgwâ+ñ.

Eagle | woman his own | marry | he is saying.

Gî'tîns dja'tg̲añ ya'+nañ sûgwâ+ñ.

Eagle woman his own marry he is saying.

A'dî'dAx̲ua xA'nhao wa'g̲a gadjû'+wAn sû'gAñ,

Here behind us | yet | his wife | sits, | he says,

A'dî'dAx̲ua xA'nhao wa'g̲a gadjû'+wAn sû'gAñ,

Here behind us | yet | his wife | sits, | he says,

HalA' wag̲a daogî'+łgêg̲o+.

Come | his | let us go up and get.

HalA' wag̲a daogî'+łgêg̲o+.

Come | his | let us go up and get.

Ha hî'djigana xA'nhao wa'g̲a gâ'djiwAn sû'wañ,

Adî'dEx̲ua xA'nhao wa'ga gadjû'+wAn sû'gAñ.

Here behind us | yet | his wife | sits | he says.

He says [1] he is going to marry his own Eagle-Woman,

He says he is going to marry his own Eagle-Woman.

His wife is sitting right behind (the town), he says;

His wife is sitting right behind (the town), he says.

Come, let us go up and get her!

My own boy is saying his wife sits there.

His wife is sitting right behind (the town), he says.

Notes

[1] "To say" is used here for "to cry."

3.

Ha'lA+ dî'+g̲a+ skî̲'nxaL̲g̲a'g̲o.

Come | for me | all wake up.

Ał qâ'+ñg̲adigwâñg̲a,

I | dreamed about,

Ha ha gasî'n xega'nłîñ. [1]

(Laughing) | they are | going to make a noise about him.

Come, wake up, and listen to me!

I dreamed about it.

Ha, ha! oh, what a noise they are going to make over him (at the potlatch)!

Notes

[1] Each line of this song is repeated.

4. Qa'gials qê'g̲awa-i

[The following cradle-songs for boys and girls are said to have been sung in the sequence here given when sung at potlatches; at least, the position of the last one was fixed.]

(For Boys).

Â'+yaña+ â'+yaña+ â'+yaña+ â+yañe a'+yañô,

Be careful, | be careful, | be careful, | be careful, | be careful,

A+î̲ldja'o-gaña a+î̲ldja'o-gaña â'yañê â'yañê.

One who is a noble-man, | one who is a noble-man, | be careful, | be careful.

L̲ g̲ê'ida+lAñ q!a'oxañ [s]g̲ê'+xAn aqâ'dji ła' aya+ [1]

q!aisg̲êdî'g̲o q!ai'xas g̲ê+ kû'djugwa+ñg̲asa+ñ.

take off and put away | without anything | he will rove about.

Ayañâ'+a î̲ldja'o-ga'ñañ g̲an dAñ hî'dja gadjû'gAnê.

Be careful | one who is a noble-man | for | you | sit as a boy belonging to a good family.

Be careful of him, be careful of him, be careful of him, be careful of him, be careful of him.

This nobleman, this nobleman, be careful of him, be careful of him,

Wherever you sit, take off his head and put it away, or he will travel about without anything (i. e., in poverty). [2]

Be careful of this nobleman, etc.

Notes

[1] Aya is equivalent to wa.

[2] The father of an Eagle girl must give away blankets to this boy's parents, so that he will marry no one else when he grows up. That is what "taking off his head" means. The reference to his poverty is made with mock humility.

5.

Hao gî'na gA+n dAñ îdjagâ'djî'was ê'dji.

This | thing | for | you | sitting as a boy | are.

Hao gî'na gA+n dAñ îdjagâ'djî'was ê'dji.

This | thing | for | you | sitting as a boy | are.

NAñkî̲'lSLas agA'ñ î̲'ndaLxagâ'g̲Anî.

NAñkî̲'lSLas | himself | made a human being.

Skîls nag̲â'g̲a kûskî'ndias ê'dji, wA'stA Q!aku'ngwi

Property in the house | was, | from it | Rose Spit towards

g̲a-iłgaga'ñ dA'ñał Ldjûdal.

his flood | with | tidal wave went.

Gwa-isku'n xâ'-idAg̲a-i xA'nhao dAñ nâ'g̲a łkiä'sig̲ei

gut gunL!gA'ndias ê'djî.

are as many as when waves meet each other and are packed close together.

Hao gî'na g̲A+n dAñ îdjagâ'djî'was ê'dji.

This | thing | for | you | sitting as a boy | are.

This is why you are a boy

NAñkî̲'lSLas has become a human being.

From the property in his house a flood went towards Rose Spit.

Even from North Island the people are crowded into your house, as when waves meet and are packed together.

That is why you are a boy. [1]

Notes

[1] The child is born to give these great potlatches. His property is likened to the flood raised in the time of NAñkî̲'lSLas, and it is said that people will crowd into his house even from North Island.

6.

A+ya+ña'+ ayâ'ñê â'+yañô.

Be careful, | be careful, | be careful.

La hao îldja'oga+n.

He | is a nobleman.

I'+lgiañ wAga'ñ(añ) kû'+skî+twas sê+ Lû tcî'nañ qôniga'-i

(Face) changed | like it | will be wherever your place is | his grand-father | powerful

gî a la qeałdî+ga.

for | he looks expectantly.

Ayâ'ñô a o î̲ldja'oga+n.

Be careful, this is a nobleman.

Be careful (of the child), be careful, be careful.

This is going to be a great man.

His face will be changed wherever he may be, when he

looks for the coming of his powerful grandfather [1] (and sees him).

Be careful, this is going to be a great man.

Notes

[1] Skedans and his people called Djê'basa, the Tsimshian chief at Kitkatla, "grand father," and vice versa. After he has become a man, the child's face will look joyous when he sees his Tsimshian friends approach.

7.

A+yañê'+ a'da gua ê'dji tcî'na-i.

Be careful | you | ? | is | grandfather.

A+yañê'+ a'da gua ê'dji NAñkî̲'lSLas.

Be careful | you | ? | is | grandfather.

A+yañê'+ a'qwês nAñ kî̲tnâ'ñugîn. [1]

Be careful | this sky | one | touched.

Be careful. Is this you, grandfather? [2]

Be careful. Is this you, NAñkî̲'lSLas? [2]

Take care. This is perhaps the one that touched the sky. [2]

Notes

[1] Equivalent to ugA'ñgî̲n.

[2] The mother refers to ancestors, one of whom is possibly being reborn in her child. "The one that touched the sky" is Many-Ledges (T!ês qoa'naiya), a cliff back of Skedans inhabited by a supernatural being.

8.

U'yatê u'yatê, da'lAñ yA'ta+gadA'ldia'asañ.

Only | only | you | are going to be a yA'ta. [1]

U'yatê u'yatê, da'lAñ yA'ta+gadA'ldia'asañ.

Only | only | you | are going to be a yA'ta.

A tcî'na-i+ lânâ'+g̲a a'+ñg̲a la x̲î'-tskûtsg̲a.

His | grandfather's | town | his | he will fill with property seaward.

Dî qê'ndAldigoasî' L̲û qî'ñg̲ets nâ'ga-i [a] gut g̲An aq!ê'da

qînskitsg̲â'dias.

large toward the east (or seaward).

DalA'ñ yA'ta gadA'ldiasañ.

You | a yA'ta | are going to be.

Only you are going to be a yA'ta.

You will fill up your grandfather's town seaward with property.

Since you are of the great people, your chief's houses will have large carvings seaward.

You are going to be a yA'ta.

Notes

[1] One of high family, who wants for nothing.

9.

WAgaña'ñ g̲ê'ił+dia+ñ,

Like it | it has become,

WAgaña'ñ g̲ê'ił+dia+ñ,

Like it | it has become,

G̲adô'+ G̲algA'łda-kun g̲adô' daLgî'sLdiañ.

Around | G̲algA'łda point | around | lots of canoes are coming.

WAgaña'ñ g̲ê'ił+dia+ñ,

Like it | it has become,

WAgaña'ñ g̲ê'ił+dia+ñ,

Like it | it has become.

Now it has come to pass,

Now it has come to pass.

Plenty of canoes are coming around Point G̲algA'łda [1] (to potlatches).

Now it has come to pass,

Now it has come to pass.

Notes

[1] A point of land southwest of Skedans village.

10.

Gînâ'+ łî̲ñxA'n, gînâ'+ łî̲ñxA'n,

Things | all sorts of, | things | all sorts of,

A L nao da'o-gadAldia'ñ, a L nao da'o-gadA'ldia'ñ.

As many as | grow up well, | as many as | grow up well.

Sqa'gî tî'g̲a q!alA'łî'nsgua,

Dog-salmon | kill | he is not going to be able,

A L nao da'o-gadA'ldia'ñ, a L nao da'o-gadA'ldia'ñ.

As many as | grow up well, | as many as | grow up well.

A xâ'gu tî'g̲a q!alAłî̲'nsgua a,

Halibut | kill | he is not going to be able,

A L nao da'o-gadAldia'ñ, a L nao da'o-gadA'ldia'ñ.

As many as | grow up well, | as many as | grow up well.

Ga'-igîts tî'g̲a q!alAłî̲'nsgua,

Cedar-bark | kill (i. e., to chop) | he is not going to be able,

A L nao da'o-gadA'ldia'ñ, a L nao da'o-gadA'ldia'ñ.

As many as | grow up well, | as many as | grow up well.

As many things as grow (he may not kill).

Dog salmon he may not kill. [1]

As many as grow, as many as grow.

Halibut he may not kill. [1]

As many as grow, as many as grow.

Cedar-bark he may not kill [1] (i. e., chop),

As many as grow, as many as grow.

Notes

[1] Because the slaves will do it for him.

11.

Gûs łî̲ñ kûdjû'diañ, gûs łî̲ñ kûdjû'diañ?

What | are you for, | what | are you for?

Sg̲â'na łî'ñg̲a-i kûdjû'diañ.

Supernatural power | you are going to have | (you) are there for

Gûs łî̲ñ kûdjû'diañ, gûs łî̲ñ kûdjû'diañ?

What | are you for, | what | are you for?

G̲

atxała'ñ Lu î̲'sdala-i kî̲'lskûna

In front of him | canoe to (have) pass | he will not like

Â'hao łî̲ñ kûdjû'diañ

For that | he is going to be

Gûs łî̲ñ kûdjû'diañ, gûs łî̲ñ kûdjû'diañ?

What | are you for, | what | are you for?

Sg̲â'na łî'ñg̲a-i kûdjû'diañ.

Supernatural power | you are going to have | (you) are there for.

What are you for, what are you for?

You are to have a supernatural helper.

What are you for, what are you for?

You will not let canoes pass in front of you. [1]

That is what you are for.

What are you for, what are you for?

You are to have a supernatural helper.

Notes

[1] If people of low family passed close in front of chiefs' houses in their canoes, they might be injured or enslaved.

12.

K!ûstî̲'ñ gwałî̲'ñasi, k!ûstî̲'ñ gwałî̲'ñasi, wâ'g̲a qâ'dji ła

Two if there were, two if there were, their heads I

dag̲aga'ołî̲ñasi.

would keep.

K!ûstî̲'ñ gwałî̲'ñasi, k!ûstî̲'ñ gwałî̲'ñasi, wâ'g̲a qâ'dji ła

Two if there were, two if there were, their heads I

dag̲aga'ołî̲ñasi.

would keep.

If there were two (boys), if there were two, I would keep their heads.

If there were two (boys), if there were two, I would keep their heads. [1]

Notes

[1] As a mother received property from the parents of the girl her son married, she would have received more if she had had two sons. Mothers who did not make these gifts were laughed at.

13.

(For Girls.)

G̲

A'nhao dAñ djâ'ada-gadjû'gAñ, dAñ djâ'das, dAñ djâ'das,

For | you | are a woman, you | are a woman, | you | are a woman,

dAñ djâ'das, dAñ djâ'das.

you | are a woman, you | are a woman.

G̲A'nhao dAñ djâ'ada-gadjû'gAñ, dAñ djâ'das, dAñ djâ'das,

For | you | are a woman, you | are a woman, | you | are a woman,

dAñ djâ'das, dAñ djâ'das.

you | are a woman, you | are a woman.

Xâ'na qâ'łi łk!iä'na-i kîldâ'lL!xaigaiAg̲An dAñ djâ'das, dAñ

djâ'das.

are a woman.

For this you are a woman, you are a woman, you are a woman, you are a woman, you are a woman.

For this you are a woman, you are a woman, you are a woman, you are a woman, you are a woman,

To command the sticks (i.e., house-poles) of Skidegate Inlet, [1] you are a woman, you are a woman.

Notes

[1] The girls of this family often married Skidegate chiefs. So the girl will command when house-poles are to be raised.

14.

Hao dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAnhao ya'tê gadA'ldig̲anê q!o'ldjat, hao

You | only ones | were brought up well | chief women,

dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAnhao ya'tê gadA'ldig̲anê q!o'ldjat,

You | only ones | were brought up well | chief women,

Q!ô'na-kun g̲adô' ga L̲nda'lL!xaga-iyu.

Skedans point | around | sit in his canoe and come with him.

Hao dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAnhao, etc. (four times).

You | only ones , etc.

Tcî'nañ qô'naiya-i gwai'g̲a+gut ał dalA'ñ dAñq!â'-isgidan sû.

A'ñga gî A'ñg̲axawâ'yu.

Theirs | to | how they let with it.

Hao dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAnhao, etc. (four times)

You | only ones, | etc.

Q!êdAs k!ia'og̲a gi g̲axa-ûxansLiya'-i yu. [1]

Tattoo | for | sit down (or take the position).

You, chief women, are the only ones brought up well enough; you, chief women, are the only ones brought up well enough,

To sit in (the chief's) canoe and come around Skedans point with him.

You, chief women, are the only ones, etc. (four times),

To pull your powerful grandfather's islands [2] together, they say.

You, chief women, are the only ones, etc. (four times),

To sit down to receive tattoo-marks.

Notes

[1] Yu is equivalent to hao.

[2] "Your grandfather" is Raven, and the islands are the Haida country and the mainland. Reference is perhaps made to mainland marriages.

15.

Hao a'+gadal, hao a'+gadal, a tcî'na nâ'g̲a qâ'łi+ gut

dao [1] gutîlA q!a-iguxanskiä'nsi.

in different parts | sit around in groups (the slaves).

WA łkia'gua gaga'-i nAñ q!a'ouwas la hao agA'ñ gâ'djida

hao ag̲'Añ gada'lda

let him take care of you

Hao a'+gadal (eight times).

That is right.

That is right, that is right, (the slaves) sit in groups around the inside of your grandfather's house.

Let the one sitting far off near the door take care of you, take care of you.

That is right, that is right, that is right, that is right, that is right, that is right, that is right.

Notes

[1] Equivalent to ga-i.

16.

Dî L!naxAn g̲ê'iłdañ hao a gûdâ'ñg̲ani[hê].

I | like that | became | they used to wish.

WAgaña'ñ ô la gêiłsgia'ñ hao ô.

Like that | she became | soon.

Â'haô dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAn kî̲'̲lsLa-i [1] ya'ta dî gadAldjî'gañ

hao ô+.

They used to wish that I should be like that.

Like it she soon became.

You are the only ones fit to be chiefs' daughters.

Notes

[1] Or gî'tsî̲s ("chief's daughter").

17.

Hao dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAn kî̲lsLa'is [1] ya'ta g̲adA'ldîg̲Ankwê;

You | only | chief | are of a high family

Hao dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAn kî̲lsLa'is ya'ta g̲adA'ldîg̲Ankwê;

You | only | chief | are of a high family

Gî L! (aya+) q!otgâ'ñdixan djâ'g̲adA'ñg̲anî̲.

For they | used to be soliciting | (they) tried to get the woman a long time.

Hao dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAn kî̲lsLa'is ya'ta g̲adA'ldîg̲Ankwê;

You | only | chief | are of a high family

Hao dalA'ñ sg̲A'nxAn kî̲lsLa'is ya'ta g̲adA'ldîg̲Ankwê;

You | only | chief | are of a high family

You alone are fit to be a chief woman,

You alone are fit to be a chief woman.

For (you) they begged a long time (to obtain you in marriage).

You alone are fit to be a chief woman,

You alone are fit to be a chief woman.

Notes

[1] The second verse of this song is identical with this one, except that q!o'ldjat ("chief woman") is substituted for kîlsLa'is wherever it occurs.

18.

HalA' ga'gî̲ñ gao-o (eight times)

Come, | let her sit on my lap (or "let us have her")

Ga ga'os waL̲û'xAn la gu'tgi gagaga'ñgao gu'tgî ska'ndîg̲o łA.

The villages | all | to each other | hand (her) | to each other hand.

Ła sg̲un ga'gî̲ñûgwâ'ñ, ła sgun ga'gî̲ñûgwâ'ñ

HalA' ga'gî̲ñ gao-o (several times).

come, let her sit on my lap.

Come, let her sit on my lap! (eight times)

All the villages used to hand her to one another.

Now only I take care of her, now only I take care of her. [1]

Come, let her sit on my lap! (several times)

Notes

[1] This means that all the people of all villages used to be slaves of this family, and so took care of the baby, but now the mother has to do it all herself.

19.

Gû'sLao gûdjâ'+g̲aña [1] dalA'ñ g̲a kî̲'ñgatsg̲as ga dâ daogî̲ł

Why | your daughters | you | to news went down | what did you come after,

gadâ'lañ?

well brought up one?

Ga g̲î̲ña'ñ a gî xA'nhao L! qâ'yî̲ñgâ'ña g̲ê'da gagîhîña'ñ

Crying for (no one) they attend you place where she is crying

gag̲a'ogwañ gadAl, g̲ê'da gagîhîña'ñ gag̲a'ogwañ gadAl.

lying about, | well brought up one, | place where she is crying | lying about, | well brought up one.

On account of what news of your daughters' going down to you (to The Land of Souls) did you come up for something, well brought up ones?

There is now no one to attend to you on account of your crying, where you are crying about (because there are now no slaves), well brought up one, where you are crying about, well brought up one.

Notes

[1] The second verse of this song is identical with this one, except that ûgô'ñg̲aña ("your fathers") is said to be substituted for the words gûdjã+g̲aña ("your daughters"), but g̲ô'ñg̲a is properly applied only to a man's father.

20.

L!a sg̲A'nxAn L! g̲êidAñ sû'ga. L!a sg̲A'nxAn hao g̲êidAñ

L! sû'ga.

they say.

GAm iL! La geitgâ'ñañ L! sû'ga.

They alone belong to a high family, they say. They alone belong to a high family, they say.

But it is not that way with us, they say.

21. [1]

Ha LA ha La+ ha Lê'+, ha LA ha La+ ha Lê+.

(Laughter)

Â'ga łg̲łga'odîg̲An sg̲oa'na gwê+,

Here is where | black ground used to be | one | [of them],

Ha LA ha La+ ha Lê'+, ha LA ha La+ ha Lê+.

(Laughter)

A gâ'ldjidAs [2] gâ'ñañ. A gâ'ldjidAs gâ'ñañ.

Crow | like a, | crow | like a.

Ha LA ha La+ ha Lê'+, ha LA ha La+ ha Lê+.

Here is where one of the black tattoo-marks used to be, [3]

Ha LA ha La+ ha Lê'+, ha LA ha La+ ha Lê+.

(Black) just like a crow, (black) just like a crow.

Notes

[1] This song has to be sung last.

[2] The baby word for "crow."

[3] Probably this refers to the place where the child is supposed to have been tattooed in her former existence on earth.

22. Q!ô'na qê'g̲awa-i

Hao tcî'nAñ lanâ'g̲a gua dâ dâ'g̲a.

Your grandfather's | town | ? | you | own.

G̲a'g̲odiya-i gua sg̲â'naga, G̲a'g̲odiya-i gua sg̲â'naga.

Hao tcî'nAñ lanâ'g̲a gua dâ dâ'g̲a.

Your grandfather's | town | ? | you | own.

Qî'ngodiya-i gua sg̲â'naga, Qî'ngodiya-i gua sg̲â'naga.

Lies down greatly | ? | is it powerful, Lies down greatly | ? | is it powerful.

Hao tcî'nAñ x̲ał tc!â'anug̲a dâ dâ'g̲a uyâ'te gâ'djuyañ.

Do you own your grandfather's town ?

Lying large, has it supernatural power? Lying large, has it supernatural power'

Do you own your grandfather's town?

Lying greatly, has it supernatural power? Lying greatly, has it supernatural power?

You only are fit, sitting greatly, to own your grandfather's copper-fire.

23. [1]

(In Tsimshian.)

Nô'+ gunatô+ na+ gunatô+ (six times)

Wa+ gîtcî [2] q!ayAm gwa'tAksta nałnîgAn ahô'yûda

down river (?) | near | cry (?)

wâlsî'mgîgyêt [3] dAmgî+ [4] q!adô+

noble men

No+ gûnatô'+ na+ gûnatô'+, no+ gûnatô'+ na+ gûnatô'+.

Notes

[1] This and the following song are unintelligible, although a number of words may be recognized.

[2] Perhaps gî̲si ("down river").

[3] The translation of this word applies only to the latter part of the word, excluding the first three letters.

[4] DAm indicates future.

24.

(In Tsimshian.)

Hê-ê-ê-ê+ gwâ̲'ldAma aga'-i (six times)

HA'naag̲ê hê-ê-ê-ê+ gwâ̲'ldAma aga'-i ha-a-dî+ gî̲tcî̲ q!Al

Woman

mâs (a) nî'cîna ałgû' [1] ha-a-dî+ gîł bê̲lha ałgu

not (?) haliotis not (?)

Hê-ê-ê-ê+ gwâ̲'ldAma aga'-i i (three times).

Notes

[1] Probably a'łgE ("not"), or łgu ("small").

25.

#̶#̶#̶ L̶

g̲ai-û' lâ'nas.

Dî'nAñ djat î'+ng̲adju+

My child | a woman | (comes out having) married,

Dî'nAñ djat î'+ng̲adju+

My child | a woman | (comes out having) married,

[Aq!a] Q!aiya'-i aq!ôłgû'stA+,

Q!aiya'-i | from the top of,

Dî'nAñ djat î'+ng̲adju+

My child | a woman | (comes out having) married,

Dî'nAñ djat î'+ng̲adju+.

My child | a woman | (comes out having) married.

My child comes out married,

From the top of (Mount) Q!aiya'-i,

My child comes out married,

My child comes out married.

26.

Gî̲t'î̲'n-djatsgañ yâ'nañ++ sû'++g̲añ;

Eagle-woman | his own | has already married, | he is saying;

Gî̲t'î̲'n-djatsgañ yâ'nañ++ sû'++g̲añ;

Eagle-woman | his own | has already married, | he is saying;

Adî'dAx̲ua xA'nhao wa'g̲a gâ'djiwañ sû.

Near right behind [the town] | even | his | sits greatly, he says.

Ha'lai wa'g̲a da'ogî̲lkûxaog̲ô;

Come, | his (wife) | let its all go up and get

Ha'lai wa'g̲a da'ogî̲lkûxaog̲ô;

Come, | his (wife) | let its all go up and get

Adî'dAx̲ua xA'nhao wa'g̲a gâ'djiwañ sû.

Near right behind the house | even | his | sits greatly, he says.

He is saying he has married an Eagle woman;

He is saying he has married an Eagle woman.

He says she sits greatly right behind (the town).

Come, let us all go up and get her!

Come, let us all go up and get her! [1]

He says she sits greatly right behind (the town).

Notes

[1] This refers to the marriage customs.

27.

AgA'ñ łê++dî'g̲ô+, AgA'ñ łê++dî'g̲ô+, Lg̲alai'gûł djîna's.

Get ready (for him), | get ready (for him), | Lg̲alai'gûł | women of.

Î̲'sî̲ñ î'dja kûdjû'diañ ê'++ya a î'ldjao î ai+ + î'ldjao.

Again | it is a boy, | here nobleman, | nobleman.

Get ready for him, get ready for him, [1] women of the Lg̲alai'gûł [2] family.

Again it is a boy. [3]

Notes

[1] That is, to marry him.

[2] An extinct branch of the Gî'tîns of Skidegate.

[3] Indicating that boys were scarce.

28. [1]

Giä'L̲û Xâ'na qâ'łi, giä'l̲û Xâ'na qâ'łi,

DA'ñłiai dâ L!da'og̲o-ułaiya,

To swell up | you | burst (on that day),

Sg̲ałê î̲stâ'ûłi kî'lsLa-i (four times).

Secret Society | having one day [or morning], | chief.

Ga-i łA î̲'stâ-ûł kî'lsLa-i (four times).

That | do one day (again), | chief.

Ga'odjaos ga'-iła î̲stâ'ûł kî'lsLa-i.

Drum (town) | at that place | do it some day, | chief.

Skidegate Inlet, Skidegate Inlet.

When you burst with swelling,

You had the Secret Society perform one day, chief.

Do it again, chief!

Do it one day at Drum Town, chief! [2]

Notes

[1] The oldest of the set.

[2] Once when there was a great famine in Skidegate Inlet, the chief of Drum Town had enough property to hold a potlatch and save every one from starvation.

29.

DalA'ñ sg̲u'nxAn gua+ â'hao qî̲ndia'haowus

You | only | ? | here | look about

Tcî'nañ łk!ia'ng̲a A'ñg̲a dalA'n hao ha-iludâ'lL!xa ûya'te

gadA'ldîgwa'ñ.

highly moving around.

Uyatê' gâ'dAldiañ, uyatê' gâ'dAldiañ, kî'lsLa-i ya'ta

gâ'dAldiañ.

highly moving around.

Are you the only ones who sit looking about?

You are the only ones fit to get all your grandfather's timbers [1] out of the woods, chiefs highly moving around.

Highly moving around, highly moving around, chiefs highly moving around.

Notes

[1] That is, the Raven peoples' house-timbers. The baby is addressed.

30. Na yû'Ans xâ'-idAga-i

NAñkî̲'lSLas g̲ôñg̲â'+ qîndjî'wayû hao hao qînx̲iê'ndalAñ.

NAñkî̲'lSLas's | father | a great one, | such a great one coming along.

Gua+ qî̲ng̲ê'dao î+dja'n sû qî'nłgałwañ.

Halloo! | great chief | is | he says | great one moving about.

Gua'+ qwîg̲a (gî) gî'na g̲agî̲tłûgî̲n û'hao hao îs

qî̲nx̲iê̲'ndAl-Añgua'.

great one moving along.

Qî̲ñg̲ê'do î+dja'n sû qî̲'ñłgAłwAñ gua'.

Great chief | is | he says | great moving about, | halloo!

He says it is NAñkî̲'lSLas's great father moving along so greatly.

Halloo, great chief moving about!

Halloo! he moves along greatly like something extending to the sky.

Halloo great chief moving about! [1]

Notes

[1] NAñkî̲'lSLas's father would be an Eagle, and the mother pretends that he is reborn in her child.

31.

Â'gua kî̲lsLa'-i agA'ñ inâ'sLda qînłgAlûgA'n hao hao.

Here is | chief | growing himself up so great as lie sits.

DAñ kî̲'ñg̲at ugua', dAñ kî̲'ñg̲at ugua'.

You | are getting rich (or great) sitting there, | you | are getting rich (or great) sitting there.

DAñ sLû'łgAłwAñ gua'. DAñ+ qî'ñłgAłwAñ gua'.

You | are moving so greatly as you sit. | You | are highly moving as you sit.

DAñ kî̲'ñg̲at ugua', dAñ kî̲'ñg̲at ugua'.

You | are getting rich (or great) sitting there, | you | are getting rich (or great) sitting there.

DAñ sLû'łgAłwAñ gua'. DAñ+ qî'ñłgAłwAñ gua'.

You | are moving so greatly as you sit. | You | are highly moving as you sit.

DAñ sLû'łgAłwAñ gua'.

You are moving so greatly as you sit.

Here the chief causes himself to grow up greatly as he sits.

You are becoming great, you are becoming great.

You are moving so greatly as you sit. You are moving highly as you sit.

You are becoming great, you are becoming great.

You are moving so greatly as you sit. You are moving highly as you sit.

You are moving so greatly as you sit.

32.

#̶#̶#̶ L̶

g̲â'xetgu lâ'nas.

[Hao] î̲'sî̲ñ [a a] Lgua' [a] dAñ lalâ'g̲a+g̲aga [ha] xêga'nł

î̲ña'-us wag̲î+gâ'gîña'ñ gâ'łg̲ałwan.

a noise | for it | (you) are crying | (you) are moving while sitting down.

I do not expect there will again be a noise inside your screens, for which you sit crying. [1]

Notes

[1] These words are intended as a gentle reproof, reminding the child that he is too high born to cry in that way.

33.

Hao î̲'sî̲ñ a-a-a-a L'gua'-a-a-a Lûgûłî̲'na [1] xetg̲â'- + dAñ xatg̲a'

ai+ dAñ g̲aLg̲â'ndA[ga] dAñ g̲ałg̲â'łao łî̲ña'-us.

you | look around at new things | you | taken care of sitting | expect to be.

Aiyañê'-ê-ê-A ê-ê-êyañ â'-a-a aiyañê' q!o'ldjatg̲a'+.

Be careful, | be careful, | chief-woman.

Hao î̲'sî̲ñ a-a-a-a L'gua'-a-a-a giê̲'stA t!â'g̲o xAndja'os g̲ê

dAñ xatg̲a' ai+ dAñ gaL̲gâ'ndA[ga] dAñ g̲ałg̲â'łao

your | father | you | look around at new things you be taken care of sitting

łî̲ña'-us.

expect to be.

Aiyañê'-ê-ê-A ê-ê-êyañ â'-a-a aiyañê' q!o'ldjatg̲a'+.

Be careful, | be careful, | chief-woman.

Hao î̲'sî̲ñ a-a-a-a L'gua'-a-a-a giê̲'stA łi'mAn XA'ndjusg̲ê

Again | perhaps | from where | hide of some mainland animal |came around

dAñ xatga' ai+ dAñ gaL̲gâ'ndA[ga] dAñ g̲ałg̲â'łao

your father you look around at new things you be taken care of sitting

łî̲ña'-us.

expect to be.

Aiyañê'-ê-ê-A ê-ê-êyañ â'-a-a aiyañê' q!o'ldjatg̲a'+.

Be careful, | be careful, | chief-woman.

Hao î̲'sî̲ñ a-a-a-a L'gua'-a-a-a giê̲'stA gu'lxas xA'ndjus gê

Again | perhaps | from where | big variety of abalone | came around

dAñ xatga' ai+ dAñ gaL̲gâ'ndA[ga] dAñ g̲ałg̲â'łao

your father you look around at new things you be taken care of sitting

łî̲ña'-us.

expect to be.

Aiyañê'-ê-ê-A ê-ê-êyañ â'-a-a aiyañê' q!o'ldjatg̲a'+.

Be careful, | be careful, | chief-woman.

Again perhaps you expect to sit up high in your father's canoe, [2] chief-woman, and look around upon all things in front of Upset-Canoe.

Be careful, be careful, chief-woman!

Again perhaps you expect to sit up high in your father's canoe, chief-woman, and look around the place whence coppers come.

Be careful, be careful, chief-woman!

Again perhaps you expect to sit up high in your father's canoe, chief-woman, and look around the place whence łi'mAn-hides come.

Be careful, be careful, chief-woman!

Again perhaps you expect to sit up high in your father's canoe, chief-woman, and look around the place whence abalones come.

Be careful, be careful, chief-woman.

Notes

[1] A place north of Cape Ball.

[2] Chiefs' children used to be placed high up on blankets in the centre of trading-canoes so that they could look about. Here the baby is reminded of what she used to do in a former existence.

34.

Agua' q!oldjat xatg̲â'l++Añ L̲djîñ xâ'-idAg̲a-i g̲An

It may be chief-woman's fathers Bella Bella people with

LûsqA'sL îndjâ'wAs gu tc!aanû' djî'î̲ña lâ'na ła'-a-a-a

agA'ñ ha-i tc!î̲tg̲â'g̲o gû'anda.

let watch | and tend you | while you lie about.

Gû'sta gî dâ'g̲âgî̲ña'ñ gałgû'łwañ?

What | for | are you crying | and sitting around as a noble sits?

Gû'sta gî dâ'g̲âgî̲ña'ñ gałgû'łwañ?

What | for | are you crying | and sitting around as a noble sits?

Agua' q!oldjat xatg̲â'l++Añ Gwai'g̲ot xâ'-idAg̲a-i g̲An

It may be | chief-woman's | fathers Ninstints | people | with

LûsqA'sL îndjâ'wAs gu Łgia'gustA lâ'na ła'-a-a-a agA'ñ

ha-i tc!î̲tg̲â'g̲o gû'anda

watch and tend you while you lie about.

Gû'sta gî dâ'g̲âgî̲ña'ñ gałgû'łwañ?

What | for | are you crying | and sitting around as a noble sits?

Gû'sta gî dâ'g̲âgî̲ña'ñ gałgû'łwañ?

What | for | are you crying | and sitting around as a noble sits?

Perhaps when the chief-woman's fathers return from being angry with the Bella Bella people, that one (captured slave) next the fire will take care of you while you are lying about.

For what do you cry as you sit like a noble's child?

Perhaps when the chief-woman's fathers return from being angry with the Ninstints people, that one next to the door will take care of you while you are lying about.

For what do you cry as you sit like a noble's child?

35.

L̲

û'gua nAñ na'ng̲a sL!a-i dja'kia qî̲ndjâ'waxañ: wagi

gagî̲ña'ñ, wagi g̲â'łg̲ałwa'ñ q!oldjida, q!oldjida, gadja'o

Perhaps you are crying and are moving around for your grandmother's hand, which was hurt on a wooden tray, chief-woman, chief-woman.

Notes

[1] A woman of this family had such a large hand, that she could pick up enough berries to fill a wooden tray. This story is referred to, but the wording is rather obscure.

36.

Dâ'gua g̲â'gwaiya' g̲â'gwaiya', dâ'gua, g̲â'gwaiya'

You ? | (whence) have been falling | have been falling, | you ? | (whence) have been falling,

g̲â'gwaiya'.

have been falling.

Dâ'gua g̲â'gwaiya' g̲â'gwaiya'

You ? | have been falling | have been falling

Sq!aos qâs gûs'tA gua da g̲â'gwaiya' g̲â'gwaiya' da

g̲â'gwaiya' g̲â'gwaiya'.

have been falling | have been falling.

Whence have you fallen, have you fallen? Whence have you fallen, have you fallen? [1]

Did you fall, fall, fall, fall, from the top of the salmon berry bushes?

Notes

[1] That is, "How did you come to us?"

37.

Ha-iłä' gîdona'; [1] ha-iłä' gîdona'.

Stop crying, | chief's child; | stop crying, | chief's child.

Hao î̲sî̲'ñ hî̲'ñ Lgua â gî̲tsî̲s gaodjuwa'-i hao dAñ gan

xêgî̲łdia' łî̲na'gûs. Ha-i wA'gî(ñ) g̲agîña'ñ g̲ałgâ'łwañ.

Ha-iła' gî̲thû'na g̲adjû'gAn.

Stop crying, | great chief's child | child of noble family sits

Hai hai gî̲thû'na' g̲adjû'gAn.

Now, | now, | great chief's child | child of noble family sits.

Ha-iłä' gîdona'; [1] ha-iłä' gîdona'.

Stop crying, | chief's child; | stop crying, | chief's child.

Hao î̲sî̲'ñ hî̲'ñ Lgua â gî̲tsî̲s gua'g̲Ana'-i hao dAn g̲An

qî̲'ñg̲ao dîa'o łî̲na'gûs. Ha-i wA'gî[ñ] g̲agîña'n

g̲ałgâ'łwañ

moving about seated.

Ha-iła' gî̲thû'na g̲adjû'gAn.

Stop crying, | great chief's child | child of noble family sits

Hai hai gî̲thû'na' g̲adjû'gAn.

Now, | now, | great chief's child | child of noble family sits.

Stop crying, child! Stop crying child!

I do not expect that drums will sound for you, the chief's child, again, for which you are moving about crying.

Stop crying, great chief's child!

Stop crying, child! Stop crying, child!

I do not expect that they are going to lay heavy planks for you, the chief's child, again, for which you are moving about crying.

Stop crying, great chief's child!

Stop crying, great chief's child! [2]

Notes

[1] Ha-ilä' gîdona' is equivalent to Lâ'na gut u'łda nAñgida's.

[2] All this refers to polatching and house-building.

38.

Ha dîdax̲ui'+gî'+ anA'ñ xAñgô' łAndjî'+wa'+s la+.

Towards the woods | some one | facing | sitting down (like common people) |he (who was sitting).

Dja Lana' q!o'g̲uga+ô+.

Say, | stop | telling lies.

DAñ siwułAndjû'gâ'+sga+[ha] djig̲A'ldAx̲wañ gî+djhao.

Your | mouth will be crooked | mosquito (i. e., common people) | people.

One sits here like a common person facing the woods.

Say, stop telling lies!

Your mouth will become crooked, mosquito people. [1]

Notes

[1] Some one uses the low-class word for "sitting down" to the child, and is told to stop or the wealthy will give away so many blankets as to put him to shame and "give him a bad name." That is what is meant by "your mouth will become crooked." Common people are called "mosquito people."

39.

HalA' sqada'l g̲ô'ñg̲a û skî̲tg̲adjû'giag̲Añ-ułdies.

Come, | chief's child's | father, | sing a song for the child (accompanied by drumming) | this morning.

Ła ag̲A'ña gutda'wonâ'g̲a hadigwa'ñ Q!ô'na qê'g̲awa'-i.

You | yourselves | make ready in mind | and time | Those-born-at-Skedans.

HalA' sqada'l g̲ô'ñg̲a û skî̲tg̲adjû'giag̲Añ-ułdies.

Come, | chief's child's | father, | sing a song for the child (accompanied by drumming) | this morning.

Ła ag̲A'ña gutda'wonâ'g̲a hadigwa'ñ Djî'gua ał lâ'nas.

You | yourselves | make ready in mind | and time | Town-of-Djî'gua-People.

HalA' sqada'l g̲ô'ñg̲a û skî̲tg̲adjû'giag̲Añ-ułdies.

Come, | chief's child's | father, | sing a song for the child (accompanied by drumming) | this morning.

Ła ag̲A'ña gutda'wonâ'g̲a hadigwa'ñ Dâ'g̲Añ sêl gîda'-i.

You | yourselves | make ready in mind | and time | Common -Food-Steamers.

Come, chief's child's father, sing a song for him, accompanied by drumming, this morning!

Be ready, Those-born-at-Skedans!

Come, chief's child's father, sing a song for him, accompanied by drumming, this morning!

Be ready, Town-of-Djî'gua-People!

Come, chief's child's father, sing a song for him, accompanied by drumming, this morning!

Be ready, Common-Food-Steamers! [1]

Notes

[1] The families are told to be on the alert for invitations to a potlatch, when the child will be tattooed, etc.

40.

AdAñ g̲ô'+ñg̲a nagâ'ga, adAñ g̲ô'+ñg̲a nag̲â'g̲a, Q!ô'na

kun sq!ê'na-i hao[a] ga ta g̲oñałxa'ndies.

sea-gulls | eating things are making cries.

Ga dAñ gîdag̲ałgâ'ł uga'ñ.

All these things | you | are going to move | proudly as you sit.

AdAñ g̲ô'+ñg̲a nagâ'ga, adAñ g̲ô'+ñg̲a nag̲â'g̲a, Gîlû'sAms

kun sq!ê'na-i hao[a] ga tâ g̲oñałxa'ndies.

sea-gulls | eating things are making cries.

Ga dAñ gîdag̲ałgâ'ł uga'ñ.

All these things | you | are going to move | proudly as you sit.

In your father's house, in your father's house, Cape Q!ô'na sea-gulls [1] make cries as they eat.

You are going to bear yourself proudly in the midst of these things.

In your father's house, in your father's house, Nass Inlet sea-gulls make cries as they eat.

You are going to bear yourself proudly in the midst of these things.

Notes

[1] That is, those invited to the potlatch.

41.

HalA' gagî'ñ gu, halA' gagî'ñ gu,

Come, | let us take (the baby) on our knees | there; come, | let us take (the baby) on our knees | there.

G̲ô'ñg̲a na'g̲a qAłi gutgî g̲ag̲aga'ñ, gutgî g̲ag̲aga'ñ.

HalA' gagî'ñ gu, halA' gagî'ñ gu,

Come, | let us take it on our knees, | come, | let us take it on our knees.

Come, let us take (the baby) on our knees! Come, let us take (the baby) on our knees!

Hand it to one another inside of its father's house, hand it to one another!

Come, let us take it on our knees! Come, let us take it on our knees!

42.

Hao da'lAñ La'a hao da'lAñ La tcîna'-i lanâ'ga [1] gut gîda

gAnłg̲ałdiâ'n,

walking about,

DalA'n sg̲un ya'dañs gî'tsîs, dalA'ñ ya'daga.

Sqada'ls dalA'ñ ya'dag̲a,

Great ones | you | are fit to be,

Gî̲tsî̲'s dalA'ñ ya'dag̲a.

Chiefs' children | you | are fit to be.

You walk about as chiefs' children in your grandfather's town.

Only you are fit to be chiefs' children.

You are fit to be sqada'l (close relatives of chiefs).

You are fit to be chiefs' children.

Notes

[1] Sometimes qaqa'ng̲a ("his town"), perhaps qag̲a'og̲a, was substituted for lanâ'g̲a.

43. Stasa'os qê'g̲awa-i

Wa'L̲u dî'nAñ gîda' kûx̲iâ'ñgwansî' L̲u gî̲ñxAn sî'łg̲et a'ñg̲a

ła q!â'-ugwañ.

I sit -around.

When my child becomes a youth, I shall vainly sit around alone (for he will go to live with his uncle).

44.

Gî̲'tî̲n-dja'tg̲añ îanã+ñ sû'wañ.

Eagle | woman of his own | he married | he says.

Adî'dAx̲ua xA'nhao wag̲a gâ'djiwañ sû'ugAñ.

Here behind us | yet | his (wife) | is sitting, | he says.

Adî'dAx̲ua xA'nhao wag̲a gâ'djiwañ sû'ugAñ.

Here behind us | yet | his (wife) | is sitting, | he say,.

Ha'lA wag̲a da'osgian dî'gô.

Come, | his(wife) | let us all go | and get!

Ha'lA wag̲a da'osgian dî'gô.

Come, | his(wife) | let us all go | and get!

Adî'dAx̲ua xA'nhao wag̲a gâ'djiwan sû'ugAñ.

Here behind us | yet | his (wife) | is sitting, | he say,.

Ha'lA wag̲a da'osgian dî'gô.

Come, | his(wife) | let us all go | and get!

He says he has married his own Eagle woman.

Here behind us he says his wife is sitting.

Come, let us go and get her!

Here behind us he says his wife is sitting.

Come, let us go and get her!

45.

DAñ sg̲u'nxA'n gua djâ'ada kudjû'diawîs,

You | are not the only one | woman | we who belong to a low family,

DAñ sg̲u'nxA'n gua djâ'ada kudjû'diawîs,

You | are not the only one | woman | we who belong to a low family,

Djia'djats hao qoa'nga,

Women | are plenty,

Djia'djats hao qoan kuha'oga.

Women | plenty | belonging to a low class.

You are not the only woman of our low-class family,

You are not the only woman of our low-class family.

There are plenty of women,

There are plenty of low-class women. [1]

Notes

[1] This contains a polite self-abasement, which is of course intended to be taken in exactly the opposite sense.

46. Sqoâ'ładas

WA'g̲a xê'gañ qeñgî̲'ndala-i (four times)

His (son or daughter) making a great noise went by on the water.

Agua ga'-idjîx̲uihao.

I wonder which way he is going (i. e., the child)!

WA'g̲a xê'gañ qeñgî̲'ndala-i

His (son or daughter) making a great noise went by on the water.

A'gua gwaisku'ngwi.

It must be towards the north point of the islands.

His great son (the child) went by upon the water with a great noise.

I wonder whither he is going!

His great son went by upon the water with a great noise.

Perhaps to North Island (to invite the people to a potlatch).

47.

Hî hîyaihîya gwa-i kî'lsLa-i hao ahai'ya aya q!ai'gî̲ndalAñ

Island | chief | this | was coming

ł gûdA'ñ hao îhî ahaiya

I thought, but

Kî̲lsLa'-is Lua'-i L!a qê̲ngî̲ndala-i, hî hîyai hîya.

Chief's | canoe, | however, | comes greatly.

I thought the island chief [1] was coming,

But the chief's canoe comes greatly. [2]

Notes

[1] The "island chief" probably refers to Raven or another supernatural being.

[2] That is the canoe of this infant.

48.

Ayâ'ña kî'lsLa-i ga'ña (four times).

Be careful of | chief | my own.

Dja Lan ła q!ô'gug̲ag̲o.

Say, | stop | biting.

DAñ si-û' djigu'ldAx̲wañ gîda'-i.

Your month might become crooked | mosquitoes | common things.

Be careful of my chief.

Stop biting!

Your mouth might become crooked, common mosquitoes. [1]

Notes

[1] The singer is probably drawing an analogy between the biting of mosquitoes and bad words used towards the rich by common people, who are called "mosquitoes."

49.

Dâ gut gua g̲agwai'ya g̲agwai'ya; qa'-idjis qâs gû'stA

g̲agwai'ya sq!aos qâs gû'stA g̲agwai'ya.

to fall in; | salmon-berry bush | top | from | to fall in.

Did you make up your mind to fall (into the cradle), to fall in from the top of a spruce-tree, to fall in from the top of a salmon-berry bush?

50.

Â'dAñ gô'ñg̲a nâ'g̲ag̲a adA'ñ tcî̲'ng̲a nâ'g̲a adA'ñ tcî̲'ng̲a

nâ'g̲a,

house,

Gilû'sAms [1] sq!ê'na-i ga tag̲ô'nałxandles ga dAñ qoya'

gâ'łg̲ałwañ.

move about highly.

Â'dAñ gô'ñg̲a nâ'g̲ag̲a Łg̲ai-û'kun sq!ê'na-i ga tag̲ô'ñal-

xandies g̲a dAñ gî'dag̲ałgAł.

eating | in, | you | get higher all the time (receiving more tattoo-marks, etc.)

In your father's house, in your (grandfather's house, in your grandfather's house,

Where Nass Inlet sea-gulls (i. e., the Nass people) make noises as they eat, you, dear, move highly.

In your father's house, where Skidegate Point sea-gulls (i. e., Skidegate people) make a noise as they eat, you get higher (i. e., become a greater chief) all the time.

Notes

[1] The second time this was sung, Q!ô'na kun ("Q!ô'na Point") was substituted for Gilû'sAms.

51.

Ayâ'ña î'ldjao yaña x̲î'lsîs gañâ'ñ gu'tg̲ei dalA'ñ x̲î̲'ldjî̲

qê̲'ndaldiasga.

to grow.

Ayâ'ña kî'lsLa-i g̲â'ña, ayâ'ña kî'lsLa-i g̲â'ña.

Be careful, my noble sons! you will grow to one another like leaves.

Be careful, my own chief! Be careful, my own chief!

52.

#̶#̶#̶ L̶

g̲â'xet gî̲tî̲na'-i.

Â'gua t!a'g̲agua g̲agî̲'ñañ awâ'gua kî̲'lsLa-i?

Right here | for it | crying | sitting right here, | chief?

Â'gua t!a'g̲agua g̲agî̲'ñañ awâ'gua kî̲'lsLa-i?

Right here | for it | crying | sitting right here, | chief?

Â'gua ha'yat xA'nhao djâ'sasg̲aña dAñ g̲ô'tg̲a djî'ldasg̲a

kî̲'lsLa-i?

chief?

Lg̲â'natsg̲â'ña sq!ens is ga t'ag̲Añalxañg̲A'ns g̲aña'ñ dAñ

xê'tg̲a sûsgî̲'ñgAs kî̲'lsLa-i.

in front of | say is going to be | chief.

Â'gua t!a'g̲agua g̲agî̲'ñañ awâ'gua kî̲'lsLa-i?

Right here | for it | crying | sitting right here, | chief?

Are you crying for it, chief?

Are you crying for your sisters, that you be seated up higher (on a pile of blankets)?

For your cousins, that there be people in front of you as numerous as if people made sea-gulls cry, being obliged to step on them,--

For those things are you crying here, chief?

53.

Dîg̲a g̲â'goaya+, Dîg̲a g̲â'goaya+, yê hê hê,

To me | you came, | to me | you came, | yê hê hê,

Dîg̲a g̲â'goaya, Dîg̲a g̲â'goaya.

To me | you came, | to me | you came,

Awa'-i L!a'hao dî'ga dîna'ñ ga gwaiya'gAn.

Awa'-i L!a'hao dî'ga dîna'ñ gî̲t gwaiya'gAn.

Awa'-i gâ'dji wêhê, [1]

Mother | of noble family | mother,

Awa'-i gâ'dji awa'-i, (four times)

Mother | of noble family | mother,

You came to me, you came to me, yê hê he!

You came to me, you came to me.

You came walking to me, calling me "mother," instead of to some one else.

To me my child, who is a chief's child, came walking, calling me "mother,"

Mother of noble family,

Mother of noble family, mother of noble family, mother of noble family, mother of noble family.

Notes

[1] Equivalent to awa'-i.

54.

Gûgu's gi la gî̲tgî̲ñâ'+ñ?

What | for | he (or she) | is crying like a noble's son [gî̲t]?

Gûgu's gi la gałgałwa'ñ?

What | for | he | moves around?

Atcî'na-i nâ'ga-i gî la kungî̲ña'ñ [1] g̲ałgałwa's ahî'gua, etc.

Why does he cry as a noble cries (i.e., softly)?

Why does he move around as he sits?

He moves around and cries for grandfather's house.

Notes

[1] Equivalent to gî̲'tgî̲ñañ.

55. Yâ'kᵘ gîtîna'-i

(Words in Tlingit)

Ya'naxê, ya'naxê; â'hao; ya'naxê, ya'naxê. [1]

Gadjî'djûs dûqał dAsgî x̲ûkᵘ yana.

his dog

WAgakîda kAda'ostêdja.

Haida Equivalent.

Xa'as xA'nhao qê'gas wa'g̲a A'ñga k!û'g̲agA'ñga:

Wa'ałhao A'ñg̲a ga dî k!ûga'gAñ.

That is why | mine | I | love.

Even dogs love their offspring:

So I love mine.

Notes

[1] This line is repeated several times.

56.

Îhîyîyaha, etc.

Q!êt g̲â'atg̲ê dAñ tcî'ng̲añ a L! dA'lgî̲ns L̲û dAñ g̲ê'dAñgî̲n

gaña'ñ dAñ g̲êtg̲â'ñAñ dâ gûdAña'owus dâ ku'ngî̲ñansa.

LL̲û ga g̲ê'dAñgî̲n gaña'ñ wA'ga g̲e'daowus.

Olden things times | were | like | that way | it is now.

XA'ldAñ dâ'g̲ans xA'nhao gu'lxa lâs dâ'g̲ax̲ida.

Îhiya, etc.

Îhîyîyaha, etc.

You cry because you want to dance as you used to when guests came through the strait [1] to you.

It is not now as it was in olden times.

Even slaves (that is, members of other families besides the Yakᵘ gî̲'tî̲na-i) are beginning to own good abalone shells.

Îhiya, etc.

Notes

[1] The strait is probably Skidegate Channel.

57.

Hî hî ha hî, etc.

Lan L!a ku'ngî̲ñañ.

Stop, | however, | crying.

Lan L!a kû'djiû.

Stop, | how-ever, | and sit down.

Łima'n sqâ'lAña-i dA'ñg̲a gu'tg̲An kûdA'sdiga,

(Kind of skin) | stowed away | yours | lies in many | caches one after the other.

Î̲'sî̲ñ qâ'łi gut dâ kûx̲iâ'ñgwa'ñgasañ

Again | inside (of house) | you | will go round.

Lan a [1] sg̲a'-ił kî̲lsLa'-i I qê'gAn. [2]

Hî hî ha hî, etc.

But stop crying!

Stop and sit down!

Your łimA'n blankets lie stowed away in many storehouses.

Again you will go round inside of the house.

Stop crying, chief I bore!

Hî hî ha hî, etc.

Notes

[1] Equivalent to ła.

[2] The word dîna'ñg̲An ("my son") is sometimes substituted for ł qê'gAn.

58.

Îhî îhî hî, etc.

Gû'gus t!a'g̲ahas dînA'ñ kûñgî̲ñâ'ñodig̲añ?

What | for | my child | sits crying,

Gu'lxas t!a'g̲a gwA dînA'ñ kuñgî̲ña'ño?

Abalone-shells for my child cries?

DAñ gaña'ñ g̲wA dî kî̲lsLia'wus qâñ ł qê'gAn.

You | like | ? | I | sit a chief, | my uncle | I | bore.

Îhî îhî hî, etc.

For what does my child cry?

Does my child cry for abalone-shells?

Like you I sit as a chief, uncle [1] that I bore?

Notes

[1] One of the parents' ancestors is reborn: therefore the child is called "uncle."

59.

Lî̲'ñgua xAldâ'ñgAñ q!ô'łg̲et [ahîyîa]

Why is it | your slave | close by,

Hao dâ î̲lgîyâ'gAñAñ dâ sûkû'djiwañ?

You | want something you cannot get, | you | say?

DAñ qô'naga kûdjû'g̲eda qâñ ł qê'g̲An.

You | are too foolish, | my uncle I | bore.

Why do you cry for something that you cannot get,

Sitting close by your slave? [1]

You are very foolish, uncle I bore.

Notes

[1] The mother calls herself the child's "slave" in jest. An "uncle" is reborn in the child.

60.

(For Girls.)

Îhîhîa, îhîhîa (many times).

Tâ'-idAldans dî'txa xA'nhao dî'nAñ kû'sqetgwansi L̲û sq!ao-

Waves behind even my child looks around when salmon-

g̲âns q!ana's at dî'nAñ dî gî̲ñqô'nañgasañ.

berries unripe with my child one will fool.

Îhîhîa, îhîhîa.

Îhîhîa, îhîhîa, etc.

When my child looks around behind the waves even, she

will fool me with unripe salmon-berries. [1]

Îhîhîa, îhîhîa.

Notes

[1] I could get no clew to the significance of these words, which are evidently partly metaphorical.

61.

I hîyaha, etc.

GustA gî'hao dî'nañ kuñgî̲ñâ'ñgAñ?

What | for | my child | cries?

Q!ô'na kun xê'txa kuL̲î̲'ndala-igi î'sîñ g̲ê'da kuL̲indâ'lg̲asan

q!o'lg̲An djâ'g̲a?

my master's | wife

Îhî', etc.

I hîyaha, etc.

For what is my child crying?

Does she cry to pass along again by canoe in front of Point Q!ô'na, my master's wife? [1]

Îhî', etc.

Notes

[1] By saying "master's wife," the singer implies that her child will marry a higher chief than herself. "Passing along again" refers to the former existence of the child. Point Q!ô'na is near Nasto.

62.

(For Boys. [1])

Ayî'hiya, ayî'hiya (many times).

Dâ î̲sî̲'ñ gut lâ'g̲aasañ Łg̲ai-û' l'nagâ'-i qâñ ł qê'gAn.

Ayî'hiya, ayî'hiya (many times).

Ayî'hiya, ayî'hiya, etc.

You will again be happy there in Skidegate town, [2] uncle I bore.

Ayî'hiya, ayî'hiya, etc.

Notes

[1] Song No. 62 is said also to be used for girls, with some changes in wording.

[2] The Yâ'kᵘ gî̲tî̲nâ'-i are said to have lived originally in the middle of Skidegate village.

63.

I hî'hîa.

Gû'sgihao dâ kungiñâ'ñwañ?

What | you | are crying for?

Xâ'na-qa'łi gî gua dâ ku'ñgîñañ?

Skidegate Inlet | for | ? | you | cry?

Î̲'sî̲ñ sta dAñ kî'iñawasañ.

Again | from | you | will have news sent around about you.

I hî'hîa.

What are you crying for?

Do you cry for Skidegate Inlet?

Again from there you will have news spread around about you (when your husband puts up a house-pole).

64.

GadA'ldiañ, gadA'ldiañ (many times),

How great you are, | how great you are!

Sû'digwañ gî'dadiañ, gî'dadian (last word repeated several times)

They said | belonging to a high family, | belonging to a high family

A da'lañ siñq!a'odag̲a ag̲ê'gî at t!â'g̲wus k!î'tayû'-g̲adas

wa'at sg̲un gîdâ'diañ sûdî'gwañ. [1]

with it | only | belong to a high family, | they say.

How great you are, how great you are! etc.,

They say belonging to a high family, belonging to a high family, etc.

In exchange you throw a great copper into the gambling stick bag. [1] They say those with this are the only ones who belong to a high family.

Notes

[1] This is difficult to translate. Reference is made to a chief of this family who always staked a copper when he gambled, and invariably won.

65. Qâ'-iał lâ'nas

(Songs of Qâ-i l'nagâ'-i.)

Qâ-i dî'txa+ ł qî'ñgwañ qa'odî+ kî'lsLa-i łîñ ł qê'xa

kA'nx̲ida-i+.

boy just big enough to walk.

Aiyâ'ña, aiyâ'ña, kî'lsLa-igan.

Take care, | take care, | my own chief!

Aiyâ'ña qî'ñgêtg̲añ.

Take care, | my own master (or chief)!

While I was looking around behind Sea-Lion Town, I found the future chief, a boy just big enough to walk.

Take care, take care, my own chief!

Take care, my own master!

66.

Qâ-ig̲agî+djat î+niä'nai ga ai î'î'îangAn.

A woman of Qa-i | went out and married, | went out and married.

L! łqax̲iasLaia'si gu L̲û qê'da-i hao gao-uła'ñ gua kî'lsLa-

ig̲â'+na.

my own.

One went to Sea-Lion Town to marry.

They were going to call him, but the chief's canoe was gone in the morning, my own chief. [1]

Notes

[1] An incident in the family history is involved. When they set out to call the chief who was going to marry, the canoe was gone. It was customary for the chief to give a canoe when one of his family married. This is probably referred to.

67.

Tcî'nAñ sî̲łg̲â' nAñ kûgwai'ya [1] skoa'gagî̲n g̲ê'tgagî [2] hao.

Lû'g̲a gû'g̲a ga sLdA'ldañ Lûg̲agû'g̲a ga qî̲ngiñgî̲'ñg̲a;

Wa'g̲An dî'nA+ñ hî'dja+ła-i wa'g̲An dî'nAñ kudjû'gaasañ.

Yâ'ña, yâ'ña, kî̲lsLa'-ig̲an. Yâ'ña, yâ'ña, kî̲'ñg̲etg̲an.

My child is a boy because he is going to do as his grandfather did when one went to his place long ago.

After he had been there, his canoe was so deeply laden (with gifts), that they had to put the weather-boards on it (to increase its capacity);

For it my child is going to be a leader.

Be careful, be careful, my chief! Be careful, be careful, my master!

Notes

[1] Equivalent to qa'g̲a.

[2] Equivalent to g̲ê'tgaqa.

68.

Gut sî'+łg̲adaga'ñ xA'nhao kî'g̲a kuqêda's at (a) lA

kia'gañao gûdâ'gû.

call it sitting | thought he would.

KîlsLa'-i kugwê'dalañ [1] sûwa'ñ.

Chief | while walking hither | he said.

Â'yaña kî'ng̲et gô'ñg̲a łiñga'n.

Be careful | chief's | father | is going to be!

Dî'nAñ ayâ'ña q!o'ldjat xâ'tg̲a lî̲ñgA'n dîna'ñ.

My child | be careful, | chief-woman | father | is going to be my child.

He thinks he would use high-sounding names, one after the other, (to the others of his own family.) [2]

He says the chief comes walking.

Be careful of the future chief's father!

Be careful of my child, the future chief-woman's father!

Notes

[1] Kugwê'dalañ ("while walking hither") is a low-class word referring to the chief himself.

[2] The child is supposed to call others of his family by aristocratic names, and himself by a low one.

69.

(Songs of Kaisun.)

Qoandî'gîni qoandî'gîni kî̲'lsLa-i+,

There used to be plenty, | there used to be plenty, | chief,

DAñ nâ'g̲a ga L!a'hao qoa'ndîgî̲nî kî̲'lsLa-i+;

Qoandî'gîni qoandî'gîni kî̲'lsLa-i+,

There used to be plenty, | there used to be plenty, | chief,

Qoandî'gîni qoandî'gîni kî̲'lsLa-i+,

There used to be plenty, | there used to be plenty, | chief,

Lgua' nAñ L! tâ'ng̲a hû'gAñgî̲n kî̲ndâ'la wA k!ia'og̲a gî ła

gâgîñâ'ñ-gałgał.

you cry and move.

Qoandî'gîni, qoandî'gîni kî̲'lsLa-i; qoandî'gîni, qoandî'gîni,

There used to be plenty, | there used to be plenty, | chief, there used to be plenty, | there used to be plenty.

kî̲'lsLa-i.

chief.

There used to be plenty, there used to be plenty, chief,

There used to be plenty in your house, chief;

There used to be plenty, there used to be plenty, chief;

There used to be plenty, there used to be plenty, chief.

You cry and move about to see them come by canoe (to the potlatch), great chief.

There used to be plenty, there used to be plenty, chief;

there used to be plenty, there used to be plenty, chief.

70.

Ała qî̲'ñgugâ'ñgaña'-i, ała qî̲'ñgugâ'ñgaña'-i.

I | used to see it, | I | used to see it.

DAñ nâ'g̲ag̲a ła'ahao t!aog̲ô's g̲ôdâ'gañas hao gut at

g̲atkî̲ñdag̲A'ñdiesi ał [1] dAñ kî'î̲ña kî'nłgaługani.

make a noise by knocking against | with | you | news of | goes about as you move about.

Ała qî̲'ñgugâ'ñgaña'-i, ała qî̲'ñgugâ'ñgaña'-i. (an indefinite number of times).

I | used to see it, | I | used to see it.

DA'ñ nâ'g̲ag̲a ła'ahao malê'łga-i łga'djudia's (so) a'ł dAñ

Your | house in | cranberry-bushes, | grew of | you

kî'î̲ña kî̲'nłgAługanî.

news of | goes about.

Ała qî̲'ñgugâ'ñgaña'-i, ała qî̲'ñgugâ'ñgaña'-i.

I | used to see it, | I | used to see it.

I used to see it, I used to see it.

News went about that boxes made of coppers in your house sounded as they knocked one another.

I used to see it, I used to see it.

News went about of cranberry-bushes growing in your house.

I used to see it, I used to see it.

Notes

[1] Equivalent to at ("with").

71.

Û+hua', [1] û+hua', ûhua'-a-a,

Loftiest one, | loftiest one, | loftiest one,

DAñ nâ'g̲a ga L!a qoa'ndîgînî gua kî'lsLa-i.

Your | house | in there was formerly plenty, | ? | chief.

Gî'na uhua', uhua', qâłi sku'na yûdA'lgAñAs a,

Something, | greatest one, | greatest one, | inside (some thing) big | smells strongly,

U'hua, û'hua, qî'ndal?

Loftiest one, | loftiest one, | mightiest one?

Loftiest one, loftiest one, loftiest one,

There used to be plenty in your house, chief.

Does not something big (i. e., a whale) smell strongly in your house,

Loftiest, loftiest, mightiest chief?

Notes

[1] Ûhua' is a very high word, only applied to one or two chiefs who attained especially great power.

72.

Û'hua qî̲nda'l, û'hua qî̲nda'l (ła)

Mightiest | chief, | mightiest | chief,

T!ak!î'ng̲âña ga La' qî'nwa-i g̲aatxA'n qî̲'ndju,

His own children | go to (to be born) | (be born from) come out of | without it (why not) | chief,

Û'hua qî̲nda'l, û'hua qî̲nda'l, û'hua qî̲nda'l, ła?

Û'hua qî̲nda'l, û'hua qî̲nda'l ła,

Mightiest | chief, | mightiest | chief,

Gî'sto dAñ L̲û yû'ga a'wañ qî̲'ndju,

Who | you | as | large | settled down | chief,

Û'hua qî̲nda'l, û'hua qî̲nda'l?

Mightiest | chief, | mightiest | chief?

Mightiest chief, mightiest chief,

Why did not he (G̲adag̲a') choose to be born from his own grandchildren (instead of from some of his sisters' children), chief,

Mightiest chief, mightiest chief, mightiest chief?

Mightiest chief, mightiest chief,

Who is settled down into such affluence as he (G̲adag̲a'), [1]

Mightiest chief, mightiest chief?

Notes

[1] G̲adag̲a', according to story, was the greatest chief of the People-of-Sea-Lion-Town.

73. Nâ'-ikun qê'g̲awa-i

Î'djî̲sigwA'ns gî dî'nAñ gwa'wañ sû'wasi.

Not a common woman at all | my child | he refuses | says.

Wa'gî dî'+nAñ gwa'wañ nAñ sû'wasi.

To it | my child | refuses, | some one | says.

A'ñg̲a xA'nhao înasû'wa gî̲tî̲'n-djats xAn A'ñg̲a ina'suwê+,

A'ñg̲a xA'nhao înasî'ñgwañ.

His own | just there | he will marry.

Even a noble woman my child says he refuses.

One says he refuses her.

He wants just that Eagle woman for himself (indicating a particular one),

Just that one he will marry.

74.

Dja'+djâts L!aha'o lâ, dja'+djâts L!aha'o lâ.

Women are better (than men), women are better (than men).

Dja'+djâts L!a kîñgê'diasLa.

Women have more property.

KîlsLa-i'g̲an k!îsLa'-i dAñ g̲ê'tgwañ axAn?

My chiefs men of one's own family) | chiefs | you | are | where?

Women are better (than men), women are better (than men).

Women have more property.

Chiefs of my family, where are you?

75.

(Masset Dialect. [1])

#̶#̶#̶ L̶

î'ê̲lAñ qê'awa-i.

Êya hâ hiê', etc.

Qâ'gaig̲aña nâ'g̲a L!ao Skî̲'lsî̲s xê'gAndigi wa'di kuñgî̲ña'ñ uga'-i.

Wa'di kû'djiwa ê'ya hâ hîê!, etc.

For it | sits greatly.

Êya hâ hiê', etc.

But he (or she) is crying for the noise Skî̲'lsî̲s (now reborn) makes in his uncles' houses (at the potlatch).

For it he sits greatly.

Notes

[1] In the songs the Masset catch ? is strengthened to Skidegate g̲.

76.

Gîsta L!ao dag̲a'sado sî'liya dâ skA'ndAñ kudjû'gi[gê+]

Who | but | will own it | after it | you | are crying | are sitting

dô'nê ałdjî'wai? [1]

younger brother | are sitting?

But do you sit crying over who will afterwards own it, younger brother of good family?

Notes

[1] Or kû'djiwai.

77.

#̶#̶#̶ L̶

î'ê̲lAñ kun l'nagâ'-i.

Â'gua nâ'nAñ Lga gut dî'nañ ku-i-ê̲'ndalane.

Wa'g̲an st!a'g̲a kudja'oanê.

For it | his foot | is dear.

GAm ła ku'ñgî̲ñañ Añ.

Not | you | cry (excl.)!

My child walks proudly upon his grandmother's land.

His dear foot is for that (i. e., to walk on it).

Do not cry!

78.

Nanaig̲a'ña LAga' sg̲â'nas gu'lxas q!ołda's L̲û sg̲â'nas gî

h kiä'igañgî̲n.

I | called.

GAm gî̲n gu dê gudA'ñañ hai.

Nothing | I wish to eat (?) | now.

When the supernatural beings stole abalone-shells from grandmother's land, I called to the supernatural beings.

Nothing I wish to eat (?).

79.

Tcî'nAñ lû'g̲a giû'gulaga, tcî'nAñ lû'g̲a giû'gulaga.

StA L!ao tcînA'ñ sî'g̲a gut kû'djûgiag̲andalanê.

(He) listens for grandfather's [1] wave, he listens for grandfather's wave;

But afterwards he goes along upon grandfather's sea, stopping every now and then on the way.

Notes

[1] The "grandfather" here referred to is probably Raven.

80.

Â'gua nâ'nAñ Lga gut kû'łgałguña'-i g̲An wag̲A'n sL!a'gA

kudjâ'wan. [1]

dear.

Use your hands, my dear, to walk about upon grandmother's land.

Notes

[1] Kudjâ'wan is also a "high word" for "to sit."

81.

Gia'g̲Añ L!ao yuâ'ndaga-i, gia'g̲Añ L!ao yuâ'ndaga-i.

Hao q!a'lî̲ñAs yuâ'ndaga-i, hao q!a'lî̲ñAs yuâ'ndaga-i.

Gia'g̲Añ L!ao yuâ'ndaga-i, hao q!a'lî̲ñAs yuâ'ndaga-i.

My crests, | however, | are very large, this | image | is very large.

Ła L!ao gaog̲ê'łdasañ, ła L!ao gaog̲ê'łdasañ.

Hao q!a'lAñAs yuâ'ndaga-i, hao q!a'lAñAs yuâ'ndaga-i.

My crests (as carved) are very large, my crests are very large.

This image is very large, this image is very large.

My crests are very large, this image is very large.

I will put them away, I will put them away.

This image is very large, this image is very large.

82.

A LAga-i yuku'ndjudasi î'ñgut sg̲â'nas û dalA'ñ yê̲'dada-dîgînî.

Supernatural beings used to leave you on this point of land (i. e., Rose Spit).

83. SL!êña lâ'nas

HawA'nô qô'g̲odAñ Skî̲'lsî̲s l'nagâ'-i.

Still | stands | Skî̲'lsî̲s's | town.

GAm ł dî'gu ku'ñgîñañAñ.

Not | upon me (my knees) | cry.

Skî̲'lsî̲s's town still stands.

Do not cry upon my knees!

84.

Yê̲n dAñ î̲'skudals L̲û gAm ł dî'gu ku'ñgîñañAñ hAñ.

Truly | you are chief (or "dear") if not you on my (imp.) (knees) cry!

Dî gwa ga lgaiqendigwA'ñus.

I | am not rich.

If you are truly a chief (reborn), do not cry upon my knees!

I am not rich. [1]

Notes

[1] The child is scolded as being a reborn chief, and too great to cry.

85.

Gû'gus t!ao dAñ sû'kudjiwañ gia'ga t!a'gwa?

What | for | you | are crying | things (clothing) | for?

WAsk!iên a'ña dAñ giA'nda kudjû'asañ.

But | yours | you | shall wear | chief (or "dear").

For what do you cry, chief (or dear)? For clothing?

You shall wear it, chief (or dear).

86.

Nañ g̲êst' dî'na qoga'-iwas L̲û naas g̲adô' dî'na kû'sqedA-

gwañasañ.

and look.

Î'ldjao dA'ñAł kuda'ltc!aasañ.

Chief (or rich man)| with | my dear will enter.

When my child goes out of his house, he will walk around among the houses and look about.

With chiefs (only) my dear will enter.

87. Skî'daoqao [1]

DAñ tcîn łk!iä'nao dAn dA qä'tcû kû'udAñ.

G̲A'ił?Añ kû'sL̲î̲gAł.

To yourself | go straight up.

Your grandfather's canoe is looking for you, dear.

Go straight up to it.

Notes

[1] Sung also as a "proud song" (?â'ł?agadAñ s?â'lAna-i).

88.

ULa'mAn g̲î'łgîgasLas L̲û tc!a'Añ gut ku'sg̲etgîñ.

ULa'mAn | is on the sea (in sight) | when his canoe companions | upon | the captain looked about.

A ł agA'ñ kî̲'lSLia kudjû'da.

Make yourself a chief's son, | dear.

Haiya kî'lsLa-i, haiya kî̲'lsLa-i, ha'oîsîn kî̲'lsLa-igan.

When ULa'mAn [1] lay in sight on the sea, the captain looked about upon his companions (allowing them to relax their efforts).

Make yourself a chief's son, dear.

Again he is a chief, is a chief, is a chief.

Notes

[1] ULa'mAn is a long, low hill near Rose Spit, generally the first sighted by canoes from Port Simpson and neighboring places in the Tsimshian country. The mother is probably thinking of the time when her child will come home from trading with the Tsimshian. A third song, which I was unable to obtain in Haida, tells in the first verse about intermarriages between the young men of the Skî̲'daoqao and young women of the StA'stas; in the second verse, of intermarriage with women of the Gî̲tî̲'ns of Masset.

Mourning-Songs

89.

(Kî'łdjao qaga'n or S?ai'ga s?alAña.)

(Masset Dialect.)

Yakᵘ lâ'nas.

Hao gua dAñ qâ'gułAgî.

? | you | are going down.

Djîg̲ô'es gu qagû'łAga kuda'l.

Sun there is going down, dear.

Are you going down?

The sun there is going down, dear, [1]

Notes

[1] The dead man is likened to the sun.

90.

Qeda'o gu wa qeda'o gu wa, gada'-i łi qêga'na.

Qeda'o gwa wa, qêda'o gwa wa.

Did warriors kill you, did warriors kill you, dear daughter that I bore?

Did warriors kill you, did warriors kill you?

Notes

[1] Literally, "did."

91.

Qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoya'sga

It becomes too much, | it becomes too much, | dear.

Qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoya'sga

It becomes too much, | it becomes too much, | dear.

Qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoya'sga

It becomes too much, | it becomes too much, | dear.

Qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoang̲ê'dAñ, qoya'sga

It becomes too much, | it becomes too much, | dear.

It becomes too much, it becomes too much, dear. [1]

It becomes too much, it becomes too much, dear.

Notes

[1] That is, my grief is too great to bear.

92. SL!ê̲'ña lâ'nas

Gû'stas Lî'nañ a q!ê'nañ ana'ñ xî'ladîgwañdañ?

What | (nothing) | myself | certain thing | shall use for medicine?

Gû'stas Lî'nañ a q!ê'nañ ana'ñ xî'ladîgwañdañ?

What | (nothing) | myself | certain thing | shall use for medicine?

Q!ê'nañ a dî Ałkû'skîdêgwañ.

For myself | I | have nothing.

Qoya's dAñ xAñhî̲ña'-i.

Dear | your | face.

What medicine shall I use (in my affliction)?

What medicine shall I use?

I have nothing to comfort me.

Your dear face (I long for).

93. [1]

Qo-ês LLî̲'ñalAñ ?a-i ł kusî't!Ał.

Clouds | open with your hands | through, | look down.

DAñ łû'yî̲ña-i dAñ xA'ñî̲ña-i.

Your | body all | your | face all (we wish to see).

Parting the clouds with your hands, look down (from Tâ'xet's house).

We wish to see your body and your face.

Notes

[1] Sung only by the women of this family.

94. [1]

K!iwa'-i L! nAñ qä'ñAs L̲û gwî nAñ qa'-idañ.

Gwai'yê dAñ â'łdjiwa-i.

Elder brother, | your | whole body.

If I could see the trail (of the dead), I would enter upon it.

Elder brother, (I want to see) your whole body.

Notes

[1] Sung by a man named Skî̲lqoê'Las for his brother.

95. [1]

Gîn st!ê'dîguña-i gwai'yai,

Something (= you) makes my heart sick (or very sad), | elder brother,

Gîn st!ê'dîguña-i.

Something makes my heart sick.

Something (i. e., the loss of you) makes my heart sick, elder brother.

Something makes my heart sick.

Notes

[1] Sung by the same man as Song 94.

96.

Ha'k!un dAñ gudA'ns k!iê̲n gu gAm qe'id LAk!ala ?a dî

Like that | you | thought | although | ? | not | tree | shelter of | in

dAñ q!a'odañ-ûdja.

you | seated me?

If you thought so (i. e., if you chose to die), why did you not seat me in the shelter of a tree? [1]

Notes

[1] The last part of this is metaphorical. It means, "Why did you die so suddenly?"

97. Tâs lâ'nas

[This was composed by Qadjiqô'kᵘ when his niece was drowned in Q!a'nAn River, and her body could not be found.]

Gû'stas, gî ł da'-indAgwAñgAñ?

What | for | I | poor one | searching?

Hâ'djadia nâ'da-i.

Alas! | my niece.

For what am I, unfortunate one, looking?

Alas! my niece.

98. T!ô'łk!a gî̲tAnâ'-i [1]

LA'gas dAñ qä'ñ kû'gits L̲û agA'ñ ł kû stAñ gî̲'ndagiâ'ñaxAñ.

If you had seen land, beloved, you would have saved yourself, dear. [2]

Notes

[1] Sung by the wife of one lost at sea.

[2] This is merely the sense of the Haida.

99. Family Doubtful

GAm ła î'L!dA qe'g̲axañg̲o (repeated over and over).

Not | you at us | look.

Do not look at us.

100. [1]

DalA'ñ gu kî̲'lsta-us dî L!ao gAm kî'lstastA dî gudA'ñhAñgAn.

Your | ? | voices are tired, | I | but | not | have a tired voice | I | want to.

Your voices are tired, but I do not want to have a tired voice (i. e., I do not want to cease wailing).

Notes

[1] Perhaps a song of the Lîê̲lAñ qê'awa-i.

Miscellaneous Songs

101. Battle-Song (Gu î̲sda's s?â'lAña-i) of the ?ao sL!an l'nagâ'-i

(Masset Dialect.)

Â'gua Skî̲'lsîs l'nagâ'-i ?ai'ya g̲ag̲ô'das hô.

Here | Skî̲'lsîs's | town | lies.

DAñ gua gû'la dô'na-i (repeated four times).

You | ? | think it good | younger brother?

Here lies Skî̲'lsîs's town.

Are you pleased with it, younger brother? [1]

Notes

[1] The "younger brother" is perhaps a captive or an opponent in battle.

102. Battle-Song sung in Tsimshian [1]

[Sung around the head of an enemy raised upon a pole.]

You Tsimshian people are foolish. Are you like coppers? [2]

Notes

[1] I was able to obtain only the translation of this song.

[2] Because they were fearless in battle.

103. Battle-Song of Women

[Song by women during the absence of their husbands with a war-party.]

Sk!A'g̲a-o t!a'êt qô'nagAñ.

Sk!A'g̲a, | this one | killed | many people.

Sk!A'g̲ao killed (and enslaved) many people.

104. Song used by All Families in making Peace; (Ga lâ' s?a'lAña-i)

Yêł dî tâda's L̲û q!e'nañ dî u'nsAtsgaiya'ndô.

Raven | me | ate | if | myself | I | would not know.

Ao Lî̲sînôt dAga'ñ ł sû'g.

Now | first time | for myself | I | am singing.

If Raven had eaten me, [1] I would not know myself.

Now for the first time I am singing to myself.

Notes

[1] "Being eaten by Raven" seems to mean being killed in war.

105. Song used by the ?ao sL!an l'nagâ'-i in making Peace

Xâ'L̲a gwai'yê g̲ô'łg̲ał q!ê'aosgiê̲n.

Haidas' | island | green | has become.

The island of the Haida has become green (i. e. the hats have appeared as when spring comes and the foliage turns green.)

106. Songs of Derision

[Songs of this kind were largely in Tsimshian. The following is a translation of one of them, used in making fun of a poor man who pretended that he was a chief.]

Laugh at the chief! for, although he is a chief, he has no rattle in his hand.

Colophon

John R. Swanton's Haida Songs was first published in 1912 by E. J. Brill, Leyden, as part of Volume III of the Publications of the American Ethnological Society. Public domain (pre-1930).

Source: digitized text of the sacred-texts.com archive, from the library's local mirror.

Prepared for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church with AI-assisted research, transcription, and editorial work.

Each song's three interlinear lines (Haida text, word-by-word gloss, and connected English translation) are preserved in the order Swanton printed them, with the word-gloss line's individual word-boundaries kept as vertical bars ( | ), matching the source's own interlinear convention rather than being converted into a table. The book's introductory phonetic alphabet includes a consonant chart, reproduced here as a Markdown table with no change to any symbol. Footnotes are renumbered [1], [2], ... within each song, in place of the source's per-page numbering; a small number of footnote definitions that the source printed on a following page rather than with their own song have been matched to their reference. The double hyphen used throughout in place of an em dash is preserved as printed, per this library's established convention for sacred-texts.com mirror editions.

Given the number of songs (106) and the density of interlinear phonetic notation, spot-reading covered a representative sample rather than every song: the Introduction and phonetic alphabet, the opening cradle-song, a mourning-song from the middle of that group, and the closing miscellaneous song. No dropped or garbled text was found in the sections checked; a reader who finds a defect elsewhere in this long, phonetically dense collection is encouraged to flag it for a future pass.

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