Rain Songs (Pima)
I
Hi-ihiya naiho-o! Let us begin our song,
Let us begin, rejoicing. Hitciya yahina-a.
Let us begin our song, let us begin, rejoicing,
Singing of the large corn. Hitciya yahina-a.
Singing of the small corn. Hitciya yahina-a.
II
Hi-ihiya naiho-o! The darkness of evening
Falls as we sing before the sacred âmĭna.
About us on all sides corn tassels are waving.
Hitciya yahina! The white light of day dawn
Yet finds us singing, while corn tassels are waving.
Hitciya yahina-a! The darkness of evening
Falls as we sing before the sacred âmĭna.
About us on all sides corn tassels are waving.
Hitciya yahina! The white light of day dawn
Yet finds us singing, while the squash leaves are waving.
III
Hi-ihiya naiho-o! The earth is rumbling
From the beating of our basket drums.
The earth is rumbling from the beating
Of our basket drums, everywhere humming.
Hitciya yahina-a.
Earth is rumbling, everywhere raining,
Hitciya yahina-a.
IV
Hi-ihiya naiho-o! Pluck out the feathers
From the wing of the Eagle and turn them
Toward the east where lie the large clouds.
Hitciya yahina-a! Pluck out the soft down
From the breast of the Eagle and turn it
Toward the west where sail the small clouds.
Hitciya yahina! Beneath the abode
Of the rain gods it is thundering;
Large corn is there. Hitciya yahina!
Beneath the abode of the rain gods
It is raining; small corn is there.
Hitciya yahina.