The Birth of Dawn (Pawnee)
I
Awake, O mother, from sleep!
Awake! the night is far spent;
The signs of dawn are now seen
In east, whence cometh new life.
II
The mother wakens from sleep;
She wakes, for night is far spent;
The signs of dawn are now seen
In east, whence cometh new life.
III
Awake, O Kawas, from sleep!
Awake! The night is far spent;
The signs of dawn are now seen
In east, whence cometh new life.
IV
Now Kawas wakens from sleep,
Awakens for night is far spent;
The signs of dawn are now seen
In east, whence cometh new life.
V
Then Kawas stands and speaks forth:
“A child from Night is now born;
Tirá wa, father on high,
On Darkness moving, brings Dawn.”
VI
I understand now, I know
A child from Night has been born;
Tirá wa, father on high,
On Darkness moving, brings Dawn.
VII
O Son, awaken from sleep
Awake! the night is far spent;
The signs of dawn are now seen
In east, whence cometh new life.
VIII
The Son awakens from sleep;
He wakes, for night is far spent;
The signs of dawn are now seen
In east, whence cometh new life.