Medicine Song (Omaha)
Ho! Aged One, eçka,
At a time when there were gathered together seven persons,
You sat in the seventh place, it is said,
And of the Seven you alone possessed knowledge of all things,
Aged One, eçka.
When in their longing for protection and guidance,
The people sought in their minds for a way,
They beheld you sitting with assured permanency and endurance
In the center where converged the paths,
There, exposed to the violence of the four winds, you sat,
Possessed with power to receive supplications,
Aged One, eçka.
Where is his mouth, by which there may be utterance of speech?
Where is his heart, to which there may come knowledge and understanding?
Where are his feet, whereby he may move from place to place?
We question in wonder,
Yet verily it is said you alone have power to receive supplications,
Aged One, eçka.
I have desired to go yet farther in the path of life with my little ones,
Without pain, without sickness,
Beyond the second, third, and fourth period of life’s pathway,
Aged One, eçka.
O hear! This is my prayer,
Although uttered in words poorly put together,
Aged One, eçka.