moonetJ SONGS OF THE ARAPAHO 997 



The special office of the crow as the messenger from the spirit world 

 and representative of the messiah has been already explained. He is 

 supposed to direct the dance and to give the signal for its (dose. 



53. Aniiia'ya atani'ta'm'nawa' 



Aiiiha'ya atani'ta'nu'nawa , 

 Anihii'ya atani'ta'nu'nawa', 

 Hathi'na hesuna nin, 

 Hathi'na hesuna'nln, 

 Da'chii'-ihi'na he'siiua ni n , 

 Da'ohii'-ihi'na he'suna'nin — Ih! Ih! 



Translation 



I use tlic yellow (paint), 



I use the yellow (paint), 



Says the father, 



Says the father, 



In order to please me, the father. 



In order to please me, the father — Ih! Ih! 



The meaning of this song is somewhat obscure. It seems to be a 

 message from the messiah to the effect that he paints himself with 

 yellow paint, because it pleases him, the inference being that it would 

 please him to have his children do the same. Those who take part in 

 the sun dance are usually painted yellow, that being the color of the 

 sun. This song is peculiar in having at the end two sharp yelps, in 

 the style of the ordinary songs of the warrior dances. 



54. Ni naa xiAiir tawa bi'taa'wu 



A'-niini'sa'na, a'-niini'sa'na, 

 Ni'naii niahu'tawa bi'taa'wu, 

 Xi naa'niahu'tawa bi'taa'wu, 

 A'-tini'ebi'ni'na nii'nisa'na, 

 A'-tini'ehi'ni'na nii'nisa'na, 

 Hiithi'na besuna'nln, 

 Hathi'na hesiina'nln. 



Translation 



My children, my children, 

 I am flying about the earth, 

 I am flying about the earth. 

 I :im a bird, my children, 

 I Mm a bird, my children, 

 Says the father, 

 Says the father. 



In this song the messiah, addressing his children, is represented as 

 a bird (crow?) flying about the whole earth, symbolic of his omniscience. 

 The song has one or two variants. 



