moonky] SONGS OF THE COMANCHE 1047 



This song was probably sung at daylight, when the first rays of the 

 sun shone in the oast, after the dancers had been dancing all night. 

 The introductory part is a suggestion from the songs of the mescal 

 rite, to which the Comanche are so much attached. Although the 

 words convey but little meaning, the tune is unique and one of the 

 best of all the ghost songs on account of its sprightly measure. 



Te'tiya refers to the sun's rays or beams: tora'bi, a possessive form 

 of tii'hi. sun; (mu'a, moon); toa'ha, from a'hiip, yellow; ai''-gi'na and 

 wo'ngin or wa'n gin, running out, streaming out. 



2. Ya'hi'yO'niva'iii 



Ya'bi'yiVniva bu 

 Hi'yiVniva'bi'yu'niva bu 

 Ya'bi'yil'mva'hi'iia'be'ne'na' 

 Hi'ya hi nabi ni aa 

 Hi yiVniva'hu 

 Hi'yu'niva'hi'yu'niva'hu 

 Ya'hi'yu'niva hi'ya'he'ne'na'. 



This song has no meaning, but is of the lullaby order, with a sweet, 

 soothing effect. 



3. Yani imm hawa'na 



Yani tsini bawa na ' 

 Yani tsini 'hawa'na ! 

 Hi'niswa'vita'ki'ni, 

 Hi'niswa vita ki in. 



Translation 



Yani tsini'kawa na ' 

 Yani' tsini' hawa'na ! 

 We sball live again, 

 We sbal! live again. 



The term hi'niswa'vita'ki'ni signifies "we are coming to life again," or 

 "we shall live again;" from niiswa'vitaJci'ni, ; 'I am beginning to be 

 alive again." 



4. Xl NIXI I IWINA 



Ni'nini'tuwi na bu'liu 

 Xi nini tuwi na hu'hn 

 Wiita'tsina'na bu'bii 

 Wata'tsina'na ku'hu 



Ni'bima'tsi asi'si 

 Ni'hima'tsi asi'si. 



This is the Arapaho closing song i Arapaho song 52), as adopted by 

 the Comanche, to whom, of course, it has no real meaning. It is given 

 bere as an example of the change which comes to an Indian song when 

 adopted by an alien tribe. 



