FLETCHER] 



SIXTEENTH RITUAL, PART III 



FIKST SONG 



JVarch and Muaic 



211 



M. M. J.=58. 



• = Pulsation of the voice. 



Transcribed bv Edwin S. Tracy. 



1 - ra ta iia - o. 



i - I I 



1088 Ho-o-o-o-o-o.' 



10S9 Ihisira, ihisira. ihisira, ira ta hao; 



1090 Ihisira. ihisii'a. ira ta hao. 



Translation 



1088 Ho-o-o-o-o-o 1 All introductory e.xelamation. 

 1080 UiLsira, ihisira, ihi.sira, ira ta hao. 



ihisira; isira, come; an invitation to advance. The syllable 

 hi, which follows i, is used to fill out the rliytlim of the 

 music and to arive a coaxing- effect. 

 ira, a part of the word uawairi, a word imijlyinu- conlidence, 

 among- its other meanings; it means here, it is all right, 

 fear not. 

 ta. a part of the word kntati, my. 

 hao, child, offspring. 

 1090 Ihisira, ihisira, ira ta hao. See line 1089. 



Explancdiiin hi/ fJie Kii'ruhus 



The man who is to carry the child turns his back toward it and 

 drops upon one knee. The child, lifted to its feet by its father, takes 

 four steps forward, while we, still facing the child, sing this song: 

 "I am ready; come, my cluld; have no fear!" 



The four steps taken by the child represent the progress of life. 



