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8. Penobscot Nə̀pi (Water) Song
Song Nə̀pi (Water) Song
Music & Words Gabriel Paul
Composed in 2017(?)
Music & Words Gabriel Paul
Composed in 2017(?)
In Penboscot
nə̀pi
kkəseləmələpəna
kči-wəliwəni nəpi
kkihčitamitəhαmələpəna
nə̀pi
kkəseləmələpəna
kči-wəliwəni nəpi
kkihčitamitəhαmələpəna
In English
water
we love you
thank you so much, water
we respect you
water
we love you
thank you so much, water
we respect you
My attempt at IPA
nɜbe
gəzɑl molvənɑ
gəddʒi hwəlihwəni nɜbe
gədʒi dəmi dəhɑ molvənɑ
nɜbe
gəzɑl molvənɑ
gəddʒi hwəlihwəni nɜbe
gədʒi dəmi dəhɑ molvənɑ
Notes: Today’s song is by Gabriel Paul, of the Crow and Eel Clan of the Penobscot, whose homelands are located along various waterways in Maine and the Canadian Maritimes. The song is a song to thank and honor water. I encourage you to learn and take it to water near you to sing -- and then maybe create your own water song and connect to the water that is near you!
Gabe describes the song's origins on this webpage, and he and his niece, Leigh, have given permission for this song to be sung and shared freely. It is a privilege to be invited to sing in the language of the Penawahpskek nation, and I’ll help you learn it with care – but know that we are guests, and I'm sure I have an accent – it’s okay to be uncomfortable, and honored at the same time. Then visit the Penobscot nation site to respectfully learn more about these people who claim one of the oldest continuous governments in the world.
A people who have lived in one place for 11,000 years have a very different perspective than mine, as a child of immigrants. In this episode, I quote Weh'na Ha'mu' Kwasset (She Who Brings the Light), an Indigenous writer and visionary who was raised on Penobscot land, and is also known as Sherri Mitchell. Her book is Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change.
Links:
Youtube recording of Leigh Neptune singing this song.
Penobscot nation natural resources webpage on Nepi
Nuts and Bolts: This song is unison, unmetered, Ionian (major).
Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.
Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
Gabe describes the song's origins on this webpage, and he and his niece, Leigh, have given permission for this song to be sung and shared freely. It is a privilege to be invited to sing in the language of the Penawahpskek nation, and I’ll help you learn it with care – but know that we are guests, and I'm sure I have an accent – it’s okay to be uncomfortable, and honored at the same time. Then visit the Penobscot nation site to respectfully learn more about these people who claim one of the oldest continuous governments in the world.
A people who have lived in one place for 11,000 years have a very different perspective than mine, as a child of immigrants. In this episode, I quote Weh'na Ha'mu' Kwasset (She Who Brings the Light), an Indigenous writer and visionary who was raised on Penobscot land, and is also known as Sherri Mitchell. Her book is Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change.
Links:
Youtube recording of Leigh Neptune singing this song.
Penobscot nation natural resources webpage on Nepi
Nuts and Bolts: This song is unison, unmetered, Ionian (major).
Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.
Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
4 Comments
I love water, and this song, with the water sounds as its bed, was a lovely way to greet the day in our drought-struggling area. Thank you Patricia and friends from the Penboscot; beautiful.
I'm so glad, Judi... this idea of singing to the water, of building that connection, is so important, I feel...
Thank you so much for sharing this sacred song and for teaching it to us. Like you, I feel so honored to have sung it. Thank you for introducing me to the Penobscot. It amazes me how much I learn from your Podcasts. Thank you, Patricia, for sharing the beauty and the knowledge.
Thank you, Cam! I'm so very glad...