About Water In The Rain
2012 is the 150th year anniversary of the largest mass hanging in United States history. I was asked to write Water In The Rain by Dakota elders, Amos & Ione Owen.
The following words of introduction to Water In The Rain were written by Ron Miles:
Placing the Santee Dakota Nation on reservations for the first time in 1851 was an act of cultural genocide. A mere decade thereafter, deprived of the freedom of the hunt, this ancient people stared starvation in its grim face. In August of 1862, there began a final defense of the Dakota Oyate – the long road to Wounded Knee. When the Wars of August were quelled, 303 Dakota were marked for the gallows. President Lincoln, in commuting the sentences of all but 38, paved the way for the largest mass execution in United States history.
Within the song, beneath the lyrics sung, Amos Owen (Wiyohpeyata Hoksina), gives the following prayer in Dakota:
Ho! Tunkansidan Wakantanka Ake anpetu kin de ho uwayedo. Odowan kagapikin hena owicakiyayo.
Tunkansidan wiyohpeyata ki ya ho yewayedo. Sunkawakan oyate qa Wakinyan Oyate Kin ounkiyapo.
Qa nakun waziyata ki ya ho yewayedo. Hehaka Oyate kin ounsiundapo.
Wiyohiyanpantan ekta ki ya. Ho yewayedo. Tatanka Oyate kin hena unicidapido.
Itokagata kiya nakun ho yewayedo. Wanage Oyate kin ounsiundapo.
Mahpiyatakiya ho yewayedo. Wakantanka onsiunda miye qa ounkiyapo
Qa Ina unyaupi nakun ektakiya. Ho yewaye ousiundapo qa ounkiyapo. Ho hecetudo.
Mitakuye Oyasin. - Wiyohpeyata Hoksina
(English Translation)
Grandfather, I come to you this day in my humble way to offer my prayers for the thirty-eight Dakota who perished in Mankato in the year of 1862.
To the West, I pray to the Horse Nation, and to the North, I pray to the Elk People.
To the East, I pray to the Buffalo Nation, and to the South, the Spirit People.
To the Heavens, I pray to the Great Spirit and to the Spotted Eagle.
And Below, I pray to Mother Earth to help us in this time of reconciliation.
Grandfather, I offer these prayers in my humble way.
To all my relations. – Amos Owen
Water In The Rain
(For the Thirty-eight and the Santee Nation)
By Larry Long
Christmastime
Think about
Those who have died,
Crucified,
In the city of Makahto,
Mankato.
Back in the year of 1862
During the Civil War,
Lincoln decreed the Blacks would be freed
But they hung thirty-eight Dakota
In the city of Makahto,
Mankato.
And I listen to the rippling wind
Blow across the island,
I listen to the elders speak
Of the young ones a-dying.
Shall we die like the buffalo
We ask of you, Grandfather?
Shall we run like Water in the Rain
In the Land of Many Waters?
Water in the Rain!
Wabasha, Shakopee, Little Crow, Big Eagle,
Blanket pulled over their eyes
Beneath the churchyard steeple.
Twenty million acres of land
Sold for three million,
Worthless as a rope of sand
Dangling from the ceiling.
In the year of ’51, placed on a reservation.
By the winter of ’61, dying of starvation.
“Protect the innocent. Punish the guilty.”
Little Crow, he declared,
“What good is this treaty?
Once a year the government
Gives the trader our money.”
Standing outside his door,
“Eat grass if you’re hungry!”
Down upon the traders lodge
Death came without warning.
Bullets he could not dodge.
He ate grass that very morning.
Fifty years of robbery,
Fifty years of intimidation,
Fifty years of brigery
Brought a war between nations.
Shall we die like the buffalo
We ask of you, Grandfather?
Shall we run like Water in the Rain
In the Land of Many Waters?
Water in the Rain!
Christmas night, voices singing,
Christmas night, behind the wall,
Christmas night, death song ringing,
“Father, please don’t let them fall.”
I can see the soldiers marching.
I can see them led outside.
With oone pull of the lever
Thirty-eight Dakota died!
Tipi Hdonica One Who Forbids His House
Ptan Duta Red Otter
HInhansa Koyagmani His People
Maz Bodu One Who Walks Clothed In An Owl’s Tail
Wahpe Duta Iron Blower
Sdodye Sni Red Leaf
Had Ya Mani Meaning Unknown
Tate Hmi Yanyan Tinkling Walker
Hdaya Injanka Round Wind
Dowan Sa Rattling Runner
Hepan The Singer
Sunka Ska Second Child (If A Son)
Tunka Siku Icahda Mani White Dog
Ite Duta One Who Walks By His Grandfather
Kabdeca Red Face
Hepi Broken To Pieces
Mahpiya Akan Najin Third Child (If A Son)
Hanke Dakota A Half Breed
Caske The First Born (If A Son)
Hanke Dakota A Half Breed
Tate Ka Ga Wind Maker
He Inkpa The Tip Of The Horn
Hanke Dakota A Half Breed
Nape Sni One Who Does Not Flinch
WakanTanka Great Spirit
Tunkasitku Ikiyena najin One Who Stands Close To His Grandfather
Maka Akan Najin One Who Stands On The Earth
Wakute Wiyaya Mani One Who Walks Prepared To Shoot
Aicaga To Grow Upon
Hotaninku Voice That Appears Coming
Cetan Hunku The Parent Hawk
Cankahda Near The Wood
Had Hiu Dan To Make A Rattling Noise Suddenly
Oyate Aku The Coming People
Howema-u He Comes For Me
Wakinyan Cistina Little Thunder
Tate Hdihoni Wind Comes Home
In the Land of Memory
Seldom would we travel
By day down the streets
Of Makahto.
One hundred years of bitterness.
A commemoration
For the Thirty-eight,
For the Santee Nation
Scarlet beneath blue,
Tears came falling.
Thirty-eight Eagles flew.
Thirty-eight Eagles are calling.
Shall we die like the buffalo
We ask of you, Grandfather?
Shall we run like Water in the Rain
In the Land of Many Waters?
Water in the Rain!
Water in the Rain!
Water in the Rain!
Water in the Rain!
Credits:
Larry Long – vocals, 12-string guitar
Amos Owen – Dakota recitation, prayer
Raymond Owen – hand drum on memorial song, Dakota Oyate
Mitch Walking Elk – drum, singer, Dakota Oyate
Sherry Blakey Banai – singer, Dakota Oyate
Claudia Schmidt – harmony vocals
Peter Ostroushko – violin
Billy Peterson – acoustic bass
Steve Faison – beanpod, congas
Ron Miles – rainstick
Produced by Larry Long & Billy Peterson
Recording Engineer: Chopper Black
Recorded at Creation Studio
Copyright Larry Long Publishing 1987 / BMI