1. |
O Cedar Tree
01:34
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O CEDAR TREE
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard
O Cedar Tree, O Cedar Tree
How fragrant are your branches
O Cedar Tree, O Cedar Tree
How fragrant are your branches
You gave us so much through decades
Canoes, our homes, baskets we made
O Cedar Tree, O Cedar Tree
How fragrant are your branches
O Hemlock Tree, O Hemlock tree
We see you all around us
O Hemlock Tree, O Hemlock tree
We see you all around us
At Christmas time we bring you in
For herring eggs you are our friend
O Hemlock Tree, O Hemlock tree
We see you all around us
O Sitka Spruce, O Sitka Spruce
Your beauty soars above us
O Sitka Spruce, O Sitka Spruce
Your beauty soars above us
So special are your roots and bark
Gunalchéesh for your gifts we remark
O Sitka Spruce, O Sitka Spruce
Your beauty soars above us
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2. |
I Saw Canoes
01:27
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I SAW CANOES
Adapted lyrics by Vera Starbard
I saw canoes come paddling in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I saw canoes come paddling in
On Christmas day in the morning
And what was in the canoes, you say?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And what was in the canoes, you say?
On Christmas day in the morning
It was aunties from my village
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
It was aunties from my village
On Christmas day in the morning
They came to love and hug on me
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
They came to love and hug on me
On Christmas day in the morning
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3. |
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I HEARD THE DRUMS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard
I heard the drums on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar beats did play,
Slow, steady
They spoke to me
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!
And thought I, as the drums did roll,
My heart felt good, as in days of old
My people here
Singing so clear
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!
Thrumming, drumming on its way,
The world turned from cold night to day,
A voice, one more,
Soon beauteous roar
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!
Then from the halls of Christendom
His servants from the south did come
Wails and tears drowned
Once happy sounds
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!
And when our families torn apart
Wished at least our language to impart
They stole the way
For us to say
There’s peace on earth, and joy to all!
So far from home I hung my head
Beaten, shamed by those come in God’s stead
No Christmas cheer
No song sung here
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!
Then thrummed the drum heard long ago
My ears heard none, my heart said so
You urged to me
Don’t stop singing
Of peace on earth, and joy to all.
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4. |
Deck the Clan House
01:50
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DECK THE CLAN HOUSE
Lyrics by Vera Starbard
Deck the clan house in boughs of cedar
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Break out the treats and Christmas favors
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now traditional apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
And with joy, sing you this Southeast carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Table’s covered with deer and crab legs
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Please don’t forget the herring eggs
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
So glad someone thought of lumpia and fry bread
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
A dinner, a feast, an amazing Christmas spread
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian? All are welcome!
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
None or all? Just join us – please do tell them!
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Beat the drum and join the chorus
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Together we sing Sigóowu Kíswas!
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
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5. |
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EAGLE SQUAWKS, RAVEN TALKS
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard
Traipsing through the slush
In Xtra tuffs ten years old
We enjoy our Alaska hikes
But it’s getting kinda cold
Escape to grandma’s house
Warm up with s’ikshaldeen
Pilot bread, butter and some jam
Boy, does grandma love me!
Eagle squawks, Raven talks
Around the Christmas tree
Oh, what joy it is to live
In Lingit aaní, hey!
Eagle squawks, Raven talks
Around the Christmas tree
Oh, what joy it is to live
In Lingit aaní, hey!
A day or two ago
I thought I saw some sun
And soon I realized
In Southeast that’s just not done
But we’re cozy at grandma’s house
Taking in the cold beauty
Of the land I love at this time of year
And the love it gives back to me
Eagle squawks, Raven talks
Around the Christmas tree
Oh, what joy it is to live
In Lingit aaní, hey!
Eagle squawks, Raven talks
Around the Christmas tree
Oh, what joy it is to live
In Lingit aaní, hey!
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6. |
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TWELVE DAYS OF TLINGIT CHRISTMAS
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard
On the tléix’ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
A raven in a spruce tree
On the déix̱ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the násʼk day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the daaxʼoon day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the keijín day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the tleidooshú day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the dax̱adooshú day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the nasʼgadooshú day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the gooshúḵ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the jinkaat day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Ten canoers paddling
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
Jinkaak ḵa tléix’ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Eleven beaders beading
Ten canoers paddling
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
Jinkaat ḵa déix̱ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming
Eleven beaders beading
Ten canoers paddling
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
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7. |
Here We Come A-Drumming
01:49
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HERE WE COME A-DRUMMING
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard
Here we come a-drumming
Among the snow so white
Here we come a dancing
And singing tonight
May Kusaxán come to you
Yak’éi at sagahaayí too!
And God bless you and send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
And God send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
Kayeil, sagu ka toowuk’ei
This day and always
And yoo at kooteek wál’jaa
During the holidays
May Kusaxán - come to you
Yak’éi at sagahaayí too!
And God bless you and send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
And God send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
And all your clan and family
Eagles and Ravens of your flock
We wish Sigóowu Kíswas
And Sigóowu Yées Táakw
May Kusaxán - come to you
Yak’éi at sagahaayí too!
And God bless you and send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
And God send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
And God bless you and send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
And God send you Sigóowu Yées Táakw
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8. |
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WE WISH YOU SIGOOWU KISWAS
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
And a Língit New Year
Our hearts wish you good cheer
Today and always
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
And a Língit New Year
Now bring us some smoked salmon
Now bring us some smoked salmon
Now bring us some smoked salmon
And crackers right now
Our hearts wish you good cheer
Today and always
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
And a Língit New Year
Blueberry jam and spruce tip cookies
Blueberry jam and spruce tip cookies
Blueberry jam and spruce tip cookies
To pass all around
Our hearts wish you good cheer
Today and always
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
And a Língit New Year
We love to share Alaskan goodies
We love to share Alaskan goodies
We love to share Alaskan goodies
Christmas – or any time
Our hearts wish you good cheer
Today and always
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
And a Língit New Year
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
We wish you Sigóowu Kíswas
And a Língit New Year
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9. |
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10. |
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TWELVE DAYS OF TLINGIT CHRISTMAS
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard
On the tléix’ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
A raven in a spruce tree
On the déix̱ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the násʼk day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the daaxʼoon day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the keijín day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the tleidooshú day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the dax̱adooshú day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the nasʼgadooshú day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the gooshúḵ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
On the jinkaat day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Ten canoers paddling
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
Jinkaak ḵa tléix’ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Eleven beaders beading
Ten canoers paddling
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
Jinkaat ḵa déix̱ day of Christmas my honey gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming
Eleven beaders beading
Ten canoers paddling
Nine halibut hooks
Eight bentwood boxes
Seven salmon spawning
Six jars of berries
Five copper tináa
Four Chilkat robes
Three pilot breads
Two stoic eagles
And a raven in a spruce tree
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Edward Littlefield Seattle, Washington
Ed Littlefield is a freelance percussionist, educator and composer based out of Seattle. He performs in many ensembles of different genres nationally and internationally.
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