The "Zee tsa lit ni'" Song
The "zee tsa lit ni'", "friendship prayer" song is an offering of prayer and life-long protection from evil.
The "Zee tsa lit ni'" Song
The Friendship Prayer
Traditional Song
Traditional Song
(Lipan Apache)
(English)
Si' -Zi' bìyì' éd yùd di" di' ?isZa'ni' tc' ìndí
'ìs' à' nà yái éd yùd 'á lzà tc' ìndí
bìyì' éd yùd híljìj 'ìs' à' nà yái tc' ìndí
yèxáidèlà gò dè yà k' è' gòjó zee tsá lit' tc' ìndí d
Á bìtc' ìd bìt ' á' ná ná ni? sì tsò z
nùgùsts' án biìká' dé ' ì tc' ' òdàsdjà í'
bìyá tì' jò ní bìnàtsé kè s jò ní' bìdlùk jò ní
bínà lzé' 'í t' à' dá' jò dí dò bé' ó ltà' gò'
yèxáidèlà gò dè yà tc' ìndí d
'ìs' à' nà yái k' è' gòjó gò' nànt' à' dòxá yò' bì ' ágòdo dí ì'
yèxáidèlà gò dè yà tc' ìndí d
I stand inside a circle man, women they say
Long life in a circle, it is made, they say
Inside in a circle, dances, long life they say
Having been prepared he walks like good, friends they say
A blanket underneath mother earth rests
Earth on top of, people scattered about,
their talk good, their thoughts good, their laughter good,
their property of all kinds, good, uncountable
Having been prepared he walks they say
Long life like, good, chief never has he trouble
Having been prepared he walks they say.
Notes
This ceremony can be performed in the presence of a sacred candle or fire to ensure the spirits will hear your prayers. When performing this ceremony a man or woman can perform the rites. If not done by a close blood relative, then hire a medicine man or medicine woman. The rite takes about ten minutes each night, repeated for four nights under a clear night sky. Give a gift of turquoise, made with downy eagle feathers.
Compiled by: Glenn Welker and Daniel Castro Romero Jr.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Glenn Welker for graciously allowing me to use these songs and illustrations. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
