09 Mar Mahk Jchi
Mahk Jchi is a haunting song written by the Native American women’s group Ulali. The song is in a compilation of Tutelo and Saponi languages, now extinct dialects of the Sioux nation from the Ohio Valley. There is a commonly mistaken translation of this song widely circulated on the internet but the translation below has been confirmed by the artist. This song takes an investment in learning and is more complex for choral, oral-tradition learning, but do-able and worth it.
Composer & Copyright
Composed by and copyright Pura Fé and Soni of Ulali.
Recording
Inspiration Track
Lyrics
Mahk Jchi tahm boo-ee
yahm pi-gih-dee
Mahk Jchi tahm boo-ee
kahn speh-wah eh-bi (x2)
Mahm-pi wah ho-ka yi nonk,
tah hond tah-ni kih-yee tai-yee
Ghee weh meh yee-tai-yee,
Nan-ka yaht yah moo-ni-yeh wah-jhi-seh
English translation:
Our hearts are full and our minds are good
Our ancestors come and give us strength
Stand tall, sing, dance and never forget who you are
Or where you come from
i have been singing this song for many years now since I arrived in Austria, because it holds dear to my heart from my friends & relatives – Pura Fe, Soni, & Jennifer. HO my dearest sisters- I have also added a chant for the children to sing along. Long life to the memory of all my relatives. Perry-“the gentle flutepoet”
I have been singing this song for nearly a decade. Not knowing what it meant. Needing to know. This song played during the north of my second child at home. I cannot tell you why this song was so powerful and deep for me and after searching years for the meaning I stumble on your page. Thank you thank you for keeping these oral traditions alive. Thank you for this translation.
Great!! Thank you so much for this translation. I got this song several times as a message and really wanted to understand what it meant. Xxx
I couldn’t remember the song name nor the artist.
I was looking for this beautiful song for 25 years.
Just to accidentally found it at my best friends home, Going through an old and dusty CD collection of them…
Crazy.
I found this on the Internet:
Our hearts are full and our minds are good
Our ancestors come and give us strength
Stand tall, sing, dance and never forget who you are
Or where you come from
Adoro questa canzone….. canta le corde della mia anima…..
Thank you!
I am native American (Cherokee) and the first time I heard this song I knew I wanted it played at my funeral and I had no clue what they were even saying. Then I read this and it is just so fitting. Such a beautiful piece!!!
Thank you–I also have the full album and have been in love with this deeply beautiful piece for years and years. The lyrics translated are justwhat I would have guessed. Thank you for this!
Thank you for your efforts in archiving and translation. The importance of this is unmatched.
Sorry, I should have read the top first!!
I have had this recording from when it was first released an love the whole album. Thanks so much, it is so helpful to see the words written. What language is it please?
The song is in a compilation of Tutelo and Saponi languages, now extinct dialects of the Sioux nation from the Ohio Valley