We celebrate Native American Heritage Month, and Thanksgiving in particular, by sharing this song, which was inspired by the writings of the late Chief Lawrence Hart and Psalm 19. It is written in both English and Cheyenne. It appears as number 181 in Voices Together. Shared with permission.
A note from Doug and Jude Krehbiel, who wrote the lyrics and music for this song: We feel honored to have known Cheyenne Peace Chief and Mennonite minister Lawrence Hart. He was an invaluable and treasured voice in the Mennonite church, who led by word and deed. We always appreciated our visits with him, over the years, talking about peace making and earth keeping. Those sharing times helped shape our theology. When we read his chapter in the book “Creation and the Environment,” we were inspired. We called Lawrence and asked how he would feel about us writing a song based on his ideas on Psalm 19 — that creation is a song we can see. He not only encouraged us, but helped us get in touch with his sister, Lenora Hart Holliman, who translated the chorus into Cheyenne and, then, patiently helped us learn the pronunciation of the words and how to fit them into the meter of the song. This is how “Creation is a Song” was born.
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Refrain
Refrain may be sung in either language alone or both in combination.
English
Creation is a song, a song that we can see,
a sacred gift from God, let’s join the harmony.
Cheyenne
Ho’ė enemeohe. Nevoohtanone.
Ma’heo’o nemetaenone.
Verses
- The rolling of the oceans, the bubbling of the spring,
night sky filled with jewels, a flock of beating wings. - Dancing prairie meadow, fruit swaying on the vine,
boiling storm clouds rising, lightning ‘cross the sky. - Majestic sleeping mountain, forest green and deep,
every living creature in our care to keep. - Every glowing sunset, ev’ry outstretched leaf
is witness to the glory of the One who sits as Chief.
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