I was warmed by the sun, rocked by the winds and sheltered by the trees
as other Indian babes. I was living peaceably when people began to
speak bad of me. Now I can eat well, sleep well and be glad. I can go
everywhere with a good feeling.
The soldiers never explained to the government when an Indian was
wronged, but reported the misdeeds of the Indians. We took an oath not
to do any wrong to each other or to scheme against each other.
I cannot think that we are useless or God would not have created us.
There is one God looking down on us all. We are all the children of one
God. The sun, the darkness, the winds are all listening to what we have
to say.
When a child, my mother taught me to kneel and pray to Usen for
strength, health, wisdom and protection. Sometimes we prayed in
silence, sometimes each one prayed aloud; sometimes an aged person
prayed for all of us... and to Usen.
I was born on the prairies where the wind blew free and there was
nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no
enclosures.
by Geronimo (Goyathlay)- Apache
The song that I will sing is an old song, so old that none knows who
made it. It has been handed down through generations and was taught to
me when I was but a little lad. It is now my own song. It belongs to
me. This is a holy song (medicine-song), and great is its power. The
song tells how, as I sing, I go through the air to a holy place where
Yusun (The Supreme Being) will give me power to do wonderful things. I
am surrounded by little clouds, and as I go through the air I change,
becoming spirit only.
Medicine Song - Sung by Geronimo
O, ha le
O, ha le!
Awbizhaye
Shichl hadahiyago niniya
O, ha le
O, ha le
Tsago degi naleya
Ah--yu whi ye!
O, ha le
O, ha le!
O, ha le
O, ha le!
Through the air
I fly upon the air
Towards the sky, far, far, far,
O, ha le
O, ha le!
There to find the holy place,
Ah, now the change comes o're me!
O, ha le
O, ha le!
Geronimo - Apache
"Geronimo is said to have had magical powers. He could see into the future, walk without creating footprints and even hold off the dawn to protect his own. This Apache Indian warrior and his band of 37 followers defied federal authority for more than 25 years.