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Dedicated to the proud Nez Perce nation |
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One time the wind blew free |
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And there was nothing to break the light of the sun |
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In a past that is now lost forever |
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There was a time when land was sacred |
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And the ancient ones were as one with it |
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A time when only the children of the Great Spirit were here |
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To light their fires in these places with no boundaries |
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When the forests were as thick |
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As the fur of the winter bearland |
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And a warrior could walk from horizon to horizon |
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On the backs of the buffalo |
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And during that time when there were only simple ways |
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I saw with my heart the conflicts to come |
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And whether it was to be for good or bad |
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What was certain was that there would be chance |
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Wayakin, summon strength and ward us from evil |
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Wayakin, a spirit with transformative powers |
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Wayakin, talisman of superhuman forces |
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Wayakin, the guardian spirit of the Nez Perce |
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We look to the bear, the owl and the eagle as our brothers |
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To teach us how to live |
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They talk to us, we listen |
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The bear tells us of our strength |
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The owl of our wisdom |
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And the eagle of our freedom |
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It is time for us to remember |