The Prayer of the Omaha Boy

 The Prayer of the Omaha Boy 

By Janet Ogden 

In preparation for the rite, practised on attaining manhood, the Omaha youth was taught the tribal prayer. He was to sing it during the four nights and days of his vigil in some lonely place.
                                                                                                       G Stanley Hall 

Wa-kon-da, Maker of Men, 

Wa-kon-da, Spirit of Might, 

Wa-kon-da, Father of all Things, 

Wa-kon-da, Giver of Light, 

"Here needy he stands;

 I am he!"

Wa-kon-da, Maker of Men!

My hands I stretch forth to Thee 

Wet with my tears, as I pray 

The prayer of my tribe's decree: 

"Here needy he stands; 

I am he!"

Wa-kon-da, Maker of Men, 

A man, born to-day, calls to Thee! 

Faint with the fasting he trembles; 

Give Thou of Thy strength is his plea. 

"Here needy he stands; 

I am he!"  

Wa-kon-da, Maker of Men, 

From the air comes the mystic song, 

The breath of the wind breathes the cadence, 

The voice of his soul, new born. 

"Here needy he stands; 

I am he!" 

Wa-kon-da, Maker of Men! 

His prayer has reached up in truth 

Once more in the countless ages, 

Thou heedest the words of a youth: 

"Here needy he stands; 

I am he!" 

References:

1.Everyland 1913