Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the
winds,
And whose breath gives life
to all the world,
hear me, I am small and
weak,
I need your strength and
wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and
make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the
things you have
made and my ears sharp to
hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may
understand the things
you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons
you have
hidden in every leaf and
rock.
I seek strength, not to be
greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest
enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come
to you
with clean hands and
straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the
fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you
without shame.
(translated by Lakota Sioux
Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
