Sacred Texts  Native American  Southwest  Index  Previous  Next 


Songs of the Tewa, by Herbert Joseph Spinden, [1933], at sacred-texts.com


p. 107

XLVII
WHEN THE MAN TAKES OFFICE

The summer cacique speaks:
        Here and now my arm,
        Painted Sand-burrs Bringing,
        Of the Sun People, chosen
        Old-woman, old-man to be:
        Accept this governor's staff,
        Agree now to help it
        Protect it, obey it, love it.

The new governor replies:
        Here and now, my fathers,
        Summer priest, Winter priest,
        I hear your words and obey them.


Next: XLVIII. Last Words at the Grave