This hauntingly beautiful melody has been attributed as originating from within the Sioux First Nation tradition. RosebudSiouxTribe, describes the Lakota people and cultural history as follows:
"Sometimes also spelled 'Lakhota,' this group consists of seven tribes who were known as warriors and buffalo-hunters. Sometimes called the Tetons (referring to their dialect and location west of the Dakota on the plains) the seven tribes include:
Ogalala (“they scatter their own,” or “dust scatterers”)
Sicangu or Brule (“Burnt Thighs”)
Hunkpapa (“end of the circle”),
Miniconjou (“planters beside the stream”),
Sihasapa or Blackfoot (Ntote confused with the separate Blackfoot tribe)
Itazipacola (or Sans Arcs: “without bows”)
Oohenupa (“Two Boilings” or “Two Kettle”) "
Robert Tree Cody offers a wonderful and authentic rendering of the piece, along with additional lyrics which have been translated to offer the following:
Ah hí yé, yo hí eyá Ah I say, I say to you,
Wé yeló eyá... I am speaking to you...
Ah hí yé, yo hí eyá, Ah I say, I say to you,
Ya wé yeló eyá To you I am saying it...
Čhaŋté wašté hokšíla l-akhé ištíŋma My kind-hearted boy go to sleep,
Haŋhépi kiŋ wašté Tomorrow will be nice
Wé yeló eyá I am speaking to you...
Play and Sing along, turning your attention to the 'modal' (lowered 7th/A minor,) melody and the gentle move toward the first downbeat of each phrase.
*Sheet music transcribed by Musicians Teach Music ® with available download:
Additional Recordings and Resources about this piece and the Lakota people and history:
Tiana Spotted Thunder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNulkDwFAxY&t=0s
Simon Jano Sessions: https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-lakota-lullaby-feat-lau-ana-isabelle-by-simon-jano-sessions/
History and Culture/RosebudSiouxTribe: https://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov/history-culture Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-American-music