THE CHEROKEE PRAYER
(to the tune of Amazing Grace)
Introductory instrumental with these verses:
My spirit will wander these lands, now and
forever more
Hold
on to what is good, even if it’s a handful of earth
Hold
on to what you believe, even if it’s a tree that stands alone by itself
Hold
on to what you must do, even if it’s a long way from here
Hold
on to your life, even if it’s easier to let go
Hold
on to my hand, even if someday I’ll be gone away from you.
(Sing in Cherokee language and to the tune of Amazing
Grace):
Oh
Great Spirit whose voice I hear in the winds
And
whose breath gives life in all the world, hear me
I
am small and weak, I need 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.
