The language of these songs is so highly metaphorical that they
are often difficult to understand even in the light of the
native explanations, and in some cases the author's informants
were themselves uncertain with regard to the meaning. Several
songs refer to myths and are explained by them, and there are a
few shamans' songs, but by far the larger number were composed
for feasts or in song contests between men who were at enmity
with each other. [I have included the first two songs in
interlinear format so that the reader can get a taste of the
originals.--JBH] (1) A song about Raven's travels through the
world, used at all kinds of dances: l yAx wudAtSê'n cêyê' l.
Hayidê' wugudî'n. Agâ'gucî du luwu' A big fellow | like | must
have been | that raven. | Down underneath | he went. | At that
time | his nose ke wududzîyA'q. Aga' ântû'x yâwagu't du lu'wuga.
Acdjî't dutî up | they came to pull. | At that time | through
the town | he went | for his nose. | To him | it was [given] ân
gânt wudîqî'n. Ayê'x Ansînî'