Myron Eells’s hymn book (Part 11: For Funerals)
Definitely in the Northern Dialect of Chinook Jargon is song #11 from Myron Eells’s little book, “Hymns in the Chinook Jargon Language“, 2nd (expanded!) edition (Portland, OR: David Steel, 1889):
(Here’s a link to all installments in this mini-series.)
An instant giveaway is that we find the adverb “by by” instead of áɬqi, for Future time reference. This is of course from 1800s US English “by(e) and by(e)”. There’s also the form “spose” for ‘when’, rather than pus; and “help”, instead of yéʔlan.
On pages 20-21, we have another of Eells’s songs used by Native people he preached to.
Image credit: Spotify
It’s to the tune of “Talmar” by Isaac Baker Woodbury, it appears.
I’ll show you the Jargon lyrics plus my translation of just what they’re saying; then I’ll show you Eells’s own translation, then finally Woodbury’s lyrics, which are as usual vastly different. Myron Eells usually didn’t translate so much as capture the general vibe of existing songs, you’ll see once again!
No. 11.
2.
FOR FUNERALS.
Tune, ” Talmar.”
I. Konoway tillikums mimoluse by by,
‘Everyone dies eventually,’By by nika mimoluse.
‘Eventually I’m going to die.’Halo mimoluse nika tumtum;
‘My heart won’t die;’Kopet nika mimoluse.
‘Only I will die.’2 Kah nesika tumtum klatawa,
‘Where will our hearts go,’Spose nesika mimoluse?
‘When we die?’Klonass yahwa kopa Saghalie;
‘Maybe there up above;’Klonass kopa hias piah.
‘Maybe to the big fire.’3 Nika tikegh kopa Saghalie.
‘I want it to be up above.’Yahwa konoway tillikums kloshe
‘There, everyone good’Kunamoxt Jesus klaska mitlite.
‘Along with Jesus, lives there.’Jesus skookum kwanesum.
‘Jesus is strong, always.’4. Jesus, help nesika alta!
‘Jesus, help us now!’Nesika tumtum mamook kloshe!
‘Our hearts do good!’Lolo nesika kopa Saghalie,
‘Bring us up above,’Spose nesika mimoluse!
‘When we die!’
Here’s what Eells says his Chinook says, for comparison:
TRANSLATION.
1. All people will die by and by.
By and by I will die.
My soul will not die;
Only I (i. e. my body) will die.2.
Where will our minds (souls) go
If we die?
Perhaps there to Heaven;
Perhaps to the great fire.3.
I wish to go to Heaven.
There are all good people.
With Jesus they dwell,
Jesus always very strong.4. Jesus help us now!
Make our minds good!
Carry us to Heaven
When we die.
Woodbury’s original lyric, showing a great difference from Eells’s wording:
From the table now retiring
Which for us the Lord hath spread,
May our souls, refreshment finding,
Grow in all things like our Head.His example while beholding
May our lives His image bear;
Him our Lord and Master calling,
His commands may we revere.Love to God and man displaying,
Walking steadfast in His way,
Joy attend us in believing,
Peace from God, through endless day.—Alternative verses—
His example, by beholding,
May our lives his image bear;
Him our Lord and Master calling,
His commands may we revere.
