Myron Eells’s hymn book (Part 12: For Children)
Definitely in the Northern Dialect of Chinook Jargon is song #12 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.)
On pages 22-23 of his Chinook Jargon hymn book, we have another of Eells’s songs that were used with the Indigenous people he preached to.
FOR CHILDREN.
No. 12. Tune, “We Are Coming, Blessed Saviour.”
1. Ahnkuttie Jesus kopa illahee,- ‘Jesus was in the land long ago,’
Yaka chako kahkwa tenas. ‘He was sort of born.’
Repeat both lines.Chorus —
Kopa konoway tenas alta ‘For all of the children now’
Yaka tumtum hias kloshe. ‘His heart is very good.’ (he likes them)
Repeat both lines.Chorus —
2. Kahkwa yaka mama wawa, ‘Like his mother said (for him to do),’
Kwanesum yaka hyak mamook. ‘He always hurried to work.’
Repeat as above.Chorus —
Kopa, etc.
3. Kopa yaka lemah ahnkuttie ‘In his hands long ago’
Yaka lolo hiyu tenas. ‘He carried lots of children.’Chorus-
4. Kopa okoke tenas ahnkuttie ‘To those children long ago’
Yaka potlatch wawa kloshe. ‘He gave words that were good.’Chorus-
Uncharacteristically for Eells, these lyrics aren’t totally straightforward Chinuk Wawa.
The first line’s use of “silent AT” is uncommon.
The last line’s word order, Yaka potlatch wawa kloshe, would be more clear if it had ended in kloshe wawa ‘good words, good advice’.
Here’s what Eells says his Chinook says, for comparison and for understanding what he intended:
TRANSLATION
1. Formerly Jesus (was) on the earth,-
He came as a child.Chorus —
To all children now
His mind is very good.2. As his mother said,
So he always quickly did.3. In His arms formerly
He carried many children.4. To those children formerly
He gave good talk (or advice).
… The song’s original lyrics are, as usual, vastly different from the Chinook Jargon that Eells put to the tune:
1 We are coming, blessed Saviour,
We hear thy gentle voice;
We would be thine for ever,
And in thy love rejoice.Chorus:
We are coming, we are coming,
we are coming, blessed Saviour,
We are coming, we are coming,
We hear thy gentle voice.2 We are coming, blessed Saviour,
To meet that happy band,
And sing with them forever,
And in thy presence stand.Chorus:
We are coming, we are coming,
we are coming, blessed Saviour,
We are coming, we are coming,
To meet that happy band.3 We are coming, blessed Saviour,
Our Father’s house we see–
A glorious mansion ever,
For children young as we.Chorus:
We are coming, we are coming,
we are coming, blessed Saviour,
We are coming, we are coming,
Our Father’s house we see.4 We are coming, blessed Saviour,
That happy home is ours;
If here we gain thy favor,
We’ll reach those fragrant bowers.Chorus:
We are coming, we are coming,
we are coming, blessed Saviour,
We are coming, we are coming,
That happy home is ours.5 We are coming, blessed Saviour,
To crown our Jesus King,
And then with angels ever,
His praises we will sing.Chorus:
We are coming, we are coming,
we are coming, blessed Saviour,
We are coming, we are coming,
To crown our Jesus King.
