1. THE SERPENT TRADITION

As we've learned from the past, as has been foretold
A great serpent from the sea arrived on these shores
Above the mast of a great ship, like a forked serpent's tongue
The pennant swiftly flapped on the east horizon
An omen of disease and great despair, as it was foretold

They propherised a sign of sorrow and ruined lives from a distant land
With eyes so wide - They saw them arrive with their eyes so wide
Fearful of the warning

War is waged - Their sole intent, to pierce the heart of Akamon
From east to west, thousands fall to endless war and plagues

Pa ka či tsi! Wileniki wisiki lenawewi, mata ho'kwoali
Pa ka či tsi! Wiišimaneto, howeši maneto, ni' mamaatome'pe
(Attack! Advance! Men, you will be strong, do not fear him
Attack! Advance! Great Spirit, good spirit, we are praying)

The wisdom of these ancient men, centuries ago
To have known of this prophecy, this serpentine curse
Otomien wept as the ships came into view
Knowing that serpent tradition was true

To see through the fog of wars
To smell the scourge of plagues
To perish in winter frost
To tread through this life with black legs


2. THE IMPENDING WINTER

(Instrumental)


3. LOST ON THE TRAIL OF THE SETTING SUN

A blinding flash that shatters the stillness of dawn
As night subsides a day of slaughter and death rages on
When flint meets steel, when blade meets flesh

'Til the end of time, this place shall be cursed

Farther away from the place of our birth
Lost on the trail of the setting sun
No rest in steep wooded valleys below
No peace in lands stained with blood

Breathe in the smoke: as your bones smolder
War is our burden and we must survive
With loss so great, our tears are all flowing
As battle fog clears and we bury our dead

The glow of flames that greets the arrival of night
Returning home to tell the stories of victory and loss
As mothers and wives wail in grief
And enemy sons are roasted alive

Will the morning bring no solace
Wash away the strife down from our eyes
Poisoned by an empty promise
Bitter tongues of secrecy and lies

Let us not forget our bloodshed
May we rise and find the strength inside
May the wisdom of our fathers
Be the flame that guides us in the night

Ni 'teleni wikiila niila
Wiki katwelo kweki lawepa
[I am a powerful man
Let us be strong and do what is right]


4. OCTOBER 6, 1813

With sadness deep they wept beside the stream
As the death chant intoned they laid him in the earth
Along that sweet, clear creek ('okiima rise again!)
With sadness almost too great as they left his grave
Until his great return ('okiima rise again!)
All hope is gone, it's too late to save a soul so brave
High above, a panther in the sky
May a tree of peace grow from where he laid to die
From where he laid to die, rise again


5. TRAVERSING THE SHADES OF DEATH

In terror of night, the damp shades extolling
Bleak absence of light, mired in blackest waters
Starving and sick, tormented by shadows
In the black swamp they fear death by their captor's hands
Traversing the shades of death
Blackened faces full of grief
Lost, exiled
No light shines through the forest canopy
A thick fog veils their tortured cries
Drowning in the black of night
As panthers descend upon their prey
A tragic fate befell the souls who were
Traversing the shades of death


6. ŠKIMOTA

Škimota
Ascending into her celestial abode
Here moonlit reflection appears near her home in the sky world
Beyond the waters, approaching the stars
Her weaving unravels again and the sun passes onward


7. SKYHOOK

(Instrumental)


8. KIŠELAMAKONG

Soft steps on moist earth
(An ancient song inside)
A setting sun and rekindled firelight
Clean as if reborn and in the grass below an entire world reveals itself
The distant hills at once erupt in the song of the Dog Nation -
The ancient howling chant that taught man how to sing
Doubts are shed, pacts are made, oaths are sworn, time is forgotten

All the nations of Mother Earth (Tula, Turtle Island) honor each other
(A journey far and wide)
All the rivers of Akamon strive to heal themselves
Bonds of kinship and fireside healing, tidings exchanged and blessings attained
The song of the insect nations drowns the chatter of modern man in the chill of dusk
The inner silence that fosters true brotherhood
A journey within the great mystery that weaves itself through all things
(A womb that brings rebirth)

On this unripe side of earth
A hallowed path to tread
To where my spirit's led