[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-ZkqSLsF3c]
“If you love me, come kiss me right away!”
A big smooch to Arok Wolvengrey for posting the text of this well-loved classic on Facebook – with line-by-line translation. I know that it’s cute and people always laugh, but with Arok’s translation, I finally get the punchline, built from laughter and genuine Cree humility.
Sung here by Nap Gardiner; also recorded by Dolores Sand on her “Classics in Cree” CD. Dolores credits the translation to Winston Wuttunee and Cree language teachers at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre. Seems to me I’ve also hummed along with Winston Wuttunee singing this one at Winnipeg’s Métis Club, where jiggers still fill the dance floor for tunes like this on a Friday night.
kîspin kisâkihin (tune: Heel and Toe Polka)
| ôma nikamowinis kâ-pâhpihk ohci. nâpêsis ê-wâpamit iskwêsisa ê-ocêmât. |
“this (is a) little song” “for laughter” “a boy sees me” “as he kisses a girl” |
| kîspin kisâkihin sêmak pê-ocêmin; kîspin kipakwâsin sêmâk ka-nakasin. |
“if you love me” “come kiss me right now” “if you hate me” “you will leave me right now” |
| ha, ha, ha, môcikan omis îsi ka-nikamoyahk, kâ-miyawâtamahk ôma kipimâtisiwininaw. |
“hahaha, it’s fun” “for us to sing like this” “when we celebrate” “our life” |
| kîspin kisâkihin sêmak pê-ocêmin; kîspin kipakwâsin sêmâk ka-nakasin. |
“if you love me” “come kiss me right now” “if you hate me” “you will leave me right now” |
| otênâhk itohtêtâk ka-nitawi-môcikihtânaw. sîwâpoy ka-minihkwânaw, maskihkîsa ka-mîcinaw. |
“let’s go to town” “we will go have fun” “we will drink pop” “we will eat candies” |
| kîspin kisâkihin sêmak pê-ocêmin; kîspin kipakwâsin sêmâk ka-nakasin. |
“if you love me” “come kiss me right now” “if you hate me” “you will leave me right now” |
| Edmonton ê-ohtohtêyân, sêhkêpayîs ê-pôsiyân, mistikimâw ê-itêyimisoyân, êkosi ôma ê-otihkomiyân. |
“I’m coming from Edmonton” “riding in a car” “thinking of myself like a boss” “that’s how I got lice” |
2 Responses
I was so glad to find this. My dad used to whistle this and sing a few of the lyrics. He’s been gone a long time and this just brings a smile to my face remembering him. Thank you so much.
I remember my father singing this song when he was with his friends. I always wondered what the translation was. Thanks for the translation.