Sing and Dance along with Lil Kohkom: kîspin kisâkihin

With thanks to #CreeSimonSays for the delightful video of this beloved Classic.

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 is seen
kissing 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,
êsa ôma ê-otihkomiyân.
I’m coming from Edmonton
riding in a car
thinking of myself like a boss
and here I was, lousy.
  • An old time favourite, translated into Plains Cree by Winston Wuttunee. Recorded by Dolores Sand in 2004 as part of her Classics in Cree CD, shared here with permission. Translation from Cree to English by Arok Wolvengrey.

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