tânisi Song: Brian MacDonald

 

In this favourite kids’ song by Brian MacDonald, every line is repeated as an echo, except the bridge, which is sung entirely in Cree. It’s fun to place somebody outside the door, and have them knock. Have somebody answer the door to begin acting out the greetings.

*dialect note: For n-dialect, change the bold y to n;
for th-dialect change the bold y to th, and change all of the ê sounds to î.

Thanks to Wayne Jackson for adding an original Brian MacDonald recording to Youtube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPKEjlCQq_U&feature=youtu.be

Another Youtube video follows below: this one may lack some precision in pronunciation, but you can’t beat it for authenticity and enthusiasm. Lots of people like to repeat the verse after the bridge. Thanks to Youtube poster Creecheeze.

 

Hello! (Hello!) tânisi! (tânisi!) How are you? (How are you?) tānisi kiya? (tānisi kiya?) I am fine. (I am fine.) namôya nânitaw. (namôya nânitaw.) Come on in. (Come on in.) pihtikwê. (pihtikwê.) Sit down. (Sit down) api. (api.) Have some tea. (Have some tea.) maskihkiwâpoy minihkwê. (maskihkiwâpoy minihkwê.)

[bridge:]   tâpwê miywâsin ê-pê-kiyokawiyan. tânitê ê-kî-itohtêyan? mahti âcimo kîkway ê-osihtâyan. mahti âcimostawin. [Translation of the bridge (not echoed): It’s nice that you’ve come to visit. Where have you been? Please tell me what you’ve been doing. Please tell me a story.]

Hello! (Hello!) tânisi! (tânisi!) How are you? (How are you?) tānisi kiya? (tānisi kiya?) I am fine. (I am fine.) namôya nânitaw. (namôya nânitaw.) Come on in. (Come on in.) pihtikwê. (pihtikwê.) Sit down. (Sit down) api. (api.) Have some tea. (Have some tea.) maskihkiwâpoy minihkwê. (maskihkiwâpoy minihkwê.)