Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation

O' Great Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
Hear me! I am small and weak, I need your
Strength and wisdom,

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make me hands respect the things you have
made and my ears to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand the
things you have taught me people.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength not to be greater then my
brother, but to fight my greatest enemy--myself.

clean hands and straight eyes.

So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
My spirit may come to you without shame.

"So live your life that the fear
of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view,
and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life,
beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and its
purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the
day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of
salute when meeting or passing a friend,
even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks
for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks,
the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns
the wise ones to fools and robs
the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die,
be not like those
whose hearts are filled with the
fear of death, so that when
their time comes they
weep and pray for a little more
time to live their lives over again
in a different way.
Sing your death song and die like
a hero going home."

Tecumseh



Just Looking For Some Peace
So live your life so the fear of
death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their views,
and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life,
beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and of
service to your people. Prepare a
noble death song for the day when
you go over the great divide. Always
give a word or sign of salute
when meeting or passing a stranger
if in a lonely place. Show respect
to all people, but grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning,
give thanks for the light, for your
life and strength. Give thanks
for your food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for
giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
Touch not the poisonous
firewater that makes wise ones turn
to fools and robs them of their
visions. When your time comes to die,
be not like those whose hearts
are filled with fear of death, so that
when their time comes they
weep and pray for a little more time
to live their lives over again
in a different way. Sing your death song,
and die like a hero going home.

Tecumseh