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VOL. V No. I
OCTOBER, 1914
SONGS OF THE COAST-DWELLERS
THE CHIEF'S PRAYER AFTER THE SALMON CATCH
O KIA-KUNAE, praise!
Thou hast opened thy hand among the stars,
And sprinkled the sea with food
The catch is great; thy children will live.
See, on the roofs of the villages, the red meat drying;
Another year thou hast encompassed us with life.
Praise! Praise! Kunae!
O Father, we have waited with shut mouths;
With hearts silent, and hands quiet,
Waited the time of prayer,
Lest with fears we should beset thee,
And pray the unholy prayer of asking.
We waited silently; and thou gavest life.
Oh, praise! Praise! Praise!
Open the silent mouths, the shut hearts, my tribe:
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