Navajo Prayer

In remembrance of American Indian Day,

which was traditionally observed on the fourth Friday

of the month of September for many years.

Lord of the Mountain

Reared within the Mountain,

Young man, Chieftain,

Hear a young man's prayer!

Hear a prayer for cleanness.

Keeper of the strong rain,

Drumming on the mountain;

Lord of the small rain,

That restores the earth in newness;

Keeper of the clean rain,

Hear a prayer for wholeness.

Indian Prayer

NC Wyeth

(1937)

Young man, Chieftain,

Hear a prayer for fleetness.

Keeper of the deer's way,

Reared among the eagles,

Clear my feet of slothness.

Hear a prayer for courage.

Lord of the thin peaks,

Reared among the thunders;

Keeper of the headlands,

Holding up the harvest,

Keeper of the strong rocks,

Hear a prayer for staunchness.

Young man, Chieftain,

Spirit of the Mountain!

"Navajo Prayer"

Edward S. Yeomans