Black Snakes by Mariee Sioux Lyrics

Our skin tied over the drum
An elder’s eyes into the woods did run
Children tied into the drum
A newborn’s tears with the river did run
Eagle cries over the drum
An ancient seed smiles into the light of the sun

While Medusa’s head of black snakes
Tears through the loss and what remains
Praying while dogs snap between labor pains
Empty words spoken again and again
The Sacred Hoop broken that we’re trying to mend

So we’ll split the light in two we’ll split the light in two
So we’ll split the light in two we’ll split the light in two
We’ll split the light in two we’ll spit the light in you

Ya-na-we-na-he-ya-wa-na-he-ne
Ya-na-we-na-he-ya-wa-na-he-ne-o-a

Our men within the drum
Spirit ladder starlight the rungs
Women feeding the drum
Planting kernels of corn awakening has begun
Wolf crying over the drum
Ancient seeds smile into the light of the sun
While Medusa’s head of black snakes
Tears through the loss and what remains
Praying while dogs snap between labor pains
Empty words spoken again and again
The Sacred Hoop broken that we’re trying to mend

So we’ll split the light in two we’ll split the light in two
So we’ll split the light in two we’ll split the light in two
We’ll split the light in two we’ll spit the light in you

Ya-na-we-na-he-ya-wa-na-he-ne
Ya-na-we-na-he-ya-wa-na-he-ne-o-a