Way Tiretuä—The Shaman’s Song

Ma Eylan,

Over at LearnNavi.org., some folks took a stab at transcribing the Shaman’s Song that’s heard in Mo’ara.

Understanding sung lyrics isn’t easy. If you’re like me, you’ve often had to look up the lyrics to songs you find on the Internet, even if they’re in your own language, since it can be hard to make out what the singer is saying. (Most singers, I think, concentrate more on singing beautifully than on enunciating the words clearly.) And of course there’s a whole cottage industry of “Misheard Lyrics,” which can be pretty hilarious. (My all-time favorite is this one. For me, this song will always be, “Have You Ever Seen Lorraine?”) Given all that, I think the transcribers did a great job!

For the record, here are the actual lyrics. (I have several versions on my computer; I believe this is the final one that’s used in the park.) They go all the way back to 2015; you can see how much advanced planning goes into a huge undertaking like the Disney theme park! Keep in mind that this is poetry, and somewhat mysterious poetry at that. Poetical syntax doesn’t always follow the exact same rules as ordinary spoken language.

1

Ma Na’rìng alor,                                O beautiful forest,

Mì Na’rìng lu tsngawpay.               There are tears in the forest.

Atokirina’.                                             Woodsprite(s).

Awnga leym, lereym san                 We cry out, calling,

Ma Eywa (3X).                                      “O Eywa!” (3X)

2

’Awstengyawnem,                             Connected as one,

Ma Sa’nok aNawm.                           O Great Mother.

Atokirina’.                                            Woodsprite(s).

Awnga leym, lereym san               We cry out, calling,

Ma Eywa (3X).                                    “O Eywa!” (3X)

3

Tìnewfa leNa’vi,                                 By the People’s will,

Na’rìng tìng lawr.                              The forest is singing.

Atokirina’.                                             Woodsprite(s).

Awnga leym, lereym san                 We cry out, calling,

Ma Eywa (3X).                                      “O Eywa!” (3X)

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11 Responses to Way Tiretuä—The Shaman’s Song

  1. eejmensenikbenhet says:

    Wou! We were very close, irayo nìtxan ma Pawl!
    “Awnga leym” was something I probably never would’ve heard.

    The speed with which you’ve answered this is amazing!
    Irayo nìmun ulte Eywa ngahu frakrr!

    Ta EMIBH/Kayle

  2. Jothshah Munson says:

    I have created a video which is a compilation of other videos (Read the video’s description to see I do not claim ownership of any of it.) to make a looped song which the Shaman of Songs sings on the Na’vi River Journey. You can loop the song by right clicking the video and clicking the word “Loop.”

    https:// www .youtube .com /watch?v=iXXZajrIoug <– Take note of the spaces.

    Based on the language you use in your post, I understand you are the person who wrote this song. (I am a new reader; sorry for my ignorance if this should be obvious.) If so, may I ask your help? If you don't know the answer, there is no pressure. I will give credit to you and also a link to this post in the video.

    May I use these translations in the video so others know what the shaman is singing and also for educational purposes for the Na'vi language community?

    There are certain words I hear in the video which are not in the translation in your post. I do not claim to know much Na'vi and the words are approximations for what I hear. At 0:18 and 1:35, I hear a word which sounds like the English "lull", at 0:40 "nimun", at 1:15 and 2:30 "staumweti", at 1:54 and 3:08 "irayo", at 2:09 "strawnawae", and at 2:47 "tslawme".

    You have posted three verses to this song. In the video, the shaman sings six verses. I assume she sings the verses as follows: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. Is this correct?

    I had guessed the title of the song was "Ma Eywa" based on chorus, but based on the title of this thread, I assume it is "Way Tiretuä." Is this correct?

  3. Jothshah Munson says:

    After reviewing the dictionary, I think I found some of the words. At 0:18 and 1:35, the word “rol” means “sing”, at 0:40 “nìmun” means “again”, at 1:15 and 2:30 “stawm oeti” means “hear me”, and 1:54 and 3:08 “irayo” means “thank you”. Do you think these translations are correct? Can you verify what the words at 2:09 and 2:47 are?

    Irayo for reading and for your help.

    • SGM (Plumps) says:

      The words at 2:09 and 2:47 are both srane “yes”.
      The other words are correct, as far as I can understand them. 😉

      • Jothshah Munson says:

        SGM (Plumps),

        Irayo, your answer agrees with the users at LearnNa’vi (https:// forum. learnnavi. org/beginners/video-of-the-shaman-of-songs-ride-at-disney-world-need-help-translating)

        To the original poster Pawl, I found out you are the famous Dr. Paul Frommer. Irayo for letting me post my questions and letting others guide me in the right direction!

  4. Tim says:

    Thank you for sharing this. I plan on linking back to it on my website.

  5. Kaltxì ma nawma karyu alu Pawl.
    Srake nga kxawm tsun tiving ayoer fìrol Tsahìkä nìteng?
    Po rorol san Awnga rol fte kivame, kame fte rivol… sìk

    Frakrr stawm oel fìrolit menariru oeyä lu tsngawpay taluna fìrol txantsan nìtxan lu.
    Sunu oer nìtxan ayrol anafì’u.

    Irayi nìtxan ulte Eywa hawnu nga Johnsì, ma Pawl.

    ta Andi.

  6. Melissa Dewhurst says:

    I love this song, it’s a amazing song ma toktor Pawl I listen to it alot and it never gets old it’s that beautiful …..seysonìltsan si irayo

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