Ireland's OWN: Poetry & Prose

Grandfather, Great Spirit
—a Dakota Native-American Prayer

Grandfather, Great Spirit,
You have been Always,
And before you Nothing has been.
There is no one to pray to but You.
The Star Nations all over the Heavens are Yours,
And Yours are the Grasses of the Earth.
You are older than all need,
Older than all pain and prayer.

Grandfather, Great Spirit,
Look upon your children,
The Spirit Lake Oyate,
That they may face Winds, and
Walk the the Good Road to the
Day of Quiet.

Grandfather, Great Spirit,
Fill us with Light.
Give to us with Light.
Give us the Strength to Understand,
And Eyes to See.
Teach us to Walk the soft Earth,
As Relatives to all that Live.

Grandfather, Great Spirit,
Help us, for without You,
We are Nothing.