Witchi Tai Tai

Wichi tai-tai,
Kee-ma-rah
Wo-rah-neeka, wo-rah-neeka
Hey-nay, hey-nay, no-wah
Witchi tai-tai,
Kee-ma-rah
Wo-rah-neeka, wo-rah-neeka
Hey-nay, hey-nay, no-wah

Water spirits springin’, springin’ round my head
Makes me feel glad that I’m not dead
Water spirits springin’, springin’ round my head
Makes me feel glad that I’m not dead

Wichi tai-tai,
Kee-ma-rah
Wo-rah-neeka, wo-rah-neeka
Hey-nay, hey-nay, no-wah
Witchi tai-tai,
Kee-ma-rah
Wo-rah-neeka, wo-rah-neeka
Hey-nay, hey-nay, no-wah

Oregon rain fallin’ down on my head,
Makes me feel glad that I’m not dead
Oregon rain fallin’ down on my head,
Makes me feel glad that I’m not dead

Wichi tai-tai,
Kee-ma-rah
Wo-rah-neeka, wo-rah-neeka
Hey-nay, hey-nay, no-wah
Witchi tai-tai,
Kee-ma-rah
Wo-rah-neeka, wo-rah-neeka
Hey-nay, hey-nay, no-wah

What a haunting song. I’m always astounded to realize songs we sang at Kilowan were commercial hits and played on the radio. Of course we didn’t make most of them up, but there’s something about a song on the radio that doesn’t fit with how sacred I hold the songs from Kilowan. But there it is, on YouTube, and referenced on Wikipedia. I find some solace in the fact that the original songwriter is from Salem, Oregon. Perhaps there’s more of a connection than I realize.

-Larken

p.s. Thanks to Spaz for catching the missing second verse of this song.  How could I forget “Oregon rain fallin’ down on my head”?!?

Dona

In a wagon bound for market
There’s a calf with a mournful eye
High above him flew a swallow
Winging swiftly through the sky

Chorus:
Oh how the winds are laughing
They laugh with all their might
Laugh and love the whole day through
And half the summer’s night
Do-na do-na do-na do-na do-na do-na,
Dona dona dona don
Dona dona dona, dona
Do-na don.

“Stop complaining” said the farmer
“Who told you a calf to be?”
Why don’t you have wings to fly with
Like the swallow so proud and free.

Chorus

Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
Never knowing the reason why
But those of us who value freedom
Like the swallow must learn to fly.

——————————–

This is another song sent along by Cathy “Scooby” Watt from her ‘1976 Magic Ring Song Book’. For some reason I mostly remember singing this song after dinner in Teal, though I’m sure we sang it at camp fires and dream boats and council fires. Thanks for sending it Scooby! -Larken

Today

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows, shall all pass away.
Ere I forget all the joys that are mine, today.

I’ll be a dandy and I’ll be a rover
You’ll know who I am by the songs that I sing.
I’ll feast at your table; I’ll sleep in your clover
Who cares what tomorrow will bring.

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows, shall all pass away.
Ere I forget all the joys that are mine, today.

I can’t be contented with yesterday’s glories
I can’t live on promises, winter to spring
Today is my moment and now is my story
I’ll laugh and I’ll cry and I’ll sing.

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows, shall all pass away.
Ere I forget all the joys that are mine, today.

—————————————

This song is summer to me. Summer camp, summer fruit, summer evenings around the camp fire. Thanks to Cathy “Scooby” Watt for sending it along from her ‘1976 Magic Ring Song Book’! – Larken

Friday Morn

Twas Friday night when we set sail
And we were not far from land
When out captain spied a pretty mermaid
With a comb and a brush in her hand

Chorus:

Oh, the ocean waves may ro-o-oll
The stormy winds may blow (woo woo)
We poor sailors go skipping to the tops
And the land-lubbers lie down below-ow-ow
And the land-lubbers lie down below

Then up spoke the captain of our gallant gallant ship
And a well spoken man was he
“I’ve married a gal in Salem Town
And tonight a widow she’ll be”

Chorus

Then up spoke the cook of our gallant gallant ship
And a red hot cook was he (tssss)
“I care more for my pots and my pans
Than I do for the bottom of the sea.”

Chorus

Then up spoke the cabin boy of our gallant gallant ship
And a dirty little rat was he
“I don’t care if our ship sinks
’cause nobody cares about me.”

Chorus

Then three times round, went our gallant gallant ship
Then three times round went she
Then three times round, went our gallant gallant ship
And sank to the bottom of the sea

Chorus

As requested by Joel, I’ve dug up the words to Friday Morn.   I was even able to include the cabin boy verse that Rachel (Heffalump) says wasn’t sung at other camps she’s worked at.  She also mentioned that Kilowan has the rowdiest version around too.  And she’d be the one to know this sort of thing.  Thanks for asking after it Joel! It always reminds me of good times in Teal, even if it did mean the end of another great week.

Larken

maps

I recently received an USGS topo map of the Camp Kilowan area for my birthday from fellow Kilowan alum Rachel C., aka Heffalump. An excellent present if I do say so myself. She and I were discussing the available aerial photos and making out Kilowan buildings in them. In case anyone else out there wants to search for Teal Lodge, the swimming pool or the Covered Rec (most smaller cabins aren’t visible) I thought I’d add a link to Google Maps were you can see them for yourselves.

Kilowan: Google Maps

Enjoy! Larken

Reunion Canceled

Hello…just forwarding on this notice to let everyone know the reunion has been canceled. See below.

Kilowan Love,
Larken

“Hi Everyone,

Cathy asked me to e-mail everyone and let you know that we are not going to be able to use Camp this weekend. They have a major electrial problem and won’t be able to have groups in until it is fixed…or is sold. We are still in hopes of putting together a reunion and will be in touch…Please forward this info. to any other Kilowan alumni who may have been thinking about attending.

Thanks!
Lorette (Koenig) Waggoner
A.K.A. Rhet”
rhetoric.lorette (at) gmail.com

Moon On the Meadow

Chorus:
Moon on the meadow, bugs in our ears,
Smoke in our eyes, wet wood and tears,
On up the meadow, water somewhere,
We were the only ones there.

Wild horses rushing, dry lakes and peaks
Finding the love that everyone seeks
Hiking to rainbows, sunsets and stars
Just finding out who we are.

Chorus

We will return here, some lucky day
Our hearts will guide us, they know the way.
People in cities just don’t understand,
Falling in love with the land.

Moon on the meadow, bugs in our ears
Smoke in our eyes, wet wood and tears
On up the meadow, water somewhere
With you my friend, I am there.

- Was it Kilowan that called me back to the Oregon Coast Mountains? I’m living in amongst the trees in a cabin-like yurt with a camp fire ring out my new front door. Down the hill is the meadow that has been inspiring me to hum this song to myself the past few days as I go to feed the chickens. The moon was still bright this morning as I made my way down there.

And of course this song reminds me of my sister and one of her Totem years when they used it to tell the story of their off-site trip. Does anyone remember the lyrics to these songs that told of adventures off-site?

Larken

Reunion Update

Just a reminder about the September Kilowan Alumni Reunion.  Please contact Cathy Bourson at arbour1@ juno.com if you are planning on attending.  The Willamette Council appears to be in the process of selling the property to the LDS Church.  If the sale happens prior to the Reunion, it may be canceled.

Thanks!  Larken

On My Honor

Chorus:
On my honor I will try
There’s a duty to be done and I say aye
There’s a reason here for a reason above
My honor is to try and my duty is love

People don’t need to know my name
If I’ve done any harm, then I’m to blame
When I’ve helped someone, I’ve helped me
If I’ve opened up my eyes to see

I’ve tucked away a song or two
If you’re feeling lonely, there’s one for you
If you need a friend, then I will come
There are many more where I come from

Chorus

Come with me where the fire burns bright
We can even see better by candle light
We can get more meaning from a campfire’s glow
Than we ever could in a year or so

We’ve made a promise to always keep
And we pray it softly falls before we sleep
We’ll be campers together and when we’re gone
We’ll still be trying and singing this song

Chorus

A Gift

I have a little present here for you inside this tiny bottle ,so very small and blue.
please do not uncork it or everyting will get away.
I thought you might like your own summer’s day
to put it on away.

I’d be pleased if you didn’t ask why I gave this gift to you.
Don’t know myself , did it on a whim, as the thought came runnin’ through.
Thought it might make you happy in a summertime sort of way .
And I thought you might like your own summer’s day ,
to put it on away.

Now, can you read the writing on this tiny bottle wall?
I know it’s quite small but I can read it all.
It says… she who is a readin’ me and lookin’ at my side, might be interested at what lies inside.
it holds one breath of a butterfly, and
one ray from the sun, and
lots ‘n’ lots of laughter from little children’s fun.
So- don’t you dare uncork me
or everything will get away.
I’d like to hold on to my own summer’s day
……………to put it on away………

Thanks for the addition of this one Finnigan!  -Larken