Woodland Indians Forum

Kwishkwei Piskèke (Lenape or Delaware Indian Language)
Translation by Lucy Parks Blalock with Jim Rementer (1992)

Wèmi pilët, ahi chitkwe
Kwishkwei piskèke
Sapëlee òkai nèk nisha
Pilsit mimëns ahi tànktitit
Nalai kawiyok
Nalai kawiyok.

Wèmi pilët, ahi chitkwe
Nanàngihëleyok
Wëlësëwakàn òs'hakaming
Enjëlàk asuhatuwàk
Christ ènda mitahpit
Christ ènda mitahpit

Wèmi pilët, ahi chitkwe
Kètantuwit kwisa
Osëlee wënji wëshkingung
Pilët ènda pètapànge
Jesus Këmitahpi!
Jesus Këmitahpi!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Literal Translation

All is calm, all is pure
The night is very silent
It is bright around the two
Pure child very small
Calmly they are sleeping
Calmly they are sleeping.

All is calm, all is pure
They are trembling
As goodness comes from Heaven
The Angels are all singing
Christ has been born
Christ has been born

All is calm, all is pure
The Son of God
There is light from His face
All is pure when it is dawn
Jesus You are born!
Jesus You are born!


Submitted by: Jim Rementer

http://silentnight.web.za/translate/lenape.htm