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about
This song came out of a brainstorm for the theme of Niagara Culture Capital Application. The conversation was spirited, and touching, there were six of us discussing the meaning of the region. We discussed Niagara's role as a welcoming place for people around the world and the important role that the water ways play in the region and water as a symbol of spirit. I scribbled the word Nia:Weh in my notes. I was struck by the similarity between the Mohawk word, a directed thank you, and the word Yahweh, in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The conversation inspired me to sit down at the piano and compose. The first thing that came out was the chant. Later Steven Baranyai (Strong Standing Bear) added Shonkwaia'tison, to complete the chant and direct it toward the "one who created the dust". I had written the first verse, which touches on the theme of war and the Endless war, the struggle of the first nations in North America. Steven had the key to the second verse, and that opened up the second verse to be about moving forward as people, as brothers and sisters. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We can live as one or perish as fools". In large part, that is the spirit of the peace project.
The proceeds from this track will support the travel expenses of a cross-country tour of many musicians touring to promote Truth, reconciliation and forgiveness in our first nations history, and the pursuit of Harmony in Our story.
This is a song of gratitude. Thank you.
- C.D. Onofrio
lyrics
The Ways of the Water
by Steven Baranyai and C.D. Onofrio
Nia:weh
Songwiatison
Thunder makes it’s way across the land
haunted by the shadows of the past
nestled in the arms of the great lakes
once this was the gateway to the west
These are the ways of the water
This is the walk of peace
this is the place of wonder
this is the great release
We come from the waters of our mother
born to be ourselves and no other
we’ve come here to heal one another
to walk as sisters and brothers
These are the ways of the water
this is the walk of peace
this is the place of wonder
this is the great release
Nia:weh
Songwiatison
credits
released September 1, 2012
lyrics by C.D. Onofrio and Steven Baranyai.
Features:
Phil Davis - Electric Guitar/ Vocals
Rod Standish - Bass/ Vocals
Aaron Berger - Vocals/Tamborine
Bob Goodall - Djembe
Ashlee Davis - Keyboard
Sarah Jarvis - Djembe
Emily Andrews - Vocals
Penny Bowers - Vocals
C.D. Onofrio - Acoustic Guitar/ Vocals
J.P. Dupont - Acoustic Guitar / Vocals
Nathan Chamberland - Electric Guitar/ Vocals
Eric Anderson - Percussion
Ken Johnson - Percussion
Jay Shawana - Vocals
Rita Visser - Vocals
Produced by: Nathan Chamberland/ Sonic Myst Studios
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