Just to Live

Just to Live by Halladay Quist
Hard Times Come Again
Our only prayer is just to live
Things get so low sometimes you gotta reach out higher than you
You can do what the Blackfeet do
I’ll send a dance to you, Just to Live
Gather round family and friends
A sacred fire, burns within
We’ll dance all night until the morning song is sung.
I’m a lone star woman on this blessed Blackfeet night.
I’ll send a dance to you, Just to Live
Just to Live
Just to Live
Blacktail running through the night
My dream shines in Grandfather’s light
Only you can see, what your dance could truly be
Let it set you free, ooooh
Let it set you free, ooooh
I’ll send a dance to you, Just to Live
Just to Live

The Dance of Life (A Little Boy’s Big Moment) by Rob Quist

The Dance of Life   (A Little Boy’s Big Moment) by Rob Quist
The morning sun chases shadows from the night
Painted tipis catch its golden light
The many tribes of the Blackfeet have come here
As they have for countless thousands of years
But this young boy is too excited to sleep
He holds a secret that’s been so hard to keep
The sacred dance of those from so long ago
This day will finally become his very own
(Chorus)
And now the massive powwow drums beat a thunderous roll
Into his body it comes through his heart and his soul
It’s his big moment his chance
As he steps into the very first dance of his life… The Dance of Life
(End of Chorus)
 A rite of passage for a Blackfeet boy
The look of pride in his father’s eye
The sacrifices that his mother gave
That he would one day be a Blackfeet brave
He dons his headdress made of porcupine quills
Carefully ties his rawhide ankle bells
One final breath and he answers the call
He is ready now to give it his all
 (Chorus

How the Marten Got His Spots by Rob Quist

How the Marten Got His Spots by Rob Quist
Marten and Mink were brothers true, as any two brothers could be
Mink said “I’m a little older, you are my responsibility
You can never, ever be too trusting of any stranger that you see
I’ve been over the hill a time or two so Marten, listen to me”
(Chorus)
Don’t go over the hill, brother, you better stay close to home
If you don’t have a big brother like me, brother, you better just leave it alone
There’s a heap ‘a trouble over the hill brother, cunning and treachery
You never know when you’re gonna be needing a brother, a great big brother like me
(End of Chorus)
But then giving in to curiosity, Marten soon went over the hill
He saw Bear hanging out by the tipi, looking for a little time to kill
When she went back into the lodge, well, he foolishly followed her in
Bear said “take a seat” and then offered him a wooden bowl of pemmican
But as he reached for the dish, Bear grabbed his arm and pulled him into the fire
He struggled and screamed with all his might, the flames burned hotter and higher
And it scorched his coat, but he scrambled hard, finally he broke free
Running over the hill he could hear Mink’s words “Boy, you didn’t listen to me”
(Chorus)
When Mink got home to the lodge that night, no sign of Marten anywhere
When at last he pulled the blanket back he found Marten hiding there
When he showed his brother his burn spots Mink put medicine on his sores
And that’s how the Marten got the spots that he’ll wear forever more
(Chorus)