Songs with Jim Spry

Anishinaabewaki (America)

Jim Spry & Margaret Noodin. Photo by Janis Fairbanks.

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Songs with Jim Spry

This song and others in our Songs with Jim Spry section are favorites of Jim who was born in 1939 in Cloquet, Minnesota, to parents living in Gichi-Onigaming (Grand Portage). His father came from Gaa-waabaabiganikaag (White Earth) to Gichi-Onigaming to work for the CCC, met Jim’s mother, and stayed. He is known along the north shore as a talented singer and guitar-player and made these recordings with Margaret Noodin in 2024 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the Elders Nutrition Program, or at homes in Gichi-Onigaming. The translations were done by Margaret with input from Jim and Michael Zimmerman, Jr.
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In the recording here, Jim and Margaret sing the first verse English and then Ojibwe, then the traditional third verse in English followed by the traditional verse two in Ojibwe.

America My Country Tis of Thee

1
My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty of thee I sing.
Anishinaabewaki, omaa minokamigaa nagamotamaan.

Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride
Noosinaanig ogii-nibowag, omaa akiing

from every mountainside let freedom ring.
mii noongom miziwe debenimoyang.

3
Our father’s God to thee
Author of liberty
To thee we sing
Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light
Protect us by thy might
Great god our king

2
My native country thee, land of the noble free thy name I love.
Anishinaabewaki, dibendaagoziyaan zaagitooyaan.

I love they rocks and rills thy woods and templed hills
Nizaagi’aag asiniig miinawaa mitigwakiing

my heart with rapture thrills like that above.
mii jiikendamoyaan omaa akiing.

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