Songs with Jim Spry

How Great Thou Art (Gwetaamiikwendaagoziyan)

Jim Spry & Margaret Noodin. Photo by Janis Fairbanks.

Based on the Swedish hymn “O Store Gud,” written by Carl Boberg in 1885, the most common English version, which is used here, was written by the British Baptist, Stuart K. Hine after he learned a Russian of the song version in 1931 while visiting the Ukranian region of the Carpathian mountains.

The fascinating story of how the song has spread across continents, often despite wars and political differences, is a testament to the universal emotion of awe and wonder, which in Ojibwe can take many forms: maamakaadendaagwad (something that is amazing or miraculous), maamakaadendaagozi (someone, or an animate part of the universe is amazing), maamakaadendan (to be amazed by something) or maamakaadenim (to be amazed by someone). . . just to name a few.

See all songs with Jim Spry

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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How Great Thou Art

(1)
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Nimanidoo maamakaadeniminaan

consider all the works thy hands have made
gakina akiiwan ozhitooyan

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
anangoog gaye aanakwad chi-madweweg

thy power throughout the universe displayed
gimashkawiziiwin miziwe ayaag

Chorus:
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
Ani-initaagwad sa go nindeng

how great thou art, how great thou art
gwetaamiikwendaagoziyan

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to thee
Ani-initaagwad sa go nindeng

how great thou art, how great thou art
gwetaamiikwendaagoziyan

(2)
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
Megwaayaakong gechi-bishigendaagwak,

and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
bineshiijyag mino’ amaazowaad,

when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
wajiwing gichi-minwaabaminaagwag

and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze
ziibiiwiwan chi-minwewejiwang

(3)
And when I think that God his son not sparing
Mikwendamaan gii-bagidenimaad

sent him to die I scarce can take it in
ogwisan imaa aazhideyaatigong

that on the cross my burden gladly bearing
bimoodaminid gakina baataaziwinan

he bled and died to take away my sin
ina’amaan gwetaamigoziyan

(4)
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
Apii go ogwiisan ninga-bi-gaganoonig

and take me home what joy shall fill my heart
giiwewizhid ninga-moojigendam

then I shall bow in humble adoration
ojijiingwanigaabawiitawag sa

and there proclaim my god how great thou art
nagamoyaan gechi-ishpenimag

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