Ave Maria

Chitwaa Maanii (Ave Maria). Songwriters: Ian Dench, Mikkel Eriksen, Amanda Louisa Gosein, Tor Erik Hermansen, Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Makeba Riddick. Translated by Alphonse Pitawanakwat and Margaret Noodin.

Sung by Margaret Noodin

Note: As with many songs, an exact translation is not possible. This three line version provides the original lyrics last with the Anishinaabemowin and literal lyrics first so that students can learn the meaning easily. A good example of this is the way a Non-Anishinaabe concept like "heaven" is actually translated as "something that fits right in my life" despite the fact that the song itself has the refrain of a Catholic hymn. This is true of many old hymns, both Catholic and Anglican, in which the Anishinaabeg translated the meaning, but often used their own interpretations and metaphors.

** This recording follows the original so there are pauses for instrumental sections.

Gii-nese gaawiin gikendaasiin ezhi-biskaabiid.
She took a breath not knowing how go back.
She was lost in so many different ways.

Gii-wanishin gaawiin gikendaasiin aayaad.
She got lost walking not knowing where she was.
Out in the darkness with no guide

Nigikendaan ezhiwebag ishkwa banaajitooyan.
I know how it feels something to lose.
I know the cost of a losing hand</p>

Gonemaa banaajitooyaangoban gaye.
I could have destroyed something also.
There for the grace of God go I

Nigii-mikaan waa-miikiseg bimaadiziwining
I found something that fits right in my life
I found heaven on earth
Pane gizaagi’in
Always we have love
You are my hunger, my thirst

Pane awiiya nigii-noondawaa
Always someone I hear
I always hear this voice inside
Chitwaa Maanii
Ave Maria

Niijkiwenyag megwaa aayaawaad gii-niboodewiziyaan
While friends are around I have still been alone
I’ve been alone when I’m surrounded by friends

Aapiji gwa ombiigwewe bezhigwan gwa bangate
Very loud at the same time quiet
How could the silence be so loud?
Gizaagi’in gwa geyabi ni giiweyaan
I love you still when I go home
But I still go home knowing that I’ve got you

Apii bizaan-ayaa giinawind eta aayaayang
When there is stillness we are the only ones there
There’s only us when the lights go down

Nigii-mikaan waa-miikiseg bimaadiziwining
I found something that fits right in my life
I found heaven on earth
Pane gizaagi’in
Always we have love
You are my hunger, my thirst

Pane awiiya nigii-noondawaa
Always someone I hear
I always hear this voice inside
Nagamo Chitwaa Maanii
Singing Ave Maria

Aangodinong zagidiwin daa-bimi-ayaa
Sometimes love might pass by
Sometimes love can come and pass you by

Epiichi enendaman gegoo da-izhiwebag
While you think something should happen
While you’re busy making plans

Miidash gichi-gezikana maaminonendaman
Then suddenly you realize
Suddenly hit you and then you realize

Gaa-bwaa-ezhichigeyaamban ji-gwayakosidooyan
Nothing you can do to make things right
It’s out of your hands, baby you got to understand

Nigii-mikaan waa-miikiseg bimaadiziwining
I found something that fits right in my life
I found heaven on earth
Pane gizaagi’in
Always we have love
You are my hunger, my thirst

Pane awiiya nigii-noondawaa
Always someone I hear
I always hear this voice inside
Chitwaa Maanii
Ave Maria