Minoaayaa

Originally by Nina Simone. Translated by Margaret Noodin and Alphonse Pitawanakwat. Sung by Margaret Noodin.

1.
Birds flying high you know how I feel / Bineshensag ginisidotawim
Sun in the sky you know how I feel / Giizis giizhigong ginisidotaw
Breeze drifting on by you know how I feel / Zhiibaanmad ginisidotaw

It’s a new dawn / Oshkibiidaaban
It’s a new day / Oshkigiizhigad
It’s a new life for me / Oshkibimaadiziyaan
And I’m feeling good / miinawaa minoaayaayaan

2.
Fish in the sea you know how I feel / Giigoyag chigamingong ginisidotawim
River running free you know how I feel / Ziibing minojiwan ginisidotaw
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel / Baashkabwagoni ginisidotaw

It’s a new dawn / Oshkibiidaaban
It’s a new day / Oshkigiizhigad
It’s a new life for me / Oshkibimaadiziyaan
And I’m feeling good / miinawaa minoaayaayaan

3.
Dragon fly out in the sun you know what I mean / Oboodashkwaanishiinh ginisidotaw
Butterflies all having fun you know what I mean / Memengwag minwendagoziwag ginisidotawim
Sleep in peace when day is done that’s what I mean / da minogwaamayaan dibikong

And this old world is a new world / aanzinaagwad o’o oshki-akiing (it looks changed, this new world)
And a bold world for me/ miinwaa zoongide’eyaan

4.
Stars when you shine you know how I feel/ Waasa anongonsag ginisidotawim
Scent of the pine you know how I feel / Zhingomaagozi ginisidotaw
Oh freedom is mine and I know how I feel / Nimbagiji’ayaa nisidotaadizoyaan

It’s a new dawn / Oshkibiidaaban
It’s a new day / Oshkigiizhigad
It’s a new life for me / Oshkibimaadiziyaan
And I’m feeling good / miinawaa minoaayaayaan