Michelle Mays: Music

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Selu

Selu awa-do-lee, Selu Selu awa-do-lee, Selu
Selu awa-do-lee, Selu Selu awa-do-lee, Selu, Osio, Selu

She had always been there, standing tall in her Green Robe
Loving hands reaching for her people. Caring for her beloved people.

Grandmother cared for her people, keeping them healthy and strong.
Selu fed her children, even when the hunters failed.
From the strength of her bones, And the life in her blood, she fed them.

Selu taught them the sacred way, to respect and honor life.
All you need is given, if the sacred way you keep.
Take only as you need, and leave the rest, Keep the balance of life.

(Ch)

Her children listened , and knew the wisdom of her words,
For she was the oldest, the wisest, and guided with loving hands
The people grew, their numbers were many, Strong Tsa-la-gee.

But some young ones , bold and daring, and filled with curiosity,
Followed her, when the hunters failed… to claim food the glory for themselves.
They saw her undo her robe, and shake her body, As the basket filled with corn.

She had always been there, feeding the people and tending their needs.
No one had asked, for they’d been just children, but now they’d grown and they knew who she was.

(Ch)

The young ones told all the people what they had seen.
And the people, confused, afraid, then knew Selu was the Mother of all life.
They shunned her in fear, they shunned her in awe, The balance of life was gone.

Selu knew her time with her beloved children had come to an end.
It broke her heart, it broke the peoples heart when she said it’s time for me to go.
When she died she told them, Bury me in the meadow by moonlight, Where the Day moon shines,
and I’ll come back to you.

(Ch)

And the people cried, as they buried her in the moonlight.
And the Tsa-la-gee people cried, their tears fell like rain
They remembered her words, and tended her grave, All Summer long.

In the Harvest moon she retruned…..

As if she’d always been there, Standing tall in her Green Robe.
Loving hands reaching for her people. And in her hands, she held….…Corn

Selu awa-do-lee, Selu Selu awa-do-lee, Selu
Selu awa-do-lee, Selu Selu awa-do-lee, Selu, Osio, Selu

(O'sio - a Cherokee greeting. O’sio Selu - Greetings, my Mother Goddess.)

Credits: Written by Michelle Mays, 1997. Inspired by the Cherokee mythology story of Selu, the Cherokee Corn/Earth Goddess, and Mother of the Cherokee Nation. Vocals-Michelle Mays, Rob Volmar, Amanda Martin. Cherokee flute-Tommy Wildcat, Native American Music awards flutist of the year, 2002 and nominee 2003. Drum- Koenlg, Keys-Ernie Tullis, Bass-Rob Volmar, Guitar-Michelle Mays

I have to thank Susie Ballard Mays for impressing my father with the story of Selu, and for my Great Aunt Redbird. Without these people in the chain of ancestors, I would be lost.
Thank you for the beautiful gift, my people.