“Si-yo.” That’s Cherokee for “hello.” Songwriter Paula Nelson is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee who lives in the Big Cove Community of Cherokee, N.C. She teaches Cherokee words through song, helping to keep her language alive. In one song, she uses call and response to teach the greeting “Si-yo” and a farewell. Instead of “goodbye,” however, the Cherokee say “’til we meet again” or “De-da-da-go-hv-ya.”
The Cherokee are one of many Native peoples living in the Americas. Long before European explorers arrived on America’s shores, Native peoples lived, hunted, and developed rich cultures throughout North and South America. Musicand dance have been an integral part of Native American life from earliest times, used then and now as part of rituals and ceremonies; to tell stories, teach lessons, and pass along history; and for entertainment.
Singers like Paula Nelson sing solo or in groups, use a variety of forms, and perform with and without accompaniment. There is immense variety in the songs, rhythms, meters, vocal styles, and purposes. There’s variety in the instrumentsas well, but you can pretty much count on hearing drums and other percussive instruments such as rattles, clappers, and scrapers. The flute is also popular.
This song uses the form call and response, in which one singer sings a musical statement and other singers respond with a musical statement.
