Blackfoot Fire Song

WAY-OH-HAY

WAY-OH-HAY

WAY-OH-HAY

WAY-OH-HAY .. A..HAY…HAY…HAY…HAY…HAY

The fire song is sung four rounds while the elder walks clockwise around the fire. After the fourth round is sung, all present become silent. The elder will first approach the fire and cleanse themselves by drawing handfuls of fire and washing down their body. The elder then places their offering into the fire and steps back. At this point, those present may approach the fire, cleanse themselves and make their offering. No more than four people at the fire at one time.

During the fire, those present are to read the fire from four different directions. Always move clockwise around a fire. Be respectfully silent.

Once everyone has cleansed and made their offering and read the fire from four directions, the elder will approach the fire from the east, rattle four times, then move to the south and rattle four times, then the west and the north. Once this is completed, the elder will call for the fire Song once again by starting to sing. Again four rounds are sung in order to sing the fire to sleep.