Hoka Hey
Several years ago I wrote a song called Hoka Hey. I would like to share this song with you and the context from which I wrote it. What does Hoka Hey mean?
Native American warriors would shout ‘Hoka Hey!’ to one another as they charged into battle. In the context of battle hoka hey meant, ‘it is a good day to die.’ The origin of the phrase. literally translates as ‘hold fast. There is more!’”
A speech by Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh
“It is a good time to die.” The ancient battle chant is shouted in defiance by a spirit warrior, rising to inspire his people. A true warrior is one who fights to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Heading into danger, he goes having made peace with his family and his fellows, and with his Creator. Confident in the justice of his mission, he goes without fear, to do what must be done. For if he should not return from this day’s battles, he will be able to face the Creator with an open heart, and enter the next life without shame or regret.
“So live your life so the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their views, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a stranger if in a lonely place. SHOW RESPECT TO ALL PEOPLE, BUT GROVEL TO NONE. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Touch not the poisonous firewater that makes wise ones turn to fools and robs them of their visions. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home. It is indeed, a good day to die.-TECUMSEH-
Interesting speech that echoes some key elements from scripture:
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Romans 14:8
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
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