Re-publication of the Sacred Dakota Hymnal

A re-publication of the sacred Dakota Hymnal to honor the Dakota/Lakota history, language, and culture of its people and maintain the singing tradition for new generations.

The Dakota Hymnal was given to the Bishop of South Dakota by the translators on Good Friday, 1893. It contains 177 traditional hymns including the “Doxology,” “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “My God, and is Thy Table Spread,” among others, and service music as well. The importance of this hymnal to the Native communities of the Dakotas cannot be overstated.

The hymns are more than just a means of teaching the congregants to sing, they reflect the core of Church experiences in the territory, both on reservations and off. The hymns are embedded in the hearts of the people and represent their soul music. The publication also offers an opportunity for parishes to expand their hymn repertory to include diverse voices.