The Litany, or General Supplication, with the Confirmation Service for the Use of the Protestant Episcopal Mission, Cape Palmas, W.A.
Cavalla, Western Africa: Printed on the Messinger Press, 1858.
Historical introduction
Grebo is a macrolanguage of Liberia, spoken by the Grebo people of western Africa. Anglican missionary activity among Grebo speakers began in 1836; the Right Reverend John Payne (1815-1874) was appointed by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America as Missionary Bishop at Cape Palmas and Parts Adjacent in 1851.
William Muss-Arnolt discusses the history of Anglican liturgical translations into Grebo in Chapter LVIII of The Book of Common Prayer among the Nations of the World (1914). David Griffiths does not list this or other early translations of portions of the Book of Common Prayer into Grebo in The Bibliography of the Book of Common Prayer 1549-1999 (London: The British Library; New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 2002). Later translations into Grebo languages, beginning in 1867, are classified as Nos. 44:1-2.
This text was digitized in 2012 by Richard Mammana from a copy of the original provided by the late Thomas N. Rae.
THE LITANY,
OR,
GENERAL SUPPLICATION.WITH
THE CONFIRMATION SERVICE
FOR THE USE OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL MISSION,CAPE PALMAS, W.A.
PRINTED ON THE MESSINGER PRESS,
AT CAVALLA, W.A.
1858.
THE LITANY.
(BEDE-WINH)
OR GENERAL SUPPLICATION.¶ To be used after Morning Service, on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
O Nyesoa, â mâ Yeu âh Buo; a ware beh nu menh, amu no teê hanh seyê ah nyebo kukwi nonh.
O Nyesoa, â mâ Yeu âh Buo; a ware beh nu menh, amu no teê hanh seyê ah nyebo kukwi nonh.
O Nyesoa, â mâ Yu nonh, â mâ konâ-ah Braâ, a ware beh nu monh, amu no teê hanh seye âh nyebo kukwi nonh.
O Nyesoa, â mâ Yu nonh, â mâ konâ-ah Braâ, a ware beh nu monh, amu no teê hanh seye âh nyebo kukwi nonh.
O Nyesoa, â mâ Gnekâ Shiu â wode Buo kâ Yu mâ he; a ware beh nu monh, amu no tee hanh seye ah nyebo kukwi nonh.
O Nyesoa, â mâ Gnekâ Shiu â wode Buo kâ Yu mâ he; a ware beh nu monh, amu no tee hanh seye ah nyebo kukwi nonh.
O Gnekâ Trînite, oh ne krubwe, oh te boae yi, oh Tae Tanh no oh nu Nyesoa donh; a ware beh nu monh, amu no mâ hanh seye âh nyebo kukwi nonh.
O Gnekâ Trînite, oh ne krubwe, oh te boae yi, oh Tae Tanh no oh nu Nyesoa donh; a ware beh nu monh, amu no mâ hanh seye âh nyebo kukwi nonh.
A ne kbune kukwi ah te, ke a ne buono ah kbune kukwi ah te eh nah nede monh kudi O Nyesoa; ke nah ha kbanh ke a kbune kukwi mâ: nah nu ame blidi mâ, nah nu nah nyebo blidi mâ hono brade nah hanh nyinâ, nenh nah pode amo yero nâ, ti biye:
Nah nu amo blidi mâ, hanh Kââ.
Ke dene mâ de kukwi eh kâ te krenh he; ke nah tedi ah wowora nonh; ke ku ah nanede eh kâ â hwonhwe he; kre nah yero eh kâ konâ-se blidi he;
Hade amo ne mâ biyo, hanh Kââ.
Ke woro-dodâe mâ kre lu-nâ-yie eh kâ dui ah te wowe he, nenh yede yidi: ke ktya tue, eh kâ nyrenhnyenh he, nenh woro kuku eh kâ kranh tudeda he;
Hade amo ne mâ biyo, hanh Kââ.
Ke de kukwi ne a wore mie mâ nâ: nenh ke konâ âh bobode eh kâ fe ah bobode he nenh ku ah bobode yidi.
Hade amo ne mâ biyo, hanh Kââ.
Ke tenh kâ kyekyeidu he; ke kwenh kukwi ne le nyebo eh kâ kanonh he: nenh tonh kâ honhmanh he, nenh kre worewore kokwe yidi;
Hade amo ne mâ biyo, hanh Kââ.
Ke nyebo ah tute eh kâ sida tue he, nenh bro kâoh ah mâ hwonhwe yidi; ke se-te ah tâdeda nonh, kâ Nyesoa ah te tide idi heha he nenh Nyesoa-ah nyebo ah dienyinyinena yidi: kre wore-ya-kranhda, eh kâ nah Winh ke nah tedi-ah fofre he.
Hade amo ne mâ biyo, hanh Kââ.
Ko nah Ku-wowe kâ nah Nyina puwâ-wowe he ah ta; ko nah Krose kâ nah Swenh-yie he ah ta; ko nah Kokwe ne eh te boae yi kâ nah neh hine me ke he nenh nah Tete yidi ah ta;
Hade amo ne mâ biyo, hanh Kââ.
Ko nah Ku-wowe kâ nah Nyina puwâ-wowe he ah ta; ko nah Krose kâ nah Swenh-yie he ah ta; ko nah Kokwe ne eh te beae yi kâ nah Heha ah ta; ko nah te yi-boa Kenâ-wowe kâ nah Yeu yeya he ah ta; nenh ko Gnekâ Shiu ah didie ah ta;
Wa amo, hanh Kââ.
Ko a ne ku-wowe ah ti ah popleyinâ idi; ko a ne konâ-mâ nâ nânena ah ti ah popleyinâ idi; ko a ne kokwe ah ti idi, eh kâ te-hla-nyenayedo ah ti, he;
Wa amo, hanh Kââ.
Am u no te nyebo kukwi, a bede monh ne, beh wânh a winh, O Kââ Nyesoa; nenh beh nu duihah woro, kâ nah gnekâ Tyue no we ble lu winh ke, nae no te oh na nah hanh tide.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, beh tu Kristyan Brokâ oh kâ Tehlaoh he yimâ, beh po no krubwe mâ nenh beh hee no boh tu nyebo hanh gne, nenh boh bli hanh te kwa.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Nyono mâ Bishopbo kâ Pristebo he, nonh Dikonbo yidi, beh nu duih ah woro, hee no, boh yido ne nâ hanhka: wa tâde-winh, eh kâ wa kbune he, beh mu ne pebe na po, nenh beh mu ne nyebo nâ yidoe;
Beh nu duih ah woro, beh blese nah nyebo ah popleyinâ, nenh beh tu no yimâ;
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, beh hnyi dako ah popleyinâ woro-ke-nâ nonâe, dienânena, nenh yede tue yidi.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, beh nu a wore, te a na nowâne monh a mu nah hwanonh pi, nenh a mude kbenh po, a mu nah tedi yimâ tu;
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, beh pode nah nyebo âh popleyinâ ah grese ke, te oh na tee wa wore ya, boh mu nah winh wânh, boh mu ne nowâne-ka ye kere, nenh boh mu Shiu ah hanh nunude wo.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, nyono oh popleyinâ oh ka, oh boe, bey ya no li, boh bi hanh tide idi, di.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, nyono oh nyinao, beh pode no kbenh ya; nyono oh wore we kbenh ya beh tude no woro kudi, beh hee no; nyono oh pio beh du no ye; nenh eh die-bâdede beh po ku honânh a mu nâ ke nâ na.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh mu duih ah woro, nyono oh popleyinâ, de kuku eh po nâ beh be ye, oh yi de ide, onh oh nede awenh nyenh, beh mao no mâ, beh hee no beh tude no woro kudi.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, nyono oh popleyinâ oh mi daba nâ, banh kbobo ye, banh idu ke, nenh nyeno ah popleyinâ oh nede manena-ku-wowe nyenh, nenh kraoh nonh oh kâ hyeiru bwi he beh to no yimâ: nenh jenh-neoh kâ tonh-ke-krâoh ah popleyinâ he, wa ware beh nu monh, yi.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh mu duih ah woro, nyono oh mâ kwi-iru, oh kâ ti-ko-nyeno he, nenh nyono oh popleyinâ oh ye nunu-kâ kâ, wa bino ti swenh, beh wo no ke, nenh beh klede no.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro beh yido nyebo biye ah ware nâ.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, nyono mâ a nyanhoh oh kâ a die-nyineoh he, nenh nyono oh pe amo se ke nâ yidi, beh po no hwinhso, nenh beh hie wa wore mâ.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah wore, dene mâ bro-ah hanh popode, beh hnyi amo ne mâ, nenh beh tu ne yimâ ko a ta, ba mu ne eh ti idi didi.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh, hanh Kââ.
Beh nu duih ah woro, beh nu amo, a kbune kukwi ah ware beh nu amo hanh-te ka, a kbune kukwi ne a ni, eh kâ hanh de ne a ye nu he, nenh de krenh a ye yi a nu yidi, bah po amo hwinhso ke eh-ta, nenh hnyi amo nah Gnekâ Shiu ah grese bâ hee amo a mu a kbune hmlene, ba mu nah hanh winh nu.
A bade monh ne, beh wânh a winh hanh Kââ.
Nyesoa ah Nyebe-yu, a bâde monh ne, beh wânh a winh.
Nyesoa ah Nyebe-yu, a bâde monh ne, beh wânh a winh.
O Nyesoa ah Blable-yu, mâh nâ â ha konâ ah kbune kukwi ah te.
Beh hnyi amo, nah yede tu tue.
O Nyesoa ah Blable-yu, mâh nâ â ha konâ ah kbune kukwi ah te.
A ware beh nu monh.¶ The Minister may at his discretion omit all that follows to the prayers “A bade monh ne, O Buo,” &c.
O Kraise, beh wânh a winh.
O Kraise, beh wânh a winh.
Kââ, po amo wore mâ nâ.
Kââ, po amo wore mâ nâ.
Kraise, po amo wore mâ nâ.
Kraise, po amo wore mâ nâ.
Kââ, po amo wore mâ nâ.
Kââ, po amo wore mâ nâ.¶ Then shall the Minister and people say the Lord’s Prayer.
A Buo, mâh nâ nede you, nah nyine beh kâgne. Nyebo ah popleyinâ boh nu monh wa kinh mâ. Nah woro beh nuiede konâ mâ, tene oh nide ne yeu. Nenh beh po amo hwinhso ko a kbune kukwi ah ta, tene a ni, a pe nyono oh ni amo kbune mâ, hwinhso, yi. Nenh nah nae amo kbune kukwi ah tudâtu ah tide idi; Nema beh ha amo ku ye. Amen.
Min. O Kââ, blidi ne a kbune kukwi blede ye nah nu amo ne mâ.
Ans. Ke a de kukwi ne a ni, nah hnyi amo eh paeda, yi.Ba bede Nyesoa mâ.
O Nyesoa â mâ ware kâ Buo, mâh nâ nyono oh kbune kukwi ah ware ni, oh pe hinhne ah tede oh wore ne swenh, â yido dene wa wore ide; beh yido a ware, beh po amo wore mâ nâ te a nede swenh nyenh, ba yi monh mâ bede, beh hee amo be ti be de kukwi be amo ye: nenh beh nu duih eh hanh woro, beh wânha bede-winh de kukwi ne ku ke to-nyebo ah nah, ke lu-sea mio amo mâ yamâ beh bada; nenh; amu no te nah leyiru, te de te nah tu amo swenh ba mu monh bisi, kre nah Gnekâ Tyue biyo; ko Jisus Kraise ah ta.
Kââ, wo ta hee amo, nenh beh ha amo konâ, ko nah nyime ah ta.
O Nyesoa, a noenh wânh ne ne, a buono nane ne mâ nâ oh lele amo ne yi, nunude hwe ne nunena he wa nyenayede idi eh kâ dene nuna hwombo-ah ti idi ko no ye.
O Kââ, wo ta; hee amo, beh ha amo konâ ko nah nyine hwe ah ta.Buo-ah te beh boae yi, nenh Yu yidi, nenh Gnekâ Shiu yidi.
Ans. Tene eh nuna tede kene, tene eh te eh ne, tene eh minâ nemâ, ti biye. Amen.Hao amo a nyanhoh lu nâ, O Kraise.
Nu duih ah hanh woro, beh yido a ware kre a ne swenh nyenh.Ware-ka beh yi a wore ah ware.
Be yido nah nyebo ah ware nenh beh po no hwinhao ko wa kbune kukwi ah ta.Beh yido a ware nenh beh wânh a bede winh.
O Devide ah Yu, a ware beh nu monh.Tetinonh, nenh ti biye, beh nu duih ah woro, beh wânh, a winh O Kraise.
Beh nu duih ah hanh woro, beh wânh a winh, O Kraise; nu duih ah hanh woro, beh wânh a winh O Kââ Kraise.Min. O Kââ tede amo nah ware ye.
Ans. Te eh nu monh a kunhne wore ye.Ba bede Nyesoa mâ.
O a Buo, a tee a wore ya, a bade monh ne amo no, oh ye hanh de ah nue boade, beh po amo wore mâ nâ, nenh ko nah nyine ah te yi boaeda ah ta, de krenh-ah popleyinâ ne eh yie a blede ye ko a kbune kukwi ah ta, beh hao amo ne mâ ye; nenh banh eh ne swenh ne a yi, hee amo, a yi beh muo monh mâ ne, ba kunhne nah ware kokâe woro ye; nenh ti biye, ba tu a wore kâ a kbune he yimâ, te a na nu nah winh ah tee, bah mu nah te yi boae ko a Kââ Jisus Kraise, nâ mâ a Tegaâ kâ Tehlaâ he-ah ta. Amen.
A General Thanksgiving.
O Nyesoa, mâh nâ wede teble biye ah nue, mâh nâ hanh teble-ah popleyinâ weoe mâ, amu no tee nah leyiru oh ye de di ye blede, a woro bise monh ne baka ko hanh de ne nu amo mâ, eh kâ nyebo-ah popleyinâ, he. A bise monh ne te nu amo, a bise monh ne te ti amo yimâ, a bise monh ne ko konâ ah hanh de-ah popleyinâ ah ta; Kenh a bise monh ne baka, te hio a nowanena nâ te wanhna a Kââ Jisus Kraise bâ brada konâ; a bise monh ne ko de ne hnyi amo beh hee amo, a mu nah te ibo, a mu ne nu; a bise monh ne, te nu amo a kunhne hanh te ne nede yeu, wore ye. Nenh, a bede monh ne, beh nu amo ba yido nah hanh de nâ, te a wore na bise monh hanhka, a wuni kâ a kbune he, te eh na po monh nyine nâ; a mu monh adai kwa tu, a wore kâ a fe he eh mu nah hanh kbune ah tee nu, be wenh be a hinh-de konâ mâ, ko a Kââ Jisus Kraise-ah ta: hânâ kâ monh he, nenh Gnekâ Shiu yini, a pe nyinh nâ, a boae ah te yi, ti biye. Emen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
NYESOA mâh nâ â wede teble biye ah nue, â heo amo a pode a wore tede donh, a bede monh mâ, ne nede: â hli â po nâ, banh nyebo sonh, nyebo tanh, oh kwe yibwa nâ ko nah nyine-ah ta, nenh mi no hnyimâ dene oh idede monh; dene nah leyiru ide, dene oh idede monh ne nede O Kââ tene nu eh kbenhdeda, dene mâ hanh de ko no mâ, beh hnyi no; kre konâ nâ nede mâ, nu amo ba ibo nah hanh te, nenh konâ be nâ nede nya a muwe konâ-se honhnonh kâ.— Emen.
2 Cor. xiii. 14.
A Kââ Jisus Kraise-ah grese, eh kâ Nyesoa nowane na he, nenh Gnekâ Shiu-ah dienânena yini, beh noma amo fe, ti biye. Emen.
THE ORDER OF
CONFIRMATION,
KBENH KE POE AH WINH NONH EH MÂNyone oh poe ni, oh kunh, oh ibo wa dui ah wore ah te ue, oh kwe lu nâ poe, ah de.
¶ Upon the day appointed, all that are to be then confirmed, being placed and standing in order before the Bishop; he, or some Minister appointed by him, shall read this preface following;
Nyono oh mi kwe lu poemâ, ple beh mu no hanhka nu Tyue nyebo, tudio ne ne, eh ma oh nah nu ne nyâ mâ, bâ ye Hanhtepote, nenh Kââ ah Prea nenh Tedi Pu ibo, pledonh; nenh bâ ye ne boade, dieyedate ne neo Katekisem bwi ke, bâ tu oh gne: hene eh tuio, eh nu tee ba tu ne yimâ: eh mâ hyeiru boh kunh, boh ibo wa duih ah te, nenh tene wa Nyosoa buono kâ wa Nyesoa deno he oh nenao no penh, oh pod ide ko oh Ni-ah poe, boh yido ne nâ, wa n ebwe tu, boh mu pebe bi kre Tyue-nyebo ye, wa wore kâ wa wuni he beh mu ne ye wenhne, beh nu ge gida, nenh boh tu ne, eh mâ Nyesoa hâ hee, wa nyebwe tu mima-ade kbeah poma, tehe oh wenhne ye, oa mi ne yimâ tu hanhka.
¶ Then shall the Bishop say,
Ple, kre Nyesoa ye, ne ne, eh kâ nyebo no kwededede he, te ne ah podade Nyesoa, ah wenh-na ah po nâ ah mina numâ, onh te ne nyono yada abmonh Ni-poe mâ, oh podade Nyesoa, oh wenhna oh po nâ ah mina numâ, ah yeeo eh me ah mu ne nu; Nenh ah wenhne bah gida ne nenonh; Nenh te ne eh poleyinâ ah wenhna, ah no nâ ah poda hanhte ke, nenh dene ah po nâ ah mino numâ, onh te ne nyono yada ahmonh Ni-poe ma, oh wenhna oh po nâ, ah peda hanhte ke, ah wenhne ne ye, te ah nyebwe tu ah blede ye, bah po no hahnte ke nenh bah nu ne yi.
¶ And every one shall audibly answer.
Ne wenh ne ke.
Bishop.
Kre Nyesoa ah nyine mâ, a ne heeda nede
Answer. Hânâ â nu Yeu kâ bro he.
Bishop. Nyesoa-ah nyine beh zenhe.
Answer. Wode ti nenonh ke, beh munâ ne nu, ti biye.
Bishop. Nyesoa beh wânh a ne bede-winh.
Answer. Nenh a winh beh nyinenade monh ma.
Bishop. Ba bede Nyesoa mâ.Nyesoa mâh na a wede teble biye ah nue a se konâ mâh nâ â nu nah leyiru no nede oh kâede di, koni kâ Gnekâ Shiu he me a no nâ hwinhso ko wa kbune kukwi ko wa kbune kukwi ah popleyinâ mâ pepe we; â bade monh ne, beh hnyi no Gnekâ Shiu â mâ Woro-kudi Tuâ bâ mu no kbenh ya nâ po, nenh tene nyrenayede tinde yeu, beh pomaade no nah hanh te-ah kbudi-kbudi fe nâ; eh mâ tânh kâ te ah dieyidoe he ah Shiu nenh te-tue kâ kbenh ah shiu he, nenh te ah iboda kâ Nyesoa ah kbune ah shiu he yidi; nenh nah gnekâ hwanonh ah shiu beh yidede no fe nâ, tetinonh nenh ti biye nonh we. Emen.
¶ Then all of them kneeling in order before the Bishop, he shall lay his hands upon the head of every one severally saying,
O Kââ nah Hya nâ nede (onh nah Leyu nâ nede) beh wo nâ ke, nenh beh hnyi nâ hanh te ne wede yeu; te â na numaa nah nyebwe ti biye, nenh nyenayede biye, bâ kunhneee Gnekâ Shiu fe bâ tedâ nah kona-se-dible ke ya.
¶ Then the Bishop shall say,
Kââ bâ neo ahmonh mâ
Answer. Bâ neo nah Shiu mâ yi.¶ All kneeling down the Bishop shall add
Ba bede Nyesoa mâ.
Buo mâh nâ nede yeu, na nyine beh kâgne: nyebo ah popleyinâ boh nu monh wa Kinh mâ; nah woro beh nuiede konâ mâ, tene oh nide ne yeu; hnyi amo nyenayedo nâmonh ah dibade; nenh beh po amo hwinhso ko a kbune kukwi-ah ta, tene a ni, a pe nyono oh ni amo kbune kukwi mâ, hwinhso, yi; Nenh nae amo kbune kukwi ah tu dâtu ah tidi idi; Nema beh a amo ku ye. Emen.
¶ And these Collects
Nyesoa mâh nâ wede teble biye ah nue, â se konâ, hânâ â ni amo a wenh ba nu hanh de a boade, ba nu ne yi eh mâ dene eh monh ni mâh nâ a tee Kinh Nyesoa ah woro; a tee a wore ya nâ a bede monh ne, ko nah leyiru no nede ah ta, hono a po kwu le lu nâ ne nede, tene nah hanh Aposlebo nu a tâdeda; dene nede te eh na nu no, boh mu ne ne nâ yido, eh mâ te nâ woro, ke nâ, nenh nâ kbune ko no mâ, yi.
A bade monh ne, beh numaa no Buo woro mâ, beh tumaa no yimâ: nah Gaekâ Shiu bâ nemaa no mâ; nenh kre beh nu no, boh mu nah winh ibo, nenh boh mu ne nu, eh die bâ lede boh munâ konâ-se-honhnonh kâ ko a Kââ Jisus Kraise âh ta: Hânâ kâ mâh he, nenh Gnekâ Shiu yidi, ah nemaa, ah nimaa kinh-de, ah mâ Nyesoa donh, ti biye. Amen.
¶ And these Collects.
O Kââ â wede teble biye ah nue â mâ konâ-se Nyesoa, a bade monh ne beh nu duih âh woro, beh hmlene a wore kâ a fe he, nenh beh nae no, te eh na ibo nah tedi nenh te eh na tu ne yimâ; nenh te nah kbenh-ne ke wowe eh na tu a ne fe, kâ a shuwi he yimâ ti biye ko Jisus Kraise a mâ a waâ kâ a Kââ he ah ta. Amen.
¶ Then the Bishop shall say
Nyesoa nâ wede teble biye âh nue, â mâ Buo kâ Yu he nenh Gnekâ Shiu ah krubwe beh bio ahmonh fe nenh ben nemaao ahmonh mâ ti biye. Amen.