Heart of Gold: "Money Rock" vs. "Good Hearted" Cree Translation

"I had difficulty with the translation of "heart of gold" because there were no words that I knew to describe gold [in Cree language]."
Adrian Sutherland of Midnight Shine

Adrian Sutherland -- who is the lead singer of Midnight Shine -- spoke on First Words | CBC a weekly podcast focused on Indigenous languages.



Midnight Shine's Adrian Sutherland discusses the challenges of translating Neil Young lyrics into Cree.

Midnight Shine recently released a cover of Neil Young's Heart of Gold, which we posted on in January 2019.

Overall, the translation went smoothly.

Adrian Sutherland of Midnight Shine: "There was one line that I had trouble with, it was the translation of heart of gold. I had difficulty with that one because there were no words that I knew to describe gold."

Sutherland said the choices were a term for "money rock" or slightly adjusting the meaning to reflect searching for something or someone that's good-hearted — which is what he went with.

Below, Midnight Shine cover of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold".


Midnight Shine Covers Neil Young's "Heart of Gold"

"It's these expressions I never give"

This cover is by the Canadian band Midnight Shine. From video clip:

In the fall of 2018, a production crew of three traveled to an isolated Cree community in Northern Ontario with 14 cases of gear and one ambitious plan: shooting two music videos in five days with Midnight Shine frontman Adrian Sutherland. Getting the job done in only four, they used the remaining time on the ground to shoot this awesome little video for HEART OF GOLD.

It came together spontaneously, magically, and with a little help from some little (and big) friends... Shot and directed by Cliff Hokanson, produced by RoseAnna Schick, Adrian Sutherland as executive producer, with video crew Jesse Davidson and Geeshig Sutherland. Edited by Bethany Fontaine, colouring and effects by Tony Wytinck. Shot on location in Attawapiskat First Nation. Thank you to everyone in the video, Judy Sutherland, The Moose Takeout, and the Rez Dogs, too.

ABOUT THE SONG: The lead single from Midnight Shine’s third album HIGH ROAD (released February 2018) is an exceptional cover of HEART OF GOLD, bringing a timely new sound to a timeless classic. This version is distinctly different, yet honours the heart and soul of the original.

More on Neil Young's immortal, classic song "Heart of Gold" -- it's global impact, enduring legacy and heavy consequence.

And -- yes -- it really is all about The Kids, "The Children of Destiny".

trust us, know the plan, defeat the plan
onward
mahalo, pono
namaste
#WT1sWBWO

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