Inspired by Yosemite National Park, August 2015

El Capitan, known as Tutokanula in the Miwok language, stands 3,000 feet tall. This song recounts the Native American legend of its formation.

NPT009: “Tutokanula”

• Demos
• Lyrics
• Chords

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Demos

02/11/2018

I’ve been playing this song for a few years now and I’ve always kind of struggled with the key it was written in. I think I’ve finally settled on a more comfortable range and wanted to make a couple reference recordings (in G).

“Tutokanula” (in G) [180211 acoustic guitar demo]

“Tutokanula” (in G) [180211 ukulele demo]

09/13/2015

It’s been a crazy busy month since my trip to Yosemite and I’ve been busy playing shows with Royal Holland and Wonky Tonk but I finally set a day aside to work on “Tutokanula”. Check it out.

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Lyrics

“Tutokanula”
Written by Kendall Bruns, based on a Miwok Legend

[Chorus]

Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La

[Verse 1]

Two baby bears
Splashin’ in the cool Merced
Finally tucker out
Lay down their weary heads

Mama bear’s not around
Papa left long ago
There on the bank of the cool Merced
A great rock started to grow

When mama bear returned
Her two cubs couldn’t be found
A tower of granite rose in to the sky
And left her on the ground

[Chorus]

Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La

[Verse 2]

The animals gathered around
And peered up into the sky
A friendly helping fox took it upon herself
To volunteer and give it a try

But while the fox, coyote, or mountain lion
Would never make it to the top
A tiny inchworm called Tutoka
Started to slowly give it all he’s got

Everyone laughed at Tutoka
His little legs—they moved so slow
But as he steadily climbed further into the sky
The distance from their laughs did grow

And he chanted

[Chorus]

Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La

[Verse 3]

It took a little time
But when the two bear cubs could see
Tutoka make his journey all the way to the top
They knew they’d make it down safely

Everybody sing

[Chorus]

Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La
Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok, Tu-Tok-A-Nu’-La

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