Pokarekare Ana

Pōkarekare Ana

Rippling are the waters...

images/tik-poka.gif This is one of the most famous of Māori songs.

History

It tells of Paraire Tomoana's courtship of Kuini Raerena.

It is believed to have been arranged by P. H. Tomoana & his concert party in 1917.

Hear It...

If you have speakers set up on your computer, you can listen to the melody of Pokarekare ana right now, by clicking here (1K MIDI File).

Alternatively you can hear a clip of it being sung, by clicking here (115K MP3 File, will take a little longer to download and play).

Lyrics

Here are the lyrics:

Māori

English

Pōkarekare ana
ngā wai o Waiapu,
Whiti atu koe hine
marino ana e.

E hine e
hoki mai ra,
Ka mate ahau
I te aroha e.

Tuhituhi raku reta
tuku atu taku rīngi,
Kia kite tō iwi
raru raru ana e.

E hine e
hoki mai ra,
Ka mate ahau
I te aroha e.

Whati whati taku pene
ka pau aku pepa,
Ko taku aroha
mau tonu ana e.

E hine e
hoki mai ra,
Ka mate ahau
I te aroha e.

E kore te aroha
e maroke i te rā,
Mākūkū tonu i
aku roimata e.

E hine e
hoki mai ra,
Ka mate ahau
I te aroha e.

Rippling are
the waters of Waiapu,
cross over girl
'tis calm.

Oh girl
return here (to me),
For I shall die
because of love (for you).

I have written my letter
I have sent my ring,
So that your people can see
(that I am) troubled.

Oh girl
return here (to me),
For I shall die
because of love (for you).

My pen is shattered,
I have no more paper,
(But) my love
is still steadfast.

Oh girl
return here (to me),
For I shall die
because of love (for you).

(My) love will never
be dried by the sun,
It will be forever moistened
by my tears.

Oh girl
return here (to me),
For I shall die
because of love (for you).

Notes

The 4/4 timing is modern. It was originally sung in 3/4 time.
ngā wai o Wai-apu is historically correct.
ngis a popular variation.
It flows better, and the 'r' and 'o' sounds are pleasant.
a-ro-ha e is pronounced "are RAW ha AIR", not "a ROW ha EH".
Whati whati taku pene = shattered my pen.
Kua whati taku pene = broken, my pen has been
The latter being an alternative.

Often these days, only the first verse and the chorus seems to get sung, perhaps several times over, with added harmonising in each repetition. But even if you don't understand Māori, the second verse, with all its alliteration, is also great to sing.

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This page last updated 13/07/2002 05:16:49 AM

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