Pokarekare Ana

Lyrics – Māori

(Māori folk song from New Zealand)

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

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

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

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

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

They are agitated,
the waters of Waiapu,
But when you cross over girl,
they will be calm.

Refrain
Oh girl,
return to me,
I could die
of love for you.

I have written my letter,
I have sent my ring,
so that your people can see
that I am troubled. Refrain

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

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

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Danielle

5 years ago

I sung this in high school choir. Lovely

Mike Campbell

4 years ago

I learned this in the 1960’s at primary school – hever forgot the refrain 🙂