Lyrics - Māori

(Māori folk song from New Zealand)

Tohorā nui, tohorā roa,
Tohorā tino mōmona,
Tohorā whiuwhiua,
Tohorā piupiua e,
Tohorā kau ana I te moana e!

Poaka nui, poaka toa
Poaka tino mōmona
Poaka kunekune
Poaka whiore koro
Poaka hongihongi i te paru, e!

English Translation - Big whale

Big whale, long whale,
fat whale,
spouting whale,
whale wagging tail,
Whales in the sea!

Big pig, brave pig
Very fat pig
Fermented pigs
Big tail pork
Dirt-sniffing pig, you!

Motions

  • Phrase 1 = Hands over head with fingers touching
  • Phrase 2 = One arm stretched to the front, one arm stretched out back
  • Phrase 3 = Hands out front like big innertube, turn around in a circle
  • Phrase 4 = Two hands pantomiming water spout coming out of head
  • Phrase 5 = Hands out back like tail wagging
  • Phrase 6 = Arms out front like swimming

See also

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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