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
YouTube
or purchase here (printables only)
- PDF of song with chords + Lesson ideas
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody
This sounds a lot like “Makin Whoopie.” Which came first?