Stars align
Everything feels right
Took a chance
Didn’t let it fly by
Sky dilating
Confidence missing
Keep counting all the time
Ka puritia ngā tikanga kia mau
Ka titia rā ki te ngākau kia tina
Ko ngā akoranga
tuku iho
Cloud 9
For a moment
Then I fall behind
Kinda poetic
sky separating
Pride deflating
Keep counting all the time
When I walk
When I sleep
And when I wake!
Ka tāheia hei whakakai marihi
Kia āwhina
Kia tiaki
Kia ārahi
MOKOMOKO - A TRANSLATION
Chorus: We do our best to hold onto the right ways
We hold it in our heart until it is fixed
The teachings
handed down
Bridge: Wear it around your neck as a beautiful ornament
To help you
To watch you
To guide you
Kōngū te tahatū
Pūrehurehu
Ki hea anga ai
Wetea, te whakatau
He haerenga hāngai
Nā ka huri kē
Tē tiro iho rā
Ka rongo whenua
Me he papa mahea
Tau mai aroā
Tō iho te rā
I ōna hua
Ka maru te aotea
Tē kite, auare ake
Hāuaua
Ka anga tonu ai
Tē tiro iho rā
Ka rongo whenua // Te ahunga mai
Me he papa mahea // Te ara ki tua
Tau mai aroā
Te ahunga mai
Te ara ki tua
Can’t see the horizon
Covered in a white haze
Where’s our direction?
Breaking down, our decisions
We were going one way
and now it’s hectic
I don’t need to look down
I can still feel the ground
Where we come from
It’s a blank canvas now
Where we’re going
In the end, we’ll know how...
… long will the sun hide
Holding all the right ways
Beneath the daylight
Can’t see now but it’s alright
I can feel a warm ray
Enough to get by
CH
Where we come from
Where we’re going
Ka whiti te rā i runga i te katoa
Ka ua te ua i runga i te tangata
Ahakoa ko wai
Ahakoa nō hea
Ahakoa ōna whakaaro rerekē ki ōku ake
Pūmau ki te aroha
Ko tēnei te rongoa
Kia mau ki te rongo
Kia mau ki te aroha
Kia kaha ki te whakarongo
Kia mārama
He tapu te tangata
He tapu tōna mana
Kia mau ki te rongo
Ki te aroha
Aroha
Aroha
Aroha
Kia mau ki te rongo
Kia mua, kia mau!
KIA MAU - A TRANSLATION
The sun shines on everyone
The rain falls on everyone
No matter who they are
No matter where they’re from
Even though their opinions might be different to mine
Hold on to love
This is the solution
Hold on to/Lay hold of peace
Hold on to/Lay hold of love
Be careful to listen
To understand
Every person is sacred
And so is their mana
Hold on to/Lay hold of peace
And love
Love
Love
Love
Hold on to/Lay hold of peace
Hold on, hold on!
Kei te wera te kānara
Te reka o te kakara
Kanikani hahana muramura
Ki tēnei waiata auē
Kei te kaute ngā hēkona ki te ata
o te rua tekau mā rima o Hakihea auē
Kei te wera te ahi
E moemoeā ki te huihui
Rikoriko ngā whetū muramura
Ki tēnei waiata auē
MURAMURA - A TRANSLATION
The candle is lit
The scent, so sweet
Dance bright flame
To this song
Counting down the seconds to the
morning of the twenty fifth of December
The fire is lit
Dreaming of meeting again
Twinkle bright stars
To this song
Kotahi ki reira
ki Araiteuru
Kotahi ki reira
ki Niua
Homai he toa
Homai he kaha
Homai he toa
Homai he kaha e
Do dragons talk
I think I heard one say
Do you remember me
From olden days
Yes I do in my fear
When I panic you appear
And then I see your face...
Ki te kake au ki ngā rangi,
ki te heke au ki te rēinga,
Ki te tango au ki ngā pākau o te ata,
Ki te noho ki ngā tōpito o te moana,
Kei reira koe
Can’t sit, can’t stand
Can’t hold a sword in my hand
I’m only free
When I’m dreaming
Like I do when you’re near
When the panic disappears
Then I see your face
Ko te kokonga ngākau
E kore e kitea
Uia, tirohia,
He aha e kitea?
Ka pōnakonako
He wairangi
Ka āta tirotiro
He kaitiaki
TANIWHA - A TRANSLATION
One there
Is Araiteuru
One there
Is Niua
Give me courage
Give me strength
Give me courage
Give me strength
If I ascend into the heavens,
If I descend to where spirits depart,
If I take the wings of the morning,
If I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
You are there
The corners of the heart
cannot be seen
Ask and inspect
What is seen?
If we’re short sighted
We’ll see a monster
If we look carefully
We’ll see a guardian
Why weren’t you honest?
Telling me this and telling me that
I would have
Appreciated
If you just told me the truth
But You kept me in the dark
Mhm, That broke my heart
Now I have to wake up
He ngaru teitei
He moana pukepuke
Eke Tangaroa
Eke Tangaroa
He maunga teitei
He ara pukepuke
Eke panuku
Eke panuku
He aha ai rā
I tuapeka, kōrero teka
Kei hea
Te matatika
Me te kōrero pono
I mahue ki te pō
Auē, te ngaukino
Ka ara mai ahau
You lied to me
Left me at sea
You did me wrong
But I moved on
And somehow
Here and now
You’re welcome here
Cause I still care
STINGRAY - A WHAI TRANSLATION
Lofty waves
Hilly (rough) seas
Overcome/Succeed
Overcome/Succeed
A lofty mountain
A hilly path
Overcome/Succeed
Overcome/Succeed
Why
Did you lie?
Where
Is the honesty
And the truth?
Left in the dark
A broken heart
Then I wake up
Unworthy
Sometimes it’s hard to change
Signs
Put up in my brain
Telling me I can’t do this
Telling me I can’t do that
Run away run away run away
Until I can’t go back
(Until, I, can’t, go, back)
Whispers,
quiet but loud enough
Tricks
Enough to stop my heart
I stop doing this
I stop doing that
Run away run away run away
Now I can’t go back
This time or next time
I just hope I get sometime
To go back, lean forward
It hurts my head but it’s good for my heart
To go back, lean forward.
It won’t be easy but the 8th time is the charm
Kaua e mate wheke mate ururoa
Manawanui i ngā taumahatanga
Kaua e mate wheke mate ururoa
Te whakapono tūmanako me te aroha
OCTOPUS - A WHEKE TRANSLATION
Don’t die like an octopus go out like a shark
Persevere through the hards times
Don’t die like an octopus go out like a shark
With faith hope and love
Ka rongo i ngā roimata o Rangi
Ka oho te wairua i te wehi
Ka hoki ngā mahara ki mua
Ki te tīmatanga o te ao mārama
Mai te rangi ki te whenua
He tuna e huna ana
I te ataata
O te manawa
He tuna e huna ana
Ka whakawarea e te tuna
Ka hīrautia he pārurenga
Ka toromi i te whakamā
I te maharatanga o ngā hapa katoa
Kua murua ngā hara
Me mātou e muru nei
Kaua e whakawarea
Hāpaitia, whakaorangia
EEL - A TUNA TRANSLATION
I hear the tears of Rangi
The spirit wakes up with excitement
The mind goes back to the beginning
To the beginning of this world
From heaven to earth
There’s an eel hiding
In the shadow
Of the heart
There’s an eel hiding
The eel entices
Trapping yet another victim
Drowned in thoughts of shame
Of all the mistakes made
Sins are forgiven
As we forgive each other
Don’t tempt or be tempted
Lift up and restore
Kaitiaki, tūpuna, tohorā nui, tohorā roa
You are always there for me
When I’m lost in the ocean you’re near me
Listening carefully
Oh brother you hear me
Kaitiaki, tuakana, tohorā nui, tohorā roa
You are always there for me
When I’m under the tall trees you’re near me
Listening carefully
Oh mother you hear me
Kaitiaki, mātua, tohorā nui, tohorā roa
Ina ka tō te rā
Ka heke te pōuriuri
Ka pōkai tōku kaha
Ka tāhurihuri
You are always there for me
When I’m lost in the ocean you’re near me
Listening carefully
Oh lover you hear me
Kaitiaki, aroha, tohorā nui, tohorā roa
WHALE - A TOHORĀ TRANSLATION
Guardian, ancestors, great whale, great whale
Guardian, older sibling, great whale, great whale
Guardian, parents, great whale, great whale
When the sun sets
And darkness falls
My strength folds
Il become troubled
Guardian, love, great whale, great whale
When I think about the moon and the stars
The same hands that make you
Who you are
I guess we’re gonna find out soon enough
I wonder what comes of this love
Kaua e aukumea
Kaua e aukumea
E karanga ana te ao mārama
(nō reira) kaua e aukumea
When I think about the birds and the trees
The same hands that make you
Perfectly
Guess we’re gonna find out soon enough
I wonder what comes of this love
Kia kite au... i to mata, Kia tākina... to ingoa
Kia mau ki o... ringaringa, Ka mōhio... te aroha
I can’t wait to see your face and
I can’t wait to say your name
I can’t wait to hold your hands and
I can’t wait to tell you that I love you
BABY BEAT - A TRANSLATION
Don't take too long
Don't take too long
The world is waiting for you
Don't take too long
I can’t wait to see your face and
I can’t wait to say your name
I can’t wait to hold your hands and
I can’t wait to tell you that I love you
KŌTARE
Ētahi wā e taumaha ana ngā ngaru i te moana
E patu ana ngā waka e te au tuke, e te au miha
He uaua ki te kite nā te pūrehurehu o te rehutai
Te pae tata kua huna nā te pupuke o ngā wai
Whaia te iti kahurangi
Ki te tuohu, me maunga teitei
Kia mataara, kia māia
Toka tū moana
Kia mataara kia māia
Tutuki me te aroha.
He ngaru whakateo he kōtare, ko tēnā te kī
He pūhara i ngā taiapa o te pā hoki
Ko tēnei ka waiho iho mo te iwi
He waka eke noa, āwhina atu tētahi ki tētahi
Toka tū moana
Wanawana tutuki me te aroha
Me te aroha!
Kia Mataara kia māia
Kia mataara, kia māia!
THE KINGFISHER - A KŌTARE TRANSLATION
Sometimes the waves are heavy out at sea
Battering our waka under its weight
It gets hard out there to see through the haze
The horizon hidden by the swelling waves
Pursue that which is precious
If bowed down let it be to a lofty mountain
Be vigilant, be brave
Like a rock against the sea
Be vigilant, be brave
Overcome fear with love
A curly wave is a kōtare’s work, that’s what they say
And watchtowers were named after me too
This is what I want to leave with you all
Together we can succeed, so look out for each other
Stand like a rock against the sea
Overcoming fear with love
With love!
Be vigilant, be brave
Be vigilant, be brave!
PŪKEKO
Ko tōku tūrangawaewae tēnei
Kāore au e ware mo to moni
he taringa pākura kei ahau
Kāhore au e neke
Ko tēnei toku tū, ko toku nohonga
I te ao i te pō, tōku oranga
Ko au te whenua, te whenua ko au
Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au!
Tāria tāria, kāore au e neke
E kī! Ēhara tēnei i te wheke
Ka noho, ka tū, ka ora
Ka noho, ka tū!
Kāhore au e neke mai toku tūranga
Kua rarau ki te whenua
Wera ana toku ahi, i te iho, i te poho, Rūaumoko
Tūmatauenga, Rongomatane
Ko tēhea te ara, ara tika?
Ko tēhea te ara rangatira?
Mana rangatira
Mana whenua
Mau te rongo, whakamaua kia tīna
Tīna! hui e!
Taiki e!
PŪKEKO - a translation
This is my home
I don’t care about your money
I’m stubborn like a pūkeko
I’ll never move
This where I stand, this is where I stay
Every day and every night, my life
I am the land, the land is me
I am the land and the land is me!
Go on and wait, I won’t move
I won’t run away like an octopus
I’ll stay, I’ll stand, I’ll live
I’ll stay, I’ll stand!
I will never move from where I stand
My feet are woven to the earth
The fire within me grows, deep within, like a volcano
War, peace
Which is the right path?
Which is the path to justice?
The responsibility of a leader
The responsibility to the land
Hold on to peace, bind it so its fixed,
So its firm
Don’t let it go!
HUIA
Kua ngaro ki te pō
Ēngari kei te karanga tonu to mana
He mana, mana rangatira
He mana ka raranga ngā tira, ngā hau e whā
Kia kaha Aotearoa
Tukua
Tēnei manu
Tukua tēnei manu
Kia rere
Mā ngā kahukura
Tēnei manu
Mā ngā kahukura tēnei manu
Ka rere
E rere, e rere
Te manu rangatira
Ānei he tūhunga
Ki runga i a mātou e
E rere, e rere
Te mana rangatira
Ānei he tūhunga
I te kōtahitanga
HUIA - a translation
Though lost to us
We can still hear your call
A prestigious song, the song of a leader
One that knows how to weave a people together
We can do this Aotearoa
Let
This bird
Let this bird
Fly
By its feathers
This bird
By its feathers this bird
Will fly
Fly, fly
Prestigious bird
You can land here
On all of us
Fly, fly
Prestiginuity
You can land here
On our unity
RURU
Ka haumumu te pō
E mehameha ana te hinengaro
Ka kārangaranga ahau
I tōku rākau
Takaoraora i te moenga
Nā te pōuriuri, kei hea te rongoa?
E mānakanaka ana mo āpōpō
Whakarongo mai e tōku ipo
Ka hipokina koe e au ki ōku hou
Piri mai ki raro i ōku pakau
Kia marutau, hei ruruhau māu
Kaua e mānukanuka
mo āpōpō
Mā te Kaihanga tātou
e tiaki
RURU - a translation
The night becomes still
And the mind becomes lonely
I’ll be calling
From my tree
Restless on the bed
From the gloomy night, what’s the medicine?
Worried about tomorrow
Listen to me my love
I’ll cover with my feathers
Come near under my wing
For safety, for a refuge, for you
Don’t worry
For tomorrow
For the Creator
Will take of care (all of) us
KUAKA
Pakipaki pakipaki ngā pākau
E rere e rere toku ngākau
Ka tiro ake ki tua
O ngā hau e puhi nei
E kawea i ahau
Ki te pae tawhiti
Mā runga uenuku
Mā runga te tūmanako
Ka kawe au e ngā hau nei
I te ao i te pō
Ka eke panuku
Ka eke Tangaroa
Ka tika te rere ka pā ki te rangi e
E kī rā he māmā
Tē taea te aha hoki
He toa takitini
Ka eke noa
Whaia te kahurangi
Kia tata te pae tawhiti
Pakipaki pakipaki ngā pākau
E rere e rere tōku ngākau
Ka eke panuku
Ka eke Tangaroa
Ka tika te rere ka pā ki te rangi e
A tōnā wā
Ka tae ki uta
Ka tika te rere ka tae ki te whenua
KUAKA - a translation
Wings keep going
Heart keep flying
Made room for tomorrow
Don’t know how the wind will blow
Take me past the shallow
Into the deep
Where its heavy on the rainbow
Never mind those weary eyes
I don’t know how the wind blows
Through the night
I’ll fly high
We’ll touch the sky
We’ll keep flying until we touch the sky
Don’t tell me that it's easy
Don’t tell me that I'm in too deep
I’ll need you to keep me
When I leap
I’ll get there before I sleep
Until the horizon is near to me
Wings keep going
Heart keep flying
I’ll fly high
We’ll touch the sky
We’ll keep flying until we touch the sky
In due time
We’ll make it to shore
We’ll keep flying until we make it home
KŌTUKU - ngā kupu
Ēhara ēnei āhuatanga ka kite ia rā, ia rā
Ko te tūmanako nā te puku mahi ngātahi
He mōmōhanga ngā mahara ki tēnei wā
Ka rongo i ngā rōhi
Ahakoa ētahi wā e huna ana i te otaota,
Āwhina atu ki te tohungia
Hākina
Hā puta
Nāwai, nāwai
Ka kake ki te rangi
He kōtuku rerenga tahi
Ona awe kua waiho iho hei piki kōtuku
Kia kaha ki te rere ngātahi, ngātahi
Hei piki kōtuku
Mehemea kotahi anake te rerenga ka kite
ko te wawata ka pūmau
ki te aroha noa kua puta I tēnei wā.
ā-whānau, ā-hapū, ā-iwi, ā-hāpori,
ā-whenua
Tuturu whakamaua kia tina!
Haumi e, hui e
Taiki e!
KŌTUKU - a translation
These things don’t happen everyday
Hopefully, because we were working together
We can remember this time fondly
We can smell the roses
Though sometimes they can be lost in the weeds
We can help each other find them
Breathe in
Breathe out
Eventually
Rising in the sky…
The kōtuku only ever seen once
It’s plumes left behind for our adorning
Let’s be diligent in flying together
A beauty that will adorn us
If this flight is really only ever seen once
Hopefully we hold on to the love that was shared
and found during this time
As families, as communities, as a people, as neighborhoods, as a nation.
Hold fast
Secure it
Draw together! Affirm!
KORIMAKO
I te tangi o te Korimako
He aha tāna e kōrero
Ka huri tāku aro ki te whakarongo
Ki te mārama i te waiata
He waiata whakahoki mahara
he mea hou rānei he tīmatanga?
He aha tāna e kawea?
Waita mai waiata mai
Kua roa te wā
mai te titonga o tōku waiata
Kua rongo ahau
I ngā waiata o ōu tūpuna
Nō reira tuhia ki tō rae
Ēhara tāku toa i te toa takitahi
Ēngari he toa takitini
Over the melting skies
We sing our lullaby
Good morning and goodnight
To our stories
Over the melting sky
We bring our lullaby
Good morning and goodnight
To our stories
BELLBIRD - a Korimako translation
At the cry of the bellbird
What is it trying to say
I turn to listen
To understand the song
Is it a song about remembering
Or something new, a beginning?
What is the message?
Sing it out, sing it out
It’s been a long time
Since the composition of my song
I have heard
All the songs of your ancestors
Therefore write it on your forehead:
My strength is not in myself alone,
But in a collective
(I am not alone)
PĪWAIWAKA
Takahurihuri Takawiriwiri mai
whiuwhiu te hurumaeko ka patu ō whatu
Ka tākiri ana i te Wao nui tāngata
Katakata ana ki tō tāwhatitanga
Tōku tāwhatitanga ka whakahinga te mana
Aue aue taukuri e
Te whakamomori ki te huarahi hau kāinga o te wairua
Kei hea rā te ara ki tōku orokohanga?
Kei hea rā, kei hea rā?
Ka rongo i te karanga
Hoki mai tāku ipo (aaa)
Hoki mai tāku aroha
Whāia i te ara pīwaiwaka
Hoki mai ki te aroha
Ka rere te reo i runga i te tihitihi
mai te rāwhiti ki te hau-ā-uru
pikipiki hekeheke i te huarahi
kia tae atu ki te ahunga o te karanga
mā ngā tapuwae o ngā tūpuna
kua tae mai ki kōnei e
(Me) haere tonu kia whakarewa ngā rēanga
Ka rongo i te karanga
Ko Īhoa tōku hēpara;
Ko ia hei mea kia takoto ahau
Ko ia hei whakahoki ake tōku wairua:
Ahakoa haere ahau i te awaawa o te atarangi o te mate
E taka ana e koe he tēpū ki tōku aroaro
He pono e aru i ahau te pai me te atawhai
I ngā rā katoa e ora ai ahau,
Ka noho ahau ki te whare ō Ihowa ake tonu atu
FANTAIL - a Pīwaiwaka translation
It twists and turns
Flick goes the tail feather and you’re blinded
Snared in the wilderness of man
Where they laugh at your demise
At my demise then I fall deeper
Oh dear, oh dear
I dangerously desire the path to the home of my spirit
Where is the way that leads to my origin?
Where is it, where is it?
Then I hear a call:
Come back my dear
Come back my love
Follow the fantail
Come back to love
The voice is carried on the whisper of the wind
From the east to west
My pathway continuously goes up and down
Until I reach the source of this call
By the footsteps of our ancestors
We have arrived here
We have to continue for the sake of the generations
Then I hear the call
The Lord is my shepherd
He makes me rest
He restores my soul
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
You prepare a table before me
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
(the first line to every verse of Psalm 23)
KĀKĀRIKI
How did we get here, is it just a dream?
Tell me I believe in something more than we
can try to help ourselves, can you show me how
to let it go, I don’t know (Now I’m)
Throwing over tables thinking I've made a mistake
(awhi mai) Help me if you can (awhi mai)
Help me if you can (awhi mai)
Throwing out the water hoping the baby understands
(awhi mai) Help me if you can (awhi mai)
Help me if you can (awhi mai)
Can we let it go. (I). won’t perform my tricks
sick of dressing up like clown, it’s a risk
I can do without, can you show me how
to let it go, I don’t know (I’m)
I know I need to work it out
I know I’ve got to get out of here
Don’t want to lose myself in the mess,
Will you tell me how to make it out?
KĀKĀRIKI - a translation
Hold me, Embrace me,
Help me
WEKA
Whakarongo whakarongo
whakarongo ki ngā hau kia mōhio
Mārama mārama,
Mā te mārama ka eke
E oma e oma
Tae noa ki te akitu o te mātau kia ora
Whakarongo whakarongo
whakarongo ki ngā hau anō, whano
No way around it oh
I had to find out
How to make my own way out
Told me your secrets this is how you made it
But I had to find out myself
I learn from doing
And if I fail the first time
I’ll try again
I learn from doing
you can show me but I wouldn’t see
I tāku kari o te rua
I horo tōku ngākau
I riro ki te pōnakonako
Auare ake te huarahi ki te mārama
He aha i pēnei ai?
Guess I had to make my own mistakes
You gave me your opinion it was not for me
I find I’m strong given time to me
To make up my mind about things
You thought it would be wise of me
To go about things the way you see
But I’d never learn to simply be me
If I was trying not to be
WEKA - a translation
Listen, listen
Listen to the winds so that you will know
Understand, understand
By understanding we ascend
Run, run
Until you reach the summit of knowledge that gives life
Listen, listen
Listen to the winds again, go
When I dug a hole
My soul was swallowed
Into the blinding night
Without a chance to find my way to understanding
Why must it be like this?
TŪĪ
It’s mine, it’s mine (Kōrihi te manu)
I found my own prize (Tākiri mai te ata)
You can try you can try (Ka ao ka awatea)
To get in my way but you won’t stay (Tīhei mauri ora)
Protecting the truth
Found something good
You know it ‘cause you’ve got your conscience conscience right?
I know it too
Found something new
Made it a home for me
Over I flew
Found the best view
I know it ‘cause I’ve got my conscience conscience
All for my own
hold on to my home
don’t let it go for anyone else.
It’s mine, it’s mine
I found my own prize
You can try you can try
To get in my way but you won’t stay,
You won’t stay, you won’t stay
‘Cause I am stronger than you
Woke up to the news
That somebody knew
Where they could find what I found
They captured the view
And found the new tune
I heard them singing from the place I’d been
It’s yours it’s yours
You found your own voice
They will try they will try
To break you apart but hold on to what you’ve found
What you’ve found, what you’ve found
‘cause you are stronger than them
TŪĪ - a translation
The bird sings
The morning has dawned
The day has broken
Behold there is life
KERERŪ
When is it time to stop?
When you’re enjoying it with all you got?
Another one will be just fine
I’m feeling the buzz
I’m feeling fly
Don’t need to stop
I’ve got moderation on lock
I know i’m fine until
I can’t walk a straight line no more
My oh me
I’ve lost my bearings
May have had one too many berries
I’m spinning them lines now
I find i’m a little blind now
Another one bites the dust she said
But i’m fine, fine, fine.
Watch me and then you’ll see
Temptation got the best of me
Kei hea āku parihau?
Kei hea tāku rākau?
Ka kimihia kimihia tāku kōhanga
Karangaranga mai āku whanaunga!
Kua taka tāku mata, kāhore te kapa
i te kainga o tāku miro whakamutunga
kua tae ki te toi o tāku taura
rāranga mai he taura hou hei piki mōku
KERERŪ - a translation
Where are my wings?
Where is my tree?
Where is my nest
call out, my family!
My face has dropped - not the penny unfortunately
On the last berry I ate
I’m at the end of my rope
Make me a new rope so I can climb back up
(the penny is a reference to “when the penny drops”, which in Māori is, “Kua taka te kapa”)
KĀKĀ
I wake up have my breakfast in the mirror
take a selfie tell the world (I woke up like this).
Get my shoes on decked out to the iwa
I Step out I hope the world is ready for this
Walking down the street I feel people Stop and stare
But I don’t mind that’s the burden of being beautiful
Don’t be jealous anyway, you’ll never get here.
Oh by the way did you see me?
(I’m so) Sweet sweet oh, look at my feathers
I fluff my tail up give me some credit
I’m the man I’m the man I’m the man
(he’s the man he’s the man he’s the man) X 2
I always bring my gun, (shh it’s my bicep)
my calves and my buns check out these assets
I take a selfie here selfie anywhere I wanna
That food looks nice ooh
Looks like big price ooh
Labels, fables, playing with marbles
dollar bill dollar coin I’m just too cool
These filters make me look good.
Or is it just a filter for my life?
My cousins keep telling me “ĒHARA TE KŪMARA!”
But I don’t mind telling you I’m really really reka.
My cousins keep telling me “ĒHARA TE KŪMARA!”
But I don’t mind telling you I’m really really reka
I smell like roses I’m sweeter than nectar
Put your shades on my light is brighter
KĀKĀ - a translation
Iwa is nine in Māori: decked out to the nines.
“ēhara te kumara e kōrero mo tōna ake reka” is a Māori proverb about how a ‘sweet potato’ will never (have to) ever tell you how sweet (reka) it is. It’s about humility.
RIRORIRO
Patience is a virtue when you understand
Try to win the game but there ain’t no right hand
Practice all you want it won’t go to plan
Running around in circles (running around in circles)
Riroriro riroriro - take it from me
Riroriro riroriro - sitting in my tree
Where the wind blows the sun will show you will see
Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing
(don’t you worry ‘bout a thing)
Goodbye, been holding onto to a hurt for too long
I tried to let it all go to be free in my mind
Pulling me up, pushing me down
Taking my time, holding my frown
Don’t wanna see the wrinkles making me old before I am.
RIRORIRO - a translation
Riroriro is the Māori name for a tomtit
MIROMIRO
The way I see it it’s a simple choice
Stick together even through white noise
Feel the hand know it well
So when you are blind you can tell
In the darkness you will hear the voice
By a whisper under all the noise
Feel the hand know it well
the one that caught you when you fell
Hold onto love, hold onto love
I’m not saying that it’s easy all the time
There are trials
You are walking a thin line
But you are stronger every step
You can handle what’s next
Like I say it is a simple choice
Don’t fall apart inside the noise
Hold out your hand so they can tell
Give them a chance to know it well
In the darkness let them hear your voice
let it pierce through all the noise
Hold out your hand, when they call
You can catch them if they fall
I’m not saying it’s easy all the time
Sure there are trails you will find
Feel like you’re walking a thin line
You will make it to the other side x 2
Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata
Ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tina
Whakamaua ki tō kaki hei tāhei
Whakairo ki runga i tō manawa
Whakatū hei haki mo tō whare ā-roto
Āpōpō ka whai ki tua o te pae rangi
Ka whai ki tua o te pae whenua
Whakamaua kia tina
Whakamaua kia tina
MIROMIRO - a translation
Pursue the horizon until it is close
Then lay hold of it and don’t let it go
Wear it on your neck as an ornament
Carve it on to your heart
Post it like a flag inside you
Tomorrow we’ll pursue it beyond the skies
We’ll pursue it beyond the horizon
Lay hold of it and don’t let it go
Hold it fast and don’t let it go
TAUHOU
Kei kōnei au, kei kōnei ahau
The silvereye
led me to a stream
Told his friends watch over me
He said let’s talk
About the way you walk
About what’s been happening
Sometimes the wind of the storm takes us somewhere we don’t wanna go
(Kei kōnei au kei kōnei ahau)
If it’s paradise on the other side we don’t wanna know
Breathe in breathe out (Kei kōnei au kei kōnei ahau)
The sun is shining on your face on the other side
I tried to hide
my world inside
of what’s been happening
He said let’s talk
about the way you walk
Don’t hide at all from me
You never asked for any of this but here I am
On the other side
You never asked for any of this but here I am
TAUHOU - a translation
I am here, I am here
Artwork by Manu Berry
A HYMN OF FAITH
Though the fig tree may not blossom
Nor fruit be on the vine
Though the labor of the olive may fail
And fields yield no food
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold
And there be no heard in the stall
Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord
I will joy in the God of my salvation
Yet, I will rejoice
Though the fig tree may not blossom
Nor fruit be on the vine
Though the labor of the olive may fail
And fields yield no food
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold
And there be no herd in the stalls
Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord
I will joy in the God of my salvation
Yet, I will rejoice
The Lord God is my strength
He will make my feet like the deer's feet
And He will make me walk on my high hills
Otia ka koa ahau ki a Ihoa
Ka whakamanamana ki te Atua o tōku whakaoranga
Otia ka koa ahau
TOMORROW
I can’t relate
So it’s hard to say “I get it”
I don’t even wear your shoes
I wanna stay and make it all go away
This pain that you tell me is worth holding on
Until tomorrow
Tomorrow we’ll keep holding on
Until tomorrow
Tomorrow we’ll keep coming round
I understand that I don’t see through your eyes
And I won’t force anything on you
I’m a daughter too, so are you
And I haven’t been in your shoes
I’ll empathise our different bruises
Cause yesterday was yesterday
Now it’s today so let’s go
(Till) Tomorrow
Tomorrow we’ll keep holding on
Until tomorrow
Tomorrow we’ll keep coming round
Hope, Faith, Love
Are things that I dream of
I wonder what it looks like
If it ain’t heaven above
Do we live in the sky or do we live in the sea?
Papatuanuku keeps crying
What can I do
What can we do
What do we do?
Until tomorrow
Tomorrow we’ll keep holding on
Until tomorrow
Tomorrow we’ll keep coming round