Tōtara

Ko tō mahana

Me he kāuta

He wahine aumiti tāngata

Me he pōike 

pūkeke

He kōhanga mo tēnei pīpī e

E te tōtara

Haemata

Ka mau tonu ki tō aroha

Ko wai ka tohu

Tō hinga i te mumu

I te wao nui a Tāne

Kua hinga he tōtara i tēnei wao

Puhake te aroha

Riringi noa ngā roimata

He awa e rere

Ki to taha hei kawe

I tō waka Tōtara

Listen/Watch

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Tōtara - a translation

Your warmth

Is like the kitchen/home fire

You were a warm and welcoming woman

Like the top

Of a strong/unyielding/steadfast tree

You were a safe place where I could build my nest

Tōtara

Who was so vigorous

We will always have your love

Who could tell/say

That boisterous winds would beat you

In Tāne’s great forest

A great tree has fallen 

Love overflows

Into tears falling down

A river that flows

To where you are

To carry your waka Tōtara

He Rākau He Ngārara - CD

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