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FOLK * SONG

Moe Mai Ra
He moe rā te tau
Kingi Tähiwi

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Moe mai ra e te tau 1
Ki te mo-e mai e
Whakarongo mai nei
Nga kupu aroha

Ma te Ariki nui
He tiaki i a koe
Atawhai manaaki
I te aroha nei
moy my rarr air tair tow
key tair mo-ey my air
fokka-rong-or my nay
nar koo-poo ah-ror-ha

mar tair ar-ri-key nwee
hair tee-ar-ki are kway
ar-tar-fie mar-nar-key
ee tair ah-ror-ha nay

Off to sleep my darling
go to sleep now
listen here to
these words of love.

May the great Lord
care for you
with affection, kindness
and love.

 

1 Recorded by the Ngāti Poneke Young Māori Club (1937-48) as "He moe rā-ā te tau."

2 Johannes Brahms wrote the tune in Germany, in the 1880s (?) using these German lyrics.

Guten Abend, gute Nacht,
Mit Rosen bedacht,
Mit Naeglein besteckt,
schlupf unter die Deck

Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will,
wirst du wieder geweckt
Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will,
wirst du wieder geweckt 		Good evening, good night.
With roses adorned,
With carnations covered,
slip under the covers.

Early tomorrow, if God wills,
you will wake once again.
Early tomorrow, if God wills,
you will wake once again.

These English lyrics are also used.

Lullaby and good night
In the sky stars are bright
Close your eyes, start to yawn
Pleasant dreams 'til the dawn

Close your eyes now and rest
Lay your head on my breast
Go to sleep now and rest
May your slumber be blest