This love song arose
in Northland at the start of World War One, was
sung at an army camp in Auckland, then taken to
the East Cape and modified into an action song
telling of Paraire Tomoana's courtship of Kuini
Raerena. It is now known and sung world-wide.
Beautifully sung by Maisey Rika
Marching song by Inia Te Wiata
Operatic display by Kiri
Te Kanawa
Upbeat pop rock by Sissal in Norway
Ukulele party song in East Timor
Soporific lullaby from South
Korea
Homophonic Hebrew version
Pōkarekare ana
ngā wai o Waiapu,
Whiti atu koe hine
marino ana e.
They are agitated
the waters of Waiapu,
If you cross over girl
they will be calm.
E hine e
hoki mai ra.
Ka mate ahau
I te aroha e.
Oh girl
return to me,
I could die
of love for you.
Tuhituhi taku reta
tuku atu taku rīngi,
Kia kite tō iwi
raru raru ana e.
I've written my
letter
I've sent my ring,
so that your people can see I'm troubled.
Whatiwhati taku pene
ka pau aku pepa,
Ko taku aroha
mau tonu ana e.
My pen is shattered,
I have no more paper
But my love
is still steadfast.
E kore te aroha
e maroke i te rā,
Mākūkū tonu i
aku roimata e.
Never will my love
be dried by the sun,
It will be moistened
by my tears.
"The waters are agitated" refers to his feelings of
love for the girl.
Tomoana's 1917 East Coast lyrics are Ngā wai o Waiapu
The 1914 Northland version was
probably Ngā wai o Hokianga.
Ngā wai o Rotorua is a popular
tourist variation. It flows better, and the 'r' and
'o' sounds are pleasant.
"Hoki mai ra" he is asking her to show the same
feelings of love for him in return.
Often these days, only the first verse and chorus
are sung, perhaps several times over, with added
harmonizing in each repetition. But the second
verse, with all its alliteration, is also great to
sing.
Aroha e is pronounced "ah RAW ha
AIR." It is not "a ROW ha EH."
Published on the web
April 2001. Revised April, May and June, 2002.
Norwegian and Gaelic versions added, Jan 2004. East
Timor version added 2012. Completely revised, and
modified for narrow screens, Dec 2021, April
2023.