NEW  ZEALAND
FOLK * SONG
He Putiputi Koe
a.k.a. He Putiputi Pai

Lucien Denni, 1924, Sir Apirana Ngata, 1926

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This Maori version of a popular 1920s American love song was sung at the 1943 hui for Ngarimu VC.

                    
The sound file plays in the key of Eb, but for guitar accompani-ment, I put a capo up three frets and the play these easy Key of C chords.

C He putiputi koe Dm i kahotia
G Hei piri ki te uma,C e te tau!
He tau Am aroho koe, G koronga roa
C Koronga Dm i ngā rā G

 You are like a flower plucked
To be kept close to my breast, oh darling.
You are the beloved one I have long desired
Desired through all my days!
C Maku* ano rā koe D e atawhai
Dm Kei kino G7 i te Am ao
F Kia piri tonu mai
C Hei puti-Am-puti pai
I Dm kato-G7-hi-C-a!
 My care will be for you
to keep you from being spoilt by the world.
May you stick close to me always
a lovely flower
that has been plucked!

He aha rā e tohe tonu nei
Te aroha ki te hoki mai!
He tau i karea i roto i te pō,
Te ao, ngā rā katoa!

Why do people keep insisting
that love comes and goes?
You are the beloved I sought by night
And by day, always!
He pai kia pono to whakāro nui,
Kei kino i te ao!
Kia piri tonu mai,
Hei putiputi pai
I kato-hi-a! 		Oh that your thoughts may be true,
Not spoilt by the world!
May you stay close to me always,
A pretty flower
That's been plucked!


* Naku or Maku? Sam Freeman's songbook uses naku here. But I think naku indicates 'you were mine,' while maku indicates 'you will be mine.'

A 1920s flower from an old bouquet



Sir Apirana Ngata at the Ngarimu hui 1943

"You're Just A Flower From An Old Bouquet" was one of the most popular songs of 1924. The tune was composed by Lucien Denni, and Gwynne Denni (his wife?) put these words in its chorus.

You're just a flower from an old bouquet
I've waited patiently for you, each day.
You're just a dream come true, I know, dear
I dream wonderful dreams of you
I'll build a home-nest full of love for you
Far from the world away.
There in our sweetheart bower
You'll be just my flower
From an old bouquet.

It was featured in the Broadway musical revue "Puzzles of 1925," and Sir Apirana Ngata put Maori lyrics to it for a programme of Maori entertainment at the Wellington Town Hall in 1926.

The Andrews Sisters revived the English version in 1942, singing it their movie "Give Out, Sisters," and Te Api included his Maori version in the program of the legendary Ngarimu memorial hui at Ruatoria on October 6, 1943.

He Putiputi Koe/Pai on record

1930 - Rotorua Maori Choir 78 Putiputi pai
1965 - Guide Kiri's Rotorua Whaka Maori Concert Party LP Puptiputi koe
1965 - The New Zealand Maori Chorale cass Puptiputi koe
1972 - South Pacific Festival of Arts / Waihirere Maori Club LP Putiputi pai
1975 - Tommy Taurima's Rotorua Maori Entertainers LP Puptiputi koe
1985 - Haere mai / Viking Sevenseas cass Puptiputi koe
1993 - Kia ora! / Turakina Maori Girls' Choir CD Puptiputi koe
1993 - Pokarekare / New Zealand Maori Chorale. CD Putiputi pai
1997 - Maori Maiden / Rhonda CD Puptiputi koe
2001 - He Koha: a Gift of Maori Music CD Puptiputi koe
2003 - The Great Prince Tui Teka CD Putiputi pai
2006 - Ishta CD Putiputi pai

 

Making a flax putiputi

The Christchurch Library website has instructions here on how to weave these flax flowers.
How to make a putiputi.

If that library link is broken, download this Putiputi PDF

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Webpage made May 2007, modified for small screens Nov 2021