Index / Back Maori Version A Lullaby for Raeroa
by TAOHO
O Rae' - crying so fretfully within the house,
Let us two nestle closer,
As if in the haven of Taputapuatea,
A shelter against the wind,
While we listen to the roar of the sea
Below Maunganui,
We might then see clearly the land mist,
As we listen, we two,
To the rattling weapons of the many of Ati-Puhi (Nga Puhi)
As chiefs rally their forces,
For battle.
Where is he, Te Huki,
The man who was destined
For the blood-like kowhai waters,
As multitudes gather within Puriri.
What to do about you, O son,
In the overturning of war canoes,
Of Mahuhu itself, in the deep waters?
Hurry, enter the doorway of the house of Nukutawhiti,
In the light of the dawn,
Te Koikoi has now arisen to vie with Rona,
There is light all about,
There is a bright light o'er yonder horizon
That (you see) is but a lightsome cloud
Fasten there by the sun.
The face is that of Tawhaki
Which shines forth and sets the heavens alight
As the call to war goes forth,
Let your gritty voice be heard and obeyed
In the glorious slaying (of men),
As your renowned footsteps resound in the north.
What man will survive to live in your land?
There will be Tuturiwhatu and Toorea,
The sentinel birds of the western inlet,
There you may be set adrift on the great ocean wave
That roars close by.
There is nought else, O son, in times of war,
It is indeed a slippery trail;
If we two only had
The warrior of the land, your uncle Tuohu,
Alas, we two are denied (his help).
If we were to grow the tukou for food,
The muharu will bide his time;
If we were to grow the tukou for Rongo,
The hotete will bide his time.
There is nought else but omens of death,
Let us in our plight seek refuge
Among the mighty trees with Karawai yonder,
The hiding-place of Reremura,
When he is thereabouts,
You will not otherwise survive
The swirling winds that blow
The puputara aground upon the shore.
