Pokarekare Ana
Hayley Westenra Lyrics


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Pōkarekare ana, ngā wai o Waiapu
Whiti atu koe hine, marino ana e.

E hine e, hoki mai ra
Ka mate ahau i te aroha e.

Tuhituhi taku reta, tuku atu taku rīngi
Kia kite tō iwi, raru raru ana e.

E hine e, hoki mai ra
Ka mate ahau i te aroha e.

E kore te aroha, e maroke i te rā
Mākūkū tonu i aku roimata e.

E hine e, hoki mai ra
Ka mate ahau i te aroha e.

Whati whati taku pene, kua pau aku pepa
Ko taku aroha, mau tonu ana e.





E hine e, hoki mai ra
Ka mate ahau i te aroha e

Overall Meaning

The song Pokarekare Ana by Hayley Westenra is a traditional Māori love song that tells the story of a man's love for a woman from the Waiapu River. The lyrics talk about the beauty of the woman and her calming effect on the singer. The first verse begins with the singer describing the glistening waters of Waiapu and the woman's journey towards him. He expresses his appreciation for her presence and how she brings peace to his life. The chorus repeats the phrase "E hine e, hoki mai ra/Ka mate ahau i te aroha e", which means "My darling, return to me/For my love, is near to death".


The second verse talks about the singer writing a love letter and sending a gift to the woman. He is eager for her to receive it, as he knows she is struggling. He then repeats the chorus, expressing his love and need for her to return. The third verse talks about the intensity of the singer's love, saying that it will never fade even in the heat of the sun. He talks about shedding tears of love for her. The chorus is repeated once again, emphasizing the singer's desperate need for his love to return.


Overall, the song Pokarekare Ana is a beautiful and heartfelt expression of a man's love for a woman. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's surroundings and feelings, making it a powerful and emotional song.


Line by Line Meaning

Pōkarekare ana, ngā wai o Waiapu
The waters of Waiapu are rippling peacefully


Whiti atu koe hine, marino ana e.
You're moving away girl, and everything is calm


E hine e, hoki mai ra
Oh girl, come back to me


Ka mate ahau i te aroha e.
I could die from love for you


Tuhituhi taku reta, tuku atu taku rīngi
I'm writing you a letter and sending you my ring


Kia kite tō iwi, raru raru ana e.
So that your people may see that I am troubled


E kore te aroha, e maroke i te rā
Love will never be dried by the sun


Mākūkū tonu i aku roimata e.
It remains forever fresh in my tears


Whati whati taku pene, kua pau aku pepa
My pen is shattered, my papers are all used


Ko taku aroha, mau tonu ana e.
But my love for you endures


E hine e, hoki mai ra
Oh girl, come back to me


Ka mate ahau i te aroha e.
I could die from love for you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paraire Henare Tomoana

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kwilibgirl

This song always makes me cry. I am a kiwi living in uk. My mum died nearly 2 years ago and we played this at the end of her funeral. So beautiful.

@OniBLogna

Condolences

@tessabrewer8467

We played it for my mum too, awesome so sad

@Alanhuntsinseoul

I thought about my mum who has passed when I heard this on the radio earlier. Not kiwis so no connection to the language or culture but I think just feel of the song draws out your emotions

@PernanbucFolk

so are you a fruitKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

@ChronoGXay

@@PernanbucFolk 😒

4 More Replies...

@buzzwarrior

As a child from a troubled background, I found great joy from being in my school choir. As a boy soprano, I soon found myself singing this song in front of three older ladies in 1973 and later, I stood up and solo'd at one of the major concerts for the Opening of the Sydney Opera House as part of the Combined Schools Choir, singing this song. I had no idea at the time. Thanks to you for putting this up and helping me claim one of the more important parts of my life that was lost.

@hulley5223

You know what really blows me away? It's the fact that not only is this one of the most beautiful vocal performances I have ever heard, but she recorded it when she was only 16 years old! Talk about being ahead of the curve.

@vicsaul5459

u have to be born with a voice as pure as that

@kellygong6119

Most beautiful song I’ve ever heard. Moved to New Zealand 8years ago, proud to be a member of this lovely country. This song is absolutely a treasure to all New Zealanders ❤

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