The “Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau” were a Hawaiian musical group. They originated… Read Full Bio ↴The “Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau” were a Hawaiian musical group. They originated on the leeward (Kona or westerly) side of O‘ahu. After the deaths of the Kamakawiwoole brothers, the remaining members dropped the "of Niihau" and now are known as the Makaha Sons, consisting of Louis “Moon” Kauakahi on 6-string guitar, John Koko on upright acoustic bass and Jerome Koko on 12-string guitar.

In 1976, the Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau began their professional career with five members, as an opening act in a small nightclub known as “Uptown Yokos.” The group has reorganized several times, with members seeking other professional careers, and the deaths of the Kamakawiwoole brothers.

The Mākaha Sons of Niihau and the Makaha Sons have released 21 CDs, and produced a DVD on their own record label. They have won Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and Hawaii Music Awards. They produce their own signature concert, “Take a Walk in the Country,” in Hawai‘i each year. They produce and promote young artists in traditional Hawaiian music. They formed the “Mākaha Sons Foundation”.

E Revi/Kopihe
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

E Revi, E Revi e
Aue ia tu
To tino, tanu ia e terepo o te ona e

E Revi, E Revi e
Aue ia tu
To tino, tanu ia e terepo o te ona e

Here mai ko e
Marunga ite keke Nukutere
Hopu hopu tou tino
Te pape o te puna e

Here mai ko e
Marunga ite keke Nukutere
Hopu hopu tou tino
Te pape o te puna e

To riri e, to riri e, to riri e
To riri pah koe, te paka ara'ara
To te ho'a ite mahue
Ahani paha koe roaku ia ku
Roto ro'a paha oe te kohi e

Tau ta'i nauta
tou ta'i na vaho
ua reka to ta'a hui ta'ae
Ahani pa koe raaka ia ku
Roto ro'a paha oe ite kohi e

Tau ta'i nauta
tou ta'i na vaho
ua reka to ta'a hui ta'ae
Ahani pa koe raaka ia ku
Roto ro'a paha oe ite kohi e

Ia ta tararara, ia ta tararara
Ia ta tararara, ia ta tararara, Ia ta tararara
Ia ta tararara, ia ta tararara, Ia ta tararara

To riri e, to riri e, to riri e
To riri pah koe, te paka ara'ara
To te ho'a ite mahue
Ahani paha koe roaku ia ku
Roto ro'a paha oe te kohi e

Tau ta'i nauta
tou ta'i na vaho
ua reka to ta'a hui ta'ae
Ahani pa koe raaka ia ku
Roto ro'a paha oe ite kohi e

Tau ta'i nauta
tou ta'i na vaho
ua reka to ta'a hui ta'ae

Ahani pa koe raaka ia ku
Roto ro'a paha oe ite kohi e

Overall Meaning

"E Revi/Kopihe" is a song by the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, a Hawaiian music group. The lyrics of the song are in the Maori language, spoken in New Zealand, and refers to a traditional dance called the haka. The first verse of the song talks about the terepo, a type of dance or song that tells a story. The second verse is about Nukutere, a ship that was important to the Maori people of New Zealand.

The chorus of the song, "E Revi, E Revi e, Aue ia tu, To tino, tanu ia e terepo o te ona e," which roughly translates to "Revive, revive, alas, to your body, bury the dance of the ancestors," is a call to remember the dance and culture of their ancestors. The rest of the song talks about the elements of the haka, such as the papa (ground), the mahue (remnants of the past), and the kohi (the harvest).

The lyrics of "E Revi/Kopihe" demonstrate the importance of traditional dance and culture to the Maori people. The song is a tribute to their ancestors and their rich cultural heritage. Interestingly, the song has become a popular performance piece for haka groups outside of New Zealand, such as those in Hawaii and the United States.

Line by Line Meaning

E Revi, E Revi e
Oh, my dear beloved, please come to me

Aue ia tu
I am in sorrow and sadness

To tino, tanu ia e terepo o te ona e
My body is deeply attached to the spirit of the beloved

Here mai ko e
Here I am, my beloved

Marunga ite keke Nukutere
Standing on the bow of the Nukutere canoe

Hopu hopu tou tino
My body is gently swaying

Te pape o te puna e
To the rhythm of the spring water

To riri e, to riri e, to riri e
Anger, oh anger, oh anger

To riri pah koe, te paka ara'ara
Your anger is like the sharp edges of a coral rock

To te ho'a ite mahue
You are the one who remains behind

Ahani paha koe roaku ia ku
Perhaps you envy me

Roto ro'a paha oe te kohi e
But you are the one who is lost in the crowd

Tau ta'i nauta
My beloved the sailor

tou ta'i na vaho
And my beloved from afar

ua reka to ta'a hui ta'ae
Our love is sweet, but difficult

Ia ta tararara, ia ta tararara
This is the sound of the pahu drum

Contributed by Hailey N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@TheLogicalThinker2113

3y↑4

E revi, e revi e (Oh revi x2)
Aue ia tu (Poor me)
To tino tanuhia i repo o te ona e (Your body was buried in the land of Zion)

Haere mai koe na runga i te keka nukutere (You will return on the road of Nukutere --> Our polynésian migration)
Hopuhopu to tino i te pape o te puna e (Your body is immersed in water of fertility)

Kopihe
To riri e, to riri e, to riri e....
To riri paha koe, te paka ara'ara
To te ho'a ite mahue
A'ani paha koe roaka iaku
Roto ro'a paha koe ite Kopihe

Tau ta'i na uta
Tou ta'i na vaho
Ua reka to ta'a hui ta'ae
A'ani paha koe roaka iaku
Roto ro'a paha koe ite Kopihe

All comments from YouTube:

@temaford9361

9y↑4

Kura ora, its a pa'umotu song, we used to sing and dance this song when i was a child "a'ani paha koe roaka iaku, roto roa paha koe te kopihe" love it