WAIATA OF FAREWELL

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 1, 2 January 1930, Page 5

WAIATA OF FAREWELL

SPECIAL MAORI SONG. GIFT FOR LADY FERGUSSON. The gift of the Maori ladies of Auckland to Lady Alice Fergusson will be a special farewell song engrossed on parchment artistically ornamented in Whakiro Maori (ancient carving), by Mr. Trevor Lloyd of this city. The cover has the coat-of-arms of the Akarana Maori Association followed by the waiata of farewell, the words and music having been composed by Mrs. Maewa Kaihau, who is well-known for her mus'ical compositions.' The manuscript also reveals a surmounting scene showing a. Maori maiden waving goodbye towards a steamer drawing' away l'rom the land. The song, neatly penned in both English and Maori lettering, runs in these words:—"Farewell to you; farewell, farewell! the hour to say adieu is near. What pain it gives to part from one whom we have learned to love so dear. That kindy smile and gentle touch will live forever in our memory and inspire another spirit ' with thy sacred love. Farewell, until we meet again!" The lefrain has that haunting, sincera style so characteristic of Maori music. Altogether the song, and its singularly original form," makes a most charming and enduring tribute.