I RUNGA O NGA PUKE

Te Ao Hou, December 1958, Page 51

I RUNGA O NGA PUKE The late Paraire Tomoana of Hastings who composed the ever-popular “E pari ra”, was a prolific writer of action songs. “I runga o nga puke”, one of his first compositions, was

a favourite during World War I. It was the theme song at a concert held in the Wellington Town Hall in September 1915, to farewell the Second Maori Contingent. The English version is by the late Sir Apirana. I runga o nga puke Ka pa mai to reo; Hau maiangi Hei kawe mai. He reo aroha E patai ana mai. “He aha tau e Pirangi nei?” Kia awhi kau atu Ki to tinana i ngaro E ngaro nei ra i enei ra; Ko tou aroha, ko toku aroha, Ka mutu pea! aue te tau! Waiho mai e tama O kupu oati, I runga o nga puke I tangi ai taua. E haere ana koe Ki runga o te pakanga: Ko to reo aroha, Karanga mai— From the hills resounding Your voice is calling I hear its echo, My heart is sighing. Borne on the breezes. List to it asking, “Why are you calling— Calling for me?” Just once again love In sweet embrace love, For you I'm longing For you alone; Your lips to mine, love, Our hearts united, Until the end love—until the end ‘Twas on the mountain Our love was plighted: You vowed to hold me In memory ever. Now war has called you Across the ocean. My heart is breaking Crying in vain—