From the recording Ki mua
"This song is dedicated to my mother and father and those of their generation who at great personal sacrifice brought their families to New Zealand. It is in appreciation of their courage and determination in adjusting to a different language, different culture along with other disadvantages in order to give their children a better education."Opetaia
Tokelau language
KI MUA (To the future)
taunuku mai i tatou i tenei nuku fou
te kehekehe mai
faigata o te olaga te fakafita a tatou
hoga hoga mai
e fia malamalama ki tatou
i te gagana ma na uiga o ki latou
fakalogologo ki ei
fakatu ai au tautahi
taumahai tatou tokolahi
faka holoholo ki ei
e fano ai au i toku mafaufau
i te kukula mate filemu
tokaga ki mea oku matua
te fehili kua laga a tu ki mua
ko matou e fia kai ite kavei
te malau pulaka ma te fekei
kua manatua na taimi ma na uiga fakafiafia
miti miti mai
te mimita lahi ki haiga ko na uiga fakatahi
fitikitiki mai
galulue mai ki mua nei
tahahao mai ki mua nei
pehepehe mai ki mua nei
fatele mai ki mua nei
Verse 1
When we arrived
in this new land
it was so different
we struggled with the life
it was very hard on us
but we were determined
Verse 2
We struggled to understand
this language and new way
of doing things
We listened hard
I stood up among
the many who were adjusting
moving towards understanding
together
chorus
But I go there in my mind
The red sky and the peacefulness
remembering what my parents taught me
many questions come to the fore
also craving for familiar food
The Malau (fish) pulaka(taro) and fekei (octopus dish)
verse 3
I remember times of great joy
always dreaming about it
the pride in living among my close family
keeping it together
chant
We’re working to the future
we’re playing to the future
we’re singing to the future
we’re dancing to the future
© Spirit of Play Productions/Opetaia Foa'i