From the recording Tutuki
ULUHINA (The elders)
Lyrics & Music - Opetaia Foa'i
ou manako ke kitea uma
ke fetaui katoa uma
tatou nei
e muamua te alofa ki luga
maua ai te maopoopoga
ko tatou nei
tu mai la ke aloalo fakatahi e
heai he lotoa
fakaha ko he ma
tu mai siva mai ke malie
ke malie
luelue ake mama
lue lue mai ve papa
e papa e mama
tumau ki te fafia
ko hiva mo uluhina
ko hina hiva vena
katakata ma te fiafia
ko hiva mo uluhina
ko hina hiva vena
malie ma te makeke
e fakatalanoaga tatou uma
ki tua ma taimi ki mua
ke lelei tatou ki ei
Uluhina (the elders)
mothers voice your thoughts
fathers raise up your voices
respectfully we listen
to our uluhina
I have a wish
for us all
to gather together
to be united
we will first acknowledge
love from above
to the one that brought
us together today
then celebrate
stand and row together
in the dance
we break down
the barriers between us
no need for shyness
as we dance ever so sweetly
sway this way mama
sway that way papa
e papa e mama
looking steady
looking proud
a dance of the uluhina
uluhinas dance like that
the laughter the joy
this dance of the uluhina
see uluhinas dance
so sweetly so steady
we will tell our many stories
stories of the past
and of the future
it’s our way to share
to satisfy us all
© Spirit of Play Productions/Opetaia Foa'i