Lyrics
TE VAKA (The Canoe)
Lyrics & Music - Opetaia Foa'i
Tenei au te pule oto tatou folau
Ki te motu i tafa-ilagi
Ko te nuku e fotu ake nei
Hoe hoe mai kia tui Tokelau ke tahi
Ke mau
Te hoe ote vaka
Hoe tahi
Te hoe ote vaka
Tau atu
Te hoe ote vaka
Keu atu
Te hoe ote vaka
Pe mahai nei te tu tolu ke nonoa
Ite noataga ote loto tahi
Kae hai mo a to fakaloto loto
Ka ko au e fuli ko tatou e mae
na tahi
Te vaka translation
I, who am the head of this expedition have a vision
That just beyond the horizon, there is a place that we will call our home. So row, row with Tui Tokelau (God of Tokelau). Row, row as one.
CHANT
Is there a way to unite the three (islands) into a single knot as in the heart of one, if there are thoughts of devidedness my thoughts only tell me of one.
Land! land! we have arrived
Land ahead look our land is rising
© Spirit of Play Productions/Opetaia Foa'i