He Kakano Ahau

He Kakano Ahau - Hohepa Tamehana (Tūhoe)


 
He Kakano Ahau uses an old proverb to remind us of the rich ancestory of the Maori language.


He kākano āhau
I ruia mai i Rangiātea
And I can never be lost
I am a seed, born of greatness
Descended from a line of chiefs,
He kākano āhau
Ki hea rā āu e hītekiteki ana
Ka mau tonu i āhau ōku tikanga
Tōku reo, tōku oho-oho,
Tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea
Tōku whakakai marihi
My language is my strength,
An ornament of grace
Ka tū ana āhau,
Ka ūhia au e ōku tīpuna
My pride I will show
That you may know who I am
I am a warrior, a survivor
He mōrehu āhau
Ki hea rā āu e hītekiteki ana
Ka mau tonu i āhau ōku tikanga
Tōku reo, tōku oho-oho,
Tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea
Tōku whakakai marihi
My language is my strength,
An ornament of grace x 3




Here is a karaoke version:
 
Stan Walker's version:



You can learn lots more about He Kakano Ahau, including a translation, here:
http://folksong.org.nz/he_kakano_ahau/

Download the kupu with or without chords, and a translation here.



 
Ka kite,
Damian Hardman
damian.hardman@birchwood.school.nz

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