Summer of Kiwi

Continuing on with my summer of all things New Zealand. I really like the singer, recording artist and actor, Prince Tui Teka's beautiful rendition of the song E Ipo. It was written by Maori composer, Ngoi Pewhairangi as a tribute from Prince Tui Teka to his wife Missy. (He died of a massive heart attack while performing at nightclub in the mid-1980's. Missy passed away suddenly in February of 2008.)

E Ipo

Ki a koe te tau To you, my darling

āku mihi e. my greetings

Ahakoa haere koe ki hea no matter where you go

maku rā koe e whai atu e. I will follow close behind

Ko taku aroha my love

ka ū tonu. will remain firm

Tēna ra e hine come my beloved

huri mai rā ki ahau e turn to me as I stand here

tau nei hei, utanga a.tu, and I shall carry your love

e Ipo. with me.

Otirā, e hine, Indeed my beloved

ku-a tau-nga kē tēnei tinana, my whole self is at home,

a-ue, ki te aroha Oh yeah! With your love,

e Ipo. (E. I. Pō) my darling. (Eh! At night!)

My darling Missy

You are always on my mind

Wherever you may go

You take a part of me.

My love for you is endless

Keep me always in your heart

For you are a special part of me.

My never-ending love.

Tēna ra e hine Come my beloved,

huri mai rā ki ahau e turn to me as I stand here,

tau nei hei, and I shall carry,

utanga atu, your love with me.

e Ipo.

Otirā, e hine, Indeed my beloved
ku-a tau-nga kē tēnei tinana, my whole self is at home,
a-ue, ki te aroha Oh yeah! With your love,
e Ipo. (E. I. Pō) my darling. (Eh! At night!)

Ki te aroha e Ipo Oh your love my darling.