'Oketi
1.
Gone is that dear dawn
To
which, as wings, clung my remembrances
Of
the orchid, the bloom of the dew,
(Which
I) Adorn till the end of time
2.
This body has become a thing of no worth
Overcome
by all-conquering love
For
your image of precious stones
I
will string them for my garland
3.
The shade of evening beckons
To
which I direct my lamentations
If
the magnitude were only known
Of
the love (I bear) for the bouquet of langakali
Chorus:
Alas that this body, sweet enticement to gossip
Is
only poison to your mission
Yet
do you not see, Gladiola
This
love of mine may never end. [MT]
In
the Tongan language:
1.
Si’i hengihengi e kuo ‘alu
Kapakau
ai si’ete manatu
Ki
he ‘oketi fisi e hahau
Tauleva
ki he pa’anga ngalu
2.
‘Anga’anga ni kuo me’a noa
Ka
falala he funga hau’alofa
Ki
ho ‘imisi maka koloa
Tui
fakaholo ko hoto kahoa
3.
Ta’alo e malu ‘i he efiafi
Pea
te hahanu launoa ki ai
Ke
‘iloa mai ‘ene tupulaki
‘A e
‘ofa he poukei langakali
Tau:
Sino ni ‘a pe ka melie lau
Pea
kona ai ki ha’o fekau
Ka
neongo ia ‘e Kalatiola
Na’a
kuo ta’engata ha’ata ni ‘ofa
