Orchid

 

'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