Pokarekare Ana is a traditional New Zealand love song, probably communally composed about the time World War I began in 1914.
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East Coast Māori song-writer Paraire Tomoana, who polished up the song in 1917 and published the words in 1921, wrote that "it emanated from the North of Auckland" and was popularised by Māori soldiers who were training near Auckland before embarking for the war in Europe.[1]
There have been numerous claims and counterclaims regarding authorship over the years. Although the matter has never been definitively settled, guardianship of the words and music are held by the family (descendants) of Paraire Tomoana.
The Māori words have remained virtually unaltered over the decades, with only the waters in the first line being localized. For example, some versions refer to Rotorua, a town in the North Island. However, there have been many different English translations.
Pokarekare Ana was originally written predominantly in triple time, with the verse in duple time, but has been more commonly heard in duple time since World War II.[1]
The song has historically become one that bonds the two prosperous southern nations of Australia and New Zealand, with great honorary ceremonies occurring both from and to each of the nations as a sign of togetherness and strength during the 2000 Summer Olympics.
The song is very popular in New Zealand and is sometimes called the country's unofficial national anthem, although it has been adapted to commercial advertising and by sporting groups. Notable examples include:
In April 2009 the Israeli composer Rami Bar-Niv wrote a piano piece based on the song - "Pokarekare Variations". He wrote it upon a suggestion of a NZ friend from Rotorua and as a new piece to mark his 5th concert tour of NZ in Sept 2009.
A schoolyard parody, "O curry curry arna, I found a squashed banana", is well known to New Zealand school-children, and was being sung in Melbourne playgrounds from the early-1960's to the mid-1970s.
The tune of "Pokarekare Ana" has been borrowed for an Irish hymn to the Blessed Virgin: "A Mhuire Mháthair, sé seo mo ghuí".[3][4]
Pokarekare Ana was also sung at the opening of the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung by Hayley Westenra and Russell Watson.
Dozens of recording artists throughout the world have performed and recorded the song. Internationally known New Zealand opera singers to previously record and perform "Pokarekare Ana" are Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Dame Malvina Major.
Late in 2003 "Pokarekare Ana" was featured on the album Pure, released worldwide by the young New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. Pure is the fastest selling debut album ever on the UK classical charts. Her rendition of "Pokarekare Ana" also prominently appears in the video game Endless Ocean.
A version of the song features on the self titled album by Angelis, a British classical singing group.
One of the more well-known versions of the song was when it was sung by New Zealand artist Prince Tui Teka.
The most internationally exposed recorded version of the song was performed by Rose Hanify. This version was used in Air New Zealand advertisements worldwide during 2000. Most notably, this recording became featured throughout the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, both publicly, and through heavy media coverage.
A version of the song sung by Scottish comedian Billy Connolly is used as the theme to his 2004 Tour of New Zealand and features on both the DVD and CD.
The group Splashdown, discontinued, also did a version of this song, titled "Running with Scissors".
On the cd Classical-Crossover Compilation 2011, Hollie Steel sings Pokarekare Ana. Steel later released the song as a charity single for those suffering from an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.[5]
| Māori | English[6] |
|---|---|
| Pōkarekare ana, ngā wai o Waiapu Whiti atu koe hine, marino ana e |
The waves are breaking, against the shores of Waiapu, My heart is aching, for your return my love. |
| E hine e, hoki mai ra, ka mate ahau i te aroha e. |
Oh my beloved, come back to me, my heart is breaking for of love for you. |
| Tuhituhi taku reta, tuku atu taku rīni Kia kite tō iwi, raruraru ana e. |
I have written you a letter, and enclosed with it my ring, If your people should see it, then the trouble will begin. |
| E hine e, hoki mai ra, ka mate ahau i te aroha e. |
Oh girl, come back to me, my heart is breaking for of love for you. |
| Whatiwhati taku pene, kua pau aku pepa Ko taku aroha, mau tonu ana e. |
My poor pen is broken, my paper is spent, But my love for you endures, and remains forever more. |
| E hine e, hoki mai ra, ka mate ahau i te aroha e. |
Oh my beloved, come back to me, my heart is breaking for of love for you. |
| E kore te aroha, e maroke i te rā Mākūkū tonu i aku roimata e. |
The sun's hot sheen, won't scorch my love, Being kept evergreen, by the falling of my tears. |
| E hine e, hoki mai ra, ka mate ahau i te aroha e. |
Oh girl, Come back to me, I could die of love for you. |
A homophonous translation into Hebrew was composed in 2007 by Ghil'ad Zuckermann. In this translation the approximate sounds of the Māori words are retained while Hebrew words with similar meanings are used. In this translation, however, "Waiapu" is replaced by "Rotorua" (oto rúakh, Hebrew for "that wind").[7]