Pōkarekare Ana

"Pōkarekare Ana" is a traditional New Zealand love song, probably communally composed about the time World War I began in 1914. The song is written in Māori and has been translated into English. It enjoys widespread popularity in New Zealand as well as some popularity in other countries.

Composition

Eastern Maori politicians Paraire Tomoana and Āpirana Ngata published the song in 1919, but neither of them claimed to have composed it. They explained that it had "emanated North of Auckland" and was popularised by Māori soldiers who were training near Auckland before embarking for the war in Europe.[1]

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 Lake Rotorua in the North Island. It is then associated with the story of Hinemoa swimming across the lake to her forbidden lover, Tūtānekai, on Mokoia Island. However, there have been many different English translations.

"Pōkarekare 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]

Lyrics and melody
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From Anon. (1926). Two Maori Songs. arranged by Hemi Piripata. Auckland: Arthur Eady – via Alexander Turnbull Library.
Māori[2] English[2]

Pōkarekare ana,
ngā wai o Waiapu
Whiti atu koe hine,
marino ana e.

Refrain
  E hine e,
  hoki mai ra.
  Ka mate ahau
  I te aroha e.

Tuhituhi taku reta,
tuku atu taku rīngi,
Kia kite tō iwi
raru raru ana e.

Refrain

Whati whati taku pene
ka pau aku pepa
Ko taku aroha
mau tonu ana e.

Refrain

E kore te aroha
e maroke i te rā
Mākūkū tonu i
aku roimata e.

Refrain

They are agitated,
the waters of Waiapu,
But when you cross over girl,
they will be calm.


Oh girl,
return to me,
I could die
of love for you.

I have written my letter,
I have sent my ring,
so that your people can see
that I am troubled.

Refrain

My poor pen is shattered,
I have no more paper,
But my love
is still steadfast.

Refrain

My love will never
be dried by the sun,
it will be forever moistened
by my tears.

Refrain

Use

The song is very popular in New Zealand, and has been adapted for multiple purposes, including in advertising and by sporting groups. Notable uses include:

In popular culture, "Pōkarekare Ana" was used as the theme song for the 2005 South Korean film Crying Fist.[7]

Versions

Recordings

Dozens of recording artists throughout the world have performed and recorded the song.

A version of "Pōkarekare Ana" by Rhonda Bryers appears on the 1981 CBS various artists album The Mauri Hikitia.[8][9]

Among New Zealand opera singers to record and perform "Pōkarekare Ana" are Kiri Te Kanawa and Malvina Major.

"Pōkarekare Ana" was featured on the 2003 album Pure, by the New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra.

A version of the song features on the self-titled album by Angelis, a British classical crossover singing group.

On the CD Classical-Crossover Compilation 2011, Hollie Steel sings "Pōkarekare Ana". Steel later released the song as a charity single for those suffering from the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.[10]

Adaptations

The song was introduced to South Korea by New Zealand soldiers fighting in the Korean War. It was eventually given Korean lyrics and a Korean title, "Yeonga" (Korean: 연가), and has become popular across the country.[11][12]

The melody of "Pōkarekare Ana" was used for an Irish hymn to the Blessed Virgin: "A Mhuire Mháthair, sé seo mo ghuí".[2][13]

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").[14]

References
  1. Allan Thomas (May–December 2007). "'Pokarekare': An Overlooked New Zealand Folksong?". Journal of Folklore Research. Indiana University Press. 44 (2/3): 227–237. doi:10.2979/JFR.2007.44.2-3.227. JSTOR 40206952. S2CID 161092212.
  2. "Pōkarekare Ana", folksong.org
  3. "Air New Zealand – Birds", advertising video
  4. Dita De Boni (30 June 2000). "Mood music to fit the product". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  5. Celebrating our 80th birthday – Air New Zealand on YouTube
  6. Ohlheiser, Abby (17 April 2013). "New Zealand Lawmakers Burst into Song as They Legalize Gay Marriage". Slate. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  7. Crying Fist Soundtrack – Pōkarekare Ana on YouTube
  8. National Library of New Zealand The Mauri Hikitia album (sound recording) / various artists.
  9. Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (New Zealand's Sound & Vision Archive) The Mauri Hikitia album / various artists
  10. "Hollie Releases New Song for Charity", 1 May 2011, holliesteelmusic.com
  11. Kang Hyun-kyung (11 May 2015). "Popular love song reflects Maori influence in Korea". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. "Yeon-ga". New Zealand Folk Song. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  13. MP3 singing of A Mhuire Mháthair Archived 27 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  14. Po kar hi li tikrá na "'It's cold here', she will tell me", homophonous translation of "Pōkarekare Ana" into Hebrew.

Further reading
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