I Ali`i No `Oe (You Are A Chief) - Traditional

 

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I ali`i nô `oe i kanaka au lâ
Malalo aku au a`o ko leo lâ

I noho aku au a`i kuke nâu lâ
I kuene ho`i nâ ko nui kino lâ

He keu `oe a ke aloha `ole lâ
I nêia mau maka `imo aku nei lâ

Kô `ike mai nô a he palupalu lâ
A he `iwi ha`i wale ko ka `amakihi lâ

`O ka pou kaena iho kêia lâ
E `ui`ui nei ke kaula `ili lâ

Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana lâ
I ali`i nô `oe i kanaka au lâ



You are a chief, I am a commoner
Below you, I am obedient to your command

While you sit, I cook for you and
Wait on your big body

You are insincere, I've lost my love for you
Those eyes wink at someone else

I know your tenderness for another bird
This bird will break the bonds that bind

This is the mast that boasts of itself
The rope that squeaks

The story is told
You are a chief, I am a commoner

 

Source: Kamehameha Schools HSI - Translator unknown, Music clip by Paina