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Aloha ‘Oe (Farewell to Thee), one of Hawaii’s most significant cultural symbols, was composed by Lili’uokalani in 1878. The song is thought to have been inspired by an emotional farewell embrace between the Queen and Colonel James Harbottle Boyd prior to her departure for Honolulu, but has since been associated with the annexation of the…
Queen Liliʻuokalani (1838–1917) was Hawaii’s last monarch, known for her resilience in the face of political turmoil. Ascending to the throne in 1891, she sought to restore the kingdom’s independence and strengthen the rights of Native Hawaiians. However, her efforts were thwarted by American businessmen and settlers, leading to a coup in 1893 that deposed her. During her reign, Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned in her own palace, yet she remained a symbol of resistance and only abdicated to spare her supporters from jail.
Aloha ‘Oe (Farewell to Thee), one of Hawaii’s most significant cultural symbols, was composed by Lili’uokalani in 1878. The song is thought to have been inspired by an emotional farewell embrace between the Queen and Colonel James Harbottle Boyd prior to her departure for Honolulu, but has since been associated with the annexation of the island by the United States. Noteworthy recordings of this piece have been made by prominent artists such as Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, and Les Paul.
Haʻaheo e ka ua i nā pali Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs
Ke nihi aʻela i ka nahele As it glided through the trees
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko Still following ever the bud
Pua ʻāhihi lehua o uka The ʻāhihi lehua[a] of the vale
Hui: Chorus:
Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe Farewell to thee, farewell to thee
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace, One fond embrace,
A hoʻi aʻe au Ere I depart
Until we meet again Until we meet again
ʻO ka haliʻa aloha i hiki mai Sweet memories come back to me
Ke hone aʻe nei i Bringing fresh remembrances
Kuʻu manawa Of the past
ʻO ʻoe nō kuʻu ipo aloha Dearest one, yes, you are mine own
A loko e hana nei From you, true love shall never depart
Maopopo kuʻu ʻike i ka nani I have seen and watched your loveliness
Nā pua rose o Maunawili The sweet rose of Maunawili
I laila hiaʻai nā manu And ’tis there the birds of love dwell
Mikiʻala i ka nani o ka liko And sip the honey from your lips
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Instrumentation | |
Duration | 4' |
Difficulty | |
Arranged by | |
ISMN | 979-0-708225-17-1 |