New Zealand Maori Song

Information: http://www.folksong.org.nz/he_puru/index.html

In 1909 Kingi Tahiwi was working for an Otaki law firm. He wanted to marry a very attractive young Maori woman, Jane Armstrong, but he was just an office woIrker, and there was much competition for her favours from the physical young farm workers in the area. So to remind her he had a capable young male body, as well as a bright mind, he wrote this song, putting it to a very energetic brass band tune. Epo i tai tai + girl scouts!!

(I'm) a strong young man!

A real young bull!

A vigorous lad!

A rampaging bull!

A husky young man!

The New Zealand Opera Maori Chorus

https://youtu.be/WhCYxJWJsfs

Spring Up Choir

https://youtu.be/PMm2039HooA

Daphne Walker, George Tumahai

https://youtu.be/uC3bQRlMo5U

St Joseph's Maori Girls' College, Te Aute College

https://youtu.be/wFkKs2fb6f0

He Puru Tai Tama

He pūru taitama e

He pūru taitama hoki!

He pūru taitama

He pūru tukituki

He pūru taitama e.

Ka haere tāua e

Ki runga Otaki hoki.

Kei reira tāua

whaka-rite-rite ai

whaka-oti-oti ai e.

(I'm) a strong young man!

A real young bull!

A vigourous lad!

A rampaging bull!

A husky young man!

You and I are going

way beyond Otaki.

And there we

can arrange

a conclusion.