3

Ah me! far off are the western lands;
Close by now is the sea of Raukawa.
O Taiaroa Waitere!
I am quite a stranger here, 60
Where waters flow over the greenstone;
Which I'd love to wear on my ear,
Or to have suspended from my neck,
To hold in my hands.
Ah me! these ears of mine
Once wore Tawhirau,
Now worn by Te Taitua;
And from my neck
Once hung Nga-pi-rau,
Now worn by Topeora. 70
This hand of mine
Once held Patu-moana
Now lying at Kapiti.
Ah! the treasures of my fathers,
Whose tale will never be told.