In a previous blog post, I had shared a poem that was written by my cousin Manase Lua as a tribute for the passing of King George V in Tonga earlier this year. You can find more about that on this link here: Dedicated to the passing of HM King George V
In this blog post, I have the pleasure in sharing a Tongan song that Manase had written and composed which is entitled: Tala ‘o mate kuo ‘aonga ma’a Tonga. This song features on the ‘Akiheuho String Band’s debut album which consists of 10 original Tongan hiva kakala (fragrant songs). For the non-Tongan readers, the English translation of the song is featured on the right hand side of this page whilst the Tongan lyrics are positioned to the left of this page. Also, at the end of this post is the link to the audio recording of this song. Enjoy!
TALA ‘O MATE KUO ‘AONGA MA’A TONGA
Chronicles of an honourable passing in service to the King
*In loving memory of the late ‘Ana Tupou Tu’amoheloa
TULOU MO E HAU ‘O E ONGO KAUHALA
I pay homage to the King of both sides of the road
KA U HU PUNOU LOUIFI KAE FAI HANO TALA
That I may speak with bowed reverence and due respect
HANGE NE TALANGA’I MEI HE KUONGA KI MU’A
As it once was told in many ages long before
KEI TONGA PE ‘A TONGA NEONGO E NOFO HE VAHA
Tonga stands resolute despite the ravages of time and space
NE TAU HA IKA TA’ANE MEI HE LOTO MOANA
A great warrior battled fiercely from the ocean deep
FASI PEAU IKUNA HA’AKI TONU HE NGUTU’ANA
Overcoming great waves right to the very shore
HUFANGALUPE HANGA ATU KI HE TAHI TONGA
Dear doves sheltering on the cliffs face the Southern Seas
KAU VILO TAKAMILO TAKAI’I E HALA TAUFA
That I may turn and encircle the King’s Main Road
TAU 1
VAI KO FELEFONU PEA MO HAFEKIVAKA
Gathering stream of turtles and the great landing bay
VAI KO PAKILAU MO E LAKU’ANGA HEILALA
Stream of scattered petals where high maidens came to play
‘E NGALO NAI ‘AFE ‘A E TUPU’ANGA ‘O E LA’A?
When will we ever forget the rising place of the sun?
NE SITAKAFALU HE FUNGA ‘ESI ‘O TAUFA
Where a King took shade near his mother’s sheltered bay
TALU MEI KILUKILUA MO ‘ETAU FAIFATONGIA
Since time immemorial the people have dutifully served
KI A HA’A MOHEOFO MO E HULIHULI TEFUA
The Royal Houses of Tonga and their Chiefly lines
ULOULO TA’ETUKU HOTAU KELEKELE TU’A
Forever blazing dutifully are our expansive lands
KE TAU POLEPOLE AI HE KUO ‘AMUSIA-E-‘A
That we may stand with pride for blessed are they that see.
UISA! NEU MAMATA KI HA VISONE NA’E LUVA
Behold I saw a vision granted by the unseen
TALANGATA ‘IATE AU KA E TAU KI HE ‘ATAA
Let the words I utter now rise up to the sky
KA ONGONA HA’O MAMAHI ‘OKU PIKI-PEA-VELA
And should embers of my words cling and cause you pain
TAFI KI ‘ANA’AHU KI A VAHA’I PEA MO HAVEATAMA
Sweep away the smouldering ash to the guardians at the cave
TAU 2
TAU MAVAE KAVA HE KUO NONGA MAI E HALA
Let us now depart with grace for the road ahead is clear
KAE ‘ATA ‘A ‘APIHALA PEA MO TOKOMA’ATA
And grant the two main keepers of tradition leave to rest
MAEAKAFA NA’E UA KUO HOKO ‘O TAHA
Two braided sennit ropes are now joined together as one
NGATA AI E TALA ‘O MATEKUO’AONGAMA’ATONGA
Here ends the Chronicle of an honourable passing in service to the King.
Lyrics/Fa’u ‘e Manase Lua
Music & Arrangement/Fakafasi mo hono fokotu’utu’u e Manase Lua, Sione Vaka (tau), Benjamin Zeketoa Tameifuna, Po’uhila Po’uhila Jnr., mo Penisio Kautai
*Also in loving memory of the late ‘Alisi Lolie and dedicated to ‘Elisiva Vaisioa Vea and Sela Mounukiuoleva Lua, the three daughters of Tevita Tu’amoheloa of Faleloa/Ma’ufanga and ‘Ana Tupou of Vaini, eldest daughter of ‘Ilaisa Ma’u Tupou, eldest son of Matekuo’aongama’atonga the eldest son of Ma’afu ‘Osaiasi Finautoki (Chief of Vaini) and Latuvaivai (daughter of Tu’i Pelehake ‘Uluvalu and Finau Fakaheke). Sela Mounukiuoleva is the mother of band member Manase Lua who composed this song. The name Matekuo’aongama’atonga is a reference to the Ha’a Havea Clan’s support of the Tu’i Tonga and Kauhala’uta during the Tongan civil wars.
Creative Talanoa 