The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #81449   Message #1491765
Posted By: Haruo
24-May-05 - 03:59 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Aloha 'oe / Farewell to thee
Subject: Lyr Add: ALOHA OE / FAREWELL TO THEE (Liliuokalani
The English version in the 1908 edition appears to be the same as the 1913, but is defective in lacking the page(s) after Page 1. The 1913 version has the English as I learned it in my youth in Seattle, and I transcribe it here, emending lightly in capitalization and punctuation, as (in my opinion) the canonical English version. Whether it is by Arthur Lange or Her Majesty I cannot say; "arranged" is famously ambiguous in such cases... :

                    Aloha Oe
                 Farewell to Thee


Arranged by Arthur Lange          H. M. Queen Liliuokalani

Proudly swept the rain cloud by the cliff,
As on it glided through the trees,
Still following with grief the liko,
The ahihi-lehua of the vale.
     Refrain:
Farewell to thee, farewell to thee,
Though charming one who dwells among the bowers.
One fond embrace before I now depart,
Until we meet again.
I have seen and watched thy loveliness,
Thou sweet rose of Maunawili,
And 'tis there the birds oft love to dwell
And sip the honey from thy lips.

Thus sweet memories come back to me,
Bringing fresh remembrance of the past.
Dearest one, yes, thou art mine own,
From thee true love shall ne'er depart.

Haruo