The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #94524   Message #1831373
Posted By: mg
10-Sep-06 - 05:09 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Kanaka (Hawaiian) chanteymen
Subject: RE: Folklore: Kanaka (Hawaian) chanteymen
Here are the words...

Sing Kanaka sing

Sing Kanaka sing
What joy your music brings
Sing for us as loud as you can
Maybe you'll be our shantey man
Sing Kanaka sing

Dance Kanaka dance
The Metis men will give you a chance
They're the ones that can play the fiddle
Up one end and down the middle
Dance Kanaka dance

Climb Kanaka climb
Go up there one more time
In the winter here you'll damn near freeze
When you go to top those cedar trees
Climb Kanaka climb

Dive Kanaka dive
How many piles can you drive
Dive right down to the river bed
While the water flows right over your head
Dive Kanaka dive

Paddle Kanaka paddle
We're halfway to Seattle
We'll soon be reaching Cowlitz Landing
The portage there can be demanding
Paddle Kanaka paddle

Speak Kanaka speak
You've been here over a week
You don't need a teacher or a book
The language here is called Chinook
Speak Kanaka speak

Pray Kanaka pray
That the fever won't take you away
Pray for the babies you left by the sea
In several years you'll be set free
Pray Kanaka pray

Sing Kanaka sing
What joy your music brings
Sing for us as loud as you can
Maybe you'll be our shantey man
Sing Kanaka sing