This waiata tangi (lament) is sung by members of Te Whakatohea for their relatives who had died in the war. It was recorded at the opening of the Tama te Kapua meeting house at Rotorua in 1943.
Transcript
Sir Apirana Ngata: Amongst the tribes assembled at the opening of the Tama te Kapua meeting in March of 1943, was the Whakatohea tribe of Opotiki. They also had in their time a great reputation as masters of many aspects of Maori culture, including the chanting of the old songs. This is an adaptation of an old song commencing E muri ahiahi adapted by them and sung as a lament for the men from their district of the Maori Battalion who had died in service overseas. They were led by Te Hapua Apanui of Opape near Opotiki.
Te Hapua Apanui: He waiata tangi na Te Whakatohea mo nga tamariki kei te pae o te pakanga
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 40703. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.
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