Band plays 'Maori Battalion March to Victory'

Maori Battalion March to Victory, composed by B Company's Anania (Nan) Amohau and set to the music of an American marching song, became the Battalion's rallying cry. Here, the Band of the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, conducted by Lieutenant C.C.E. Miller, plays the march followed by a recital-style vocal by an unnamed soloist, together with the verse. The song is then sung by the Battalion.

Lyrics

Maori Battalion Marching Song: Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha e! (Fight on fight on for ever and ever)

1 st verse

In the days that now have gone
When the Maoris went to war
They fought and fought till the last man died
For the honour of the tribe
And so we carry on
The traditions they have laid
And as we go on day by day
You will always hear us say

Chorus

Maori Battalion march to victory
Maori Battalion staunch and true
Maori Battalion march to glory
Take the honour of your people with you
You will march, march, march to the enemy
And will fight right to the end
For God, for King and Country au e
Ake ake Kia kaha e

2nd verse

A loyal band of Maori
Sailing for New Zealand
To win us freedom and peace
Marching shoulder to shoulder onward
And we will shout again
Ake ake kia kaha e
Haere tonu Haere tonu ra
Kia ora kia ora

Live and love another day
For tomorrow you may be gone
Live and love another day
It's the best way to carry on
Join the ranks of happiness
You're as welcome as the flowers in May
Old soldiers never die
They only fade away

Maori Battalion march to victory
Maori Battalion staunch and true
Maori Battalion march to glory
Take the honour of your people with you
You will march, march, march to the enemy
And will fight right to the end
For God, for King and Country au e
Ake ake Kia kaha e