Aloha ʻOe

Aloha ʻOe (Farewell to Thee)is a famous Hawaiian song and the unofficial 'national anthem' of Hawaii. It was composed by the last Queen of Hawaiʻi, Liliʻuokalani in around 1877. She wrote the lyrics and put them to music after the Hawaiian islands were officially annexed by the United States of America in 1898. Now the piece is often sung to bid farewell to departing loved ones.

Aloha ʻOe is a song by the last queen of Hawaiʻi, Liliʻuokalani (1838-1917). She wrote both the lyrics and the music of the song after the Hawaiian islands were officially annexed by the United States of America in 1898. Now the piece is often sung to bid farewell to departing loved ones.

There may be some evidence that the melody of the song was inspired by a European folk song.

Lyrics

Ha`aheo ka ua i nâ pali
Ke nihi a`ela i ka nahele
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua `âhihi lehua o uka

Hui:
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again

`O ka hali`a aloha i hiki mai
Ke hone a`e nei i
Ku`u manawa
`O `oe nô ka`u ipo aloha
A loko e hana nei

Maopopo ku`u `ike i ka nani
Nâ pua rose o Maunawili
I laila hia`ia nâ manu
Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo

English translation

Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs
As it glided through the trees
Still following ever the bud
The ʻahihi lehua of the vale

 Chorus:
Farewell to thee, farewell to thee
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
'Ere I depart
Until we meet again

Sweet memories come back to me
Bringing fresh remembrances
Of the past
Dearest one, yes, you are mine own
From you, true love shall never depart

I have seen and watched your loveliness
The sweet rose of Maunawili
And 'tis there the birds of love dwell
And sip the honey from your lips

External links

• Lyrics and translation. Includes more extensive history regarding the circumstances of the piece's composition.