Topenga Ataata
Kupu Tūpato
Someone told me long ago there’s a calm before the storm,
– I kii mai tetahi ki ahau i mua noa atu he marino kei mua i te tupuhi,
I know; it’s been comin’ for some time.
– E mohio ana ahau; kua tae mai mo etahi wa.
When it’s over, so they say, it’ll rain a sunny day,
– Ka mutu, ka mea ratou, ka ua te ra mahana,
I know; shinin’ down like water.
– E mohio ana ahau; e whiti ana ki raro, ano he wai.
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
– E hiahia ana ahau ki te mohio, kua kite koe i te ua?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain
– E hiahia ana ahau ki te mohio, kua kite koe i te ua
Comin’ down on a sunny day?
– Ka heke iho i te rā rā?
Yesterday, and days before, sun is cold and rain is hard,
– Inanahi, me nga ra i mua, he makariri te ra, he kaha te ua,
I know; been that way for all my time.
– E mohio ana ahau; i taua ara mo toku wa katoa.
‘Til forever, on it goes through the circle, fast and slow,
– ‘Ki te ake, i runga i te reira haere i roto i te porohita, tere, me te puhoi,
I know; it can’t stop, i wonder.
– E mohio ana ahau; e kore e taea e mutu, miharo ahau.
Yeah!
– Ae!
