Topenga Ataata
Kupu Tūpato
I don’t know what to do
– Kaore au e mohio ki te aha
Thought I was righteously leading our people, but
– I whakaaro ahau e tika ana taku arahi i to tatou iwi, engari
Now I’m faced with the truth
– Na kei te anga atu ahau ki te pono
What kind of leader can’t tell good from evil?
– He aha te ahua o te rangatira kaore e taea te korero pai mai i te kino?
All those poor souls, how many could have been saved?
– Ko aua wairua rawakore katoa, e hia i taea te whakaora?
How could I trust in a justice so cruel and depraved?
– Me pēhea taku whakawhirinaki ki tētahi tika e tino nanakia ana, e kino ana hoki?
One seeks an answer that one can not grant her
– Ka rapu te tangata i tētahi whakautu e kore e taea e tētahi te whakaae ki a ia
You’re looking for light only you can ignite
– Kei te rapu koe mo te marama anake ka taea e koe te mura
Every transgression must serve as a lesson
– Me mahi nga hara hei akoranga
Yesterday, you drew sorrow
– Inanahi, i pouri koe
What will you do tomorrow?
– He aha ka meatia e koe apopo?
I feel no wiser than when I commanded the slaughter of those sons and daughters
– E kore ahau e whakaaro nui atu i te wa i whakahau ahau i te patu o aua tama me nga tamahine
(You can’t hide)
– (Kaore e taea e koe te huna)
How can I be sure I don’t repeat more massacre based on mistaken conceit?
– Me pēhea e kore ai e taea e au te whakahoki anō i ētahi atu kohuru i runga i te whakapehapeha hē?
(Look inside)
– (Titiro ki roto)
If I stand down and leave us exposed, would that be blind to the threat Hell may pose?
– Ki te tu ahau ki raro, ka waiho tatou e kitea, e kia matapo ki te riri Reinga kia puta?
You can’t know, though time flows on
– E kore e taea e koe te mohio, ahakoa rere te wā i runga i
So you must bear the cross bestowed upon you
– Na me mau e koe te ripeka i homai ki a koe
Take pity, I pray
– Kia aroha mai, e inoi ana ahau
Give me a sign, what’s your guidance?
– Homai he tohu ki ahau, he aha to aratohu?
Please show me the way
– Tena, whakaaturia mai ki ahau te ara
You speak of choices made by other voices
– Ka kōrero koe mō ngā kōwhiringa i mahia e ētahi atu reo
You can only atone (Tell me how to atone)
– Ka taea e koe anake te whakamarie (Korero mai ki ahau me pehea te whakamarie)
Once you speak with your own
– Kia korero koe ki tou ake
If souls from damnation
– Ki te wairua i te kanga
Can earn their salvation
– Ka taea e koe te whakaora ia ratou
And find their forgiveness on high
– A ka kitea to ratou murunga hara i runga i te tiketike
How do I?
– Me pēhea ahau?
