Listen to that sound, Tūī!
Whakarongo mai, Tūī!
Like a flute it seems to me
Kia kōauau, Tūī!
Will we ever hear another like Tūī?
I wonder, will there ever be a song so free?
To the world you call “Morning!”
Ki te ao koe karanga “Ata mārie!”
From the lungs, your voice is honey
Tō reo waihonga, e Tūī
Will we ever hear another like Tūī?
I wonder, will there ever be a song so free?
Will we ever hear another like Tūī?
I wonder, will there ever be a cry so clear?
Tuia!
Listen to that sound, Tūī!
Whakarongo mai, Tūī!
Thank you for your proud beauty
Kia ora rā tō ātaahua nui
We may never hear another like Tūī
I wonder, will there ever be a song so free?
We may never hear another like Tūī
I wonder, will there ever be a cry so clear?
Tuia!
credits
from Forest: Songs by Hirini Melbourne,
released November 1, 2010
Voice – Vashti Bunyan, Dudley, The Dawn Chorus, choir, Rachel Alexander (Tūīsong)
Additional lyrics by Dudley
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