I te pō

Written by: Rob Ruha
Performed by: Rob Ruha, Neha, Te Waru, Ngākuru, Faith, Kaaterama & Michael a.k.a "The Rū-Cru"

Te piki kōtuku kua riro atu rā
Kua rere atu rā koe ki ngā rangi i runga
Ki o rahi, ki o nui i te pō
Waiho mai au, mokemoke ai - i te pō, i te pō
E te rau aroha kua taka iho rā

My rare white heron that has been taken...
You have flown to the heavens above,
To your many loved ones of the night
Leaving me lost and alone in darkness
My adored feather of affection that has fallen...

Written back in 2010 for an uncle that tragically passed away , I never sang it anywhere. While in Guam this year (2016) another uncle who I loved very much passed away and I could not return to his tangihanga in Whangaparaoa... I was broken :( This song came straight back to me in an instant. On my return I ran a workshop with akonga from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata and I taught the waiata to them. Within minutes, they had the feel, arrangement and parts sussed... and the rest is history.
If this song moves you, heals you or touches you in any way, please feel free to sing it or play it.
Dedicated to uncle John Waenga and uncle Ray Barrett.
Arohanui - ROB