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English Translation of 'The Chant of Takitimu'

Dip lightly, dip lightly!
Now a long stroke, a long stroke!
Plunge deeply your paddles,
The paddles Manini-tua and Manini-aro
Tangi-wiwini and Tangi-wawana.
See, dawn is breaking yonder
On the peak of Matatera.
Now, Whaiuru, Whaiuru,
Now, Whaiato, Whaiato,
Now a long strong stroke!

(Here the paddlers pause while the canoe sweeps through the water under the impulse of the last stroke).

Now, again, again!
Again, and again!
That was not the water from my paddle.
The water from my paddle.
Now dig in, cleave it,
A long, strong stroke!
Now we're going along,
How the canoe flies!
How fine the paddles sound
All together!
My grand canoe,
My treasured canoe,
A treasure of the waters!

(A long strong stroke).