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The 36th Battalion: a record of service of the 36th Battalion with the Third Division in the Pacific

Isa Lei — (Song of Fiji)

Isa Lei
(Song of Fiji)

Isa Isa, vulagi lasa dina,
Nomu lako au sana rarawa kina,
Ava beka koya mai cakava,
Nomo lako au na sega ni lasa.

Chorus:
Isa lei—Nanoqu rarawa,
Miko sana vodo e na mataka,
Bau nonuma, na nodatau lasa,
Mai Suva, nonuma tikonga.

(Note.—In Fijian G is pronounced as NG, D as ND, B as MB and C as TH in 'the'.)

page 117

The English Words
Isa. Isa. You are my only treasure,
Must you leave me so lonely and forsaken?
As the roses will miss the sun at dawning,
Every moment my heart for you is yearning.

Chorus:
Isa Lei. The purple shadows fall,
Sad the morrow will dawn upon my sorrow.
Ah, forget not when you are far away
Precious moments beside dear Suva Bay.

Isa. Isa. My heart was filled with pleasure
From the moment I heard your tender greeting.
Mid the sunshine we spent the hours together
Now so swiftly those happy hours are fleeting.

O'er the ocean your island home is calling,
Happy country where roses bloom in splendour.
Oh if I could but journey there with you,
Then forever my heart will sing in rapture.