Tûtû Queen Lili`uokalani
Tûtû Queen Lili`uokalani
Tûtû (Granny)
Children's Song
Children's Song
(Hawaiian)
(English)
Aia i Ka`ala`ala`a
Ku`u wahi kupuna wahine
Ua nui kona mau lâ
`O ka noho `ana i ke ao nei
Kana hana i ke kakahiaka
`O ka wehe i ka Paipala nui
Ki`i akula i nâ makaaniani
A penei e kau ai
Hui:
E aloha kâkou iâ ia
E mâlama kâkou iâ tûtû
E ho`ano kakou iaia
Ko kâkou kupuna wahine
A kau mai e ke ahiahi
Ho`omâkaukau e pule
Ki`i akula i nâ makaaniani
Auwe! Ua nalowale
Aia i kâ lae
I ka lae kahi kau ai
Ua poina loa `ia
I luna i ka lae.
There lived at Ka`ala`ala`a
My aged, dear old grandmother
Her days were full of numbers
That she lived in this world of care
Her first duty in the morning
Was to turn to the great Bible
Then searching for her glasses
She'd place them on her nose
Chorus:
Now we must all show her reverence
We must all love our dear Tûtû
We must do all to honor her
Our dear Grandma Tûtû
As the hour of eve drew near
She'd prepare for eve's devotion
And now seeks her glasses
But lo, they are not there
She had placed them on her forehead
High up above her brow
And there she soon forgot them
High up above her forehead.
Comments
Source: Noelani Mahoe, Translation by Lili`uokalani.
Ka`ala`ala`a is lower Nu`uanu, below Ma`ema`e hill. This hula was composed for a benefit program at Kaumakapili Church in Palama. Maria Heleluhe danced the part of the tutu and 7 little girls were the grandchildren. The queen taught the girls to sing the song with her and accompanied them on her guitar. The song received 5 encores and the performers were showered with money.
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Kaiulani Kanoa-Martin from Huapala - Hawaiian Music and Hula Archives for letting us post this song from her site.
Mahalo nui loa!
