Taniwha

Kotahi ki reira

ki Araiteuru

Kotahi ki reira

ki Niua

Homai he toa 

Homai he kaha

Homai he toa 

Homai he kaha e

Do dragons talk

I think I heard one say

Do you remember me

From olden days

Yes I do in my fear

When I panic you appear

And then I see your face...

Ki te kake au ki ngā rangi, 

ki te heke au ki te rēinga, 

Ki te tango au ki ngā pākau o te ata, 

Ki te noho ki ngā tōpito o te moana,

Kei reira koe 

Can’t sit, can’t stand

Can’t hold a sword in my hand

I’m only free

When I’m dreaming

Like I do when you’re near

When the panic disappears

Then I see your face

Ko te kokonga ngākau

E kore e kitea

Uia, tirohia, 

He aha e kitea?

Ka pōnakonako

He wairangi

Ka āta tirotiro

He kaitiaki

Listen

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Taniwha- a translation

One there

Is Araiteuru

One there

Is Niua

Give me courage

Give me strength

Give me courage

Give me strength 

If I ascend into the heavens, 

If I descend to where spirits depart, 

If I take the wings of the morning,

If I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

You are there 

The corners of the heart

cannot be seenAsk and inspect

What is seen?

If we’re short sighted

We’ll see a monster

If we look carefully

We’ll see a guardian