So Strange ~~~~~ Pokarekare Ana ~~~~~ Hayley Westenra

SO STRANGE

It always seems to be that when the shell is poor

And the physical wells hunger

It is then the spirits of poetic landscapes

Wander in

Bearing many gifts

Hayley Westenra - Pokarekare Ana

Across the Tasman Sea is Aotearoa, our sister land of the Long White Cloud. "Pokarekare Ana" is a traditional folk love song, possibly composed in the era of World War I. Hayley Westenra's rendition of this song is like watching some fairy-tale legend unfolding before you.

They are agitated

the waters of Waiapu,

But when you cross over girl

they will be calm.
Oh girl return to me,

I could die of love for you.
I have written my letter

I have sent my ring,

so that your people can see

that I am troubled.

My pen is shattered,

I have no more paper

But my love is still steadfast.

My love will never

be dried by the sun,

It will be forever

moistened by my tears.

- translated by Toby Rikihana - There are more notes on the song here, detailing the many versions of the tune.

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In 1968, Rolf Harris presented these English lyrics for the song.

Oh hurry hurry home love

Hurry back to Rotorua

To the mountains and this valley

Oh hurry home to me.

I know, I know,

you had to go

Please hurry back home love

I miss you so.

In my mind I hear you singing

And the echoes fill the valley

Cross the lake of troubled waters

To the mountains and the sky.

I know, I know

you had to go

Please hurry back home love

I miss you so.

Po Kare Kare ana

Nga wai o Rotorua

Whiti atu koe hine marino ana e

e Hine e Hoki Mai ra

Ka Mate A-U-i Te-a-Ro-Ha E!

Oh I know you had to go.

Please hurry back home love

I miss you so.

Please hurry back home love

I miss you so.