NEW  ZEALAND
FOLK * SONG

Moe, Moe Mai Ra
Suo Gan
MorvinSimon

Kiwi Songs - Maori songs - Home

Morvin Simon's Maori version of this old Welsh lullaby draws attention to the Christ-child, born to save the world from sin.

Moe, moe mai ra e te moko
I nga runga aroha,
E kore nei takahia
ko te ara tupuna.

Koe, koe nei ra, te oranga
i ruia e kui ma.
E kore nei ngaro atu,
Hei kakano tapu e.
 Sleep, sleep little baby
raised up by love
so we don't have to tread
the ancestral path ...of sinfulness

You, you exist here
as the fruit of an immaculate woman.
There is no dying away,
because of this sacred seed.


He Tapu Te Tinana, by Robyn Kahukiwa


If you can provide a better English translation of this song, or if you can put me in touch with Morvin Simon, please e-mail me. Thank you. John.Archer@xtra.co.nz

Morvin Simon

Whanganui kaumatua and highly respected music director of Te Matapihi and other Maori choirs.

He is currently (2006) working at Te Papa, Wellington, and was awarded an Adjunct Professorship in May 2005.

This graduation photo shows him with his wife, Te Matapihi Kura Simon.

Suo Gan

Suo gan means "lullaby" in the Welsh language. It is a traditional Welsh tune that first appeared in print in about 1800.
It was featured in an early cathedral scene in the 1986 Spielburg movie Empire of the Sun.
Listen with REAL player
Go to Amazon's Empire of the Sun CD song sample page.

Huna blentyn yn fy mynwes,
Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
Breichiau mam sy'n dyn am danat,
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;

Ni cha dim amharu'th gyntun,
Ni wna undyn a thi gam;
Huna'n dawel, anwyl blentyn,
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam. 		Sleep my baby, at my breast,
'Tis a mother's arms round you.
Make yourself a snug, warm nest.
Feel my love forever new.

Harm will not meet you in sleep,
Hurt will always pass you by.
Child beloved, always you'll keep,
In sleep gentle, mother's breast nigh.


Kiwi Songs - Maori Songs - Home

Published on the web 5 March 2006