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Aloha ‘Oe (Farewell to Thee) is a love song composed by Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Liliuokalani in 1878 – probably her most famous composition and a local favorite. After visiting Edwin Boyd at the Maunawili Ranch on the windward side of Oahu, Princess Liliuokalani was returning to Honolulu on horseback up the steep Pali trail. As she turned to admire the view of Kaneohe Bay, she saw Colonel James Boyd and a young Maunawili girl gently and affectionately bid farewell to each other. The tender farewell inspired Her Highness to pen Aloha ‘Oe. Elvis Presley covered the song for the soundtrack of the 1961 movie Blue Hawaii, which he also starred in, and Johnny Cash covered the song on American VI: Ain't No Grave, the sixth and final collaboration between The Man in Black and producer Rick Rubin. There is a manuscript of Aloha ‘Oe in Queen Liliuokalani’s handwriting in the Bishop Museum on Oahu.
Translation by Liliuokalani. Published by Pacific Music Co., San Francisco 1890-1891. Copyright 1884. Copyright 1939 renewed 1967 Miller Music Corp. Aloha ‘Oe Lyrics |
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Hawaiian Ha`aheo ka ua i nâ pali Ke nihi a`ela i ka nahele E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko Pua `âhihi lehua o uka Hui Aloha `oe, aloha `oe E ke onaona noho i ka lipo One fond embrace, A ho`i a`e au Until we meet again `O ka hali`a aloha i hiki mai Ke hone a`e nei i Ku`u manawa `O `oe nô ka`u ipo aloha A loko e hana nei Maopopo ku`u `ike i ka nani Nâ pua rose o Maunawili I laila hia`ia nâ manu Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo |
Translation Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs As it glided through the trees Still following ever the bud The `ahihi lehua of the vale Chorus Farewell to you, farewell to you The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers One fond embrace, ‘Ere I depart Until we meet again Sweet memories come back to me Bringing fresh remembrances Of the past Dearest one, yes, you are mine own From you, true love shall never depart I have seen and watched your loveliness The sweet rose of Maunawili And ’tis there the birds of love dwell And sip the honey from your lips |
