Tûtû (Granny) - Queen Lili`uokalani

 

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

Queen Lili`uokalani
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'dplace 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 fogot them
High up above her forehead

 

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.