One of New Zealand’s most beloved lullabies, written by Māori composer Fanny Howie in the early 1900s — a gentle promise that sadness never lasts, because love is always near.
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Verse 1
C F C
E tangi ana koe,
F C G7
Hine e hine.
(You are weeping – little girl, little girl.)
C F C
Hush now, hush now, little one, I know you’re weeping still,
F C G7
hush now, hush now, little one, rest now and be still.
Verse 2
C F C
Kati töpouri rä,
F C G7
Hine e hine.
(Be sad no longer – little girl, little girl.)
C F C
Be sad no more, my little one, for love surrounds you here,
F C G7
hush now, hush now, little one, there’s nothing left to fear.
Play it
Chords — guitar & piano
C
Guitar
Piano
F
Guitar
Piano
G7
Guitar
Piano
Good to know
What this song means
Hine e Hine was written around 1907 by Fanny Howie, also known by her stage name Princess Te Rangi Pai, and has since become one of the best-loved Māori lullabies in New Zealand. Its gentle message — that tears will pass and love remains — made it so beloved that an instrumental version closed New Zealand’s television broadcasts for almost twenty years, accompanying the famous “Goodnight Kiwi” cartoon.
Traditional Māori lullaby, written by Fanny Howie (Princess Te Rangi Pai) around 1907. Lyrics and translation adapted from the well-known traditional text.
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