Our next worship song in the Twelve Songs for Christmas series comes from New Zealand. You can enjoy this beautiful Maori worship song below, or here.
About the Song
A note from Ngati Whakaue:
This is a Christian worship song performed in the kapa haka style, a traditional Māori type of song. It is about saying goodbye to those that have passed away and how God will comfort those of us left behind.
Although strange to Western Christians, this type of song is a central part of worship in many Māori settings.
Lyrics in Maori
[Verse 1]
Wheuri te po, tirama ana ngā whetu piataata
Ko koutou tenā ngā kāhika kua rere ki runga rawa
Kei wareware i a tatou
E te atua pai tukua mai o ringa makoha
Hikina te taimaha hārukiruki
[Verse 1]
Wheuri te po, tirama ana ngā whetu piataata
Ko koutou tenā ngā kāhika kua rere ki runga rawa
Kei wareware i a tatou
E te atua pai tukua mai o ringa makoha
Hikina te taimaha hārukiruki
[Verse 2]
Pōkē te pō, tirama ana ngā whetu piataata
Ko koutou tēnā ngā ipo kua rere ki runga rawa
Kei wareware i a tātou
Kei wareware i a tātou
English Translation
[Verse 1]
The night is dark, but the stars are shining and shimmering
That is who you all are (those that have passed) the leaders that are are above us in the heavens.
You will not be forgotten by us.
Oh God who is good, send us your hands of compassion.
Lift the weight of this loss from us.
[Verse 2]
The night is dark, but the stars are shining and shimmering
That is who you all are (those that have passed) the leaders that are are above us in the heavens.
You will not be forgotten by us.
Oh God who is good, send us your hands of compassion.
Lift the weight of this loss from us.
[Verse 3]
The night is depressing, but the stars are shining and shimmering
That is who you all are (those that have passed) our beloveds that are are above us in the heavens.
You will not be forgotten by us.
You will not be forgotten by us.
Join us every other day of Advent 2025 for more worship songs in different languages from believers across the globe to celebrate this Christmas season together.
To learn more about this series, you can read our blog post introducing ‘Twelve Songs for Christmas’ here.
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