(Intro) (Sound of wind howling through a valley) (A low, long blast of a Pūtātara shell horn) (A slow, heavy drum beat begins: BOOM... BOOM... BOOM...) (A deep, gravelly drone voice hums a low 'D' note) (Verse 1) (Spoken/Chanted slowly, rhythmically) From the islands of the ancient sun The great migration had begun Seven waka cut the tide With the stars as the only guide Wood on water. Salt on skin. The ocean roars. The waves roll in. Kupe’s eyes upon the sea Chasing down the destiny. (Chorus) (Heavy percussion kicks in: BOOM-CLACK-BOOM-BOOM-CLACK) (Multiple voices shouting/chanting together) AO-TEA-ROA! The cloud is long! The land is white! AO-TEA-ROA! Born of fire! Born of light! Mana of the mountain stone! Spirit in the blood and bone! AO-TEA-ROA! (Verse 2) (Music drops to a rhythmic, breathing pulse) Greenstone river, cold and deep Where the Taniwha awakens from sleep Fern leaf unfolds in the mist By the southern wind, the earth is kissed Rūaumoko shakes the ground below (Drums intensify) Where the thermal waters flow Guardian of the sacred place Tattoo carved upon the face. (Bridge) (Tempo accelerates. Intense, percussive. Foot stomping matches the drums.) Ka Mate! Ka Mate! (Is it death!) Ka Ora! Ka Ora! (Is it life!) Stand your ground and feel the fear The warrior spirit is drawing near Tongue protruding, eyes so wide Nowhere left for you to hide! Tapu is the sacred law Steel and wood and lion’s roar! (Chorus) (Full volume, massive sound wall) AO-TEA-ROA! The cloud is long! The land is white! AO-TEA-ROA! Born of fire! Born of light! Mana of the mountain stone! Spirit in the blood and bone! AO-TEA-ROA! (Outro) (Drums slowly fade out, leaving only the wind and the drone) To the ancestors, we return. Let the home fires always burn. Haere rā... Haere rā... (Final deep drum hit) (Silence)