"PÃ Âkarekare Ana" is a traditional New Zealand love song, probably communally composed about the time World War I began in 1914. The song is written in MÃÂori and has been translated into English. It enjoys widespread popularity in New Zealand as well as some popularity in other countries.
Eastern Maori politicians Paraire Tomoana and ÃÂpirana Ngata published the song in 1919, but neither of them claimed to have composed it. They explained that it had "emanated North of Auckland" and was popularised by MÃÂori soldiers who were training near Auckland before embarking for the war in Europe.
The MÃÂori words have remained virtually unaltered over the decades, with only the waters in the first line being localised. For example, some versions refer to Lake Rotorua in the North Island. It is then associated with the story of Hinemoa swimming across the lake to her forbidden lover, Tà «tÃÂnekai, on Mokoia Island. However, there have been many different English translations.
"PÃ Âkarekare Ana" was originally written predominantly in triple time, with the verse in duple time, but has been more commonly heard in duple time since World War II.
The song is very popular in New Zealand, and has been adapted for multiple purposes, including in advertising and by sporting groups. Notable uses include:
In popular culture, "PÃ Âkarekare Ana" was used as the theme song for the 2005 South Korean film Crying Fist.
In ', the 2019 expansion pack for Civilization VI, the main theme for the added MÃÂori civilization is "PÃ Âkarekare Ana" and the haka "Ka Mate". There are four renditions of the theme, each corresponding to a different era in the game. These renditions were composed by Geoff Knorr and Phill Boucher.
Dozens of recording artists throughout the world have performed and recorded the song.
A version of "PÃ Âkarekare Ana" by Rhonda Bryers appears on the 1981 CBS various artists album The Mauri Hikitia.
Richard Clayderman recorded an instrumental version in 1984, which appeared on the album Memories.
Among New Zealand opera singers to record and perform "PÃ Âkarekare Ana" are Kiri Te Kanawa and Malvina Major.
"PÃ Âkarekare Ana" was featured on the 2003 album Pure, by the New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra.
A version of the song features on the self-titled album by Angelis, a British classical crossover singing group.
On the CD Classical-Crossover Compilation 2011, Hollie Steel sings "PÃ Âkarekare Ana". Steel later released the song as a charity single for those suffering from the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
PÃ Âkarekare Ana has been translated into many languages.
It was known that the song was introduced to South Korea by New Zealand soldiers fighting in the Korean War (although there is no record of New Zealand soldiers spreading the song during Korean War). It was eventually given Korean lyrics and a Korean title, "Yeonga" (), and has become popular across the country.
Since the 1960s, it has been sung in Timor-Leste under the title "Ha'u Hakerek Surat Ida". The lyrics are by Momô dos Mártires.
The melody of "Pà Âkarekare Ana" was used for an Irish hymn to the Blessed Virgin: "A Mhuire Mháthair, sé seo mo ghuÃÂ".
A homophonous translation into Hebrew was composed in 2007 by Ghil'ad Zuckermann. In this translation the approximate sounds of the MÃÂori words are retained while Hebrew words with similar meanings are used. In this translation, however, "Waiapu" is replaced by "Rotorua" (oto rúakh, Hebrew for "that wind").
Norwegian soprano Sissel covered this song on her 1989 album Soria Moria also exists.