Aloha ʻOe, written in 1878, is a song of farewell between lovers and the most famous of Queen Liliʻuokalani compositions. The autograph manuscript of Aloha ʻOe is housed in Honolulu's Bishop Museum. Here are the lyrics:
Haʻaheo ka ua i nā pali
Ke nihi aʻela i ka nahele
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua ʻāhihi lehua o uka
Hui:
Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A hoʻi aʻe au
Until we meet again
ʻO ka haliʻa aloha i hiki mai
Ke hone aʻe nei i kuʻu manawa
ʻO ʻoe nō kaʻu ipo aloha
A loko e hana nei
Maopopo kuʻu ʻike i ka nani
Nā pua rose o Maunawili
I laila hiaʻai nā manu
Mikiʻala i ka nani o ka lipo
Study Tips
Melody
Aloha ʻOe should be performed with a slow but steady tempo—adagio or thereabouts. It shifts between the first and fifth positions frequently. If you need a review of fifth position notes, study the Sanoe chapter.
Chords
For chords, a gentle Flat-Four Strum is recommend: down strum on every beat with the flesh of your thumb (4 times per measure). A P-i-m-a 2X arpeggio in each measure also works well.
Listen to the Track
Begin your studies by listening to the audio track:
Aloha ʻOe | Peter Kun Frary, ʻukulele
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Practice the melody until smooth and rhythmic. Play along with the audio track to check rhythm. Once the melody flows smoothly, take on the chords.
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Aloha ʻOe Musings
Study Tips
Melody
Listen to the Track
Play Now!
