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1 | Supplemental Music

Aloha ʻOe by Queen Liliʻuokalani

Peter Kun Frary

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In this chapter you'll return to the islands and learn to play the bedazzling and world famous Aloha ʻOe by Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Iolani Palace | ©Peter Kun Frary

Iolani Palace | ©Peter Kun Frary

Aloha ʻOe Musings

Aloha ʻOe, written in 1878, is a song of farewell between lovers and is Queen Liliʻuokalani's best-known composition. 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 recommended: down strum on every beat with the flesh of your thumb (4 times per measure). If you prefer an arpeggiated accompaniment, use P-i-m-a 2X.

Listen to the Track

Aloha ʻOe | Peter Kun Frary, ʻukulele

Click for a direct link to the audio track.

Play Now!

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.