Israel Kamakawiwoʻole 'Opae E

1 April 2008
1 Revision
Correct this lyric

`Ôpae Ê
Shrimp
(A Traditional Song)


`Ôpae ê, `Ôpae ho`i
Shrimp, Shrimp return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine*
For Sister.

Hui: / Chorus:
Aia wai, aia puhi
There's water, there's eel
Nui `o Puhi a li`i li`i au
Big (is) Eel and little (is) me.
A`ole loa.
Absolutely not.


Pûpû ê, Pûpû ho`i
Shellfish, Shellfish return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine
For Sister.

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)


Kûpe`e ê, Kûpe`e ho'i
Sea snail, Sea snail return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine
For Sister.


'Opihi ê, 'Opihi ho'i
Limpet, Limpet return
Ua hele mai au, ua hele mai au
I am coming hither, I am coming hither
Na Kuahine
For Sister.


Mai maka'u, na'u e pani
(I'm) Not afraid, for me to block/cover
I ka maka a `ike `ole
the eyes ( of the puhi so he) cannot see
Kêlâ puhi
That eel.

*kuahine = sister of a brother, pronunciation of "k"
can vary from a k-sound to a t-sound.