132 MYSTIC ISLES 



were given a smooth way, and could enjoy the music. 

 We sat or lay on the after-deck while the bandsmen on 

 the low rail or hatch maintained a continuous concert. 



During the several days between our first planning the 

 trip and the going, a song had been written in honor of 

 the junketing, and this they played scores of times be- 

 fore we set foot again in Papeete. It was entitled: 

 "Himene Tatou Arearea" which meant, "Our Festal 

 Song." 



One easily guessed the meaning of the word himene. 

 The Polynesians' first singing was the hymns of the mis- 

 sionaries, and these they termed himenes; so that any 

 song is a himene^ and there is no other word for vocal 

 music in common use. The words of the first stanza of 

 the ''Himene Tatou Arearea" and the refrain were: 



I teie nei mahana 

 Te terc no oe e Hati 



Na te moana 

 Ohipa paahiahia 



No te au 

 Tei tupi i Moorea 



tamau a 

 Tera te au 

 Ei no te au 

 Tamua a — aue 



Ei reo no oe tau here 



I te pii raa mai 



Aue oe Tamarii Tahiti te aroha e 



A inu i te pia arote faarari 



Faararirari ta oe Tamarii Tahiti 

 La, Li. 



