We Came Singing To

Tahiti

By Ben Field.

WE came singing, rapturously singing, To Tahiti Island singing; E Maururu a-vau.

Never from far Northland winging Came there yet a message flinging: Te Tiare Vare-au.

From a mighty white ship bringing Brotherhood and good will now, E Maururu a-vau.

We cam© giving, yes forgiving Every frown upon a brow, Te Tiare Vare-au.

Mist clouds on high mountains clinging.

We must follow our ship's prow, E Maururu a-vau.

We came singing, brothers singing.

Sweethearts have received our vow: Te Tiare Vare-au.

This poem embodies the Tahitian National Anthem. The steamer, the City of Los Angeles of the Matson Line, first of the cruisers to the South Seas, on which the author, together with over 200 passengers from Los Angeles, California, visited Tahiti in January, 1934, actually came in to the dock at Papeete with all hands on board sing : ng the Tahitians’ own National Song. Ben Field is the author of three volumes of poetry, and he is on the staff of the Overland-Out West Magazine of California.