[Intro Chant]
[Low male chant, slow pulse{
“Oi… oi… oi… vanua…”
[Female harmony floats in{
“Loma ni wasawasa…”
[All]
“Kokoda… Kokoda…”
“Sautu… sautu…” [peace, balance]
⸻
Verse 1
Early morning by the shore
Fresh white fish, that’s what we’re here for
Snapper or mahi, one pound clean
Cut in cubes, keep ’em nice and lean
Lime juice flow, ocean style
Let it cure for a little while
“Io… io… vakamalua…” [yes… yes… slowly]
Put it in a bowl, let it rest
Squeeze six limes till the fish turns white
Citrus cookin’, no fire tonight
Cover it up, let it sit real light
[Background harmony: long held vowels]
“Oooo—eeeee—yaaa…”
Lime juice flow, ocean style
Let it cure for a little while
“Io… io… vakamalua…” [yes… yes… slowly]
⸻
Chorus 1
[Lead]
Lime juice flow, ocean style
Let it cure for a little while
[Group response]
“Io… io… vakamalua…” [yes… yes… slowly]
[Lead]
When the flesh turns firm and bright
You’re on the path to Kokoda tonight
[All, soft chant]
“Kokoda… io… Kokoda…”
⸻
Verse 2
After twenty minutes pass
Drain that lime, don’t let it last
Rinse it quick in cold, clean water
Just enough to keep it proper
Lime juice flow, ocean style
Let it cure for a little while
“Io… io… vakamalua…” [yes… yes… slowly]
Add one cup coconut cream
Thick and fresh, smooth and clean
Stir it slow, don’t break the fish
Island hands know this dish
[Female harmony rises]
“Yadra… yadra… maravu…” (awake… gentle… calm)
⸻
Bridge 1 [Traditional Call & Response]
[Lead call]
Who brings the fish from the sea?
[Group response]
“Na vanua!”
“Na vanua!”
[Lead call]
Who brings the cream from the land?
[Group response]
“Na vanua!”
“Na vanua!”
[All, rhythmic]
“Oi—oi—oi—io!”
⸻
Verse 3
Slice one onion, thin and fine
One tomato, seedless this time
Chop some chili if you like heat
Salt to taste, keep it sweet
“Sautu… sautu…” [peace, balance]
“Sautu… sautu…” [peace, balance]
Fold it all in gentle now
Careful hands show you how
Taste it once, then once again
Balance learned from elders then
[Background chant]
“Sautu… sautu…” [peace, balance]
⸻
Chorus 2
[Lead]
Coconut cream, cool and slow
[Group harmony]
“Oooo—yaaa—iooo…”
[Lead]
Lime and fish in harmony flow
[All]
“Veidomoni!” [together]
[Lead]
From the reef to the family
[Group chant)•]
“Kokoda! Kokoda!”
⸻
Bridge 2 [Drone Harmony]
[Low male drone]
“Oooooooo…”
[Female harmony answers]
“Eeeeeeee…”
[Whispered chant]
“Vakacegu… vakacegu…” (rest, settle)
Cover the bowl, let it chill
Ten more minutes, let flavors build
⸻
Verse 4
Scoop it out when the time feels right
Serve it cold in the fading light
With cassava or taro root
Or just a spoon and island mood
“Sautu… sautu…” [peace, balance]
“Sautu… sautu…” [peace, balance]
By the sea or home inside
This dish carry Fiji pride
One last bite, calm and pure
You just made Kokoda for sure
⸻
Outro Chant
[All voices, fading]
“Kokoda… io…
Na vanua… na wasawasa…”
[Land and sea]
“Oi… oi… oi…”
