[Intro – Conch / Low Drums]
Hooo—!
Stomp, stomp—clap. Stomp, stomp—clap.
[Call]
Talofa, aiga—hear the sea inside my chest!
[Response – Chorus gang]
Hey! Hey!
[Verse 1]
I wake with the tide marks carved in my skin,
tatau telling stories the wind remembers.
Salt on my breath, storm in my grin—
I am the spear of the reef and the ember.
Totems at my heel, I plant them and pray,
earth for the bones, water for sway,
air for the breath, fire for the day—
ancestors drum in my veins when I say—
[Pre-Chorus]
Fa‘amalosi—be strong, I carry my home.
Every step that I take shakes basalt and foam.
Hear the thunder I call with a word and a tone—
I am the cliff and the crown of the combers.
[Chorus]
I am the island in my bones,
the shark-blue current in my soul.
When I chant, the skies roll open,
when I strike, the lava flows.
I am the island—stand or run,
my hook drags down the midnight sun.
For my people, for my oath—
I am the island in my bones.
[Tag – Crowd]
Riki—shi! Riki—shi!
[Verse 2]
I’ve tasted the void—bitter, black rain,
but it broke on my neck like a wave on a breaker.
Ula fala bright, keeping night on its chain,
I’m a tide that returns, a promise that’s maker.
I carry my village wherever I roam,
canoe in the heart, stars mapping me home.
With the Finest I sail, but I walk never alone—
every chant threads a path through the foam.
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Fa‘atasi—together, our breath becomes flame,
I shoulder the storm and I answer my name.
Let the darkness assemble—remember the claim:
I am the reef it will shatter upon.
[Chorus]
I am the island in my bones,
the shark-blue current in my soul.
When I chant, the skies roll open,
when I strike, the lava flows.
I am the island—stand or run,
my hook drags down the midnight sun.
For my people, for my oath—
I am the island in my bones.
---
[Bridge – Haka / Siva Tau (Stomp-Chant)]
(Stamp!) Matagi! — I take the wind!
(Stamp!) Afi! — I bear the flame!
(Stamp!) Vai! — I drink the wave!
(Stamp!) Ele‘ele! — I guard the plain!
Chest to the drum, feet to the stone,
I boom like surf on weathered throne.
Toa! Warrior heart, never alone—
My ancestors rise when I intone:
[Haka Call & Response]
I: Who owns the night?
All: We own the night!
I: Who guards the light?
All: We guard the light!
I: Who stands the line when shadows bite?
All: We stand, we bite, we fight the night!
---
[Breakdown]
Hook of bone, curve of moon,
reel the storm to end its tune.
If you come to take my shore,
know my roar—
it’s oars on fire and a thousand more.
---
[Final Chorus – Double-Time]
I am the island in my bones,
the drumline carved in ancient stone.
When I chant, the skies roll open,
when I strike, the lava flows.
I am the island—storm and sun,
a tidal vow that won’t be undone.
For my people, for my oath—
I am the island in my bones.
[Outro – Conch / Fading War-Choir]
(Soft) Fa‘afetai, elders—guide me home…
Stomp, stomp—clap.
Riki—shi… Riki—shi…
