ISA LEI
When you depart wherever you have chosen to stay in Fiji, you will often be bid goodbye with the Fijian song of sad farewell - Isa Lei.
What follows are the words of this lovely song and a literal translation of the first verse and chorus.
VERSE ONE
Isa, isa, vulagi lasa dina
Nomu lako au na rarawa kina
Cava beka ko a mai cakava
Nomu lako au na sega ni lasa.
CHORUS
Isa lei, na noqu rarawa
Ni ko sana vodo e na mataka
Bau nanuma, na nodatou lasa
Mai Suva nanuma tiko ga.
VERSE TWO
Vanua rogo na nomuni vanua
Kena ca ni levu tu na ua
Lomaqu voli me'u bau butuka
Tovolea ke balavu na bula
CHORUS
VERSE THREE
Domoni dina na nomu yanuyanu
Kena kau wale na salusalu
Mocelolo, bua, na kukuwatu
Lagakali, maba na rosi damu.
CHORUS
(The last line is repeated slowly and with much feeling.)
_________________________________________________________________________________
VERSE ONE
Alas, alas, most welcome guest, Whatever the reason you came, I feel bereft at your leaving.
CHORUS
Oh, such sadness! I will feel so forlorn
When you sail away tomorrow.
Please remember how happy we were —
In Suva, it will always be remembered.
Enjoy the song which leaves you longing for more of Fiji...
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