birds. The women are described to be so covered with dress, that a native of Tonga coming into a house takes a lady for a bundle of Papalangi gnatoo, (linen, &c.) and accordingly places it across his shoulder to carry it away, when to his great amazement the bundle jumps down and runs off. One of these songs describes the principal events that happened during Captain Cook's visit, and which, excepting a little exaggeration, is tolerably correct: another describes the visit of Admiral d'Entrecasteaux: another the revolution of Tonga, and the famous battle that was there fought, &c. The song which is given in the first volume, p. 307, belongs to this class of musical composition. Some of these songs have neither regular measure nor rhyme, but others have both. Oo'be; this kind of singing is always accompanied with the fango-fango, (or nose-flute): the subjects of the song are much the same as those last described, but the style of music is different, being more monotonous and grave. It is now very seldom sung. Tow a'lo, is never accompanied with instrumental music; they are mostly short songs, sung in canoes when paddling, the strokes of the paddle being coincident with the cadence of the tune. They are very frequently sung on leaving Vavaoo, whilst paddling out of the inlet. It may not be unacceptable to give the following as an example: it is a very usual one, and expresses regret at leaving Vavaoo and its beautiful prospects, famous for the manufacture of superior toogi hea, (gnatoo stained with the hea,) to go to the islands of Toofooa and Kao, noted for making coarse mats. Oia'ooé! goo'a mo/w téoo felo'w, Ca too goo Mo'oonga-la'fa, béa mo Talo'w! Moë Halla-vy' gi Ma'ccapa'pa; Ma'ttalo/co, mo fa'nga myíle, A'na a Too'taw-i, bela Mofoo'e ; Iky' téoo too' gi he hífoa'nga, Ji'o hi'fo gi' he felo'w tafa'nga: Toogoo he toogi-héa a Пa'foolooho'w Ger vala he gna'fi-gnalfi a Tofoo'a mo Ka'o. Alas! we are entering upon our voyage By leaving Mo'oonga-la'fa and Talo'w! Anxious am I to stay ;-who can wish to go? Departing from Vavaoo and her neighbouring isles, And Licoo-o'ne, and Va'oo-a'ca, The road of springs near Maccapa'pa, Mattal co and the myrtle plain, The cave of Tootaw-i, the beach of Vofoo'ë, No longer can I stand upon high places *, * This alludes to the Hapai islands being for the most part And look downwards on the fleet of small canoes.- The above is a translation as literal as the sense will allow of this song: it must not, however, be taken as a specimen of the best ; it is given because it is the only one of this kind that Mr. Mariner is acquainted with. Such are the names of their different kinds of songs, some of which are to be considered pieces of recitative, particularly those according to the Neuha mode: others again have a considerable variety of tone, and approach to the character of European music: such for example is the latter part of that which we have given the notation of*. Those who are skilled in the composition of songs and music often retire for several days to the most romantic and retired spots of Vavaoo, to indulge their poetic genius, and then return to the mooa with several new compositions, which they introduce at the first opportunity. The man who is related p. 264. to have cut off his own leg, was very ex flat, and although Tofoo'a and Ka'o are both high islands, yet they have not such steep descents as are common at Vavaoo. *They have no distinction of term between recitative and actual singing, they call it all hiva (to sing) this word happens to mean also the number nine. pert in the composition of humorous pieces: but a man of the name Tengé was famous for the higher order of composition he was one of the lowest mooas belonging to Hala A'pi A'pi: but he was much esteemed for his abilities. He was principal instructor of one of the classes (or bands) of singers. The following specimen of their music belongs to the kind called Oola: it is always accompanied by the dance. The first part, as will be seen, is a sort of recitative, and appears to be merely introductory to the rest, for the dancing only commences with the second part. What for distinction's sake we call the first part ends with the word ne-a-oo-e, in a sort of flourish difficult to describe, but in a louder tone of voice than the rest, and very abruptly, as if significant of a sudden rush or assault. Immediately the second part commences, with dancing, and is repeated several times ad libitum: after which the third in like manner: then the whole is sung over again with a different introduction probably, but of the same character. The words are in the Hamoa language; part of them Mr. Mariner has forgotten, and the meaning of the rest he does not know: they are spelt according to the system laid down. in the grammar. VOL. II. Z |