Parihaka - Tim Finn

My friend, My friend, I hate to see you suffer

Events conspire to bring us to our knees

My friend, my friend, you’ve taken this the wrong way

Rise up, defend yourself, never give in

Look to the sky, the spirit of Te Whiti

The endless tide is murmuring his name

I know Te Whiti will never be defeated

And even at the darkest hour

His presence will remain

I’ll sing to you the song of Parihaka

Te Whiti he used the language of the spirit

Then stood accused, the madman and his dream

He saw the train go roaring through the tunnel

He heard the voice travel on the magic wire

But he loved the silence of the river

He watched the dog piss on the cannon’s wheel

I know Te Whiti will never be defeated

And even at the darkest hour

His presence will remain

I’ll sing to you the song of Parihaka

One day you’ll know the truth

They can’t pull out the roots

Come and take me home

To weep for my lost brother

They gather still, the clouds of Taranaki

His children’s children wearing the white plume

So take me for the sins of these sad islands

The wave still breaks on the rock of Rouhotu

And when you taste the salt that’s on your pudding

And when you taste the sugar in your soup

Think of Te Whiti, he’ll never be defeated

Even at the darkest hour

His presence will remain

I’ll sing for you the song of Parihaka

Come to Parihaka

Weep for my lost brother

The spirit of nonviolence

Has come to fill the silence

Come to Parihaka