One of the Hawaiian classics, Ei Nei, is a beautiful example of what happens when more modern jazz sounds make their way into Hawaiian music.
The version I used for reference is a ripping live performance by the Sean Naauao Trio. However, the song was written by Lena Machado. You can hear her old arrangement on her Hawaiian Songbird album.
It’s in the key of A and has some fun chromatic movements that hang on the salty notes before changing to a sweet maj7 chord.
A C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7 E (repeat)
A C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7...
Dmaj7 E
Aloha wau ia 'oe
A Amaj7 C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7...
E ku'u aloha ei nei
Dmaj7 E
There'll be no one in your place
A C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7...
Ei nei
Dmaj7 E
As evening shadows fall
A Amaj7 C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7...
I hear your sweet melody
Dmaj7 E
That brings me fond memories
A (Ab)
Of you
A7 A (Bb)
I'll be so lost without you
Dmaj7
Every thing seems so blue
B7
My heart keeps saying “it's you, dear
C7 B7 (C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7...)
It's you, it's you, just you, ku'uipo”
Dmaj7 E
Aloha wau ia 'oe
A Amaj7 C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7...
You're just mine alone
Dmaj7 E
There'll be no one in your place
A C#m7>Cm7>Dmaj7...
Ei nei.
