Here’s a classic from Like a Seabird that is also a great beginner song.
Kuʻu Home O Kahaluʻu by Olomana bridges the gap between contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music with mostly English words but a reoccurring hook in Hawaiian: “Me ke aloha ku’u home o Kahalu’u“.
The original recording is keyed somewhere between Eb and E (old recordings had a tendency to be a bit off). This sheet is for the key of C, but with only three chords it is incredibly easy to transpose (my slack key player likes to play it in D).
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Intro: C F C F
C F C
I remember days when we were younger,
F C
We used to catch `o`opu in the mountain stream
F C
'Round the Ko`olau hills we’d ride on horseback,
F C (C7)
So long ago it seems it was a dream
F C
Last night I dreamt I was returning
F C
And my heart called out to you
F C
But I fear you won’t be like I left you.
G7 C
Me ke aloha Ku`u Home O Kahalu`u
C F C
I remember days when we were wiser,
F C
When our world was small enough for dreams
F C
And you have lingered there my sister,
F C (C7)
And I no longer can it seems
F C
Last night I dreamt I was returning,
F C
And my heart called out to you
F C
But I fear I am not as I left you.
G7 C
Me ke aloha Ku`u Home O Kahalu`u
Bridge:
G7 C
Change is a strange thing it cannot be denied,
G7 C
It can help you find yourself or make you lose your pride
F C
Move with it slowly as on the road we go
F G7
Please do not hold on to me, we all must go alone
C F C
I remember days when we were smiling,
F C
When we laughed and sang the whole night long
F C
And I will greet you as I find you,
F C (C7)
With the sharing of a brand new song
F C F C
Last night I dreamt I was returning, and my heart called out to you
F C G7 C
To please accept me as you'll find me. Me ke aloha Ku`u Home `O Kahalu`u
G7 C
Me ke aloha Ku`u Home O Kahalu`u (3X's)