E Ola Ke Alii Ke Akua

"E Ola Ke Aliokinai Ke Akua", translated as "God Save the King)" one of Hawaii's four national anthems was composed 1860 by Prince William Charles Lunalilo who later became King Lunalilo. Prior to 1860, the Kingdom of Hawaii lacked its own national anthem. They had used the British royal anthem, "God Save The King". A contest was sponsored in 1860, by Kamehameha IV who wanted a song with Hawaiian lyrics set to the tune of the British anthem. The winning entry was written by the 25-year-old Lunalilo, this was reputed to have been written in 20 minutes. He was awarded 10 dollars and his composition became Hawaii's first national anthem. [ [http://www.hawaiihistory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&PageID=403 William Charles Lunalilo - Hawaii History - Monarchs ] ] It remain Hawaii's national anthem until 1866 when it was replaced by Liliuokalani's composition "He Mele Lahui Hawaii".

"E Ola Ke Aliokinai Ke Akua"

Ke Akua Mana Mau	Eternal, mighty God
Ho`omaikaokinai, pomaikaokinai	Bless us from your bright abode
I ka mookinai	Our sovereign king
Kou lima mana mau	May your all powerful arm
Malama kiaokinai mai	Ward from our sire all harm
Ko makou nei mo`i	Let no vile foe alarm
E ola e	Long may he reign
Ka inoa kamahaokinao	Royal distinguished name
Lei nani o makou	Our beauteous diadem
E ola e	Long life be yours
Kou okinaeheu uhi mai	Thy wing spread over our land
Pale na okinaino e	From every foe defend
Ka makou pule no	To you our prayers ascend
E ola e	Long live our king
I mua ou makou	Before Thee
Ke okinaliokinai o na Ali`i	King of Kings
E aloha mai	Of Whom all nature sings
E mau ke ea e	Our prayer we bring
okinaO ke aupuni nei	Oh let our kingdom live
E ola mau makou	Life, peace and union give
Me ka mookinai	Let all Thy care receive
	Bless Thou our king

[ [http://www.huapala.org/E_Ola_Ke_Alii_Ke_Akua.html E Ola Ke Alii Ke Akua ] ]

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