The words of the several verses are largely archaic and since they are derived from
Samoan origin some are not well understood by their Tongan performers. Several older parts seem to have to do with seafaring. A few example verses. A quite recent example, in modern Tongan: A verse in old Samoan, expressing grief about the death of the spiritual king of Tonga: A verse in old Samoan. For Tongans Anilai and Siulafata may be names of unknown persons, but in Sāluafata harbour on Upolu was an important stopover in ancient times: A verse in modern Samoan, a quite recent addition as it talks about the annexation of Tutuila by the Americans (sailors= US Navy) in 1900: ==References==