Adiós Ke Aloha Ukulele Chords – William Pitt Leleiōhoku. This song uses the chords: F, Bb, G7, C7, D7. You can change the key for free, as needed.
Adiós Ke Aloha Ukulele Chords – William Pitt Leleiōhoku
E Fkuʻu belle o ka Bbpō laʻiG7laʻi
Ka C7lalawe mālie a kaF mahina
Kōaniani mai Bbnei e ke G7ahe
ĀC7hea ʻoe e hoʻolono Fmai
FĀhea ʻoe, āhea ʻBboe
ʻFOe e hoʻolono mai
I D7nei G7leo nahenahe
AdiC7ós, adiós ke Faloha
E Fka hauʻoli ʻinBbiki puʻuG7wai
E ke aC7loha, e maliu mai ʻoe
Ke hoʻolale mai Bbnei e ke G7Kiu
Ua C7anu ka wao i kaF ua
HoʻoFkahi kiss, dew Bbdrops he maʻū iG7a
E ka C7belle o ka noe līhau
Eia au lā Bbe ke aG7loha
Ke C7huli hoʻi nei me ka Fneo
Check out more ukulele songs here.
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“Adiós Ke Aloha” History:
🧭 Background & Composer
- Written in the 1870s by Prince Leleiōhoku, a member of the Hawaiian royal family known as Nā Lani ʻEhā (“The Heavenly Four”).
- He was considered one of the most gifted musical talents in Hawaiian history, despite dying young at age 23.
- His compositions blended traditional Hawaiian elements with outside influences, especially from visiting sailors and cultures.
🌺 Meaning of the Title
- “Adiós Ke Aloha” translates roughly to “Goodbye, my love.”
- The mix of Spanish (“Adiós”) and Hawaiian (“Ke Aloha”) is intentional—and culturally significant.
🌎 Cultural Influence (Why the Spanish word?)
This song reflects a fascinating historical crossover:
- In the 1800s, Hawaiian ranching culture developed after cattle were introduced by Europeans.
- Mexican cowboys—called vaqueros—were brought to Hawaiʻi to teach cattle handling.
- These cowboys became known as paniolo, and their language and music influenced Hawaiian culture. (huapala.org)
👉 That’s why a Hawaiian love song includes the Spanish word “Adiós.”
💔 Theme & Story
At its core, the song is a romantic farewell (mele aloha)—very similar in spirit to “Aloha ʻOe” by his sister, Queen Liliʻuokalani.
The lyrics express:
- Longing and emotional vulnerability
- A plea to be heard by a loved one
- The sadness of parting
A translated excerpt captures the tone:
“Goodbye, goodbye beloved…
Will you listen to this gentle plea?”
Nature imagery—moonlight, breeze, mist, rain—mirrors the emotional state, a hallmark of Hawaiian poetry.
🎶 Musical Style
- Typically performed in a gentle, lyrical Hawaiian style
- Often arranged for slack-key guitar or traditional vocal harmonies
- Melodic and flowing, designed to carry emotional nuance
📀 Legacy & Recordings
Though written in the 19th century, the song remains widely performed and recorded by modern Hawaiian artists, including:
- Keola Beamer
- Kupaoa
Its longevity shows how deeply it resonates as a timeless farewell song.
🧠 Why It Still Matters
“Adiós Ke Aloha” is more than a love song—it’s a snapshot of:
- A cultural crossroads (Hawaiian + Mexican + Western influences)
- The emotional depth of Hawaiian mele (song poetry)
- The artistic legacy of a royal composer whose work still lives on
