[Instrumental Intro] [Verse 1] Before the ships came from afar, We knew these seas, we knew these stars. Our kingdom stood, our people free, Our roots ran deep beside the sea. Then missionaries came to pray, And sugar planters came to stay. They took control of fertile lands, Our future slipping from our hands. They wanted profits, wanted more, No tariffs standing at the door. So wealthy planters made their claim, And overthrew our queen in shame. In 1893, she stood, Liliʻuokalani did all she could. But foreign power forced her throne, And left our people on their own. [Instrumental Break] [Chorus] These islands were our home, These waters were our own. Before the flags, before the throne, Before the seeds of greed were sown. You called it progress, called it trade, But took much more than what you gave. And though our voices cried alone, These islands were our home. [Instrumental Interlude] [Verse 2] Our queen appealed across the sea, To save our nation's sovereignty. But eighteen ninety-eight would bring Annexation, ending the dream. Across the waves, on Midway's shore, The U.S. flag had flown before. And farther south in Samoa's seas, Great powers sought supremacy. They wanted harbors, ports, and trade, And foreign deals were quietly made. In eighteen ninety-nine, they drew New borders that our people never knew. From Hawaii to Samoa's shore, The empire reached for more and more. They called it progress, called it gain, But never counted all our pain. [Instrumental Solo] [Chorus] These islands were our home, These waters were our own. Before the flags, before the throne, Before the seeds of greed were sown. You called it progress, called it trade, But took much more than what you gave. And though our voices cried alone, These islands were our home. [Brief Instrumental Build] [Bridge] Who owns the land? Who owns the sea? Who gives a nation the right to decree? You called it civilization, You called it destiny. But what about the island nations Who only wished to remain free? [Instrumental Crescendo] [Final Chorus] These islands were our home, These waters were our own. Before the flags, before the throne, Before the seeds of greed were sown. You called it progress, called it trade, But took much more than what you gave. And though our voices cried alone, These islands were our home! These islands are our home, Our history lives in every stone. Our songs remain, our voices rise, Beneath the same Pacific skies. No empire's flag can stand alone And silence those who call this home. [Instrumental Outro] [Outro] The mountains remember... The ocean remembers... The people remember... These islands were our home. And they are our home still. [Instrumental Fade Out]
