Iesu Me Ke Kanaka Waiwai (Jesus and The Rich Man) - music by John K. Almeida

Ma ke alahele ʻo Iesû
I hālāwai aku ai
Me ke kanaka ʻōpio hanohano
Kaulana i ka waiwai
Pane mai e ka ʻōpio
ʻE kuʻu Haku maikaʻi
He aha hoʻi kaʻu e hana aku ai
I loaʻa e ke ola mau?

Hui:
E hāʻawi, e hāʻawi lilo
I kou mau waiwai
Huli a hahai mai iaʻu
I loaʻa e ke ola mau ia ʻoe

Minamina e ka ʻōpio
I kona mau waiwai
I ke kūʻai a hāʻawi lilo aku
I ka poʻe nele a hune
Huli aʻe ʻo Iesū lā
Pane aku i ka ʻōpio
ʻAʻole aʻe hiki ke kanaka waiwai
I ke aupuni o ka lani

Along the road, Jesus
Met
With a distinguished young man
Who was known for his wealth
The young man said,
"My good lord,
What must I do
To gain eternal life?"

Chorus:
"Give, give away all
Of your possessions
Then come and follow me
In order to gain eternal life"

The young man grieved
Over his wealth
Unwilling to sell and give all
To the poor and destitute
Jesus then turned
And answered the man,
"Rich man, you will not enter
The Kingdom of Heaven


Source: Keola Donaghy, Copyright J. Almeida 1971, Translated by Haunani Bernardino - Based on the parable from Matthew 19:16-24, Almeida composed the music in 1915, for a Mormon church in Honolulu who rejected the song because it sounded too much like a hula. The original chords and music was not the way it is sung today.
First recorded in 1946 by John Almeida with the Genoa Keawe trio.