Aotearoa Calling (The Land of the Long White Cloud)

from Aotearoa Calling by jimeddy

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lyrics

Aotearoa calling, the land of the long white cloud

On Taranaki rain is falling, thunder crashing loud

The plane descends in Auckland’s dawn, the rental car is ready

The Northern hemisphere is gone, and my heart is strong and steady

A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay — Aotearoa

From Turanga in the Bay of Plenty to Taupo’s scenic shore

White knuckles while I drive the left, while below the breakers roar

Tongariro river rushes from the ice fields of Mt. Doom

While “Middle Earth” is a tourist trap, at least I must assume

A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay — Aotearoa

Rongotea to Wellington, hard by the Tasman Sea

The ferry ride to Picton brings the South Island nearer me

Paparoa to Punakaiki (poon-a-kye-key), the Pancake Rocks are calling

In the Land of the Long White Cloud it’s deeper in love I’m falling

A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay — Aotearoa

What is this? A travelogue? A litany? A memory?

Some fever dream? A bucket list? A selective history?

No — this is my new song of joy, sweeter than any kiss

As Brian Ferry pointed out — there’s nothing more than this!


From the brewpub down in Greymouth, and Franz Joseph further south

This Pakeha’s gratitude flows freely from my mouth

Hiking hut to hut upon the glaciers of Aoraki

I drink unfiltered snowmelt as it rushes toward the sea


A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay — Aotearoa

The fjordlands west of Queenstown mark the beginning of the end

Of this magnificent journey, with my body on the mend

To the South Pacific Ocean, where Christchurch takes back the car

A final embrace by the Long White Cloud, home never felt so far


A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay, A-O-Tay — Aotearoa

credits

from Aotearoa Calling, released March 29, 2023

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jimeddy Ann Arbor, Michigan

I no longer trade time for money, so I'm a lucky guy. Songwriter, music collector (at a pathological level); supporter of independent artists of all stripes. Open mic enthusiast, international traveler every chance I get. Forward in All Directions!

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