Mecha Kumu - Weeds of Paʻao [Intro – distorted voice sample] "Yo, from the flames of Puna to the stones of Kohala... came the priest with the blade and the law..." (villainous laugh) [Verse 1] Born where da ocean pulse beat Borabora drum, Paʻao sailed wit blood stains still on his son, Cut da boy stomach open, truth spill in da sun, No fruit inside — but still death had begun. Brother Lonopele weep, call him evil man, Paʻao snatch Lono’s boy, grind him into da plan, Rear block for da canoe — yo, the blood hit da sand, Sacred and profane, built wit his own hand. Storms came flyin’, birds screechin' from da sky, But Paʻao talk to da aku, chant, and still ride, Double hull slice da sea, 40 heads by his side, With Pili-ka‘aiea sittin' poised for da pride. [Hook – chopped sample, scratchy] "Mana in da blood, but da blood come wit stains / Kapu lock da mind, not just da chains." "Mana in da blood, but da blood come wit stains / Kapu lock da mind, not just da chains." (repeat x2) [Verse 2] Land Puna first, touch da black lava earth, Heiau rise like monoliths from cursed births, Waha‘ula red walls — sacrifice at first, Kapu system tighten ‘round da people's thirst. Build Moʻokini next, Kohala stones thick, Human hearts beat sacred in da temple bricks, Chant Kū’s name loud, sharpened kihei slick, Bow fo' da chiefs, prostrate or catch lick. From few laws to one mountain of rules, From humble ʻāina men to divine bloodline fools, Pūloʻuloʻu stand tall, kapu poles drool, Mana in da marrow, keep da people in da school. [Hook – chopped sample, scratchy] "Mana in da blood, but da blood come wit stains / Kapu lock da mind, not just da chains." "Mana in da blood, but da blood come wit stains / Kapu lock da mind, not just da chains." (repeat x2) Storms came flyin’, birds screechin' from da sky, But Paʻao talk to da aku, chant, and still ride, Was he savior or villain? Architect or snake? Did he save da bloodline or steal da island’s fate? Was it honor, or was it just power he make? Was mana his gift, or mana he fake? Ancestor to kahuna, high priest breed, Put Pili on da throne fo’ his blood to lead, Kapu moe, get low, kiss da chief’s feet, Whole land kneel down in da midday heat. Philosopher of power, wit da strict code, Hierarchy, purity, divine seat bestowed, But somewhere between da stones an' da bones, You hear da silent cry of da thrones overthrown. "Kapu wrap da land like a spider web tight, / Weeds of Paʻao whisper in da black sand night..." "Mana in da blood, but da blood come wit stains / Kapu lock da mind, not just da chains." "Mana in da blood, but da blood come wit stains / Kapu lock da mind, not just da chains." (repeat x2)
