I had already posted this on Flea Market Music when I thought this might be a better place.
Can anyone help with an appropriate song for a friend who just passed away? He was from Hawaii and loved his Hawaiian music. He and his friends and family played every Saturday. He played his Kamaka soprano but really rocked on the homemade washbasin bass.
I would like to play an appropriate song on my ukulele for him. Does anyone have an idea? If you can post the music I would be grateful. It would be better if you have a recording of some kind. I am still a beginner but will do my best to learn any song no matter how difficult.
Thanks in Advance
Philip The only thing worse than my playing is my singing.
I think it's always best to play one of the deceased's favorite songs or hymns. If you don't know one, there's probably a few uke versions of "Kanaka waiwai" out there (I don't play uke, so I don't have one.)
"Hawai`i Aloha" -- often mistakenly sung at the end of island-themed events (sigh...) -- was written by Rev. Lorenzo Lyons to "celebrate" the passing of a loved one: http://www.huapala.org/Hawaii/Hawaii_Aloha.html
Auntie Maria =================== My "Aloha Kaua`i" radio show streams FREE online every Thu & Fri 7-9am (HST) www.kkcr.org - Kaua`i Community Radio "Like" Aloha Kauai on Facebook, for playlists and news/info about island music and musicians!
i've never heard that hawai`i aloha was written with the death of a loved on in mind... that's interesting. the words seem more like an anthem to hawai`i than a funeral song.
i arranged a version of "aloha oe" for my father in law's funeral a month or so ago. i remember reading in "na mele o hawai`i" that queen lili`u didn't intend for it to be played at a funeral - she meant it to be a love song - but the sadness of parting and the hope of seeing someone again is so well done in that song.
Your version of Aloha Oe was quite appropriate. Your choice of "happy" chords made me smile and cry along with you. I thank you for sharing this song with me and allowing us to help you carry the aloha you felt for your father in law. We know him through you.
God bless,
Dave
PS: Kevin Brown shared some great stories about Ned Ka`apana. Upon returning home from Moloka`i I picked up his album "Pana". I think his version of "A Place in the Sun" would be a wonderful song.
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Posted - 06/23/2004 : 6:16:19 PM
