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Bau
Lokahi
USA
226 Posts |
 Posted - 10/15/2010 : 6:40:13 PM
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I know this forum is geared for Hawaiian music and slack key,
but I found this nice site of lyrics and translation from other polynesian islands if mabee some are interested in?
http://starling.rinet.ru/kozmin/polynesia/index.php
and a question if I may,
Is Slack Key strictly a Hawai'ian tradition?
Is there any similar equivilent styles in other areas of the south pacific islands?
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mike2jb
Lokahi
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2010 : 7:24:59 PM
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Hi, Bau--
There are "slacked" guitar tunings associated with other Pacific islands, just as there are alternate tunings on the US mainland. Samoan C Major (F-G-C-G-C-E) is one example. To my ear, music played in these other traditions is not the same as "slack key", but you will probably hear other opinions from others in this forum on that subject.
Of the many lovely songs in other polynesian traditions, one of my favorites is "Hine E Hine", written in 1907 by Maori Princess Te Rangi Pai, a New Zealand singer and a contemporary of Lili`uokalani:
E tangi ana Koe
Hine, E Hine!
Kua ngenge ana koe
Hine, E Hine!
Kati to pouri ra
Noho i te Aroha
Te ngakau o te Matua
Hine, E Hine!
E Hari to moe moea
Hine, E Hine!
Marama ahua
Hine, E Hine!
I roto i to moenga
Mehemea he Marama
Ka tae mai te Reinga
Hine, E Hine!
If you know Hawaiian, you can kind of pick out many or most of the words (te aroha= ke aloha, te Matua= ka makua, E tangi ana Koe= e kani ana `oe).
This song, a lullaby, was the late-night sign-off tune for New Zealand TV for decades, much as the "Star-Spangled Banner" signalled the end of the broadcast day when I was a kid. Here is one version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgkjdWq4mYE |
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Bau
Lokahi
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - 10/16/2010 : 03:17:38 AM
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mahalo for the great info, I did notice that when looking at the lyrics, how smilar the language was. I've been working on studying Hawai'ian, it's such a 'musical' language in itself, I love the sound of it.
a bit off topic but another language that intriques me are the 'click' language of Africa.
here is a documentary clip on this launguage and people who use it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c246fZ-7z1w |
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polynesian songs and chants
