 Hello/We Are Happy
Country: Uganda
Lyrics:
We are happy, we are happy on this day. (4x)
G'day everybody, hello hello
More info:Wait! Uganda isn't in Oceania or the Pacific Islands! We sing this "hello" song every session.
The Abayudya of Uganda are a small community of about 500 Luganda-speaking Bagandans who have been practicing Judaism for over 80 years. Abayudaya community members Rabbi Gershom Sizomu and his brother JJ Keki wrote these two welcome songs that are combined here into one.
The Abayudaya have recorded four CDs of African-Jewish music, including
Shalom Everybody Everywhere and Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda.
Papa E
Country: Tokelau
Language: Tokelauan
Lyrics: As I leave my home, the only one I've known
Where my fathers lived before me
I watch the islands fade into sea,
Ite loto o papa e
Aue ite loto o papa e
Aue aue papa e, aue papa e
I leave my home, the only one I've known
With its lagoon and its coconut trees,
For the love of my family
Ite loto o papa e
Aue ite loto o papa e
As I leave my home, the only one I've known
As my old life slips away, I know
I'll return to your laughter one day
Ite loto o papa e
Aue ite loto o papa e
More info:
A song by the awesome Tokalauean band Te Vaka. According to the lyrics page on the Te Vaka website, Opetaia Foa'i, the group's lead songwriter and vocalist, wrote this song about his father's leaving their native Tokelau to emigrate to a place with more economic possibilities. In the video for the song there seems to be more happiness in it than longing, though it could come across as a sad song. You can see the character in the video putting on “European” shoes for the first time.
A rough line-by-line translation provided by a commenter on YouTube reads, "Carry me back to creation of the land, I will not forget the land I'm used to, Can't forget the land inside of me the spirit of my father the land of my father, oh oh my father/oh father oh oh my father/ in the land of my father, My child I will return back to the way things were, Your laughter is the first to come, The laughter of my father oh in the land of my father."
 Ba Ganala Ganala
Country: Torres Straits Islands
Language: ??
Lyrics:
Ba ganala ganala, Ba ganala ganala,
Ba rEdi ba, Ba rEdi ba
?a ?l! ?l! ?l!
?a ?e ?a 'o
?a ?l! ?l! ?l!
More info:
From the Smithsonian Folkways album, "Songs of Aboriginal Australia and Torres Strait." It's listed as “Song By Kupangu” and it's number 116. In the original track you hear a drone, which is a musical effect that sounds constantly throughout a song. Drones are present in Indian classical music, in Russian, Greek and Bulgarian Orthodox Church music and elsewhere, like, apparently, in the Torres Straits.
In the Ocean Spray
Country: Hawaii
Language: Hawaiian
Lyrics:
Kāua i ka huahua'i
You and I are in the ocean spray
Two of us, together in the waves
On this perfect island day
Au we ta huala.
Au we ta huala
(Bum bum bum, yeah, bah)
More info:
This is a song originally by Prince Leleiohuku, brother of Hawaiian monarch and a songwriter in her own right, Lili'uokalani. Leleiohuku is rumored to have written this song in the mid 1860s, when he was 10-14 years old, about a secret meeting with a girl. (Leleiohuku died when he was 23.) The song became popular in the 1930s when Jimmy Noble, bandleader at the Moana Hotel on Waikiki Beach, transformed it into a song known as “Tahuwahuawai,” which became known as “Hawiian War Chant” because of its upbeat melody, though the original has nothing to do with war. The song has since appeared in many forms, such as a Spike Jones song in 1946 as a comedy version by "Spike Jones and his Wacky Waikikians," (it appears at about 1:10 into the video), as a jazzy Ella Fitzgerald song and even in Disney's Lion King, albeit with very different lyrics. We base our "In the Ocean Spray" upon a version by Andy Iona and his Islanders, a Hawaiian swing band popular in the 1930s and '40s, that recorded some songs with jazz great Louis Armstrong.
Te Pua No'a No'a
Country: Tahiti
Language: Tahitian
Lyrics:
Te pua no'ano'a i Ahura'i,
can you smell the flowers?, I can
All the pretty flowers, everywhere we go
Te pua no'ano'a i Ahura'i, can you smell the flowers?, I can
All the pretty flowers, everywhere we go
We pick flowers and more flowers
Tie them with a string
When we wear our crown of flowers
We'll find love in everything
Come and dance! Come and dance!
Come and dance! Come and dance!
‘Ia hura mai, ‘ia hura mai!
‘Ia hura mai, ‘ia hura mai!
More info:
A Tahitian song written by Heremoana Ma'ama'atuaiahutapu about two women who strung together flowers to make necklaces known in Hawaii as "leis" but in Tahiti as “heis.” Heremoana eventually became director of culture for the French Polynesian government.
Te Waka
Country: New Zealand
Language: New Zealand Maori
Lyrics:
LEADER: Ā, tōia mai
CHORUS: Te waka!
LEADER: Ki te urunga
CHORUS: Te waka!
LEADER: Ki te moenga
CHORUS: Te waka!
ALL: Ki te takoto rungai,
Takoto ai,
Te wa(ka)! Hi!
This enormous canoe, Te waka!
Worked hard all day
Te waka
Now it must go
Te waka!
Up to high ground where it's safe,
Let's put it here
Te wa(ka)! Hee!
More info:
You can hear this one on the New Zealand Folk Song site.
Waitpela Gras
Country: Papua New Guinea
Language: Tok Pisin
Lyrics:
Koli we ma koli we
Wahe wahe romana koli we wahe
I like banana peels
I like the way they feel
And Grandma's hair that's white
And when mama holds me tight
I really really like banana peels
More info:
A song performed by Papua New Guinea's most widely known musician, George Telek, on his excellent Real World Recods release "Serious Tam." Telek sings this one in Tok Pisin, which is the pidgin/English/hybrid language of Papua New Guinea. You can hear the original song on YouTube.
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G'day G'day
Country: Australia
Language: English
Lyrics:
G'day g'day, how ya goin', what d'ya know, well strike a light
G'day g'day, and how ya go-o-o-in'
Just say g'day g'day g'day and you'll be right.
Isn't great to be an Aussie
Takin' a walk along the street
Lookin' in shops or buyin' a paper
Stoppin' and havin' a yarn with people that you meet
Down at the pub or at a party
Whenever you're stuck for what to say
If you wanna be dinky-di, why don't you give it a try
Look 'em right in the eye and say goo'day
G'day g'day, how ya goin', what d'ya know, well strike a light
G'day g'day, and how ya go-o-o-in'
Just say g'day g'day g'day and you'll be right
More info:
An iconic Australian country song by iconic Australian country star Slim Dusty. Watch Slim Dusty sing it in concert.
 Home
Country: Hawaii/Guam
Language: English/Chamorro
Lyrics:
My, but it's great to be back home
The road makes you feel so alone
Now everything's feeling alright
And I'll see my baby tonight
Cause I'm home, home and I'm staying this time
Home, home and no more flyin' this time
I'm home, home and I want you to know that I'll never leave, I'll never leave
No babe I'm not going to go
Yan todu i mane'lu-hu
Yan todu i mane'lu-hu
Yan todu i mane'lu-hu
I'll never leave, I'll never leave
No....
More Info:
A song originally by Hawaiian pop/rock singer/songwriters Cecilio and Kapono. J.D. Crutch, a singer/songwriter from Guam, did a version of this on his first record, "Guinaifen Manglo," writing new lyrics in Chamorro. The album thrust Crutch to stardom in Guam as one of the first Chamorro musicians to successfully perform Chamorro songs in the style of Western-style rock. See Crutch's "Ti'u Ta'lu Dumingu" on YouTube.
Pā Mai Ana Ka Makani
Country: Hawaii
Language: Hawaiian
Lyrics:
Pā mai ana ka makani
Can't you feel that blowing wind?
In my hometown, it's my own town
When I go back again
The clouds sit on the horizon
Just above the gentle sea
And I remember what home means to me
Pā mai ana ka makani
Can't you feel that blowing wind?
In my hometown, it's my own town
When I go back again
My mom and dad are waiting
They're as happy as can be
And I remember what home means to me
More info:
A Hawaiian song about fond memories of the homeland performed widely as a swing song. Here are the original lyrics.
Iamagit
Country: Papua New Guinea
Language: Kuanuan?
Lyrics:
When I'm without the one I love I will cry and cry
When I'm without the one I love I will cry and cry
All day long when I am without her I will cry and cry
All day long when I am without her I will cry and cry
Weee tangtangi taun iau
Weee tangtangi taun iau
I am not a lonely one that is not may way
But when I'm without her all day I will cry and cry
I am not a lonely one that is not may way
But when I'm without her all day I will cry and cry
Weee tangtangi taun iau
Weee tangtangi taun iau
Ea imagit ba una vilau tago ra midal
Ea imagit ba una vilau tago ra midal
More info:
Another song by Telek from "Serious Tam." Apparently people like this one in Russia.
Mikimiki
Country: The Cook Islands
Language: Tahitian
Lyrics:
Te mikimiki when there is thunder, when there is lighting, when there is rain
You give shelter, te mikimiki, so my love and I can meet again
'A, 'a, 'aue, 'ariana 'oe, when there is thunder, mikimiki
'A, 'a, 'aue, 'ariana 'oe, when there is thunder, mikimiki
More info:
A Tahitian langauge song from the Cook Islands. The mikimiki tree is one of the strongest and tallest to grow on the atolls of the large Tuamotu Archipelago, which is part of French Polynesia. When there is a strong storm people gather under the mikimiki tree for shelter.
KU'ndaRima
Country: Australia
Language: ??
Lyrics:
A little boy was watching the clouds in the sky float by
When he saw two eagles fly
They were having a fight it wasn't right
kU'ndaRima kU'ndaRima [kania he]
They were having a fight it wasn't right
kU'ndaRima kU'ndaRima [kania he]
More info:
From the Smithsonian Folkways album, "Songs of Aboriginal Australia and Torres Strait." This one is listed as "Song by Christopher Jeffrey," number 135. The original song is from the perspective of a boy who is watching in the sky as two eagles fight over a tortoise which they had carried up high and eventually take back to their nest.
Poaka
Country: The Solomon Islands (Rennell and Bellona)
Language: ??
Lyrics:
Poaka ee, poaka kae poaka
Poaka ee, poaka kae poaka
Is it a pig? Is it a pig?
Yes it's a pig! What is a pig?
Poaka ee, poaka kae poaka
Poaka ee, poaka kae poaka...
POaka!
More info:
An ancient chant from Rennell and Bellona in the Solomon Islands. Found on the Smithsonian Folkways recording, "Polynesian Songs and Games from Bellona (Mungiki), Solomon Islands." It's the second part of the track “Mako Hakasaunnoni” but it appears too late in the recording to appear in the free clip you can hear on the site. The Smithsonian liner notes say that while Poaka means pig in other Polynesian languages, the Bellona islanders don't use that word because there are no pigs on the island. So the origins of the song remain a bit of a mystery. A translation found here isn't terribly helpful: "Pig pigs pig, Pig pigs pig, pig from sea, eat corresponding of that with you it."
The Smithsonian liner notes describe Poaka Ee as being a huaa mako, a short circle dance "ending with a shout; the men circle, swinging their arms and clapping."
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Kua Rongorongo
Country: New Zealand
Language: New Zealand Maori
Lyrics:
Kua rongorongo ake ahau
I've heard a rumor that you're going so far
You know I love you but you're going far away
Way across the sea
Kua rongorongo ake ahau
I've heard a rumor that you're going so far
You know I love you but you're going far away
Too far away from me
I can't wait for the day
When you will be back home
Then I will hug you and kiss you my dear
I'll be so glad you're here
Kua rongorongo ake ahau
I've heard a rumor that you're going so far
You know I love you so you're going far away
Then you'll come home to me
More info:
A song from New Zealand, a really funky version of which appears on the Smithsonian Folkways recording, "Kahurangi: Music of the New Zealand Maori." Listen to a decidedly less funky version on YouTube.
 Ana Latu
Country: Tonga
Lyrics:
He ooi oi auee
Ana Latu
We walked on the beach
You loved me, I loved you
Our footprints in the sand,
When you held my hand
Became one path;
those in love will understand
He ooi oi auee
Ana Latu
We walked on the beach
You loved me, I loved you
Tomorrow you must go
Our hearts will break, I know,
We have tonight to love each other so
More info:
A beautiful lullaby-esqe song from Tonga. There are a number of versions on YouTube, like this fun reggae take by the Vintage Music Collective, a different reggae version by Sione and this quite nice Angela Afeaki version that's similar to the way we sing the song in class.
La'u Lupe
Country: Samoa
Language: Samoan?
Lyrics:
La'u Lupe Ua Lele
Lele I Le Vaomoa
Watch the pigeons fly
Oh, so where did they go? Yah!
All the girls come walking, I le vaomoa
Watch the pigeons fly
Oh, so where did they go? Yah! (Cho!)
More info:
Found on the Smithsonian Folkways recording, "Music from Western Samoa: from Conch Shell to Disco."
Fiafia
Country: Tokelau
Language: Tokelauan
Lyrics:
Te mea te manaia, Ko fenua fiafia
Ei loa ite a?, to e tahi
Te loto fealofani
The most wonderful day was the day we all were happy
What did that mean for you? The same it meant for me?
Our hearts were one and we were free
The most wonderful days are days we all are happy
That can happen now because it happened then
Our hearts were one and they'll be again
More info:
The prelude to an original Te Vaka composition, "Ki Te La," the Te Vaka site's lyrics page describes this as a traditional Tokelauean song. The notes translate "Ki Te La" as "Shine the sun" and the first part as, "The most wonderful thing to behold is a happy nation. How can you tell? You can tell by the heart When the heart is as one, When it's friendly and free."
Konikoni
Country: Hawaii
Language: Hawaiian
Lyrics:
I'll always remember you
My love with the fragrance of a flower
I'll always remember you
My love with the fragrance of a rose
Hu'i au konikoni hu'i au konikoni
The water is so cold up on the mountain
Hu'i au konikoni
The water is so cold up on the mountain
More info:
A Haiwaiian song originally called "Wai O Ke Aniani," often performed by beloved slack-key guitarist Gabby Pahinui. There seem to be a lot of versions of this one out there, such as this yodel-y one.
Wilmi Tulma
Country: Western Torres Straits (Mount Adolphus Island)
Language: Muri
Lyrics:
Wilmi tulma djiadji tulma.
More info:
Found on the Smithsonian Folkways recording, "Traditional Songs of the Western Torres Straits, South Pacific," where it's listed as "Kab Chant for the Entry of the Dancers." The liner notes describe this as a chromatically descending chant that usually accompanies the entry of the dancers. Vocalists sing lower and lower then start at the top of the scale again.
Chuluchululu
Country: Fiji
Language: Fijian/Tongan?
Lyrics:
Chuluchululu o lo'u manuee
Chuluchululu o lo'u manuee
E Ola, ola siva ee
E Ola, ola siva ee
E lelei o manuee
More info:
A well-known song in Fiji, though only the part of it is in Fijian. A duo from New Zealand, Bill and Boyd, released this popular rock version, though this informal party version is unabashedly fun.
You can also hear "Chuluchululu" performed Indo-Fijian style.
The Time Has Come For Going
Country: Tahiti
Lyrics:
The time has come for going
And you should now be knowing
That we had so much fun but the fun we had is done
Don't worry we will sing and dance again
Then we'll sing and dance some more 'til you walk back out the door
Though why should you and I even try to say goodbye?
You know you have to go so you can come back soon and say hello
You know you have to go so you can come back soon and say hello
Still the time has come for going....
More info:
Also written by Heremoana Ma'ama'atuaiahutapu, this one is a Tahitian "goodbye song" originally known as "Parahi Ana'e Ra" that a dance or musical troupe may sing at the end of their performance to thank the audience. You can hear a sample here.
Manihiki
Country: The Cook Islands/Manihiki
Language: Rakahanga-Manihiki
Lyrics:
[Tipo tipo te ye, vaya ki'te papa,
O te ye papa li'po, tiki vaya ki'te papa]
Welcome to our island home, share our peace and joy
Welcome every mom and dad and every girl and boy
Welcome to our island home of coconuts and pearls
Welcome every dad and mom and every boy and girl
If you stay a day you will never want to go away
[Tipo tipo te, tipo tipo te, vaya te papa]
More info:
Found on the late David Fanshawe's marvelous "Music of the South Pacific," one of the many collections of Pacific Islands music available from One World Music. Fanshawe calles this one "Manihiki Action Song" and recounts his arrival by boat to the extraordinarily beautiful, and tiny, Cook Islands atoll of Manihiki, to find a choir welcoming his vessel with this song.
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