Help: Fiji National Anthem Tune Info

Subject: Fiji Nat'l Anthem Tune Info
From: Haruo
Date: 25 May 01 - 07:55 PM

According to www.thenationalanthems.com (click on flag to play MIDI),

The National Anthem is based on an old traditional Fijian song.

Words by MICHAEL FRANCIS ALEXANDER PRESCOTT (1928-)

Composer unknown

I think it's almost inconceivable that this is an "old traditional Fijian song" in the pre-Methodist sense of "old traditional"; anybody recognize the tune, or know who dunnit? (I've got it going a bit faster at my Esperanto translation.) I hear kind of an amalgam of "Far Above Cayuga's Waters", "Sinner, Come Home", "Hold the Fort" and "God Bless America".

Liland

Subject: RE: Help: Fiji National Anthem Tune Info
From: Haruo
Date: 27 May 01 - 02:32 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Help: Fiji National Anthem Tune Info
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 27 May 01 - 09:21 PM

If you're talking about the Star Spangled Banner, I don't know where you get "an old Figian song", unless you have your tongue firmly in cheek.

It's words to a slightly modified version of "To Anacreon in Heaven", an English drinking song.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Help: Fiji National Anthem Tune Info
From: Pukuhipi
Date: 28 May 01 - 05:33 AM

Maybe I have missed the point here but almost every Fijian I know or have met has sung "Isa Lei" as their song of farewell or greeting. It may or may not be their national anthem but if it is not it is definitely a strongly identifiable national sone. There is a version in English too and I have the lyrics to that if you require them. However, I am not sure that this is what you require. I hope this helps. - Pukuhipi

Subject: RE: Help: Fiji National Anthem Tune Info
From: Haruo
Date: 31 May 01 - 08:49 PM

Pukuhipi, thanks, if you have either the Fijian or the English lyrics to "Isa Lei" I'd love to have them; the tune, too, if you have it (or a link to where I can find it). Someday I would like to have a bit of a Fijian page on my site, and that would be a good item.

Dave O., I think rather obviously both I and the sites I linked to were referring to the official national anthem of Fiji, not to the Star Spangled Banner. Thanks, though. ;-)

Liland