Lyr Req: Now Is the Hour (Maori)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now Is the Hour (Maori)
From: Gurney
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 04:22 PM

Tangledwood, "That should improve the I.Q. of both countries."

Quote from Robert Muldoon, N.Z. Prime Minister, although HE nicked that. ;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now Is the Hour (Maori)
From: Tangledwood
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:47 AM

Many Kiwis are of the opinion that Australia is responsible for nicking Kiwi stuff . . .

Yeah, we even nicked half their population. :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now Is the Hour (Maori)
From: Gurney
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 01:19 AM

Credits from 'The Readers Digest Family Songbook,' 1972 edition.

'Words by Maewae Kaihau. Music by Clement Scott.'

'Although generally thought of as a genuine Polynesian song, 'Now is the Hour' is of neither Maori nor New Zealand origin. It is believed to have been written in Australia in 1913 under another title, and to have been adopted by Maori singers some years later. The song achieved widespread popularity during Woorld War ll, when it was associated with NZ servicemen abroad, and Bing Crosby's 1946 recording sent it to the top of the Hit Parade.'

I will only comment that the book was compiled in Australia in 1969, and registered and printed there. Many Kiwis are of the opinion that Australia is responsible for nicking Kiwi stuff, like puddings, racehorses, and pop groups, and claiming them as their own.
I once worked with Maewae's nephew, a fine guitarist, and he was of the opinion that his "auntie wrote it."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now Is the Hour (Maori)
From: Hrothgar
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 12:08 AM

Well, I was fairly sure it was First World War, and I had doubts about the Maori origin. See this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_Is_the_Hour

Like Danny Boy being Irish, isn't it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 08 Dec 01 - 12:11 AM

Yeah, Jennie G.,
I'd be interested in the full notes. You can PM me (I really am a member) or email me at [e-mail]. Thanks,
Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:48 AM

Last year while visiting NZ (which I loved)I bought a CD of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa singing Maori songs. There are other voices and instruments as well as hers. The booklet has notes about each song; the notes for Po Ata Rau (Now is the Hour) say that it is adapted from a 1913 piano solo composed in Australia. Maori musicians changed the rhythm to 3/4 and added Maori words....and so on. I can provide the notes in full if anyone is interested.
Cheers
JennieG who had a Kiwi grandmother

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Genie
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:05 AM

Liz and Bella,
Thanks for the Maori language pointers! This thread has garnered more than I had asked for, and all is very much appreciated!
Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 11:52 AM

Missionaries made choirs for Christian converts all around the Pacific--rhythm of the old chants got combined with the melodies and harmonies of hymns, traditional chants borrowed melodies, hymns got translated-- each islands have its own thing--when you on an island, plenty of time for making music, not much places to go--

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 08:10 PM

back at home - with CD
Maori Love Songs
Wiki Baker
St Josephs Maori Girls College Choir
New Zealand Maori Chorale
Viking Sevenseas NZ Ltd PO Box 152 Paraparamu NZ
hmmmmmmm bro-inlaw lives in Paraparam

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 06:55 AM

Bella
Wiki Baker is maybe in her 60's (not too sure of this) but I have what is obviously and old recording of her singing with the St Joseph's College choir (or "the choir of.." etc). Her ascendancy must have been in the 60's & 70's. I only know of her from hearsay and the CD I have. Very clear voice but I have to say the record I have lacks bite, which is fine but some songs need a little extra, eg Pokarekare Ana can soar with the counterplay of the male tenor voice. It sounds very patriotic and probably is being sentimental about Rotorua, but even without the translation that comes across.
But then Maori are a proud race and it is reflected in their music.
I just wish I could remember the tape I first heard - it included a story + song about Hinemoa and Tutanekai. Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: GUEST,Bella
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:21 AM

Yip - pre-european waiata was more of a chant than what we hear now. Doesn't mean that modern song is less valid though; one can draw comparisons with the development of Folk from the UK. Just as there is a wide variety of genre's (depending on locality and era) so it is of "Maori" music. Though we refer to the collective "Maori" it is important to remember that there are many different and distinct groupings (iwi/tribes) just as there are in the UK. They each have variations as to the stories which define their iwi, too. Pronounciation also varies to some extent, which can be a rather hot political subject when white people (or a dominant iwi) try to standardise it. To learn accent, you really need to hear and listen. The language has a beautiful rthymic quality. The vowels are generally the same as for the Japanese language - I guess that is a testament to the thousands of miles covered by so many over so many thousands of years. NZ Maori say they came from Hawaiki - this should not be confused with Hawaii however. Somehow or other there are many extremely talented singers (opera/pop) amongst the Maori population - never heard of Wiki Baker though! As far as instruments go, NZ never had the drum but used nose flutes (breath is sacred) and bull roarers. As a starter, here are a few vowel sounds for you a = but; e = bet; i = bin; o= porch; u = good. Depending (often)on where in the word the vowel falls, the length will vary. Double vowels get more complicated!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 06:06 PM

Maori/Hawaian have the Polynesian islands as their root, so both languages, although they have altered over the centuries, both have the same sort of structure.

The thing to remember with Maori is to pronounce every syllable, so Aotearoa is A-o-te-a-ro-a not Ayow-tear-oay.

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 10:05 AM

Maori tradition is storytelling, and music was a chant with lots of stomping & slapping of the body parts (particularyly near the lungs) and vocal gymnastics. Spine tingling stuff.
I think you'll find the guitars and true temper scale is European.
The influence from Hawaii is noticeable.
A couple of noteables are the late Inia te Wiata who sang opera in London but loved his roots and Wiki Baker who is still with us.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Genie
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 12:21 PM

Thanks a lot, Sorcha? (How do you say that in Maori?)

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 06:50 AM

What I'd like to know is, did the Maori-style of singing originate in Maoro culture or was it influenced by European culture?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 04:46 AM

Gracie fields sang it.
I did learn and sing the Maori version
such was the helpful nature of the FC they didn't believe I was singing in Maori. As if they could tel!
I didn't dare try it in NZ even f I could have remembered the sounds.
Pokarekare Ana is another good one if you are into Maori songs. It works well as a Male Female duet.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: The Shambles
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 04:36 AM

Thanks for that. This was my old mum's favourite, her father (my grandfather) was Maori.

It was played at her funeral, after I had found the sheet music in the smallest and most unlikely of music shops, only the day before.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:52 PM

Now is the hour Maori with sheet music and English translation.........Hawaian guitar MP3 and a MIDI.......

Subject: Maori lyrics to Now Is The Hour
From: Genie
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:48 PM

The popular WWII song Now Is The Hour was originally a Maori song, then taken by Allied soldiers to Hawaii and translated into English (and Hawaiian, I think).

Does anyone have the Maori words (and a pronunciation guide)? How about the words in Hawaiian, too?