Samoa Sings
I hold your hand in mine, dear, I press it to my lips,
I take a little bite from your dainty fingertips;
My joy would be complete, dear, if you were only here,
But still I keep your hand as a precious souvenir.
The night you died I cut it off, I really don’t know why,
For now each time I kiss it I get bloodstains on my tie,
I’m sorry now I killed you, for our love was something fine,
And till they come to get me I shall hold your hand in mine.
Okaoka My Honey
SATB
The singer compares his lover to the most highly prized and exotic foods available in Samoa in the early years of this century. Rhythmic, exuberant and great fun. Not difficult. ±3″
Come My Samoan Girl
SATB (some divisions)
The frustrated serenader knocking at the door. The tune seems to show the influence of Hawaiian popular music of the 1920s received via the dance halls of Pagopago, American Samoa. Not difficult. ±2.5″LISTEN (recording by permission of the Graduate Choir)
Mine, Mine
SATB (some divisions)
A dance song, the words describing the movements of the dance. More food/love imagery! Very catchy tune. Not difficult. ±2.5″ LISTEN (recording by permission of New Zealand National Youth Choir)
La’u Lupe
SATB (optional ten. solo)
Two contrasting images of loss or death in one song: a Samoan one – the flight of the pigeon, and a European one – the plucked rose. The irregular phrases of this beautiful melody reveal its relationship to pre-European chant. LISTEN (recording by permission of Juniata College Choir) ±3″
Sitting Cat
SATB
An action song. Cats accompanied the first Europeans to arrive in Samoa and have been the frequent subject of songs and dances ever since. Easy and a lot of fun. ±2″ LISTEN (recording of the TTBB version by permission of Graduate Choir)
Sleeping Baby
SATB (optional sop. solo)
A tender lullaby, the words having obvious links to the English lullaby ‘Rock-a-bye Baby’, but with a subtle difference in the last line. Not difficult. ±3″ LISTEN (recording by permission of the Graduate Choir)
E!
SATB
A chant from the ‘Mau’ movement (advocating independence from New Zealand) is woven into a well known hymn. Dramatic, exciting. Moderate difficulty. ±4″ LISTEN (recording by permission of New Zealand Secondary School Students Choir who commissioned this music)
Samoa Sings (SSAA – optional sop. solos in 2, 3 and 4)
1) Minoi, Minoi 2) La’u Lupe 3) Pusi Nofo 4) Moemoe Pepe
(*recordings by permission of Mark O’Leary and Young Voices of Melbourne)
(**recording by permission of Magen Solomon and the San Francisco Women’s choir)
Samoa Sings (TTBB)
1) Minoi, Minoi 2) Lau Lupe 3) Sitting Cat 4) Sleeping Baby 5) Come My Samoan Girl 6) Okaoka Lau Honey (*
recording by permission of Terence Maskell and the Graduate Choir)