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Songs of Samoa This collection consists of arrangements of traditional Samoan songs for a cappella choir. It is available from Vaia'ata Print through competitively priced copy licence. These songs work very well as a cycle and have also been frequently performed as individual numbers throughout the United States, Europe and Australasia. Single versions of some of the songs are available from Alliance Music Publications Inc. (USA). Samoan pronunciation is easy and consistent. All editions come with a pronunciation guide, translation and background notes. For Samoa Sings (SSAA, TTBB) and Two Samoan Folksongs please see below. |
| 1) Okaoka La’u 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" |
| 2) Sau La’u Teine Samoa | 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) |
| 3) Minoi, Minoi | 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) |
| 4) 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" |
| 5) Pusi Nofo | 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) |
| 6) Moemoe Pepe | 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) |
| 7) Faleula E! | SSATBB | 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) |
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1)
Minoi, Minoi LISTEN** 2) La’u Lupe 3) Pusi
Nofo LISTEN* 4) Moemoe
Pepe LISTEN*
(*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) |
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Samoa Sings (TTBB) |
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1) Minoi, Minoi 2) La’u
Lupe 3) Pusi Nofo LISTEN*
4) Moemoe Pepe 5) Sau
La’u Teine Samoa 6)Okaoka La’u Honey
(*recording by permission of Terence Maskell and the Graduate Choir) |