"" is a traditional Fijian farewell song.
The origin of this song is disputed. One versions holds that Turaga Bale na Tu'i Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba composed it[1] in 1916 for Adi Litia Tavanavanua (1900–1983), when she visited Tubou, Lakeba, in 1916.[2] The Fiji Museum holds Uluilakeba's manuscript, but according to its description he composed the song in 1918 while he was in training as a civil servant in Suva.[3] Tevita Uluilakeba was the father of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, founding father of the modern nation of Fiji.
Alternatively, "Isa Lei" is the Fijian version of a Tongan love song ("") used to court the then Princess Salote (later Sālote Tupou III).[4] [5] It was written in 1915 and was heard by a visiting Fijian sergeant. From there, the Fijians adopted it to a farewell song, but they kept the Tongan melody.[6] [7]
Lieutenant A. W. Caten, a bandmaster from the Fijian Defence Forces, created a foxtrot arrangement in 1932;[8] he is often credited in modern recordings of the song, including in versions by The Seekers, and Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt on their album A Meeting by the River. It was regularly performed by Fijian singer Sakiusa Bulicokocoko.
global =
verseA = \lyricmode verseB = \lyricmode verseC = \lyricmode
sopranoVoice = \relative c'
right = \relative c' left = \relative c
sopranoVoicePart = \new Staff \with \addlyrics \addlyrics
pianoPart = \new PianoStaff << \new Staff = "right" \with \right \new Staff = "left" >>
\score \score Source:[9]
ChorusIsa Lei (Isa Lei), na noqu rarawa,Ni ko sana vodo e na matakaBau nanuma, na nodatou lasa,Mai Suva nanuma tiko ga. Vanua rogo na nomuni vanua,Kena ca ni levu tu na ua,Lomaqu voli me'u bau butukaTovolea ke balavu na bula. (Chorus) Domoni dina na nomu yanuyanu,Kena kau wale na salusalu,Mocelolo, bua, na kukuwalu,Lagakali, maba na rosi damu. (Chorus) | ChorusIsa Lei, the purple shadow falling,Sad the morrow will dawn upon my sorrow,Oh forget not, when you’re far awayPrecious moments at Suva. Isa my heart was filled with pleasureFrom the moment I heard your tender heart greetingMid the sunshine, we spent the hours together,Now so swiftly those happy hours are fleeting. (Chorus) Over the ocean your island home is callingHappy country where roses bloom and splender,Oh if I could but journey there beside youThen forever my heart would sing in rapture.[10] (Chorus) |
Ake mai pe va'a he peau,Toko faingata'a ene ha'u,Ka neongo si'i lupe ni kuo 'alu,Ho sino na te u fua pe 'eau. ChorusFakapo he kohai te ne lava,'E te manatua 'ae 'ofa'anga,Ne ngangatu mai o alaha,Feluteni si 'eku 'ofa ta'engata. | Those branches reaches through the waves,Though difficult and laborious thou attempt,But lo | the lovebird (dove) will now depart,Your body's image will be a burden of my heart. ChorusOh no! Who can endure?The memories of whom I love,She is my perfume and the fragrance of my life,The catalyst for my eternal love. |
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