ISA LEI

Created on 06/03/2001
Latest update on 02/02/2024

Artist: Andi Thakambau
Author: Saki Buliloko
Label: Yazoo
Year: 1940

On The Secret Museum Of Mankind Vol. 1 - Ethnic Music Classics 1925-1948; wax cylinders and 78's originally. Author Buliloko comes from Fiji capital Suva, mentioned in the lyrics.

Covers:

1940s:

Harry Owens

1962:

Dave Guard & The Whiskeyhill Singers [ex Kingston Trio and born in Honolulu; traditional version]

1963:

Seekers

1975:

Gabby Pahinui [as Ipo Lei Manu]

1992:

Pahinui Brothers [the sons of Gabby Pahinui produced by Ry Cooder; cowboy version]

1993:

Ry Cooder & V.M. Bhatt [on A Meeting By The River and also in film Dead Man Walking]

1996:

Bob Brozman [with Ed Gerhard]

Translated as Fijian Farewell. The last lyric line mentions this archipel. Originally sung by stevedores any time a ship they had loaded left the harbor. The song is mostly regarded as Hawaiian since Harry Owens brought it to Hawaii and popularized it there.

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:

Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)

info@originals.be

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