This week I was singing in a concert in Greymouth. The event is an annual affair by Centrestage, a women’s performing group, and they always invite others to take part. One of the pieces I chose to sing was Hine E Hine, written by Princess Te Rangi Pai/ Fanny Rose Porter in 1905. You can read about this song (and a little about the fascinating Te Rangi Pai) on this link and more about the singer and composer is here.
My choice of song was taken from a small book called 1967 second reprint of Maori Music: Songs of New Zealand, and the piece has credits to arranger and lyricist, Sam Freedman, and Sam Karetu, credited with the Maori lyrics. Te Rangi Pai is not mentioned at all and it was only during research on the piece that I learned the truth of the song’s origins and was able to credit the composer at the performance.
Te reo Maori, the Maori language, is a precious taonga – a treasure – in Aotearoa New Zealand. The language carries with it pride and identity, and so do waiata/ Maori vocal pieces. In newer editions of this particular piece Te Rangi Pai is properly and correctly acknowledged but for how many years was her name omitted as the composer of this popular song with credit given to others?
In the Spotify playlist you can hear Dame Kiri Te Kanawa singing the song and there are plenty of other renditions out there on the internet. Thank you Te Rangi Pai for this lovely piece.
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