However, I discovered that it was actually written in New Zealand by a Maori woman!!! Must be NZ's first platinum song :-)
The history of the song is ...
"The origins of ‘Now is the hour’ can be traced back to the ‘Swiss cradle song’ by Clement Scott. This popular piano piece was released in 1913 by the Australian music company of W.H. Paling and Co. In New Zealand it was quickly adapted for the song ‘Po atarau’ and used to farewell Maori soldiers departing for the First World War.The song was modified in 1920 by Maewa Kaihau who wrote the verse ‘This is the hour’. [Which of course is the popular one that everybody recognises.] By 1935 it was known as the ‘Haere ra waltz song’, and it became a favourite as the last waltz at dances and farewells. It was heard often during the Second World War as soldiers were farewelled.‘Now is the hour’ highlights the blending of Maori and European traditions to produce a song that could be understood and appreciated by both the Maori and European communities.In 1945, British wartime singer Gracie Fields visited New Zealand and heard the song performed by a concert party in Rotorua. Her driver, an Auckland dance band leader, taught her the song, and in July 1947 Fields sang her version on a BBC radio programme. Her recording of ‘Now is the hour’ became a huge international hit. Then, in February 1948 a version by Bing Crosby entered the United States charts. It was Crosby’s 42nd (and, somewhat appropriately, last) single to reach the top of the pop charts."
And a bit more History about the woman who wrote the famous part ...
"Emira Maewa Kaihau (b.1879 - d.19??) was born Louisa Flavell at Whangaroa, in Northland. On her father's side she is said to have descended from French nobles fleeing the French Revolution, and from a musician from the court of the Austrian Emperor. On her mother's side she was a direct descendant of Nga Puhi chief Hone Hika of Ngati Rahiri and Ngati Rehia Hapu.
Maewa was the second wife of Henare Kaihau, (of Waiuku, near Manukau), the Maori Member of Parliament representing Western Maori until 1920, and she bore him six daughters and two sons. Maewa was musically gifted; she played the piano, sang, and also taught music. She was also well known for reading her poetry.
The Prince of Wales visited NZ in 1920. At a ball in Rotorua, Maewa's eldest daughter was one of a group of teenage girls who, in bare feet and piupiu, entertained the Royal entourage, and the girl formed an attachment with one of them. But he had to depart with the Prince.
So Maewa quickly wrote this for her daughter, using the well-known Po Atarau tune as a basis, but with some of the opening phrase lowered, as shown here. This was published privately in the early 1920s, with ornate Maori translations added to the original English verses."
Hayley Westernra singing a modern version.
No comments:
Post a Comment