Hawaiian
Music Lyrics
Hawaiian music lyrics deserve a special mahalo for
helping to preserve the culture, tradition and language native to
the islands of Hawaii. Hawaiian music lyrics exemplify divine spirit,
whether a part of hula or song.
Hawaiian music lyrics often run the gamut from folk to rock and
even hip hop. The amount of Hawaiian music and song lyrics generated
out of this territory is not proportional to the small size of the
nations' 50th state.
Hawaiian music lyrics often reflect the deep culture of this southern-most
state as it is the only state of the 50 to have two official languages,
English and Hawaiian. But, Hawaiian music and lyrics have had a
huge impact on other regions as well.
The ukulele, slack-key and steel guitars have influenced songwriters
from Polynesia to East Texas. Hawaiian music lyrics have often been
a part of chanting and sometimes incorporated into dance such as
hula.
Lyrics often communicate mythology of the islands, genealogy and
praise. The language, ritual and song lyrics of Hawaii are often
steeped in spirituality with influences from both Tahiti and Samoa.
The 1930s to 1960s have been referred to as the "Golden Age
of Hawaiian Music". This era lead to the mainstreaming of Hawaiian
music and lyrics and was often accompanied by orchestras and the
big band sound.
But Hawaiian music and song lyrics have grown since this time and
many times will fuse the traditional with the cutting edge sounds
and social thought. Hawaiian music lyrics tend to be intergenerational,
reflecting not only the thoughts, feelings, dreams and angst of
young people but of the older generations as well.
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