Video Information

• Choir: singing safari
• Piece: Pokarekare ana
• Composer:  Paraire Henare Tomoana
• Conductor:  Chris Rowbury
• Voices:  SATB
• Genres: Folk/Ethnic
• Famous New Zealand love song. Pokarekare Ana was originally written in 1912 as a bid to win the heart of Paraire Henare Tomoana's beloved, Kuini Ripeka Ryland. Paraire had fallen in love with Kuini but her family refused to give their blessing to a marria...  moreFamous New Zealand love song. Pokarekare Ana was originally written in 1912 as a bid to win the heart of Paraire Henare Tomoana's beloved, Kuini Ripeka Ryland. Paraire had fallen in love with Kuini but her family refused to give their blessing to a marriage between the two. A lovelorn Paraire composed Pokarekare Ana in which he vowed his eternal love. He declared this passion by singing Pokarekare Ana at Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae to Kuini in front of her Ngati Porou elders. The family was won over by his convincing performance and granted him their daughter's hand.
  
  How placid are the ripples of restless Waiapu,
  Dear they know of your returning,
  from far across the sea.
  
  Dear Heart of mine,
  I'll wait for thee,
  My love is thine alone,
  to eternity.
  
  This outdoor performance was the culmination of a six-week project which creates a choir from scratch for one night only. Each winter and summer, Chris Rowbury gathers a random bunch of singers from in and around Ipswich. There are no auditions and all songs are taught and learnt by ear. Usually eight songs are learnt in six two-hour sessions and in the summer are performed outdoors near Ipswich. http://chrisrowbury.com  less