2014 Term 4, Week 8: Now is the Hour

Something to make you chuckle 

 

“Now is the Hour” is also known as “Po atarau”  and it has been a popular song to sing at the end of important events or farewells in New Zealand for over 100 years. 

A version was also sung to farewell Maori soldiers departing for World War 1,  and then later for soldiers leaving for World War 2.   It was a popular song to farewell anybody going overseas, especially as, in those days, the only way to travel was by sea, and people did not travel overseas as often as they do now.

The song is based on a song called “Swiss Cradle Song” by Clement Scott in 1913, and the words and tune were adapted by Maewa Kaihau in 1920 to be closer to what we now sing. By 1935 it was known as the “Haere Ra waltz song” and it was a popular song to play at the end of dances. 

In 1945, the British singer Gracie Fields visited New Zealand and learnt the song. She sang it on a British radio programme and it became a huge hit.  In America, it became popular when Bing Crosby recorded it. 


Now is the Hour
 
Po atarau
E moea iho nei
E haere ana
Koe ki pamamao
Haere ra
Ka hoki mai ano
Ki i te tau
E tangi atu nei

Now is the hour,
when we must say goodbye
Soon you'll be sailing,
far across the sea.
While you're away,
Oh please remember me.
When you return,
you'll find me waiting here.

This is the first recorded version  of Now is the Hour, in 1927 and in Maori and English. 

Here's a barbershop version by the the Musical Island Boys who won a gold medal for the best performance of 2014 at a competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

This is Bing Crosby singing Now is the Hour in 1947. 

This is the Gracie Fields' 1947 version. 

This is a singalong version with the words in Maori and their English translation. It's a bit faster and easier to sing along with.  

This is a beautiful version by Saint Joseph's Maori Girls' College choir. 

This is Hayley Westenra singing Now is the Hour at the end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.

From folksong.org.nz. Follow this link for more information about Po Atarau.