101 Strings was an umbrella term for a highly successful easy listening sym… Read Full Bio ↴101 Strings was an umbrella term for a highly successful easy listening symphonic music organization, with a discography exceeding a hundred albums and a creative lifetime of roughly thirty years. Their LPs were individualized by the slogan "The Sound of Magnificence", a puffy cloud logo and sepia-toned photo of the orchestra. According to the photograph, the 101 Strings orchestra was composed of 124 string instruments (all male except for the harpist) and was conducted by Wilhelm Stephan. The orchestra's famous official photograph was taken in the Musikhalle Hamburg. In reality, of course, the recordings also featured a full brass, woodwind and percussion section, and not quite as many strings as are shown in the photograph. In later years (right up to the 80's), the recordings were made by a session orchestra in London, with a line-up including a modern "pop" rhythm section. In the late 1990's, the 101 Strings Orchestra was revived with "The New 101 Strings Orchestra" for a series of modern recordings.

Song of the Islands
101 Strings Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Islands of Hawaii
Where skies of blue are calling me
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi

Valleys with their rainbows
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music

Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me

Islands of Hawaii
Where skies of blue are calling me
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi

Valleys with their rainbows
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea

Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me

Overall Meaning

These lyrics paint a beautiful picture of the Islands of Hawaii, describing the scenery and the atmosphere of the area. The first line immediately evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia, as if the singer is yearning to return to the place they once called home. The second line continues this sentiment, as the mention of the "skies of blue" implies that this place is associated with happiness and good memories.

From there, the lyrics delve deeper into what makes Hawaii such a special and unique place. The balmy air and golden moonlight suggest a paradise-like environment, while the waving palms of Wai KiKi conjure up images of soft sand and the gentle rustling of palm trees. The next verse focuses on the geography of Hawaii, extolling the virtues of its valleys, mountains, and deep blue sea. The mention of rainbows adds a touch of magic to the landscape, while the fragrant flowers and dreamy music evoke a sense of sensory delight.

Line by Line Meaning

Islands of Hawaii
This song is dedicated to the beautiful islands of Hawaii

Where skies of blue are calling me
The clear blue skies of Hawaii are like an invitation to visit and enjoy the islands' beauty

Where balmy air and golden moonlight
The warm, pleasant air of Hawaii and its golden moonlight create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere

Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
The gentle breeze touches and moves the palm trees of Wai KiKi, a place in Hawaii known for its scenic shoreline

Valleys with their rainbows
The valleys of Hawaii often have rainbows in the sky, making a breathtaking view

Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
Hawaii’s mountains and ocean have unique, vivid colors, portraying an image of awe-inspiring beauty

Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
The sweetly scented flowers in Hawaii along with their delightful melodies create an atmosphere that's dreamy and magical

Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me
All the natural beauty and attractions of Hawaii come together and seems to greet the listeners enthusiastically, as if saying ‘aloha-hi!’

Islands of Hawaii
The song ends with the repetition of its opening line, emphasizing the Isles and its exceptional beauty

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES E KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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