These artists redefine Hawaiian Music, and to omit listening to it based on a preconceived idea of what is Hawaiian is to miss a rich and vibrant new sound. Overall the tone is upbeat, and the mood celebratory/loving, and fun.
Pride
HAPA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One man come and go,
One man come, he to justify,
One man to overthrow.
Chorus:
In the name of love
What more, in the name of love?
One man caught in a barbed-wire fence,
One man he resist,
One man washed on an empty beach,
One man betrayed with a kiss.
(Chorus)
Early morning, April 4,
A shot rings out in the Memphis sky,
Free at last, they took your life,
They could not take your pride.
(Chorus)
The first verse of HAPA's song Pride depicts how a single person can create a significant impact, either positive or negative, with their actions. The line "One man come in the name of love" draws attention to how love has been used as a tool for change and how one person's love can have the power to make a difference. The following line, "One man come and go," can be interpreted in different ways. It could refer to how some people's impact fades quickly, or it could symbolize how one person's action can serve as an inspiration for others to act. The third line, "One man come, he to justify," highlights how some people may feel justified in doing wrong. Finally, "One man to overthrow" brings the focus to how one person's goal could be to bring down those in power.
The chorus, "In the name of love, what more, in the name of love?" emphasizes how love can be an incredibly powerful motivator for change and how little else is necessary when striving for what is right.
The second verse of the song concentrates on the various struggles that people face while fighting for a cause. The first line, "One man caught in a barbed-wire fence," refers to people being physically held back or trapped due to their beliefs. The second line, "One man he resist," shows how people resist these struggles, regardless of the consequences. The third line, "One man washed on an empty beach," could refer to how some individuals may fight for their cause until the bitter end, be it success or failure. Finally, "One man betrayed with a kiss" could indicate how people who once supported a particular cause or individual could turn on them.
The concluding verse commemorates the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and emphasizes how his death could not take away the pride people had for their beliefs. The lyric "A shot rings out in the Memphis sky" describes the moment of his assassination, and the line "Free at last, they took your life" acknowledges the freedom that Rev. King fought for. The final line, "They could not take your pride," reminds listeners that the struggle for civil rights may have taken many lives, but it couldn't take away the drive for justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
One man come in the name of love,
One man comes in the name of love, signifying that he represents love and hopes to bring love wherever he goes.
One man come and go,
One man comes and goes, indicating that he is transient and that his presence may be fleeting.
One man come, he to justify,
One man comes to justify his existence, to give meaning and purpose to his life.
One man to overthrow.
One man also seeks to overthrow - perhaps an oppressive force, an idea, or a corrupt system.
In the name of love
What more, in the name of love?
The chorus repeats the opening line, emphasizing the importance of love, and questioning what more can be done in the name of love.
One man caught in a barbed-wire fence,
One man is caught in a barbed-wire fence, which could be a literal or metaphorical representation of obstacles that are keeping him from his goals.
One man he resist,
Despite his struggles, one man resists oppression and doesn't give up without a fight.
One man washed on an empty beach,
Another man is washed up on an empty beach, alone and stranded. This could symbolize a person who has lost hope or is disconnected from society.
One man betrayed with a kiss.
Another man is betrayed by someone he thought he trusted, using a symbolically intimate gesture like a kiss to do so.
Early morning, April 4,
A shot rings out in the Memphis sky,
Free at last, they took your life,
They could not take your pride.
The final verse is a reference to Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated on April 4th. It speaks to the fact that his life was taken from him, but they could not take away his dignity, his sense of self, and his courage.
Contributed by Hunter S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Neal McAuliffe
Requiem of Love and Longing that Goodness will prevail!
Mahalo Hapa!
that guy
Quick shoutout to Hawaiian band Hapa who did a uniquely islander cover of Pride (In the Name of Love).
34HBea54 Bausa Salas
In the Name of Lord thanks a lot and God bless bless you all (and me too please) beatifull cover, even better than U2 ¡¡¡bravo!!!
Secret Squirrel
I was born born and raised on Oahu. I agree with Beatriz. I was given this Hapa CD when it first came out. From the first time I heard this cover unto now, I think it is better. To each his own, eh? Semper Fi.
Baron of Rhodes
Beatriz Bausa Salas
Better than U2? Let's not get carried away. I lived in Hawaii. Listened to this song regularly. They're good, but not that good...
Daniel Falcon
Somewhere around the rainbow
ticklesdust
Where is this speech quoted from? Martin luther king Jr. but which one?
Thanks!
Secret Squirrel
@ticklesdust You're right. I just spent more than an hour looking for the sermon which is part of the recording here. The best I have found is that what is recorded here is not from a sermon but a speech given ~1964. That speech is a compilation of articles published in magazines and other sermons. I am not satisfied that that is the whole of the matter. If only for myself I will continue to look.
A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings And Speeches Of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a book which may shed more light on the subject.
ticklesdust
@Secret Squirrel good sermon, but not 100% verbatim to what is played at the end.
Secret Squirrel
The Death of Evil Upon the Seashore